Has your laptop become so slow that no amount of servicing seems to be able to restore it? Then it might be time for you to purchase a new laptop! With each advancement in technology, comes a whole set of attractive, useful features that can make a laptop smoother and more efficient. But when you do buy yourself the latest laptop model, what do you do with your old one? Responsibly disposing of your laptop is very important because electronic waste can be dangerous. If you’re wondering what to do with old computers that don’t work, here’s the right way to make the switch from your old laptop to a new one.
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Back up
The first step you need to follow is to backup all your old data safely. As cloud-based services become more prevalent, backing up your data on a physical hard drive might seem unnecessary. However, it’s still a good idea to do this as having a safe backup is very important. Today backup drives come at affordable prices and are very simple to use. The process of transferring your files is incredibly easy as you just need to plug in the USB and move your files. This can help you safeguard important files, documents and sensitive information that you might have stored on your old device.
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Encrypt your device
Whether you decide to recycle your laptop or sell it to someone, it is important to encrypt the files for safety. We tend to save all our personal information on our laptop and encrypting it will save it from misuse and prying eyes. For windows with SSD drives, go to settings > about and towards the bottom, you will see the option for encryption.
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Deauthorize
People generally forget about this important step. It is very important to deauthorize the programs on your old laptop before uninstalling them. Some programs such as iTunes and Microsoft Office allow installation of a limited number of softwares or computers to access your files. So make sure to deauthorize all the accounts from your old laptop before uninstalling the programs.
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Wipe the disk clean
Delete all the files and wipe the disk clean. Instead of simply dragging old files into the recycle bin, delete them completely from your settings. This will help you restore your laptop to its original state.
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Reset
Once you are sure that all the files have been deleted, it is time to perform a factory reset to ensure that all your personal files and software programs have been deleted. If you have Windows 8.1, go to settings > change PC settings > update and recovery option > get started. Then click next to reset your laptop. This will restore the original settings of your laptop and remove all the files
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Sell/ exchange/ recycle
As your laptop is back to its original state, you can sell it to someone or exchange it for a new one. But if you’re wondering how to dispose of old computers without selling them, you can also recycle it as many stores have this option now. There are many centres around the city where you can dispose of your electronic waste, after which it will be responsibly recycled.
Now that you know how to dispose of old computer, you can get to the fun part! Now you can explore the market for a brand new laptop that fits your requirements perfectly. At Dell Exclusive, we have the widest range of the latest Dell laptops for you to choose from. Visit us at one of our centres near you and find your perfect laptop!
