Do These 7 Things Before Selling or Giving Away Your Windows PC - Make Tech Easier

Prepare to sell or give away your Windows computer, not only requires quick handover, but also ensure the security of current data and a smooth transition to new users. This guide lists all the necessary steps you need to take before you sell or give away a Windows computer.

Table of contents

• 1. Backup data
• 2. Unlicense link
• 3. Securely erase data and reinstall Windows
• 4. Update Windows and drivers
• 5. Check hardware health and install test software
• 6. Create a system specification sheet
• 7. Physical cleaning of computer
• Reset BIOS settings (optional)

1. Backup data

Before handover, you need to format the hard drive and erase the data. Therefore, you must make sure that all important data is backed up and secure before reformatting. If you don't want to miss anything, the best way is to create a complete system image. For specific data, it is better to use the file history tool.

For cloud backup, Windows has a backup application that stores most of its important data in OneDrive. Search for "windows backup" in Windows Search and open the Windows backup app. You can choose folders, apps, settings, and credentials for backup. Of course, you can also use other cloud storage services such as Dropbox or Google Drive to back up your data.

Make sure all data is synchronized

We rely on many applications that use real-time data synchronization to keep data available across devices. However, real-time synchronization is not always effective due to connection issues, pause due to errors or storage restrictions. If you erase the device before the service can sync, you may lose the latest data.

The most common problem is browser data, because most browsers will sync data with associated accounts such as Chrome, Opera, Edge, etc. Cloud backup services may also face synchronization issues. Before deleting any data, check all such apps/services and make sure they display the "updated" status or synchronization flag.

2. Unlicense link

While most licenses/subscriptions can be easily transferred to new computers using online accounts today, some are still attached to the computer hardware and require manual transfer or removal. If you don't undo them before handing over your computer, you may lose access to the service or cause problems for new users.

This includes Ableton Live, Internet Download Manager, some machine-bound licenses, and many games. Before erasing the computer, make sure you do not have such hardware binding software and need to manually unlink it. If you have such software, first unplug and transfer the license to another computer, and then sell your computer.

3. Securely erase data and reinstall Windows

When it comes to deleting data, just reinstalling Windows is not enough. Your deleted data can still be restored through the data recovery software. You need to correctly erase and overwrite the storage drive so that the data cannot be recovered.

Fortunately, Windows 10/11 has a built-in feature to erase and overwrite data, making it difficult to recover.

To erase and reinstall Windows, go to System → Recover in Windows Settings , and click Reset PC .

Now select Delete everything → Change settings and enable Clean up data and delete files from all drives? Options. After that, click Next → Reset to start the reset process.

The process takes time because it overwrites the data with random mode, erases all files, and reinstalls Windows.

If you have very sensitive/valuable data and don't want to take any risks, use Disk Wipe to erase the drive containing the data. It provides a military-standard drive erase solution that makes data unrecoverable. Paid tools like PartedMagic can also help with multi-channel erasing of storage drives from outside of Windows, but you will need to do a clean installation of Windows later.

4. Update Windows and drivers

After reinstalling Windows, you should also update it and the computer driver to make sure the computer works properly. Whether you give it away or sell it, this will make it easier for people to test their computers without any problems.

To update Windows, open Windows settings , go to Windows Update , and click Check for Updates to download and install all updates.

If your computer requires any specific drivers other than the latest version, make sure you install them and inform new users.

5. Check hardware health and install test software

Your computer may have potential hardware problems without showing any signs. Fortunately, you can use built-in and third-party tools to check hardware health to ensure no problems occur after handover. You can read our guide to learn how to check your PC health status to learn how to check your different components’ health status.

You can also install hardware testing tools for the other party to check the computer. Here are our recommendations:

• OCCT: An all-around tool for stress testing CPUs, GPUs, RAMs and PSUs. It detects problems during testing and comes with a built-in usage monitor. Check out our guide on stress testing with OCCT to learn more.
• CrystalDiskMark: It can help benchmark storage drive performance by running different types of tests.

These two tools are sufficient to cover major PC components that affect performance and stability.

6. Create a system specification sheet

The specification sheet contains all hardware upgrades and replacements, as well as the status of all components. For sale, having a newest specification sheet will greatly simplify the process of promoting computer specifications. You can easily generate a complete specification sheet using the built-in Windows tools.

Search for "System Information" in Windows Search and open the System Information Tool. Click File → Export and save the file. It will be a .txt file with all the information.

7. Physical cleaning of computer

Finally, physical cleaning of the computer will ensure good presentation and will also improve performance if the computer is too dirty. In addition to using a microfiber cloth to clean from the outside, you should also clean from the inside. It's not difficult, just follow our computer cleaning guide and your computer will soon be as bright as new.

If your computer is older, consider reapplying the heat dissipation paste after cleaning the heatsink and CPU.

Reset BIOS settings (optional)

If you have ever made any changes in the BIOS, it is best to reset the BIOS to factory settings so that new users don't have any problems. While there are many ways to reset the BIOS, the easiest way is to go into the BIOS and click on the Load Defaults button. This will reset the BIOS settings without affecting the BIOS firmware.

By taking these steps, you are not only protecting your data, but also providing a brand new beginning to your computer and bringing peace of mind to new users. If you own a Mac, you may want to learn how to prepare your Mac for sale or gift.

Image source: Vecteezy. All screenshots are courtesy of Karrar Haider.

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