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


Fun Guy

New member
Local time
6:10 AM
Posts
7
OS
Windows 11
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?
 
Windows Build/Version
New Laptop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
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
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 build 10.0.22635.3350
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 14 5430
    CPU
    Intel i7-1355U
    Motherboard
    Dell 0GMW80
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 14" and LG Ultrawide 26"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 and 2560 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVME Gen 4 M.2 SSD
    PSU
    Dell
    Case
    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Dell Trackpad or MS Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    900mb down / 400mb up FTTP
    Browser
    Edge 123.0.2420.41
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Windows 365
    1TB OneDrive
    Outlook
    Visual Studio Code
    Visual Studio
    Python 3.12.2
    Macrium Reflect
    Dell Update
    MyDell
    Dell SupportAssist
    Dell TB16 Thunderbolt dock
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Tablet
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    Core I5 - 1035G4
    Motherboard
    Microsoft
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Surface touch
    Screen Resolution
    2736 x 1824
    Hard Drives
    128GB
    PSU
    Microsoft
    Case
    Microsoft Keyboard
    Cooling
    None
    Mouse
    Microsoft Arc Intellimouse
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Surface Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    900mb / 400mb FTTP
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro β
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Laptop 15-eg0070wm
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xᵉ Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    macOS Ventura
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple iMac 27" 5K (2017)
    CPU
    3.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
    Memory
    40 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon Pro 570 4 GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" 5K, 34" UW
    Screen Resolution
    Mon 1: 5120 × 2880 Mon 2: 2560 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    32GB NVME, 1TB SSD
I would do the same as Archigos has said.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self build
    CPU
    3900x
    Motherboard
    Asus 570 plus
    Memory
    32
    Graphics Card(s)
    Rtx 2070
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    samsung 4k 28"
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1 gb nvme
    PSU
    Corsair 650w
    Case
    midi tower
    Cooling
    Watercooled
    Keyboard
    rgb wireless
    Mouse
    wireless logitech
    Internet Speed
    50m
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink
    CPU
    Amd ryzen 5 5600H (Cezanne)
    Motherboard
    beelink
    Memory
    32 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    Vega
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1tb nvme
    PSU
    12v
    Case
    mini pc
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    wireless logitech
    Keyboard
    rgb wireless
    Internet Speed
    50m
    Browser
    edge
    Antivirus
    windows defender
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.

1651178683559.png
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
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!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 (22H2) Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 577B5AA#ABA
    CPU
    Core(TM) i5-12400T
    Motherboard
    HP 89E9
    Memory
    12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 730
    Sound Card
    DFX Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HO Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ10HBLB00BH1 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    HP Std. for this product
    Case
    All-in-One
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Mouse
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 1000/1000 (Mbps)
    Browser
    Google Chrome; Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Pro / Windows Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 15tegooo [HP Pavilion Laptop Intel I-7]
    CPU
    Intel I-7-1165G7
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP HD micro edge, Bright View, 250 nits
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x768
    Hard Drives
    256 GB DD4-3200 SDRAM
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    Std HP Laptop
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    std
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
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
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro β
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Laptop 15-eg0070wm
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-1165G7
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xᵉ Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
  • Operating System
    macOS Ventura
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple iMac 27" 5K (2017)
    CPU
    3.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
    Memory
    40 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon Pro 570 4 GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" 5K, 34" UW
    Screen Resolution
    Mon 1: 5120 × 2880 Mon 2: 2560 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    32GB NVME, 1TB SSD
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 (22H2) Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 577B5AA#ABA
    CPU
    Core(TM) i5-12400T
    Motherboard
    HP 89E9
    Memory
    12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 730
    Sound Card
    DFX Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HO Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ10HBLB00BH1 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    HP Std. for this product
    Case
    All-in-One
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Mouse
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 1000/1000 (Mbps)
    Browser
    Google Chrome; Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Pro / Windows Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 15tegooo [HP Pavilion Laptop Intel I-7]
    CPU
    Intel I-7-1165G7
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP HD micro edge, Bright View, 250 nits
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x768
    Hard Drives
    256 GB DD4-3200 SDRAM
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    Std HP Laptop
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    std
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
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".
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 (22H2) Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 577B5AA#ABA
    CPU
    Core(TM) i5-12400T
    Motherboard
    HP 89E9
    Memory
    12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 730
    Sound Card
    DFX Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HO Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ10HBLB00BH1 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    HP Std. for this product
    Case
    All-in-One
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Mouse
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 1000/1000 (Mbps)
    Browser
    Google Chrome; Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Pro / Windows Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 15tegooo [HP Pavilion Laptop Intel I-7]
    CPU
    Intel I-7-1165G7
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP HD micro edge, Bright View, 250 nits
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x768
    Hard Drives
    256 GB DD4-3200 SDRAM
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    Std HP Laptop
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    std
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 (22H2) Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 577B5AA#ABA
    CPU
    Core(TM) i5-12400T
    Motherboard
    HP 89E9
    Memory
    12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 730
    Sound Card
    DFX Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HO Generic PnP Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ10HBLB00BH1 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    HP Std. for this product
    Case
    All-in-One
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Mouse
    HP Wireless / Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 1000/1000 (Mbps)
    Browser
    Google Chrome; Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Pro / Windows Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 15tegooo [HP Pavilion Laptop Intel I-7]
    CPU
    Intel I-7-1165G7
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP HD micro edge, Bright View, 250 nits
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x768
    Hard Drives
    256 GB DD4-3200 SDRAM
    PSU
    HP
    Case
    Std HP Laptop
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    std
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
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 ^^^ (y)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.

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