How do I permanently delete everything off my laptop?

Windows
  1. Open Settings and select Update & Security.
  2. Click the Recovery tab, then Get Started.
  3. Select Remove everything.
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Does a factory reset delete everything on a laptop?

Factory resets aren't perfect. They don't delete everything on the computer. The data will still exist on the hard drive. Such is the nature of hard drives that this type of erasure doesn't mean getting rid of the data written to them, it just means the data can no longer be accessed by your system.
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How do I clean my laptop before selling it?

To find out, do this:
  1. Click the Start button and then click "Settings."
  2. Click "System" and then click "About."
  3. Click the Start button and click "Settings."
  4. Click "Update & Security."
  5. Click "Recovery."
  6. On the Recovery page in the "Reset this PC" section, click "Get started."
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How do I wipe my laptop and delete all files?

Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. You should see a title that says "Reset this PC." Click Get Started. You can either select Keep My Files or Remove Everything. The former resets your options to default and removes uninstalled apps, like browsers, but keeps your data intact.
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Can I completely wipe my computer?

On the Recovery screen, click Get started under Reset this PC, which offers you two choices – Keep my files or Remove everything. The latter is what you want if you're getting rid of your computer and want to factory reset it first.
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Windows 10 How to delete everything and start over



Does a factory reset delete everything?

A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account.
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How do I wipe my hard drive clean?

Go to Settings > Change PC Settings > Update and recovery > Recovery. Click Get Started under the Remove everything and reinstall Windows section. Click Next, then choose Fully clean the drive to ensure everything is deleted. Click the Reset button and your drive is wiped, your PC is reset, and Windows is reinstalled.
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How do I reset my laptop like new?

Reset the laptop

Go to Start > Settings > Update and security > Recovery. At the top of the window, you'll see Reset this PC. Click on Get Started and select Remove Everything from the box that appears. From there, you can select to reinstall Windows from the local drive or download from the cloud.
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Does resetting PC remove Microsoft account?

After you've backed up and reset your device, you should remove it from your Microsoft account.
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Is factory reset enough before selling computer?

Once you're sure you have copies of all the personal data on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, you'll want to set it back to its factory default state before passing it on to its new owner. On modern devices, this process will effectively reinstall the operating system, putting the device into a like-new state.
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How do I remove all personal data from Windows 10?

Open the Start Menu and select Settings.
  1. Click Update & Security.
  2. Go to the left-hand side, scroll down and click on Recovery.
  3. From there, go to Reset this PC. ...
  4. A prompt will appear with two options, Keep My Files or Remove Everything. ...
  5. Click the Change settings option.
  6. Turn the Data Erasure toggle switch to on.
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How do I delete all data from my Microsoft account?

How to delete your data
  1. Go to Microsoft's online privacy tool.
  2. Log in to your Microsoft account.
  3. Click on Overview (this is the default section the page loads to).
  4. Select a specific section such as View and Clear Browsing History or View and Clear Voice Activity.
  5. Select Clear on a specific item to delete it.
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Does factory reset delete user?

A Factory reset will not remove your accounts from that device.
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How do I permanently delete data from my hard drive?

Step-by-Step: Using Eraser
  1. Navigate to the files or folders that you want to securely erase.
  2. Right-click on the files and/or folders and an Eraser menu will appear.
  3. Highlight and click Erase in the Eraser menu.
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How do you prepare a computer for disposal?

Prepping Your Computer for Disposal
  1. Save important files. Back up your files to an external hard drive or online backup service, or transfer them to a new computer. ...
  2. “Wipe” your hard drive clean. ...
  3. Uninstall your programs. ...
  4. Delete your browsing history. ...
  5. Recycle it. ...
  6. Trade it in.
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Does erase all content and settings really erase everything?

Just to add onto this, yes it will erase all data effectively–you don't need to overwrite it or anything like that.
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Is erase all content and settings the same as factory reset?

Reset all Settings removes things like your Wifi password and settings you've set on your iPad for Apps, mail, etc. Erase All Content and Settings restores a device to it's out of the box state when it was first turned on. You should use Erase All Content and Settings to get it ready for the next owner.
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How do I wipe everything off my laptop Windows 7?

1. Click Start, then choose "Control Panel." Click "System and Security," then choose "Restore Your Computer to an Earlier Time" in the Action Center section. 2. Click "Advanced Recovery Methods," then choose "Return Your Computer to Factory Condition."
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Does Windows Recovery delete all files?

Does System Restore Delete Files? System Restore, by definition, will only restore your system files and settings. It has zero impact on any documents, pictures, videos, batch files, or other personal data stored on hard disks.
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Does closing Microsoft account delete data?

Closing a Microsoft account means you won't be able to use it to sign in to the Microsoft products and services you've been using. It also deletes all the services associated with it, including your: Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, and MSN email accounts. OneDrive files.
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Does deleting Microsoft account Delete Google Account?

No, deleting your Microsoft account will not delete your Gmail. Your Gmail account will remain unaffected by deleting your Microsoft account.
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What happens if you remove Microsoft account from device?

removing your account from the device will prevent access to your microsoft services (one drive etc), this is what the reset does. unlinking the device from the account will mean that the device does not affect your microsoft store device limit and keeps your account tidy.
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Can I use the same email after delete my Microsoft account?

Replies (1)  Hi There, Once an account is deleted the alias is also deleted and can't be reused. It is simply wiped from the Microsoft system.
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Does recovery mode delete everything Windows 10?

The Recovery screen lets you easily reset your PC. Select “Get started.” You'll be able to choose from one of two options. “Keep my files” will remove apps and settings, but let you keep any saved files, while “Remove everything” will reset the computer to its “as new” state.
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Should I clean data when resetting PC?

Here all your settings are reset to their default versions, or you can say factory settings. If you have installed any of the apps, they also get uninstalled permanently. So, if you want to have any of your data, it is recommended to take a backup before performing a "reset" with "fully clean the drive."
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