Computer upgrade

[Gaybutton]

Do you happen to know how to do this without destroying the hard drives?

You might be able to do a factory reset, which would wipe everything.

You could format the hard drives.

You could have my computer technician come and make sure everything will be done exactly how you want. If you or anyone else is interested, his name is Choke. 089 212 7696. LINE:Sing168. He speaks English, highly reliable and fully competent, charges very reasonable fees, comes to your home, and comes at the agreed time. I have been using him for years and would not consider anyone else. And . . . he is quite good looking, but unfortunately not gay. Oh well, can't have everything.

[Dodger]

You might be able to do a factory reset, which would wipe everything.

Thanks for the contact info. I put Chokes number in my contacts if I ever need his help.

Yes, a factory reset is probably what I'll attempt as soon as I'm in the mood to fidget with those old PCs.

[Jun]

I thought "factory reset" was Android terminology ? Or have I missed this option with Windows ?

On a Windows machine I suppose the equivalent is to reformat the hard drive and reinstall windows. Which I used to do every few years, back in the days when old PCs started to get unbearably slow.

You could just properly delete all the folders with data, using some proper file deletion software. https://sourceforge.net/projects/eraser/
This should ensure the data cannot be recovered.

The tricky part is finding where your browsers and e-mail programmes store data & delete that.

[2lz2p]

Reformatting the disks will wipe them clean, but if it is the one with the C drive that holds the operating system, then a new user will need to install an operating system - this is usually Windows or Linux.

[Jun]

Reformatting the disks will wipe them clean

Agreed, but as I understand it, data recovery specialists might still be able to access the data.

Specialist file deletion software deletes the files, then overwrites the disk space with dummy data and wipes that clean. Several times.

Whether data recovery is a high risk, only Dodger can decide. From previous posts, he's already declared he doesn't do internet banking & he's probably not going to be under FBI investigation for anything either.

I do everything possible on the internet. The last time I disposed of a pc, I smashed the hard drive up with a sledgehammer and to really make sure, I put the remains on a bonfire.

[Gaybutton]

I thought "factory reset" was Android terminology ?

Oh well, I did say might be able. I know that works on Android phones. I have no idea on computers - and I don't want to find out by trying.

[Gaybutton]

Folks, I now have my Windows 11 computer and everything is working beautifully. Choke did a marvelous job for me.

Everything I'm trying to do for now works just the way it did on Windows 10, so I don't need to re-learn how to do things on Windows 11 - at least not yet. So far no regrets and I'm glad I did this.

I will say if you have Windows 10 and it is working to your satisfaction, then there is no particular need to go to Windows 11 unless something forces you to.

[Jun]

I will say if you have Windows 10 and it is working to your satisfaction, then there is no particular need to go to Windows 11 unless something forces you to.

I'm glad you are happy with it.

Microsoft stopped support for Windows 10 in October 2025. Some users have an extended service update to October 2026, which can be obtained for free after jumping through a few hoops.

So whether or not you intend to continue with Windows 10 after October 2026 may depend on your approach to security.

Of course, there is no need to go to Windows 11, as Linux offers free alternatives.
Also, as older hardware may no longer be compatible with Windows 11, if you're buying a new PC, I suppose Apple have options as well.

[Dodger]

Whether data recovery is a high risk, only Dodger can decide. From previous posts, he's already declared he doesn't do internet banking & he's probably not going to be under FBI investigation for anything either.

The older laptops I was considering donating were used for my work in the U.S. and contain confidential client reports/data which have to be protected. I was (and still am) legally bound by a confidentiality agreement to safeguard these reports/data.

Based on what you guys are saying regarding risk factors - I'll probably just destroy the hard drives on these PC's and give them a proper burial.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Gaybutton]

regarding risk factors - I'll probably just destroy the hard drives on these PC's and give them a proper burial.

I want to make it clear. If you format the drives there are NO risk factors. If you are going to donate, as you said, they will need those hard drives. If you format them anything that was ever on them is gone forever.

If you don't know how to format, I urge you for his minor fee to have Choke come and do whatever needs to be done. But if you destroy the hard drives, then you have nothing to donate. The computers will be useless paperweights.