windows 10 security questions

Hi my PC is running on windows 10 which requires password on login (i.e. hotmail account)

I will bring this PC to computer shop for hardware check because it gives out burning smell ,

1. Can I take away the hard drives? Do they actually need any hard drives in a PC for hardware check

2. If I keep the system drive, without logging into the windows, is it safe enough that they cannot break into the system and see my files?

Because they have to queue to check the PC and will not report to me on the same day.

 

Well if they are going to check the hardware they will need it fully working with HDD in it to trouble shoot.

 

Assuming your problem is hardware related (and assuming your hd's are not the source of problems ...apart from power drain on a too small psu?), the shop should not need any of the current hd's or files \ programs. Remove your hd(s), put in one spare hd and install a fresh windows with no password.

 

1. what toughasnails and 6730b said.

2. It depends on whether the drives are encrypted or not. If they have no encryption then they absolutely can be read and with no trouble whatsoever. They don't even need to 'break' into your system. They can just connect those hard drives to an external USB HDD caddy and they will show up as a regular data drive, when plugged into another system and require no password.

 

1. First you need to ask them if you need to have the HDD in there for them to know it works or not?
2. They are not there to steal your data or information they are their to fix your system.
3. You need to ask them what do they need in working order to know if you need to keep your HDD in there or not.
I do recall reading online where you can disable the password so they can power on and see what is happening to diagnosis the system. And the way I see it is by having the HDD that you use everyday running they will have a better idea what is going on and what is causing the burning smell.
4. They are not in the business to steal your information if they are then you need to ask those questions of the repair shop and take it to one you trust is doing repair and fixing only.

 

Well, since you say your problem is a burning smell and that (I assume) you haven't experienced any drive issues, then it sounds like they should not need your drives to determine the issue.

That said, if you were to leave your drives in the computer, unless you've encrypted your drives there's nothing stopping someone from taking the drive from the computer, attaching it to another computer, and reading it like any other external drive.