I plan to sell a PC but want to wipe off the personal info first. Which files / directories should I delete ?

Answer 1

do a complete reinstall
format twice to remove all data make sure one is a full format
this covers all the drive
if it was ntfs
convert to fat 32 or fat32 to ntfs

Answer 2

If you still have the Windows CD that came with the computer, what you should do is download a tool like Darik's Boot and Nuke and completely erase any data on the drive, then Reinstall Windows. Make sure to backup any information first.

You should use a tool to erase the hard drive because even though you delete files, they aren't actually removed from the drive, only the link to the file is removed. So if you don't erase the drive, someone could use some file recovery software to restore the files and obtain your personal information. If you aren't sure about your personal information, remove and keep the hard drive before selling the computer.

Even a format won't remove the information. Formatting just removes the tables where the file links are stored, and maybe checks for bad areas on the hard drive.

Answer 3

Best bet is to remove the hard drive and destroy it.

Contrary to all belief, formatting does NOT remove any data from the drive - it only tells the computer that the data is no longer viable and may be overwritten.

Because of the way data is stored on the drive, in partitions, some of the old data will remain after several formats and overwrites.

Software is available that will overwrite partitions with a random data field for up to 100 times - old data can still be recovered if you want to spend the time searching for it.

If you just want to sell the machine to someone you can trust, the carry out a boot from the original operating system disc.

Boot into Dos (C prompt) and type 'Format c:/ u ( the U switch will carry out an 'unconditional' format on the drive, erasing all of the boot sector data.

re boot the machine on completion and reinstall the OS as before, your old data will still be there if the likes of the police were to have a look at it, but difficult for the average person to detect.

Answer 4

The first thing I would do is to create a new user in the control panel and then delete the user name you were using. It will ask you if you want to delete all files associated with that account.

Answer 5

WIndows: Format the PC and handover as no one has the right to transfer the OS from one person to another legally.

Delete your user, it will automatically delete all the profiles attached to it.

Answer 6

to truly sparkling your stressful force you need to write over it-no longer format. acquire "dban" placed it on a Floppy or CD and boot from what ever you have it on-exchange Bios settings as nicely gadget. Then commence your pc with the CD/Floppy in the force and fallow guidelines. sure it takes time yet ALL in long gone and not something can deliver it lower back.Then installation your OS.

Answer 7

There is a utility that is free to use and will delete data to MoD standards. It is called ERASER and you should find it by searching for it. Care is needed as it is rather like taking a flame thrower to your back garden to get rid of weeds.

Answer 8

Format the hard disk then...gets rid of everything...except whats needed...so it will be like when you first got it

Answer 9

One way you could so it is with your recovery cd.

Answer 10

my documenmt folder and all nude pictures stored in different folders.