HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN HOW TO
HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN MAC
HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WINDOWS

Nowadays, deleting a file will simply send it to the recycling bin, and even if you remove it from there, there are often still ways to recover. Instead of storing your data on a collection of spinning, magnetic disks, SSDs uses flash memory to store data. Most computers these days use SSDs вЂ“ Sold State Drives вЂ“ which are a bit harder to wipe than most traditional hard drives. To truly wipe a computer, you need to heavily encrypt, shred, or physically destroy a hard drive. There have been several cases of hackers retrieving devices that have been submerged in bodies of water and still being able to extract data from them. Total Wipeout: three optionsДЄs we've covered above, restoring the factory settings to your computer might make the device appear as if it has been wiped, but that's not necessarily the case.

HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN HOW TO

Apple has detailed instructions on how to do this available online so you don't get stuck. This means killing two birds with one stone, which is useful.

HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN MAC

Log in to the Google account you'd like to become the new default and check to see if the factory settings have been restored.ДЄs mentioned previously, Apple's website states that one of the steps in the process of restoring your Mac to factory settings is to wipe the hard drive and just back up your data beforehand in another location.

Select 'Powerwash' and then ' Continue', and followВ the instructions that appear on the screen.

Log out of the Chromebook you'd like to wipe.

HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WINDOWS

There's a slightly different process depending on the version of Windows you're using, but if you have the latest model, Windows 10, then this is how you do it: Microsoft's process for restoring a computer to factory settings is essentially straightforward. Factory reset: a step-by-step guideДЄll major computer suppliers have tried to make this process as easy as possible, so here's how to do it on the most common operating systems. However, some OS developers combine the two tasks, like Apple, giving users the ability to erase hard drives as part of the factory settings restoration process. Two ways to permanently delete the data stored on your device can be found after we run through factory resets. In theory, someone who obtained the physical machine along with said hard drive could, if they wanted to, extract data from that hard drive. However, this doesn't wipe data from the hard drive of your computer. Factory resets restore a computer to how it was when it was bought вЂ“ so any settings you have modified no longer apply. Factory resetting vs wiping a computerДЄ factory reset can sometimes appear very similar to wiping a computer, but there's a key difference. If your device automatically backs everything up to a cloud storage space, then it might be a good idea to double-check that's all in working order prior to proceeding with your task, and then deactivate it. Wiping a computer, or indeed restoring it to factory settings, is not typically a reversible process. If the information currently stored on the device you want to wipe is valuable to you вЂ“ maybe you simply want this device, not your data, wiped вЂ“ then make sure to back up your files before you do anything. What should I do before wiping my computer?

They simply want a fresh start on the same device.

performance is so poor that the device is unusable.

The computer has been infected with malware.

The prospect of an existing or imminent hacking attack.

Wanting to throw the physical device in the trash.

A computer owner may wipe their device for any number of reasons, including: There's a multitude of reasons why you might want to wipe your computer, and you've probably already got a couple in mind. This guide will detail everything you need to know about it to make sure it really is a stress-free experience. Wiping a computer can be a pretty straightforward process if you perform it correctly. Your devices contain lots of data about you and you don't want it to get in the wrong hands. If you are planning on selling, donating or recycling an old device it is important to wipe it.

How to wipe a laptop clean