The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Removing personal data from old laptop

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by vioravis, Feb 8, 2007.

  1. vioravis

    vioravis Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am selling my old laptop. I just want to know which directories, folders and programs will have my personal information that need to be deleted. Also, I would like to know whether I need to do anything else before I send my laptop. Thanks.
     
    vioravis, Feb 8, 2007
    #1
  2. RedSensiStar

    RedSensiStar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    178
    Messages:
    897
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I'd use a shreader type program -- and also on top of that reformat.

    of course the safest (yet less money to you) is to remove the HDD.
     
    RedSensiStar, Feb 8, 2007
    #2
  3. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

    Reputations:
    5,855
    Messages:
    8,609
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Kdawgca, Feb 8, 2007
    #3
  4. vioravis

    vioravis Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    102
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Thanks. the Microsoft website is really useful. Does the shredder removes only the files or does it remove all the programs installed?
     
    vioravis, Feb 8, 2007
    #4
  5. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    744
    Messages:
    3,083
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Completely clean / wipe your disk with one of those disk utility programs and do a clean installation of Windows. Good for both of you, it will remove all traces of your personal data and it will let the buyer start fresh.
     
    PhoenixFx, Feb 8, 2007
    #5
  6. RedSensiStar

    RedSensiStar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    178
    Messages:
    897
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    but remember, generally speaking, even severely deleted HDs can be recovered, to some degree.

    depends on what you had on the HD.

    SSN or bank stuff, id take extra percuation
     
    RedSensiStar, Feb 8, 2007
    #6
  7. RedSensiStar

    RedSensiStar Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    178
    Messages:
    897
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    RedSensiStar, Feb 8, 2007
    #7