What to Do Before You Sell or Give Away an Old Computer

Before selling, donating, or giving away a computer, protect your personal files and accounts. Simply deleting a few documents or signing out of a browser may not be enough.

## 1. Back up what you want to keep Copy important files, photos, and project folders to a separate drive or trusted cloud backup. Open a few files from the backup to verify them. Check browser bookmarks, license information, and other data you may need on the next computer.

## 2. Sign out and unlink accounts Follow the official instructions for services you use, such as cloud storage and password managers. If the PC is connected to a work or school account, check with the administrator before resetting it.

## 3. Reset Windows using the built-in option On supported Windows versions, open Settings → System → Recovery and look for Reset this PC. Follow Microsoft's current instructions for your version. Read each choice carefully: available options vary, and some reset paths can remove personal files and apps.

For a device you are transferring, choose the option intended to remove your personal files. If the device held highly sensitive information, is managed by an organization, or uses specialized storage encryption, follow the organization's or manufacturer's secure-erasure guidance rather than assuming a standard reset meets every need.

## 4. Don't hand over your account Do not give the recipient your Microsoft password or leave saved passwords in the browser. Confirm that the reset finishes at the initial setup screen, if that is the expected handoff state.

## 5. Include accessories and honest details If selling, list the model, included charger, known defects, and battery condition accurately. Remove memory cards and USB drives.

Important: verify your backup before resetting. A reset may be difficult or impossible to reverse.

Official sources

For current instructions and details that vary by device or Windows version, consult Microsoft Support — Recovery options in Windows.

Menu names and available features vary by Windows version, hardware, and manufacturer. Before any step that could erase data or change security settings, read the warning and make sure important files are backed up.