I recently got a free old company laptop from my wife who was allowed to keep it after getting a new one. I'm concerned about potential spyware or monitoring software that might still be on it since I've heard companies can monitor activity or even delete files without notice. I want to make sure it's completely clean before using it. Is formatting the laptop enough for a deep clean, or should I take extra steps? Would replacing the hard drive be the best option to ensure it's wiped completely?
5 Answers
If you really want to be thorough, consider partitioning the drive and installing Linux instead. It can be a good alternative and is usually free! Plus, it can freshen things up even more.
Before diving into a reinstall, maybe check with IT to see if they’ve officially removed any company software. It could save you some hassle!
A fresh install of Windows should do the trick! You can use the Windows Media Creation Tool to download the OS onto a USB stick (make sure it’s at least 16GB). Just boot from it and install fresh.
Reinstalling Windows is solid advice. Just ensure the laptop isn’t registered with Intune. If it is, you might want to replace the hard drive and do a fresh install for complete peace of mind.
Reinstalling Windows will definitely remove any monitoring software, but if you're worried about data recovery tools getting anything back, you might want to look into more thorough wiping methods—especially if you’re planning to give away or sell the laptop later.
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