It is imperative that you delete all of your computer’s data before you get rid of your old computer. However, simply deleting them and then emptying the trash won’t do the trick. Do you know why? Because it is too darn easy nowadays to recover the deleted files.
The process of completely deleting your data from a computer has become much more refined and easy over the course of preceding years. As long as you have a good Internet connection and about 30 minutes to spare; you can easily wipe all of your computer’s data.
Before you proceed, buy a cheap external HDD and make a copy of the computer’s data. Now that you have the backup ready follow the guide that we have put together for you and get rid of your data completely.
For Mac Users!
1. Open iTunes. Go to Account -> Authorizations -> Deauthorize This Computer. You will be required to enter your Apple ID and associated password for doing this.
2. Go to Settings -> System Preferences, then click on iCloud. Sign out from the iCloud. Once you hit the sign out button, it will ask you if you wish to keep a copy of your iCloud data on the computer. You can click no and simply be done with the iCloud that will preserve your data such as contacts etc. will be saved to an Apple server where they will be furnished when you sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Time to open the ‘Messages’ app. Click on the word Messages on the upper left corner and then hit preferences. Click on Accounts and highlight the accounts. Once you have them highlighted, click on the minus button to remove them.
4. Return to the desktop and open a Finder window and press command + I. Once the pop up opens, note the format – you will need it later.
5. Close everything and shut down your computer. Turn it back on and press and hold Command and R. You can release these buttons once you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
6. When the window of MacOS Utilities opens, click on Disk Utility and hit view then show all devices.
7. This might get confusing but adhere to the simple tip; select the option on the top. It generally is named Apple SSD or some variation of it.
8. Highlight the option and select Erase. The prompt will ask you to give the disk a new name, format, and scheme. Name it anything you want to and allow the Disk Utility to choose the format that it sees fit or select format from step 4. For the scheme part, select ‘GUID Partition Map.’
9. Once you have done that, quit Disk Utility and from MacOS utilities, hit Reinstall macOS. Follow the menus until the process begins.
10. The computer will restart. If it shows you setup assistance, simply press command + Q to quit and then select shut down.
For Windows Users
1. Click the Windows logo on the bottom left corner, select settings, and then click on ‘Update & Security’ followed by Recovery.
2. You will find the option to get started under ‘reset this PC,’ select it and then choose to remove everything.
3. Continue to click through confirmations until you are done!