What should I do with my work computer before quitting my job Obviously transfer personal files, delete personal emails, delete browser history. Anything else?
Resignr has a great 10 step list of prepping your computer for quitting:
1. Remove your Browser Data
2. Download and run Crap Cleaner
3. Run a Disk Cleanup
4. Remove All Wireless Networks
5. Uninstall Softwares
6. Remove Passwords
7. Deactivate Licensing
8. Backup your email
9. Backup everything else you want from your work computer
10. Logout and turn in your machine
Also, make sure to delete the porn.
6 Answers
I just finished cleaning a friends PC, and we used a military/government wiping tool. The only way to delete info, is to actually overwrite it with random information several times.
I cannot remember the name of the software we used, however there is several free programs, and some paid ones online.
A warning though---Doing this totally eliminates all information, so you will have to do everything from A-Z including formatting the hard drive to installing the OS. Its a lot of work, but gives you are really, really clean PC.
It kind of depends on the situation you're leaving. If things are all golden and gravy just do what Chad said to clean up the basic things and all will be well. I worked as a PC tech for several years at a mid-sized corp and when employees left we always wiped the hard drives before a new employee started.
On the other hand, if you're leaving on bad terms and have some personal items on the drive that could get you into any trouble, I'll say this: download a copy of DBAN and make a bootable disc (at home, obviously), backup everything work related that you need to save to a DVD/network storage, backup all your personal items you want to take with you, stay late after work one night, boot from the DBAN CD, and blow that bitch away. Take the CD out of the drive, go home, come in to work the next day and try to turn your computer on.
"Operating System Not Found"?! "What are the odds?" "At least I just got all my files backed up last night, that was a close one" "I can't believe this, it's just my luck..."
Practice saying them in the mirror and try to look convincing.
First, I would like to note that I probably wouldn't just destroy my OS... cause that's just going to upset IT.
The first thing they're going to do with your computer is re-image it so that it can be re-deployed.
I would ensure that I had EVERYTHING I needed off of the machine. Other than that, I'd take the blatantly obvious things and clean them up (many of the things mentioned in the list).
If you work for a company of decent size or one with a decent IT department, trust me, they're not really interested on what's on your computer. Just make sure you have what YOU need, because it's not likely they're be very helpful in presenting lost documents to you.
Many people neglect to realize the capabilities a modern IT department has (but generally does not excersize except in extreme cases).
Just a real format (not Quick) will wipe your disk. Disks now are so densely packed NO ONE has been able to get data off of one after a normal format. All that magnetic residue that you've heard people able to recover is BS, maybe when disks were in the MB. You would not be able to get anything worthwhile spending years trying to do it. That is not to say someone won't invent a tool, but for now it will be used again before someone would spend that kind of money to even try.
Resignr has a great 10 step list of prepping your computer for quitting:
1. Remove your Browser Data
2. Download and run Crap Cleaner
3. Run a Disk Cleanup
4. Remove All Wireless Networks
5. Uninstall Softwares
6. Remove Passwords
7. Deactivate Licensing
8. Backup your email
9. Backup everything else you want from your work computer
10. Logout and turn in your machine
Also, make sure to delete the porn.