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Computer/Technology => Computer => Topic started by: goldshirt*9 on January 01, 2023, 10:11:45 PM

Title: Restore PC
Post by: goldshirt*9 on January 01, 2023, 10:11:45 PM

Son wants to reset his pc (no longer needs) to sell. An old gaming computer approx 4 yrs old.
Is there a way to remove all personnel data easily or is it a long haul to remove all programs and personal data one at a time.
Believe its Windows 10/11 ???

Thanks

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: smokester on January 02, 2023, 07:20:59 AM

Quote from: goldshirt*9 on January 01, 2023, 10:11:45 PM

Son wants to reset his pc (no longer needs) to sell. An old gaming computer approx 4 yrs old.
Is there a way to remove all personnel data easily or is it a long haul to remove all programs and personal data one at a time.
Believe its Windows 10/11 ???

Thanks

You can use the built in windows reset function, just type "reset this pc" in the start menu, and as you go through the options you can tell it to delete all apps and use thorough mode or data erasure on which will prevent sensitive files from being recovered.

Regards. TNG.

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: dweez on January 02, 2023, 09:27:18 AM

If you're really concerned about making sure any personal data is removed, you can use a disk eraser like DBAN (https://dban.org/) to securely wipe it. You need to put DBAN on a thumb drive and boot off it. The default options should be more than sufficient.

Then you can reinstall Windows clean. Here's an MS doc for reinstalling Windows 10 or 11 (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reinstall-windows-d8369486-3e33-7d9c-dccc-859e2b022fc7) as well as a link on how to get the needed installation media (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d).

If just a fresh install is sufficient for you, the MS links also have instructions for that.

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: goldshirt*9 on January 02, 2023, 08:42:31 PM

Cheers all, I have no doubt I will end up doing it  8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: 8ullfrog on January 03, 2023, 09:15:20 PM

Another option is to swap the drive out.

It's not nearby, but the electronics goodwill I go to sells 1tb spinny drives for $13.

They come pre-tested, so all he'd really need to do is slap the windows license on the new drive.

Or he could sell as-is and just pull the drive.

Pulling the drive gives you 100% confidence that your files are off the box.

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: goldshirt*9 on January 04, 2023, 07:28:57 AM

HAve a few drives, but not the windows installation as pc's come preloaded
Son isnt very good as time management and I know i will end up doing it  :-[

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: dweez on January 04, 2023, 08:35:20 AM

You should be able to get the installation media from the last link in my previous post.

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: goldshirt*9 on January 05, 2023, 08:26:01 AM

Quote from: dweez on January 04, 2023, 08:35:20 AM

You should be able to get the installation media from the last link in my previous post.

ATM viewing 👍👍

Title: Re: Restore PC
Post by: goldshirt*9 on January 08, 2023, 09:10:20 PM

Yep as i guessed, Son has left pc doing nothing to it 🤷‍♂️ So have no spare monitor to connect to it , so must use mine and get around to it sometime.
No matter how old they get, still leave it to their parents  ::) ;D 8)