How to wipe a laptop easily and securely

Being able to erase your data from a personal device can be very helpful. Knowing how to wipe a laptop is a particularly useful skill if you often use work devices and  frequently need to clear them of sensitive data at the end of their lifecycle. This knowledge is also valuable for maintaining personal privacy and security in an increasingly digital world.

Otherwise, it’s useful to know what to do in case you want to discard or sell your laptop to a third party and don’t want anyone to access the data remaining on the hard drive. This precaution is crucial in preventing identity theft and protecting confidential information from falling into the wrong hands.

The process of wiping a laptop is more than simply deleting files on the system. This will erase the files, however, a significant amount of metadata and temporary files will persist on the system and could be accessed by malicious actors. These remnants can reveal sensitive information about your browsing habits, document history, and even fragments of deleted files.

Operating systems now have integrated tools to help users wipe their machines, however they are not necessarily intuitive. You can find steps detailing how to wipe a laptop, whether you are using Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. Included are some preparatory steps you can take to ensure you only delete the data you no longer need. 

It's important to note that different wiping methods offer varying levels of security, from basic file deletion to military-grade data destruction techniques that overwrite the entire drive multiple times.

How to wipe a laptop: Preparation

Before you begin wiping your laptop, it’s crucial to back up any important data to avoid losing valuable information permanently. Once the wiping process starts, recovering lost data will be nearly impossible.

There are several effective methods for backing up your data, and the best choice depends on the volume of data you need to secure. For smaller amounts of data and if you have a reliable internet connection, using cloud storage services can be a convenient option. Business cloud storage solutions provide secure and accessible backups for your files.

If you have a larger amount of data to back up, consider using an external hard drive with free backup software. This method is practical and ensures that your data is stored locally, giving you quick access and control.

To proceed with this method, connect the external hard drive to your laptop. Verify that the drive has sufficient space to accommodate all the data you wish to back up. Then, simply drag and drop your files from the laptop onto the external drive.

For users of Windows operating systems, there are built-in backup tools available. Windows 7 features Windows Backup, while Windows 8 and 8.1 include File History. Both tools offer different feature sets to suit your needs. Windows 10 and 11 support these features and can back up and restore system images, providing comprehensive backup solutions.

By taking these preparatory steps, you ensure that your essential data is safely stored before proceeding with the laptop wiping process.

How to wipe a laptop: Step-by-step

If you plan to reuse the machine, you can reinstall Windows 7 from any disc or bootable USB stick with Windows installation files. However, given that Windows 7 is no longer supported, it is highly recommended to upgrade to Windows 10 for better security and performance.

• Access Settings:
  • Click on the Start menu.
  • Open the Charms bar by moving your cursor to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen.
• Navigate to PC Settings:
  • Click on Settings.
  • Select Change PC settings.
• Initiate the Wipe:
  • Click on Remove Everything and reinstall Windows.
• Choose Thorough Erasure:
  • When prompted, choose the 'thoroughly' option instead of 'quickly'. This ensures that data is erased more securely and reduces the risk of it being recoverable in the future.

By following these steps, you can effectively wipe your Windows 8 or 8.1 laptop, ensuring your data is completely erased and your privacy is protected.

• Access Settings:
  • Click the Start button.
  • Select Settings.
• Navigate to Recovery:
  • Click Update & Security.
  • Select Recovery from the sidebar.
• Initiate the Wipe:
  • Click Get Started under the Reset this PC section.
  • Choose Remove Everything, or select the option that best fits your needs.
  • Follow the prompts to complete the process.

Wiping your Windows 10 laptop is one of the simplest processes available, thanks to the clearly defined instructions provided by Microsoft. However, it’s important to note that wiping the drives completely can take several hours. Plan accordingly to ensure you have enough time for the process to complete. Although lengthy, this method guarantees that all your files are thoroughly erased, ensuring your privacy is fully protected.

• Access Settings:
  • Click the Start button.
  • Select Settings.
• Navigate to Recovery:
  • Click Windows Update.
  • Select Advanced Options.
  • Click Recovery.
• Initiate the Wipe:
  • Click Get Started under the Reset this PC section.
  • Choose Remove Everything, or select the option that best fits your needs.
  • Follow the prompts to complete the process.

The process is straightforward, with clear instructions to guide you through each step. This method ensures that all your data is thoroughly erased, protecting your privacy.

• Open System Preferences:
  • Select the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
  • Click on System Preferences.
• Erase All Content and Settings:
  • In the System Preferences menu, select Erase All Content and Settings.
• Confirm Erasure:
  • Follow the prompts and, if available, click on the Erase tab to view security options.

• Open Disk Utility:
  • Hold down the Command (⌘) + R keys during startup to enter Recovery Mode.
  • Enter your administrator password if prompted.
• Erase the Hard Drive:
  • Open Disk Utility from the Recovery Mode menu.
  • Select your hard drive (likely called Macintosh HD) from the sidebar.
  • Click on Erase in the toolbar.
• Choose Erase Options:
  • In the popup window, choose APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). APFS is faster and more reliable for newer Macs.
  • Click Erase to begin the process.
• Finalise Erasure:
  • You may be asked to enter your Apple ID to confirm the erasure. Enter your credentials to proceed.

• Open the Command Line Terminal:
  • Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open the terminal.
• List All Drives:
  • Run the command sudo fdisk -l to list all connected drives.
• Locate the Target Drive:
  • Identify the drive you want to wipe from the list and note its device path (e.g., /dev/sdb).
• Execute the Wipe Command:
  • Run the command sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdX bs=1M, substituting /dev/sdX with the actual device path of the drive you want to wipe.

This method, known as 'zeroing', wipes the drive by overwriting every byte of information with zeroes. While there is some debate over whether this is more secure than overwriting the drive with random data, it is generally quicker and sufficient for protecting your data from the average buyer.

Use reputable data-wiping software. Specialised tools like CCleaner or Eraser offer more robust options than built-in utilities, including features to wipe free space and erase specific files.

Verify the wipe's success. After wiping, use data recovery tools like Recuva or Disk Drill to scan for any remaining data, confirming the process was effective.

Deauthorise accounts and software licences before wiping. This includes services like iTunes and Adobe Creative Cloud. Also, remove personal information from BIOS or UEFI firmware settings.

By following these practices, you'll effectively erase your laptop's data, protecting your privacy and preparing the device for its next use.