To wipe hard drive data with Windows’ own reset feature, first, open Windows Settings by right-clicking the Start menu button and selecting Settings from the options shown. Read more about Sell used laptop here. The answer to this question depends on the situation. If the user recently reformatted or wiped a hard drive, some deleted files can be recovered by using third-party programs. This is because when deleting a file, it is not entirely removed from the hard drive. The computer merely erases the directories that let users access these files. With enough digging, the files can be retrieved.
Some experts claim that SSDs which have TRIM enabled — most modern SSDs — don’t need to be securely erase because the process purges deleted data in the background. Unfortunately, you can’t count on TRIM to purge all your blocks even if you attempt to force it by using Windows 10 or 11’s Optimize Drive feature. I took the drive I’d wiped with Windows 10’s reset feature and then ran Optimize Drive on it, but my sensitive files were still recoverable with EaseUS Data Recovery. Securely erasing an SSD is different than doing the same process on a mechanical hard drive. The best way to erase an HDD, which we’ll cover in more detail below, is to use a program that writes random data over all the sectors several times so that no remnants of the old files remain. No matter how nice a person you sell your computer or your bare drive to, you can’t trust that they won’t see what deleted files they can recover. Below we’ll explain how to securely erase an SSD using Windows and then explain how to do the same to a hard drive as the process is a bit different.
Factory reset a Windows laptop
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How to Securely Erase an SSD
If you’re browsing purely online, read and watch some reviews to get an idea of how the product performs and ages over time. Apple, naturally, does things a little differently, recently making the move to use its own proprietary chip called Apple Silicon. Certain apps will be optimized for this new tech and maybe run even better, though not everything has moved to support M1 and beyond. For example, a program may run on MacOS, though it may not be optimized for Apple Silicon. It’s good to watch out for curveballs like this when contending with Apple products if you have a need for specific apps. The best laptops are incredibly varied, with each device touting its own unique features to complement your on-the-go lifestyle.
Create product listings and edit products photos
If you’ve been keeping up with the keynotes, you’ll know that Apple is finally transitioning towards 1080p webcams in the company’s best MacBooks, which makes them a great option. While it can be easy to get bogged down in the nitty-gritty of both of these key components, the best advice is to consider what you want to use the laptop for. Seeking a better deal, I tried Dell’s Trade up Program. This reveals the “Remove everything and reinstall Windows” on the right side of the page. Swipe down from the right edge of your touchpad to reveal Settings.
With that said, selling the computer your own will probably get you more money. But it also requires more time and effort because you have to create a compelling listing, take good pictures, monitor market prices, respond to offers and negotiate, etc. On the other hand, selling via a buyback site is a hassle-free and streamlined experience, but for a lesser total cash payout. Let’s say your notebook has a copy of Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. Is it legal to leave the software on the portable, or should you delete it first? The good news is that copyright laws don’t prevent you from reselling software.