Recovery ยท 5 min read

Back up and wipe before selling

Before you sell or trade in a laptop, save your data and erase it properly so nothing personal is left behind.

Before selling or trading in a laptop, save your data and erase it properly so nothing personal is left behind.

Before you start

  • Files to keep: List documents, photos, passwords, and license keys.
  • External backup: Copy files and verify they open before reset.
  • Account sign-out: Disconnect email, sync, cloud, and licensed apps.
  • Clean reset: Use remove everything with clean data before selling.

Follow this order

  1. List what to keep

    Note your documents, photos, browser passwords, and any app license keys before you wipe anything.

  2. Back up your files

    Copy everything important to an external drive or cloud. Verify the copies open before you continue.

  3. Sign out of accounts

    Sign out of email, browser sync, OneDrive, and any licensed apps so the next owner has no access.

  4. Reset this PC

    Open Settings, Recovery, then "Reset this PC". Choose "Remove everything" and turn on "Clean data".

  5. Confirm it is clean

    After the reset, the laptop should boot to a fresh setup screen with none of your data or accounts.

  6. Include the charger

    Hand over the original charger and any extras so the sale is complete.

Good to know

  • The "Clean data" option takes longer but makes casual recovery of your files much harder. Use it before selling.
  • Trading in with us? We can wipe the laptop for you and confirm it is clear.

Common questions

Is "Reset this PC" enough before selling?

With the "Clean data" option turned on, it is enough for a normal private sale.

Should I remove the drive instead?

Only if you want to keep it. Otherwise a clean reset leaves the laptop ready to use.

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