How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free

#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free how to#
#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free for mac#
#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free windows 10#
#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free software#
#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free Pc#

Once selected, either hit the Return key or double-click your selection.

Using either the pointer or arrow keys on the keyboard, select the USB drive you wish to boot from.

The utility will look for any available drives that include bootable content. Once the Startup Manager screen appears, release the Option key. Holding that key gives you access to OS XвЂ™s Startup Manager. After your hard drive is encrypted or if you dont need to encrypt it you can use Windows to wipe your PC, setting it back to its factory defaults.

When you hear the startup chime, press and hold the Option key.

Press the Power button to turn on your Mac (or Restart your Mac if itвЂ™s already on).

Insert the USB boot media into an open USB slot.

Move USB device to the top of that hard drive list.

Expand to show all hard drive device options.

NOTE: If you cannot find USB or Removable Devices among the device options, your BIOS may list it under Hard Drive Devices.

The computer will restart using the new settings, booting from your USB drive.

Save the change and then exit the BIOS Setup.

Move USB to be first in the boot sequence.

All of the available system devices will be displayed in order of their boot priority.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select the BOOT tab.

When you choose to enter BIOS Setup, the setup utility page will appear.

(Depending on the company that created your version of BIOS, a menu may appear.)

During the initial startup screen, press ESC, F1, F2, F8 or F10.

Press the Power button for your computer.

Insert the thumb drive into a USB port and then change the BIOS boot sequence: There is no limit to the number of computers that can be wiped.

#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free software#

The software can be used on a Windows or Apple computer and can be used multiple times. This ensures all data, including the operating system, is destroyed. The USB allows a user to boot the computer to the wipe application and not to the operating system (Windows or OSX). For more information about removing computer data before recycling, GoodwillвЂ™s innovative recycling practices, and other inspiring eco-friendly ideas, visit Hard Drive Wipe USB is software installed on a USB storage stick. Want to learn more about donating your used computer equipment through our Dell Reconnect program? Click here. Recycle your unwanted computer equipment at any Horizon Goodwill location near you.We also recommend any of these disk-cleaning software, available at : Disk Cleaner, Macintosh Disk Cleaning Software, iClean, ShredIt X 5.8.

#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free for mac#

Apple provides detailed instructions for securely erasing data for Mac users.

#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free Pc#

PC users can download programs like DarikвЂ™s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) or KillDisk, burn it to a CD or DVD, and then boot your computer from the disc. Use a data-erasing program to permanently remove unwanted data.This can be done using external hard drives, flash drives and other online options. Before permanently deleting anything from your computer, be sure to back up your data.

#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free how to#

HereвЂ™s how to remove the data in just a few easy steps: You are responsible for all confidential data that may be stored on your computer or on any other storage devices with or on all products you donate, so itвЂ™s important to clean your software so your confidential information wonвЂ™t be compromised.

To protect your privacy when donating your computer equipment, Horizon Goodwill and, a resource for living a lower-waste lifestyle,В recommend backing up any necessary data and removing all data from hard drives - with the exception of your operating system. While so many residents bring their equipment to one of our drop-off locations, many hang on to their old equipment because theyвЂ™re concerned for privacy and data theft. Since 2004, RECONNECT has helped keep more than 200 million pounds of computer equipment out of landfills. ItвЂ™s easy, itвЂ™s free, it helps fund Goodwill training and employment programs in your community, and it protects the environment.ДЄccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling one million laptops can save the energy equivalent to the electricity used by 3,500 American homes in a year. Through our partnership with Dell, RECONNECT is a free program for consumers to reuse and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics. clean all how to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free

#How to wipe a laptop clean for donation for free windows 10#

As you head to your favorite Horizon Goodwill Industries location for back-to-school shopping, donвЂ™t forget to gather your unwanted computer equipment and donate to a good cause. Boot from the Windows 10 USB flash drive.