Since I no longer use my desktop I am planning to sell it to get it out of my room. I have done the free Windows 10 update and obviously I do not have a backup cd. Nor do I have a windows 7 cd. How can I safely and completely clean my hard drive so any potential buyer won't be able to see personal information I have used in the past? I'd like to keep windows 10 also.
I do not need to save anything on that computer. I have already backed up the important stuff.
I can tell you all the steps, but to be honest, you can't really be totally safe without removing the OS too. You could just download a version of Linux after reformatting or if you still have the Recovery Partition (usualy D, use that to Windows 7 and either upgrade to 10 or leave it to the buyer.
My recommendation is that you choose to wipe the drive completely and sell it without a operating system. Otherwise, you leave great risk of them finding your data.
You have to have an activated version of Windows 7 or 8 to actually download a bootable version of Windows 10 free. Don't you have a sticker on the tower with Windows 7 coa? If yes you can download Windows 7 from Microsoft and then do free upgrade to Windows 10.
As you have already upgraded, you should be able to re-install windows 10 from the MediaCreation tool
Also - with the new version of the mediacreation tool - you are supposed to be able to enter a valid windows 7 key (on the CoA Label) rather than the need to upgrade
As you have already upgraded, you should be able to re-install windows 10 from the MediaCreation tool
Also - with the new version of the mediacreation tool - you are supposed to be able to enter a valid windows 7 key (on the CoA Label) rather than the need to upgrade
I am making an ISO on a USB drive as I type this from the link you provided. I guess I will just follow the steps from here and cross my fingers for a smooth process!!
Thanks and I'll let you know if I need more help:smile:
I have created the USB drive and booted from it. Now it's showing me 4 partitions and asking me which one I want to use. Should I delete them all to clear off my hardrive?
Here's what they are called.
1. System
2. Os
3. Clear (oem reserved)
4. Hp_recovery
Maybe there's another step before reinstalling windows 10? Just want to be sure everything is cleaned off this computer.
If I delete all the partitions will windows 10 still activate on its own after the install? Do I need to do anything else before I continue? I have not messed with it at all yet and can still restart the computer like normal.
I read that thread but I'm still confused. If I leave the oem partition would a potential buyer have access to information I've used on the computer? Looks like it's just for hp diagnostics.
Do I need to do anything else before messing around with the partitions? I keep reading about hard drive wiping programs.
There are 2 partitions (3&4) all on 0, one HP Diagnostics, the other Windows 7 as originally installed. Neither has personal data unless you put it there.
I am wiping the main partition now. Says its going to take 10 hours so I'll let it go over night and do the rest tomorrow after work. No turning back now. Lol
Ok. I have wiped my main partition with all 0s and left the system and hp recovery ones alone. After work I'm going to start the clean install of windows 10. I deleted the partition that the os was on and that I wiped and am going to install Windows on that same one which is now allocated space. Is that right? Should I do more before installing windows and selling the computer?
Not to make you paranoid, but a buyer could still go to a computer lab and at a high price recover some data. A normal buyer will just start using the computer as expected and you have nothing to worry about.
I'm selling it local so more than likely it will be used for homework or something like that by a young kid. I am not concerned about that. If someone wants my identity that bad they would have it already. Lol. I used it mainly for pictures, online shopping, and some school/work related work.
I did have a lot of passwords on it which is my main concern. I'm fairly confident wiping the main partition and deleting it got rid of that stuff. Maybe I can format it too before I install Windows.
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