Clearing laptop data!!!

[Mark300zx]

Lenogood is sending me a replacement laptop for the pile of junk they originally sold me, and I want to clear the data from my old one, any steerage appreciated?

[grumbledoak]

"Reset this PC" under Settings

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billin...

[Brother D]

If you have windows pro, then I would turn on bit locker let it finish, then do reset.

[captain_cynic]

Is there a recovery disk or partition?

If so use that to restore the laptop back to how it came from the factory.

Otherwise just use something to wipe the partitons off the disk and let reinstalling the OS become their problem.

If you're really worried you can use something like DBAN to write garbage data over the disk... Just how worried are you about your porn collection getting out?

[Baldchap]

How critical is removing the data? Is it super confidential?

[Mark300zx]

Baldchap said:

How critical is removing the data? Is it super confidential?

Nothing major just normal PC use

[Mark300zx]

No windows pro

[Mark300zx]

No recovery disc

[sgrimshaw]

Mark300zx said:

No recovery disc

Unless it's ancient, there should be a recovery partition ... no-one gets a disc these days

[mikef]

For any really sensitive docs, I would download a trial copy of R-Wipe’n’Clean, do a triple-DES file or directory wipe and then proceed as above

Encrypted wiping an SSD is not recommended due to wear, but as you are handing it back…

[grumbledoak]

Why do people assume that the first thing Lenovo are going to do with a returned laptop is give it to Mossad to scour it for deleted confidential files?

I bet they don't.

[OutInTheShed]

Most of these answers assume the laptop works to some extent.
As the OP is sending it back, maybe it doesn't?

You could remove the hard drive and format it on another machine, then fill it up with pictures of cats.
Alternatively, I know a farrier who has a sideline in data destruction by the 'forge and hammer method'.

They may not be expecting the hard drive to be returned?

[FMOB]

Mark300zx said:

Baldchap said:

How critical is removing the data? Is it super confidential?

Nothing major just normal PC use

So lots of online shopping and no doubt banking too.

If it was just end of life, the disc would get over-written multiple times and the drill some big holes in it. As it is a warranty return as above without the holes.

[Whataguy]

I’ve deleted the data then run CCleaner overnight to overwrite the free space 7 times.

Then do the windows reset to factory settings.

[Mark300zx]

Many thanks will try some of the solutions here and fingers crossed

[CoolHands]

Stick in a microwave

[soad]

CoolHands said:

Stick in a microwave

Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.