Remove data before selling a PC or laptop

How to clean up your PC before passing it on

By | PC Advisor | 15 June 12

If you are selling or giving away a PC or laptop, it is crucial that you remove all traces of your ownership, to protect your data and identity. Our Helproom Editor explains to a PC Advisor reader how to clean up a PC before you pass it on or sell it.

It is vitally important to clean up your PC before you pass it on

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QUESTION I'm selling a six-month-old laptop and want to remove the Windows login so the new owner can set their own. How can I do this, please? Julius44

HELPROOM ANSWER You can remove the password via Control Panel, User Accounts, ‘Remove your password'. However, your laptop is also likely to contain personal data, which you don't want falling into the wrong hands. This could include your usernames, passwords, internet browsing history, banking details, photos and documents.

Most laptops have an option that lets your restore to factory settings, erasing all user data. You can also use a program such as CCleaner (tinyurl.com/bqe2s6j) to be sure that all sensitive data has been removed.

It's worth the effort: the new owner can start afresh, and you'll be able to rest assured that your personal data is secure.

Clean up your PC before selling it or giving it away

It is vitally important to clean up your PC before you pass it on

See all How to articles. Get free tech support in the Helproom Forum.

Visit Windows 7 Advisor for more Windows advice. Or email our Helproom Editor for bespoke advice.

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Comments

Maccyroo said: So many people still wrongly believe that formatting securely erases data so it cannot be recovered but even CCLeaner will not remove every trace of personal information It only cleans window temp files and certain system areasas well assome browsers and a very limited number of otherpopular software titlesTheeasiest and most secureway to totally clean a PC ofany personal data prior to saleis touse something like thefreeDariksBootand Nuke DBANIf you must leave the Windows operating systemintact then at least use a tool like Eraser to clean any area not just My Documents where you have stored personal files Eraser will overwrite deleted data totally securely so itisnt even recoverable bythe likes of the CIA or MI5and is also totally free

youreally dont needtoknow said: thats all find and dandy IF it bootswhat if it wont

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