How can i clean my computer before i sell it?

Question

i want to leave my operating system and programes on my pc but i need to get rid of my personel files, can you help

Answer 1

To be absolutely secure, you should really reformat the hard drive to wipe it completely and then re-install everything. However that takes time and, of course, experience in knowing how to do it. But do be aware, if you simpl delete all your files (and do shift delete so they don't even go into the Recycle Bin), they are still on the hard drive and a clever person with the right software could gain access to them. Also of course, you need to clear all your internet history, cookies etc so as I say, the best thing really would be to wipe the hard drive.

Answer 2

I use a program called Sanit, it writes 0s & 1s over the disk data (It's used by the US Gov) making it un - readable with programs that can recover the data even if formated.

Just Google 'hard drive sanitizer' & you'll get loads of lists.

Sanit was free on a mag coverdisk a few years ago.

When doing the sanit it will take hours or days depending on your system specs & HD size & how many times you want to overwrite the drive. But to keep Ur stuff safe from unwanted eyes it's worth it.

Once you do this the hard drive will be totally blank & it will have to be partioned & formatted B 4 Use

Answer 3

Unless you've saved your personal files in a specific location, you're gonna be hard pressed (I think) to find an *easy* way to do it.  I've found that i can find a lot of my stuff simply by doing a search for things like: *.doc, *.xls, *.pdf....these are file extensions for Word, Excel, and Adobe, respectively.  If your new to computers, all this is doing is finding all the files that are related to those file extensions: you'll find all your Word documents and Excel spreadsheets, etc, etc....

A lot of stuff is auto-saved in "My Documents" and other folders that are in your profile.  Otherwise, do a search on the WWW and you'll find a lot of useful info!!  

Good Luck!!

Answer 4

yea do a system reboot, like reinstall ur operating system. that usually deletes everything.

Answer 5

Use a free file shredder:

http://www.download.com/File-Shredder/30...

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/f...

Use RevoUninstaller to uninstall programs etc many of which are not listed in add/remove applet, also removes refistry keys and leftover files/folders:

http://www.download.com/Revo-Uninstaller...

How to use:

http://cotojo.wordpress.com/2008/06/27

Answer 6

Well , if someone will really want to get all the old info from you HDD hi will do that ( defragmentation , formatting and reinstalling OS wont held ) safest way is to buy new HDD and install OS , drivers and utilities ( you should have OS DVD\CD and product key )

Answer 7

Download and install CCleaner and then send all your personal information to the Recycle Bin but DO NOT empty it. Then in CCleaner go to Options > Settings > Secure file deletion > select Gutmann (35 passes)

Then have it clean up everything and it will shred all your files in the recycle bin 35 times making it impossible to recover them. Then just uninstall all the programs you might have added over the years and your good to go.

Answer 8

What Operating System version do you have on your computer?

Answer 9

you've to format your hard disk drive thoroughly. download eraser and use it to overwrite all files and folders

Answer 10

Honestly, the only sure way to delete everything personal for good is to Format your Hard Drive. Then if it is part of the deal, reinstall your OS and updates.

Answer 11

Just go through and delete them all. If you don't know where they all are then I'd really suggest reformating.

Answer 12

i would just find all your stuff and delelte it

Answer 13

Its illegal to sell a computer with the operating system on it unless its Linux, Its technically Microsoft or apple property and you have to be an approved dealer to sell it.

If you were to follow the rules you would have to wipe the operating system off... but who follow the rules?