How should I go about clearing my Drives before I sell my PC?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
X

XOrganic

Prominent
Apr 6, 2017
5
0
510
Hey guys,


So before I start I should say that about a year ago I upgraded my MOBO and as far as I know, if I re-format the drive that the OS is installed on I'll have to re-install windows. And I'm not sure I'll be able to do that because windows OS is tied to only one MOBO, correct?


I have a 120 GB SSD that has my OS installed and then a 1TB I use for pictures, music, programs ect. Now is it necessary that I re-format before I sell? Or can I just delete personal info without re-formatting?


Here's my full parts list if any one is curious:
i5 4690k
Gigabyte Z97 Gaming 3
Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB
Samsung 850 Evo 120GB SSD
Samsung 850 Evo 250GB SSD
Western Digital 1TB HD
MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB
Cooler Master Storm Stryker Case
EVGA SuperNova G2 850W 80+ Gold
ASUS DVD Drive
Windows 10
All held together by the gorgeous Storm Stryker
 
Solution
SinxarKnights
There is a super easy way to do it if you are including the copy of Windows with the PC.

press start and start typing "recovery options" without the quotes and press enter when it shows up at the top. In that window press "get started" under Reset this PC. If you want to delete everything (including all the attached drives!) press that option, it says something like it could take a few hours and is used for reselling the PC or something to that effect.

There is no going back from this. It zero-fills the drives and is specifically for reselling the PC. Once it is done, don't sign in or anything and it is good to go.

I should note however that I have never transferred a windows 10 license to another person. I am unsure how it works...
Sort by date Sort by votes
R

RolandJS

Reputable
Mar 10, 2017
1,230
21
5,715
If your Windows is an OEM, it travels with the computer. If it's Retail, you can keep your Windows [I hope you have an install DVD] -- and let the new owner get his/her own copy of Windows. I was going to suggest DBAN if the Windows is to remain with you. If not, the process will be a little more complicated, 3rd party stuff will have to removed piece by piece, data folder and files have to be deleted, ccleaner or something similar to wipe free byte-space.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SinxarKnights

SinxarKnights

Distinguished
Jan 3, 2007
2,333
3
20,960
There is a super easy way to do it if you are including the copy of Windows with the PC.

press start and start typing "recovery options" without the quotes and press enter when it shows up at the top. In that window press "get started" under Reset this PC. If you want to delete everything (including all the attached drives!) press that option, it says something like it could take a few hours and is used for reselling the PC or something to that effect.

There is no going back from this. It zero-fills the drives and is specifically for reselling the PC. Once it is done, don't sign in or anything and it is good to go.

I should note however that I have never transferred a windows 10 license to another person. I am unsure how it works exactly. I don't know if it is tied to your Microsoft account or the machine itself. So that is something to look into.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom