

- #HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WITH PASSWORD INSTALL#
- #HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WITH PASSWORD FULL#
- #HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WITH PASSWORD PC#
You can then choose to ‘Remove everything’ and install a new version of Windows afterwards.
#HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WITH PASSWORD PC#
If you’re running Windows 8, head to Start > Settings > Change PC settings. To wipe your Windows laptop, first check which version of Windows you are running. Here’s a brief rundown of a few of the most popular ones. The process for wiping your laptop differs slightly depending on which operating system it runs. Clear any saved passwords, addresses and auto-fill data and give your browser history a complete wipe. It’s also a good idea to delete any programs which you have installed over the course of using your work laptop if they’re not for business use.įinally, head over to your favourite web browser. Your personal drive and downloads folder are good places to start here, looking for file types.


This might be photos, videos or gifs you’ve saved.
#HOW TO WIPE A LAPTOP CLEAN WITH PASSWORD FULL#
If this is the case in your business, it might be that you can scrub much personal information off the laptop without doing a full wipe.įirst, look for obviously personal files. There are some situations and indeed industries that won’t thank you for wiping your laptop before handing it back. Remove personal information without wiping your laptop If in doubt, check with your IT department. The best method for you will often be dictated by how much storage space you need and your company’s existing information security policies.įor example, many companies handling sensitive customer data will have rules about removable storage devices and when they can and can’t be used. When it comes to backing up your data you have a few options: an external hard drive, a USB drive or backing up to the cloud. If you don’t, it’ll be impossible to retrieve locally saved files after. Back up any necessary dataįirst things first, any information you may need in the future needs to be backed up. Once you’ve got the all-clear, you can start the digital cleanse. If you’re the employee in this situation, it’s best to check with your IT department for guidance on what to do next.

Is there any personal information that you wish to delete?.Is there any information saved on there you may need at a later date?.Is there any business-critical information you need to keep?.But before you go looking for that clean slate, there are a few things to consider: Whether a stint of remote working is coming to an end or someone is off to pastures new, a laptop wipe is one way of keeping cyber security and data security headaches at bay. So what can be done? Wiping a laptop before returning it to the office So without knowing whether employees have been checking their email, listening to music or simply browsing the web on their work laptop, it’s a good idea to be cautious before letting that device back onto your company network. It’s often said that employees are the weakest link in any company’s security strategy. This could very well be the start of a security nightmare for businesses given the amount of sensitive client data many of us handle day to day. In fact, a recent survey revealed that over 50% of people use their work devices for personal use too. Plus, as the lines between our personal and work lives continue to blur, so does our use of company devices. They know a lot about us – our email addresses, passwords, payment details and can even keep a digital footprint of every website we visit. Whether we like it or not, our laptops handle an incredible amount of personal information.
