Do This Before Selling Your Computer

[@ProTechShow]

*Other* *videos* *in* *this* *series* How to Protect Your Account from Hackers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmXbfXyIrJmsetE How to Protect Your Devices from Hackers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp2pqYWFataYqK8 How to Protect Your Smart Home: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmeolnp7rtWmqrM

[@harleymcclure9802]

When I was an admin working for the US Army, there were two paths for mechanical drives. If we wanted to reuse the drive there was a drive sanitizing tool. If we were done with the drive, it would have to be degaussed then physically damaged. We had a shredder, but we had to remove the magnets before shredding. Otherwise they'd stick to the mechanism and bind it up. Other permanent memory went into the shredder.

[@sanghuloom6943]

Golden Rule for selling your computer. Never sell your computer with the original SSD/HDD included. Remove the current SSD/HDD that you are using. Buy a new one and install windows on it. Never ever take the risk of your sensitive files being recovered even if you secure delete it. SSD's are cheaper these days. You can buy a 512gb or 1TB for an affordable amount and a clear peace of mind along the way. For selling your phones, I never sell or give out my phones. I wait for it to die on its own before buying a new one. I just couldn't take the risk of my personal files like passports, ids to be recovered.

[@ProTechShow]

That's a pretty safe way to go about it - can't recover the data if the data was never on the drive to begin with. It's not always practical, though. Ignoring the additional expense, the SSD in the computer I'm using now isn't replaceable; so if I want to sell it the only option is to securely wipe it (in my case it's encrypted, anyway).

[@saskatchewandave]

Good lord, a whole lot of talking, not a lot of walking...

[@jameshart3945]

Just subscribed, enjoying the videos and learning things aswell. Thanks

[@ProTechShow]

Thanks James!

[@TheKingDies]

Hey man. Great video! I'm returning a laptop to the vendor because of a hardware fault. What should I do to the SSD to protect my data? Thanks!

[@TheKingDies]

Also, is the Windows PC reset enough?

[@ProTechShow]

Thanks. Refreshing your PC doesn't delete the data. Resetting the PC does delete the data, but it is still possible to recover it using the tools I mention in the video. It depends on your risk appetite whether that's enough. If you don't trust the vendor then a secure wipe using the SSD manufacturer's tool is the safest approach. Before doing that, I suggest speaking to the vendor you're sending it to. They might require you to put the computer back into some minimum usable state (e.g. Windows + Drivers) before sending it to them. You don't want to get charged because reinstalling Windows wasn't covered by your hardware warranty, and you don't want them misdiagnosing the problem because they see a blank hard drive and focus on that.

[@TheKingDies]

@@ProTechShow Thank you so much for such a speedy and thorough reply. Would it be possible for me to secure wipe the SSD and then also bring it back to this minimum useable state (Windows + Drivers?) I don't know much about computers. Thank you!

[@ProTechShow]

The catch you're going to have with a secure wipe is that you can't wipe your Windows drive whilst running Windows from that same drive. You'll need to boot off USB, or put the drive in another computer to do it. If you're going to claim a warranty repair it may be wise to avoid opening the computer in case they try to blame you for any damage they find. If that's not something you're comfortable doing yourself (the wipe or reinstalling Windows after), you might try asking a friend. You don't want to risk voiding your warranty just before you send it in for repair.

[@yrx]

2:56 "I'll call them pts files 1 and 2 because I'm creative like that" His channel name and picture: Linus tech tips

[@ProTechShow]

Absolutely. We're the only two technology-related channels with the word "tech" in their name. In fact I had to ask Linus' permission to use the word "tech" as he owns the rights to every English word starting with "T". Honestly, their logo is better. I've just plonked the channel initials into the circle KZbin gives you because graphic design is not my strong suit. If it were a rectangle you'd be saying I copied IBM. I'll take the comparison to a 12M+ channel as a compliment, though!

[@yrx]

@@ProTechShow the letters on the logo are arranged in a very similar way though

[@ProTechShow]

Disregarding of course the obvious limitation that we're both fitting 3 letters into a circle... Their letters are different sizes, with breaks between them, stylised, and merged in with a double border. Mine are literally just the font from my logo, and overlapping each other so they fit without being unreadably small. I tried them side-by-side but it was too small on my phone. I feel like I'm being picky and any design that consists of three letters in a circle is going to be similar to some extent. I'd guess LTT's was designed by an actual graphic designer, so I'm still taking this as a compliment even if I don't fully agree myself! 😁

[@hushmoney2058]

Do it Hill Dogg Style ....Worked for her

[@johndavy3820]

Very good video Thanks. One question - When I reset the the computer (Win 10) and reinstall Windows is the original serial number intact or will the new user need a new serial number?

[@ProTechShow]

If it's an OEM licence key from the manufacturer it should be linked to the computer's BIOS, and stays with the computer. If it's a retail key you purchased separately from Microsoft it will be linked to your Microsoft account and stays with you (to use on a new device).

[@arijitmondal28]

Sir, if I remove the hard disk before selling a laptop, and replace it with a new on, is there any way my personal data be recovered?

[@ProTechShow]

If they're getting a brand new drive and you're keeping the old one that you were using then there shouldn't be any way for them to access your data.

[@arijitmondal28]

@@ProTechShow thank you so much sir. I got my answer. ❤️

[@gerardoecheverria8748]

If I encrypt my data now and then reset the computer and delete everything, will people still be able to recover my information? I want to donate it, but I want to make sure the data is not recoverable. - I have an SSD

[@ProTechShow]

Windows now has an option to clean the drive when you reset it, which should be OK. I would still expect the SSD manufacturer's utility to be more thorough, but then you'd need to reinstall Windows.

[@athanasiosziakas2290]

I use a Solid State Drive (SSD)

[@ProTechShow]

That's OK - it's a different process but those are covered in the video, too

[@vincent-rz1pr]

This video does not respect your time, move on to others

[@xx3868]

HI, Laptop with soldered in C drive- How do i erase the C drive if i need the operating system on it to do it and its all being erased? I have USB stick with ubuntu on it if that helps. If i do a fresh install, it only has option for delete not ERASE when you what to start fresh. Thanks

[@ProTechShow]

If you've got an Ubuntu live USB I think you should be able to use the hdparm tool from that. You'll need to Google yourself a guide. Just make sure you're using the secure erase or enhanced secure erase options. TRIM is often recommended but it doesn't fully erase the data on many SSDs, allowing some to be recovered.

[@stevequinn6666]

I need to return a laptop that's still under warrantee. Lenovo support can't seem to tell me with certainty who makes the SSD. So wiping with mfgr tool isn't an option. what payed tool do you recommend

[@ProTechShow]

Open "device manager" from your start menu and expand "disk drives". You should see the model of your SSD in there. If it's not immediately obvious from its name, Google it to find the manufacturer.

[@doodliememoodahh2544]

I just want to sell my hdd should i do this?

[@ProTechShow]

Definitely. Use the appropriate secure erasure method based on your drive (DBAN for mechanical, vendor tool for SSD). Otherwise there's a strong chance whoever you sell it to will be able to read/recover your data.

[@shaikimran3196]

how to remove encryption keys in ssd 🤔🤔

[@ProTechShow]

You'll need to download the drive manufacturer's tool for that. They're usually free... once you find them!

[@shaikkhadervali375]

@@ProTechShow oh! Thank you