How to Remove Personal Information from a Laptop Prior to Returning it to Amazon?

[CouldUseHelp]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a new Acer Predator gaming laptop through Amazon, but unfortunately the fans run regularly, and very loud. I would have liked to have been happy with the laptop (as I've been struggling with a new gaming computer purchase for a long time), but unfortunately the fan noise was far too much for me to enjoy its use.

I'm going to be returning the laptop for a refund (the last eligible day is May 19th), but I'd like to know how to erase as much personal information as I can from the laptop before doing so.

When initially setting up the laptop, I created a user profile using my name, a password to sign in, and then an additional pin number password.

I also downloaded Steam and downloaded and ran a few games - I know how to unintall the games and uninstall Steam, but if there's an additional security measure, I'd be happy to hear it.

Finally, as I'm assuming Acer/Amazon doesn't want the laptop wiped entirely clean, I'd like to avoid deleting the preinstalled programs and settings. I've heard that wiping that stuff entirely can void the warranty, and cause them to reject the return (which would be absolutely awful considering the cost).

If anyone is willing to offer me some guidance, I'd greatly appreciate it, and again, I really want to make sure that I'm not unintentionally deleting elements of the laptop which were preinstalled, as I fear that will prevent me from receiving a refund.


Thanks so much for your help, and please let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Gam3r01]

You best bet is to contact Amazon support, they can tell you just what you can do for a return.
If they dont want you wiping and reinstalling windows, then they can tell you what you are allowed to do.

I personally would wipe and reinstall, the factory is going to do the same thing and reinstall all their programs regardless of what you do.

 

[Solandri]

When initially setting up the laptop, I created a user profile using my name, a password to sign in, and then an additional pin number password.

Presumably you used a password and PIN unique to this laptop? Not a password you're using elsewhere? So it doesn't matter if someone manages to get that password.

If you're using the same password in lots of places, I'd recommend you start using a password manager. Password re-use is one of the major causes of security breaches. Your password at a low-security site is compromised, and the attackers then use that password to access your account at a high-security site like a bank.

So in this case, if the password you used on the laptop is re-used, the solution isn't to wipe the password on the laptop. It's to change the password on all your other accounts which use the same password.

I also downloaded Steam and downloaded and ran a few games - I know how to unintall the games and uninstall Steam, but if there's an additional security measure, I'd be happy to hear it.

My usual procedure is to:

• 
  ■Uninstall any programs I've installed.
  ■Create a new user account with admin privileges, login to that, delete the original user account selecting the delete all files and settings option. This step is necessary now since Microsoft started syncing (backing up to their cloud servers) WiFi passwords with your user account.
  ■Run CCleaner to empty the recycle bin and delete any temporary files and logfiles.
  ■Use CCleaner's drive wiper tool to secure erase all free space (overwrite it with zeroes).
  ■Use the Windows Restore feature to return the laptop to its factory installation settings. This step can take anywhere from 15 minutes (SSD) to several hours (HDD).

Another way to do it is to do the last step (Windows Restore), then use a program to secure erase all free space, then do the Windows Restore again. This is simpler, but takes more time.