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Help - How to Remove Stored Personal Data from Computer
Posted on 11/25/22 at 8:45 am
Posted on 11/25/22 at 8:45 am
I am in the process of changing jobs and I want to erase all my personal data from my current work laptop before I leave. I want to make sure all my saved logins, passwords, credit card information, etc. is wiped from the computer before I hand it back over.
Can anyone walk me through what all I need to do to make sure I get everything. I assume I need to go into any web browsers (Chrome, Edge, etc.) and delete my histories and stored information there, correct? What about on the computer itself or in Windows? Do I need to go somewhere to delete anything stored there? Any guidance is appreciated. TIA
Can anyone walk me through what all I need to do to make sure I get everything. I assume I need to go into any web browsers (Chrome, Edge, etc.) and delete my histories and stored information there, correct? What about on the computer itself or in Windows? Do I need to go somewhere to delete anything stored there? Any guidance is appreciated. TIA
4
Posted on 11/25/22 at 8:58 am to jfw3535
Whether you should is based on your company's policy, but I'm not your daddy, so you can sort that one out yourself.
Whether you can, or at least how effectively you can, is predicated on whether you have full administrative privileges on the device. Assuming you do, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC (at least on my version of Windows. You can literally just search "reset this pc" and you'll be able to find it). Choose the full destructive option which removes all personal data and settings. Assuming you aren't trying to wipe anything... problematic... off the drive, this should be plenty.
If you don't have admin access, come back and we can see what you have access to.
Whether you can, or at least how effectively you can, is predicated on whether you have full administrative privileges on the device. Assuming you do, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC (at least on my version of Windows. You can literally just search "reset this pc" and you'll be able to find it). Choose the full destructive option which removes all personal data and settings. Assuming you aren't trying to wipe anything... problematic... off the drive, this should be plenty.
If you don't have admin access, come back and we can see what you have access to.
Posted on 11/25/22 at 9:25 am to Joshjrn
I do not have administrative access. And there is nothing problematic on my computer that I need to get rid of. It's really just any of my personal data that might have gotten stored here, like logins, passwords and credit cards. I'm not looking to (and don't have access to) completely wipe the computer. Just the basics (like cleaning my caches, deleting cookies, temporary files, etc.). Just want to make sure I'm covering all my bases.
Posted on 11/25/22 at 9:30 am to jfw3535
Work should be wiping it before it goes to anyone else
Posted on 11/25/22 at 9:55 am to GrammarKnotsi
quote:
Work should be wiping it before it goes to anyone else
This. And depending on the size of your company, if someone wants access to your local account on that computer, they'll have to go through HR and Legal teams to get that
Posted on 11/25/22 at 12:09 pm to jfw3535
Take the hard drive out. Buy the same one and just tell them it crashed.
Posted on 11/25/22 at 2:45 pm to jfw3535
The only true way to remove personal storage from a hard drive is to drill a hole through it. I've bought used laptops with the hard drive "wiped" and can still pull up personal information, photos, videos, etc.
Posted on 11/25/22 at 7:36 pm to cheobode
quote:
The only true way to remove personal storage from a hard drive is to drill a hole through it. I've bought used laptops with the hard drive "wiped" and can still pull up personal information, photos, videos, etc.
Somebody did a bad job. There are ways to permanently delete files. Additionally, you could use a strong electromagnet to completely wipe a hard drive.
Posted on 11/25/22 at 7:41 pm to jfw3535
If you can install programs, here is an article on TechRepublic that may help you out. Here is where it pays to have a good relationship with at least 1 IT guy.
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-completely-and-securely-delete-files-in-windows/
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-completely-and-securely-delete-files-in-windows/
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