If a new computer showed up under the Christmas tree this year, many people are now facing a familiar question: what to do with the old one. While it may be tempting to toss it, donate it, or pass it along as-is, that old machine may still contain personal data that can put your privacy at risk. In this week’s It’s Geek to Me, tech columnist Jeff Werner explains how to safely say goodbye to an old computer without creating bigger problems later.
Niceville.com Community Partner
If Santa was good to you this year, there’s a good possibility that you may be staring at a shiny new computer with a blazing-fast processor, gobs of memory, and a screen so crisp it makes your old one look like it’s displaying digital oatmeal. But once you’ve copied over your pet photos, digital music library, and browser bookmarks to the new machine, you’re left with a question that’s plagued tech lovers since the days of floppy disks: What do I do with the old one?
Whatever you do, even if you consider that old machine to be just so much tech garbage, don’t just toss it in the trash can or give it away as-is to a charity or reseller.
Environmental hazards aside, oh, and also the potential value of internal parts that contain palladium and silver, the data buried deep in the old files on the hard drive can be a veritable treasure trove of personally identifiable information that can quickly lead to compromise and the theft of your identity.
In this issue of It’s Geek to Me, I will discuss how to safely bid farewell to your old digital companion in 2025.
Niceville.com Community Partner
The first thing you need to do is clear off all your old files. Now, before you even think about hitting that Delete key, make absolutely certain that you have grabbed everything that you might ever possibly need from the old computer.
If you haven’t already done so, transfer your files directly to your new PC using a migration assistant, or save them to the cloud using a reputable service like iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
If you prefer physical local storage, use an external hard drive or high-capacity flash drive. Just remember, these options don’t have the resilience of a cloud-based solution. As I’ve said in the past, all drives fail eventually. Not some, not most — all.
And when they go, they will take your data with them.
Once you’re suitably backed up, you need to scrub your old files off the hard drive. Deleting them or dragging them to the Recycle Bin is not enough. No, not even if you empty the Recycle Bin.
Deleted files are not really deleted.
Niceville.com Community Partner
They are marked as deleted by the operating system so the space they were occupying can be reused. But all of the original data is still there, waiting for a hacker to recover it.
Back in the day, removing all of this “hidden” data required special tools, but in the modern era, what you need is built right into Windows itself.
In Windows 11, go to Settings, then System, then Recovery, then Reset this PC.
When prompted, select “Remove everything” and then choose “Clean data” under the Change settings menu.
Windows will remove all your files and then overwrite the parts of the drive where the files were stored, ensuring your data can’t be easily recovered. Note that I said “easily.” There are still super high-tech ways that files can be reconstructed, but it’s unlikely that your typical dumpster-diving hacker would employ these.
Niceville.com Community Partner
Still, if you’re paranoid enough about your personal information, there are other, more nuclear options. Software like Darik’s Boot and Nuke will overwrite the drive multiple times with patterns of ones and zeros to make it even harder to recover anything.
Okay, so now that the data are gone, what to do with the hardware? If it was still working when you upgraded, consider donating it.
Organizations like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, elder care facilities, and STEM schools often gratefully accept working machines. You may also be able to do a trade-in.
Some manufacturers and retailers, including Apple, Best Buy, and Staples, offer trade-in programs where you can get a gift card or credit toward your next purchase.
If your PC is truly dead or is just so obsolete that it is beyond trying to keep it running, take it to a certified e-waste recycler. Examples include the above-mentioned Best Buy and Staples, and others.
Niceville.com Community Partner
Check with them ahead of time before going to the trouble of dragging in your old beast. Also, look for what’s called R2 certification to ensure that your PC is actually recycled, and not just shipped off to a landfill somewhere.
More from It’s Geek to Me
By following these steps, you can enjoy your new tech without the nagging worry that your old PC is out there leaking your secrets, or worse, killing the planet. Merry Christmas, my Geeks, and as always, good luck, and happy computing!
To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit my website at ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!)
Jeff Werner, a software engineer based in Niceville, Florida, has been writing his popular “It’s Geek to Me” tech column since 2007. He shares his expertise to help readers solve everyday tech challenges.
