Forum Discussion
How to completely wipe a laptop with Windows 11/10?
I've been in a similar situation before, selling an old Dell XPS 13 with an SSD system drive and a large HDD. I was also concerned that simply formatting the drive wouldn't be safe, as recovery software could still retrieve the files. In the end, I used a tool like Dr.Wiper to perform a full drive wipe, which overwrites both the SSD and HDD multiple times, completely erasing any remaining data.
I followed this tutorial: Worked for me
https://www.gicmodo.com/how-to-permanently-wipe-a-drive
If you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, the built-in Reset This PC feature is one of the best ways to help you completely wipe a Windows laptop. It allows you to reinstall Windows while keeping your files (refresh) or completely wipe everything (clean install). It's useful for fixing system issues, removing malware, or preparing a laptop for sale.
How "Reset this PC" Works
When you choose "Remove everything", Windows:
Deletes all personal files, apps, and settings (or just apps/settings if you choose "Keep my files").
Reinstalls Windows from recovery files or cloud download.
(Optional) Securely erases data if you enable "Clean the drive" (makes recovery harder).
How to Use "Reset this PC"
- Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
- Click "Reset this PC" → Choose "Remove everything".
- Select "Clean the drive" (for security) or "Just remove my files" (faster).
- Confirm & let Windows reinstall. This will completely wipe a laptop running with Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Limitations
Not 100% secure for SSDs (use manufacturer's tool for full wipe).
Recovery partition must be intact (otherwise, needs Windows USB).