Returning a defective laptop - How do I "de-register" (i.e. remove Microsoft account and all other personal data)?

Fun Guy · Apr 28, 2022

This new laptop is a trainwreck. But of course, I had to log in with my Microsoft account to find what a trainwreck it is.

Question - How do I remove all (every last bit) of personal information from the machine before I return it?

markw51 · Apr 28, 2022

Fun Guy said:
This new laptop is a trainwreck. But of course, I had to log in with my Microsoft account to find what a trainwreck it is.

Question - How do I remove all (every last bit) of personal information from the machine before I return it?

Reset Windows through settings

Archigos · Apr 28, 2022

Open Settings (Win+I), go to System -> Recovery and click "Reset PC" and tell it to do the option where you do NOT save anything and start from scratch.

Servo · Apr 28, 2022

I would do the same as Archigos has said.

cereberus · Apr 28, 2022

Archigos said:
Open Settings (Win+I), go to System -> Recovery and click "Reset PC" and tell it to do the option where you do NOT save anything and start from scratch.

@Fun Guy

OP should select yes for "clean data" option - takes longer but almost impossible to recover data. Also advise clicking yes to others as shown.

Also, when pc resets, and get to first screen asking for keyboard, switch off pc, and any links to MS account are lost.

GCG1000 · Apr 28, 2022

Fun Guy said:
This new laptop is a trainwreck. But of course, I had to log in with my Microsoft account to find what a trainwreck it is.

Question - How do I remove all (every last bit) of personal information from the machine before I return it?

FWIW: The old fashion way to completely clean a hard drive, of all data, is simply to do a full reformat of the entire drive. Good Luck!

Archigos · Apr 28, 2022

GCG1000 said:
The old fashion way to completely clean a hard drive, of all data, is simply to do a full reformat of the entire drive.

True, but if you're returning a computer to the store, they may try to power it on to see if it works and if the drive is blank you have to explain to the employee.... and let's be honest, 'some' of them aren't that smart

cereberus · Apr 28, 2022

Archigos said:
True, but if you're returning a computer to the store, they may try to power it on to see if it works and if the drive is blank you have to explain to the employee.... and let's be honest, 'some' of them aren't that smart

Also a format does not clean up drive, so data can be recovered.

glasskuter · Apr 28, 2022

How to remove device from MS account Remove a device from your Microsoft account

GCG1000 · Apr 28, 2022

Archigos said:
True, but if you're returning a computer to the store, they may try to power it on to see if it works and if the drive is blank you have to explain to the employee.... and let's be honest, 'some' of them aren't that smart

I completely agree.

GCG1000 · Apr 28, 2022

cereberus said:
Also a format does not clean up drive, so data can be recovered.

I guess the most thorough way to completely zero the HD is to use CMD and Type format g: /fs:NTFS /p:0 and press Enter to format the G drive with the NTFS file system and write zeros to every sector of the drive once. Where 'g' in this case would be "C".

glasskuter · Apr 28, 2022

All these are valid points, but if you return a device for refund, whether it be to a manufacturer or a retailer, it has to have an OS on it or you probably won't get a refund. You should perform a reset Remove everything and reinstall Windows. You'll be asked to choose whether you want to erase data quickly or thoroughly. If you choose to erase data quickly, some data might be recoverable using special software. If you choose to erase data thoroughly, this will take longer but it makes recovering data less likely.

GCG1000 · Apr 28, 2022

glasskuter said:
All these are valid points, but if you return a device for refund, whether it be to a manufacturer or a retailer, it has to have an OS on it or you probably won't get a refund. You should perform a reset Remove everything and reinstall Windows. You'll be asked to choose whether you want to erase data quickly or thoroughly. If you choose to erase data quickly, some data might be recoverable using special software. If you choose to erase data thoroughly, this will take longer but it makes recovering data less likely.

Excellent advice.

Dru2 · Apr 28, 2022

glasskuter said:
How to remove device from MS account Remove a device from your Microsoft account

glasskuter said:
All these are valid points, but if you return a device for refund, whether it be to a manufacturer or a retailer, it has to have an OS on it or you probably won't get a refund. You should perform a reset Remove everything and reinstall Windows. You'll be asked to choose whether you want to erase data quickly or thoroughly. If you choose to erase data quickly, some data might be recoverable using special software. If you choose to erase data thoroughly, this will take longer but it makes recovering data less likely.

^^^ This ^^^

Porthos · Apr 28, 2022

Fun Guy said:
This new laptop is a trainwreck.

I am nosy/curious, what about the computer is a trainwreck?

Returning a defective laptop - How do I "de-register" (i.e. remove Microsoft account and all other personal data)?

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