Selling my laptop, what is the best way to clean it without formating?

[iamgenius]

Hello guys. I just bought a new laptop and would like to sell the old one to a relative. I usually format the disk and reload windows in cases like this but I'm getting lazy this time because I'll end up loading windows and all other necessary programs as a favor, which can take time.

Is there a program or a way that can help you delete personal info from everywhere and leave only system files?

There are two partitions C: of course and D for data. D will be wiped clean and I can do manual removal for files in C:, but my experience is telling me there will always be some files left here and there. Those default save locations used by many programs can be tricky sometimes.

CCleaner does a good job deleting temp/cashe/history entries...etc. I want something that cleans the default storing locations for popular programs. oovoo for example will create a folder to save received files into it. Other programs do the same. Anything you know of that can wipe such locations automatically?

Thanks.

 

[Ketchup]

Most programs that I use have a personalization folder somewhere in My Documents. One program is not going to know where every other program on earth saves its files. The latest version of CCleaner gets pretty close.

 

[iamgenius]

One program is not going to know where every other program on earth saves its files.

Hehehehe. I like the way you put it. You know? I think I'll just resort to deleting all images and videos in C:, but again what is the best way to do this?

I can do a search for jpegs or gifs using *.gif for example. But, is there a better way of doing it without having to do a search for every image/video file extension there is?


Thanks

 

[Puffnstuff]

I think that you should stick to your old school method and just reformat the drive and reinstall windows. That makes double sure that your relative doesn't encounter anything that might cause issues.

 

[Ketchup]

It sounds like you want to be quite detailed with the cleaning. Do you really think you have personal data outside of personal files?

For example, if I uninstalled my personal programs, created a new user account, and had Windows remove my user account, there would not be personal data remaining on my laptop.

 

[ninaholic37]

Some things I would do:

- Uninstall Programs that didn't come with Windows in Control Panel
- Delete All Restore Points
- Make a new Admin account, log in to it, then delete all your old accounts

 

[ArisVer]

Better wipe the disk and do a clean install. Would you like a used operating system if you were the relative?

 

[ninaholic37]

Most laptops I owned had a Hidden Partition and you could just hit a certain key (like F11, F2, Ctrl-F10) at the boot screen and it would restore everything for you:

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/laptop/3462995/factory-reset-laptop/

I doubt your relative really cares much what's on it though as long as it doesn't run slow. Maybe they could figure out how to delete what they don't want on their own anyway. I would just give it to them for free if it's old personally. Not worth trying to gouge a relative out of $20 or whatever - lol.

 

[sweenish]

I'm guessing it's not running Windows 8 or 8.1, since you'd just reset it.

Otherwise, use revo uninstaller to remove any programs you don't want.

 

[corkyg]

Based on years of experience, when I buy a laptop, I get it with the cheapest drive offered. On receipt, I clone that to a bigger, faster one, even SSD, and put the original drive away. If I later sell thr machine, I simply put the original factory drive back in and it has no personal data.

 

[Mushkins]

It sounds like you want to be quite detailed with the cleaning. Do you really think you have personal data outside of personal files?

For example, if I uninstalled my personal programs, created a new user account, and had Windows remove my user account, there would not be personal data remaining on my laptop.

An hour and some freeware recovery software and all of those personal files are right back where they were for anyone to snoop through.

DBAN it, then reinstall windows. It takes like an hour tops to reinstall windows and basic apps these days, gonna waste more time trying to fish out all your personal data.

 

[Matt1970]

If I was giving or selling it to a relative I would just create a new user account and delete the old one (select delete files option). That will get rid of a lot of it. Also reset internet explorer setting which will delete any old form data and saved passwords. After that wipe the free space on the drive with Ccleaner drive wiper.

If I were to sell it to the general public I would wipe the entire drive.

 

[Ketchup]

An hour and some freeware recovery software and all of those personal files are right back where they were for anyone to snoop through...

We are talking about a relative though. If we weren't, nothing short of a full wipe/ recovery should be on the table.

 

[razel]

Lots of good info here. Here's what I agree with...

Create a new admin account and use that account to delete all other accounts and profiles. You'll see this buried in the system properties, user profiles.
Run CCleaner, but use it's 'wipe free space' function buried in the settings and run in the tools.

What you eventually want to do is to wipe free space and clear slack space.

 

[JackMDS]

I usually format the disk and reload windows in cases like this but I'm getting lazy this time because I'll end up loading windows and all other necessary programs as a favor, which can take time..

As you can see above the OP is a knowledgeable member and by his own admission he is Just ""Lazy"". - .

So, the first decision is about how much Laziness can cost you.

I have few computers that do not have any crucial info on. So the Method summarized above by razel is what I use.

I add to it one more step after the Electronic cleaning.

I maintain a follow up of a very old program that use to be called Xtree and Now it is ZtreeWin.

http://www.ztree.com/html/ztreewin.htm

It set it to read all the Files on the Drive across all Folders, then it can be easy manipulated.

Example this screen shows all file with *.gif extension across all the Drive sorted by size (easily can be sorted by date, name, etc.).

The residual files left after the cleaning are shown, if anything was left behind it can be tagged (blue white rectangular at the left), then files can be Purged by one click (purge means delete and replaced by 00 bytes).

I do the same for *.doc, *.jpg etc.

The last steps after the cleaning is to run Process Explorer and make sure that nothing unwanted is running hidden in the back ground.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Then look at the Wireless Manager and remove the saved WIFI logon info (if any).

-----------------------

That said I always make an Image of the HD after the initial setting of new computer and keep it on my server.

So when absolute security is an issue, I clone back the Initial Drive before giving the computer to any one else. It take 8-10 Minutes to Clone and when the time come another 10 Minute to re-image.

 

[Mushkins]

We are talking about a relative though. If we weren't, nothing short of a full wipe/ recovery should be on the table.

We're talking about a relative, that's *more* of a reason to do a full wipe. Who's typically more interested in your personal life, a total stranger or your family? D:

But in all seriousness, if the OP actually cares about security and making those files unrecoverable wiping the drive is the only real option.

 

[corkyg]

... I maintain a follow up of a very old program that use to be called Xtree and Now it is ZtreeWin....

Yea! Glad to see that one, Jack! I thought I was the only one who still used ZTreeWin. It's the most powerful file manager ever developed IMHO.

 

[JackMDS]

ZTreeWin. It's the most powerful file manager ever developed IMHO.

QFT. :thumbsup:

 

[ninaholic37]

I'm guessing it's not running Windows 8 or 8.1, since you'd just reset it.

Interesting. So if I press "Reset" on any Windows 8/8.1 machine, it will automatically put everything back to factory settings the way it was when I bought the laptop? Is this method 100% reliable? That's the best thing I've heard about Windows 8.x so far since it's birth (if it works).

 

[razel]

Interesting. So if I press "Reset" on any Windows 8/8.1 machine, it will automatically put everything back to factory settings the way it was when I bought the laptop? Is this method 100% reliable? That's the best thing I've heard about Windows 8.x so far since it's birth (if it works).

Reliable so far. But some of your data may still be recoverable since it doesn't overwrite empty spaces.

Actually... no... I think there was an option for it to clear empty spaces. Unless that was available on Win8.1 or 10.... There is:

 

[lxskllr]

It would be interesting to "Fully clean the drive", then try to recover files using testdisk, or some other forensics software.

 

[ArisVer]

Windows 8.1, PC Settings, Update and recovery, Recovery. These are the options available on my notebook.

 

[iamgenius]

WOW, lots of useful information. I really appreciate it. I actually already gave it to him before reading many of the posts here! I used a combination of what you guys suggested here. I deleted the old account, manually deleted some image/videos, and wiped free space with ccleaner.

Can't go wrong with asking anandtech.

 

[eliminatehumans]

this pc was bought from non family ive found things im sure they rather i didnt. isnt there a file that keeps everything done on a pc? ive opened files and watched them grow.
besides all you do and all you say are being recorded at this very moment....

 

[Charlie98]

We are talking about a relative though. If we weren't, nothing short of a full wipe/ recovery should be on the table.

There, FTFY... I don't give nothing to nobody (personal information, not stuff.)

Having said that, there isn't anything on my PC that would embarrass me, I have proprietary customer data that I feel responsible for... hence a full wipe no matter. But in any event, I think wiping and reinstalling is the best way to go.