How can I sanitize a Refurbed PC that will come with W10 on it?

Mike Lynch said:

I will go online with it and update W10 to whatever is current.

Then I'd like to sanitize it.

Sanitizing it meaning, removing any potentially damaging or unneeded stuff that might be on it.

Once sanitized, my intent is to unplug it from the Internet and just use it for photos from my families PC.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Best regards,

Mike

Just do a clean install of Windows 10, and when it asks... don't save anything. It will auto activate.
The clean install will get you to within 1 or 2 updates of current.

Clean Install Windows 10

And if you're that concerned, swap out the old rive for a new blank one and do a clean install. License will be auto actiavted.

Wipe the old drive, stick it in an external USB case and use as a backup drive.

@Mike Lynch

If you don't intend to use online... don't even worry about updates.

It "should" auto activate, but because it's a refurb... there's no way to really tell.
Here is the Activation tutorial if by chance you do have any issues.

Activate Windows 10

Mike Lynch said:

... I'd like to sanitize it.
Sanitizing it meaning, removing any potentially damaging or unneeded stuff that might be on it.....

As Ghot says, a clean install is the most sure way to get a clean machine.

But what if there are any installed programs or OEM utilities you need to keep? If so, then 'sanitization' would be the only practical option. For that I'd start with running ADWCleaner, and follow up with Defender Offline.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

How to Run a Microsoft Defender Offline Scan in Windows 10

FRST is often recommended, so I'd also run that for a second opinion. Use it in conjunction with RKill.

RKill is a program that was developed at BleepingComputer.com that attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections.

Download RKill

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool, or FRST, is a portable application designed to run on Windows XP, Windows Vista, & Windows 7/8/10 in normal or safe mode to diagnose malware issues.

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool

If you choose to go the clean install route, a useful approach is to use a MS account and link your digital license to it.
This would help with reactivation.

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License
Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10

dalchina said:

If you choose to go the clean install route, a useful approach is to use a MS account and link your digital license to it.
This would help with reactivation.

Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License

Good tip. As the intention is to use this PC offline after the clean up, then I'd recommend using:

• Option One: Link Microsoft Account to Digital License without Switching Local Account to Microsoft Account

I 'sanitize' drives using GPARTED [GNU Partition Editor] either from the LiveCD created from the .iso file or in a drive dock using the same program on Linux Mint to wipe everything off, give it the same condition as when it was shipped. Then when booting the Windows install disc or USB thumb drive [created by the MCT process] I let the install do its thing, create the partitions it needs. At that point I either sell or give away the computer but not until that has been completed.

True but my clients have wanted it done before Windows is involved.