How can I scrub my entire hard drive before I return it to my employer - everything?

Question

I want to scrub my PC back to original condition. How can I scrub the drive/chache completely clean? I need to wash a laptop and desktop PC.
Ima bit of a computer dummy - so any help would be great

Answer 1

If this is a recent computer that has not been modified by the I.T. Department, then there is usually a restore to factory installed disk image option. It varies by computer make, but you should be able to find it somewhere in the program listing.

Answer 2

Check with your companies IT team. Most prefer that the PC either NOT be returned to original condition (because they have customized so many things that you can't and anything you do is a waste of your time) or that you completely clear the hard drive.

To clear the hard drive, ccleaner from download.com does a good job. But check with your IT team, they may have a different software they will give you to use.

Answer 3

www.download.com
download and install CCleaner then run program.
it is freeware.
It will leave the operating system intact but erase cache entries and other 'stuff'.
Also do a search for IE Privacy Keeper, download and install then run the program.
After you are done, you will probably want to go back to
Start/Settings/Control Panel/ Add Remove and remove the programs from the hard drive so there will not be any trace of what you did.

Answer 4

I use Darik's Boot and Nuke
It has various levels of security settings depending on your comfort level.
Once a hard drive is erased with this utility, everything is gone for good.
Backup the things you want to save before you start as all information on the drive is unrecoverable, obviously.

Answer 5

I use a product called Window Washer from Webroot. It has a specific feature that will "shred" all or some of the info on the hard drive. It wouldn't be retievable.

Answer 6

Restoring the computer to the Default production unit Configuration The Dell production unit photo restoration selection lets you restoration your puzzling force decrease back to its unique production unit configuration as once you first ordered it from Dell. this selection looks on Dell pcs that were initially pre-put in with homestead windows Vista® and does no longer contain pcs offered by the particular improve promoting or pcs that were upgraded to homestead windows Vista from yet another version of homestead windows. observe: once you restoration the computer to the default production unit configuration, all files on the C force is deleted. formerly appearing this technique, decrease back up own information. in case you do not decrease back up own information, the information is lost. a million Restart the computer. to attempt this, click initiate ? ? Restart. 2 because the computer restarts, press F8 until eventually the more suitable Boot ideas menu looks on the show screen. observe: you would possibly want to press the F8 key formerly the homestead windows emblem looks on the show screen. in case you press F8 after the homestead windows emblem looks on the show screen, the more suitable Boot ideas menu gained't seem on the show screen. in case you do not see the more suitable Boot ideas menu, restart the computer, and then repeat this step until eventually you spot the menu on the show screen. 3 Press to opt for restoration Your pc on the more suitable Boot ideas menu, and then press Enter. 4 Specify the language settings that you want, and then click next. 5 Log in as a person who has administrative credentials, and then click ok. 6 click Dell production unit photo restoration. 7 contained in the Dell production unit photo restoration window, click next. 8 opt for the certain, reformat puzzling force and restoration device software to production unit situation checkbox. 9 click next. the computer is restored to the default production unit configuration. at the same time as the restoration operation is executed, click end to restart the computer.

Answer 7

need info asd to type of sys and os is it a dell or something else or u can try this go to the command promots and type this exactly as this : c: format if u get a wrong parameters message then type this format c: if that does not work try a big hammmer......lol

Answer 8

for best and safe results try steel wool and an grease cutting, garbage removing cleaner.

The computer belongs to your employer, it sounds as if you have stuff on there you do not want him to see.