Sell notebooks safely

[Aldo551]

I bought a new Notebook and then I would like to resell the old (HP) by deleting all data (applications, files, photos, passwords, accounts, mail accounts) that could be recovered by experts. Obviously I would like to resell it with Windows 10 running to allow the buyer to verify the perfect functioning of the notebook.

How can I proceed ensuring maximum security?

Thank you

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

There is no way to completely and permanently erase all data from a hard drive.

You can check your notebook's BIOS setup utility and see if there is a 'secure erase' option you can run to delete data on the hard drive.

If you are concerned that someone who buys your notebook will do so specifically with the intent of trying to recover any data from the drive, then you should remove the drive, and smash it with a hammer.  That is the only guaranteed way to prevent data recovery.

You can use the HP cloud recovery tool to create a bootable USB recovery drive that will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook.  It will remove all data from the drive by a hard drive re-partition and re-format.  But a highly knowledgeable person could recover data from the drive if they wanted to.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive for this.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support