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I need to wipe my PC clean. Need help. +REP
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I need to wipe my PC clean. Need help. +REPPosted:

Parker-Stubbs
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Im gonna sell my laptop, and I want to wipe it clean so the info ive put on here is gone. How can I do this without having to put windows on a disk or USB and reinstalling that way?
#2. Posted:
Zesri
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Assuming you have Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get started > Remove everything.
#3. Posted:
bsm
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Could you factory restore it?
What brand is it?
#4. Posted:
Parker-Stubbs
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Thanks for both of the replies. Its a Lenovo, and I may be able to factory restore im not sure where to find it. Also I have windows 10
#5. Posted:
Adam
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Just to let you know, even if you "wipe" it, its not 100% clean. That means someone with the correct knowledge could recover most of your previous data.

The way to stop this is to format the HDD several times. Personally, I use Hirens tool kit which has Dban which you can find the link for here. Dban "nukes" the HDD by formatting it several times for you.

Personally, if I were to sell a laptop, id take this precaution.

For your main issue, id take a look at [ Register or Signin to view external links. ] and choose the first option of the system restore. You can then remove your personal files by deleting them. Another option for personal files is to create a new user, make it an admin and delete your old one.
#6. Posted:
Boxty
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I would second Xiggy's advice and strongly recommend formatting the drive several times over before reinstalling the operating system. Its quite easy to do, you'd grab a Windows 10 iso file of of Microsofts site, use Rufus to put it on a USB then use DBAN to nuke the drive and reinstall with the systems previous key.

Simple as.
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