I have to return a computer. How do I scrub it?
The irritating one drive, without my permission, decided to download all kinds of work files AND MY TAX RETURNS onto this new computer. I unlinked onedrive from the computer, but it didn't remove the files. How do I make sure everything is deleted permanently?
I'm returning the computer because it is defective.
Timewas
(2,298 posts)Or if it came with a renewal disk or partition then take it back to original, formatting will erase it all
How do I format the hard drive?
Timewas
(2,298 posts)For any windows OS you can use that in the dvd drive
If is not a windows computer then I don't know
Or if you have a friend that can loan you any windows installation disk then just do a new install with that
iemanja
(54,831 posts)Most computers don't have them anymore. It is a windows computer.
TheBlackAdder
(28,968 posts)sl8
(16,252 posts)I always used to use DBAN on PCs before they left our facility, but that's going back a few years. Still available, though.
Here are three programs that MajorGeeks recommends:
https://m.majorgeeks.com/content/page/3_apps_to_wipe_your_hard_drive.html
I'll check that out.
I don't what to destroy everything because what was on the computer when I bought it needs to be there. I just want to delete my files. Do you think the second option in the article you linked will do that?
moniss
(6,057 posts)should not give you grief if you return it fully wiped because it is a defective machine anyway and they will send it to wherever it came from/fix it themselves and will have to reinstall the OS anyway.
sl8
(16,252 posts)Sorry I'm late, I didn't notice your reply.
Those wipe programs looks like they work on a lower level then the filesystem, which would mean that everything goes.
You may want to search for secure erase program instead of the diskwipe programs. I've used CCleaner (free) on my PCs and was happy with it. I hesitate to vouch for it unconditionally, but I think it will do what you want.
padfun
(1,857 posts)Dont remove the Folders, just the files in there
Documents
Downloads
Desktop (Do it from the file folder window, not actually from the desktop. That way, the original shortcuts will still be there)
This wont completely make it to the original state and there will still be some hidden files as well as registry entries, but it would take a computer person to find them and if they are that good, they would know how to undelete anyway.
The real two best ways are listed above. Format the Drive but that clears everything. Or run the original install from the disk.
There is one other way but you need to press F12 at the splash screen and follow prompts to recover the disk. The original install will go on at that recovery.
intrepidity
(7,906 posts)Then format c:/
getagrip_already
(17,498 posts)You want a method to write over each block of storage several times.
There are utilities out there to do it. But formatting wont really erase data.
iemanja
(54,831 posts)and got a prompt saying they would not going into the recycle bin because they were web only---after I did that, I saw an option to shred the folder using McAfee. Do you think that will do it?
getagrip_already
(17,498 posts)Shredding sounds like a term I would expect.
iemanja
(54,831 posts)They make not take it back because it says you have to return the defective item within the return window, which is 15 days. This is Best Buy. They have a holiday return policy, but you need a gift receipt. I'll find out tomorrow how they'll handle this.
iemanja
(54,831 posts)absolutely no problems, so that was good. I used the McAffee shredder that says it permanently deletes files.
IbogaProject
(3,710 posts)It has the installer as part of it.
ways-to-boot-into-the-windows-recovery-environment
And there is a similar one on Mac. The mac one is more straightforward.
https://archive.vn/Pf6QT
iemanja
(54,831 posts)Could you find the correct one, please?
IbogaProject
(3,710 posts)It's opening for me.
I got it off of DuckDuckGo and searching for
how to boot into windows recovery partition
I've read makeuseof so I know it's an OK site.
iemanja
(54,831 posts)Because I googled the Make Use Of site and even the link to it is dead. Very weird. It happens in both Chrome and Edge. Thanks though. I'll try it again tomorrow.
IbogaProject
(3,710 posts)Hopefully it is fine tomorrow.
Here is an archive of that page, weird to have to pull an archive on a totally free site.
https://archive.vn/Pf6QT