Forum Discussion
How to remove personal information from computer before selling
Hi everyone, I'm preparing to sell my computer and want to ensure that all my personal information is completely removed before handing it over to the new owner. I'm not very tech-savvy, so I'm look...
It's great that you're taking steps to securely remove personal information from computer before selling. Here's a simple, step-by-step guide tailored for someone who isn't super tech-savvy:
1. Backup Important Data
If there's anything you want to keep (photos, documents, etc.), make sure to back it up to an external drive, cloud storage, or USB stick. Once erased, data can't be recovered.
2. Sign Out and Remove Accounts
- Sign out of all accounts (like email, cloud services, social media).
- Remove any linked accounts or device management profiles.
- Deauthorize your computer from services like iTunes or Adobe if applicable.
3. Remove External Devices and Storage
- Disconnect all external drives, USB sticks, SD cards, printers, etc.
- If you have any backups, remove or securely erase them separately.
4. Use Built-In Reset or Factory Reset Options
About removing personal information from computer before selling. Most Windows and macOS computers have built-in options to reset or wipe the system:
For Windows 10/11:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery
- Click Reset this PC
- Choose Remove everything
- Follow the prompts to reinstall Windows. This process removes your files and resets Windows to factory settings.
- For added security, select Change settings and turn on Data erasure (if available).