Ready to Recycle? How to Properly Prepare Your PC for Disposal (2024)

Do you have an old or unused computer lying around your house? If you are planning to sell, give away, recycle, or donate the device, there are a few steps you need to take before you say goodbye.

First, you want to back up any personal files to another location. If you have any licensed software, deactivate and remove it from your machine. You can then wipe the hard drive to remove any traces of personal data.

Once this is done, you will want to ensure that the computer is usable for the next person who gets it. or unusable if it’s headed for the junk heap. Here’s how to prepare a Windows PC or Mac for proper disposal.

1. Back Up Your Files

Your first step should be to back up any documents, photos, videos, and other files saved on your computer. There are online backup tools that cost money, but there are simpler and cheaper options that should suffice to back up all the necessary files.

For a cloud-based file syncing service, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, the process is relatively simple since your personal files are already stored elsewhere. Just make sure all the files you need to retain are backed up to the cloud or synchronized to another computer.

If your personal files are stored only on the computer you plan to discard, then youl need to back them up to another location. Windows includes the built-in File History tool to save key folders and files to an external drive; Mac users can turn to Time Machine.

2. Transfer Software

Before you dispose of your device, you will want to ensure that any licensed software can be transferred to the new computer. Some applications, such as Photoshop, offer a deactivation feature through which you’re able to transfer the license onto a different PC.

Open each licensed program to see if you can deactivate it through the menu commands. If you are unsure, contact the vendor to ask how the license can be removed from one PC and activated on another. Make sure you copy any license or product keys to help you reactivate each program.

3. Wipe Your Hard Drive

After you back up the necessary files, you then want to wipe the drive. You can reset and reinstall the operating system to factory conditions and remove all your personal data at the same time. The reset process will differ slightly depending on what version of Windows your PC is running and what components are inside your Mac.

Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, go to Settings > Change PC settings > Update and recovery > Recovery and click the Get started button under the Remove everything and reinstall Windows section. The PC will tell you that all your personal files and apps will be removed and settings will be changed back to their defaults. Click Next.

You are then offered a choice of just removing your files or fully cleaning the drive. Whether you plan to give away the PC or junk it, choose Fully clean the drive. Click the Reset button to proceed. The PC will then restart, cleaning the drive and reinstalling Windows.

The next screen you see will be a setup screen. If you plan to give the computer away, just turn off the PC here. The next person who starts the computer will be taken through the same setup screen.

Windows 10

In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & security > Recovery and click the Get started button under the Reset this PC section. You are then asked what you wish to remove; choose the Remove everything option.

At the next screen, select the Local reinstall option and then click the Change settings link at the Additional settings screen. Turn on the switch for Clean data and click the Confirm button. This will ensure that all information is thoroughly removed and can not be recovered by anyone using conventional recovery methods.

Click Next, review the settings you have chosen, and click Reset. When the PC restarts, you will be met with the Windows 10 setup screen. You can turn the computer off at this point.

Windows 11

In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset this PC under Recovery options. Click the Reset PC button, then choose Remove everything. At the next screen, chose Local reinstall.

From the Additional settings screen, click the Change settings link. Turn on the switch for Clean data and click Confirm to ensure that all information on the drive is thoroughly removed and can not be recoverable by anyone else using conventional data recovery methods.

Click Next and then Reset. After the drive is wiped and Windows is reinstalled, the first setup screen appears. You can then shut off the PC.

macOS

How you wipe your Mac's drive differs based on your machine's internal hardware. If you have macOS Monterey on an Apple-based Mac or Intel-based Mac with the Apple T2 chip, open System Preferences, then go to System Preferences > Erase All Content and Settings in the menu bar.

If you have macOS Ventura, open System Settings and click General > Transfer or Reset, and then click Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Mac password and click Continue at the Erase All Content and Settings screen

This process will erase all settings, media, apps, and data for all accounts and volumes on the drive as well as sign you out of iCloud, delete Touch ID fingerprints, disable location services, unpair Bluetooth devices, and remove Apple Wallet items.

You can also use the Disk Utility tool in Recovery Mode to wipe your Mac's drive. For an Intel-based Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo. If you have Apple Silicon, restart and hold down the power button until you see the start up options window; click the Options icon and click Continue.

From the Recovery Mode menu, choose Disk Utility. Select your Mac’s primary drive and click the Erase icon, then choose Erase Volume Group (or Erase) to wipe the drive. Select the Erase button and then click Erase Mac. Click Erase Mac and Restart to kick off the process.

Whichever process you use, wait for the drive to be wiped. Whether you plan to dispose of your Mac or give it to someone, shut it down after the erase has finished and your computer has restarted. If someone else intends to use it, that person can activate the computer and reinstall the OS.

Other Options

You may also prefer to use a third-party tool, especially if sensitive data is stored on the drive. Such tools as Disk Wipe, Active KillDisk, and AOMEI Partition Assistant offer more robust and flexible wiping methods.

4. Destroy Your Drive

(Credit: StarTech.com)

If you plan to junk your computer and are concerned about access to sensitive data on the hard drive, software options may not be enough. The only sure way is to physically destroy the drive. For this, you can turn to a degausser, which will magnetically erase all data on a drive and make it impossible to recover.

Degaussing tools can be expensive, though. A cheaper option is to physically remove the drive from the computer. You can then use it as an external drive using a SATA-to-USB adapter, dock,orenclosure.

Otherwise, you can destroy the drive with a few solid whacks of a hammer. Just be careful as you do this. Wear gloves and safety goggles. And make sure the drive is fully destroyed.

5. Recycle the Computer

(Credit: Apple)

If you do plan to dispose of the PC, don’t throw it away with the rest of the usual trash. Because computers contain electronic parts, they need to be discarded properly. You can recycle your electronics at big box stores like Best Buy and Staples. The Apple Trade In program will also allow you to use your old device to help pay for a replacement.

Additionally, check with your town’s district office to see if there are recycling facilities or disposal sites where you can drop off e-waste. Try running a web search for local recycling centers to find out if any will accept computers.