No user account computer

Jerry Delacruz said:

Once you figure out how to do it, it's all fairly easy. The problem is that the information is buried in a pile of, well, you know. I don't doubt that wiping my hard drive, which as I understand it, cannot be done while the computer is using that drive, is possible from win. Maybe some version of super DOS that will boot from the USB and format a large capacity drive. But for some reason Ubuntu allows a hard drive format from the USB boot prior to install.The same with this "public" user, it's all really simple, now. When some one buys this computer they can add their account, no problem. Now I just have to figure out the ASUS specific bluetooth drivers and BIOS that has to be set and installed for this particular machine, touchscreen, hard disk drive protection, etc. I like the ideal of being able to bring my computer back to life after a possible infection or to just remove junk, like a spring cleaning. I've done this before and didn't have these problems so it might be something in the newer iso. file or an update from MS.

I might be missing or misunderstanding something here but nothing could be easier than to do exactly what you told in your first post you want to do.

Boot the PC with Windows install media, press SHIFT + F10 when in the first dialog about languages and formats. Use Diskpart to wipe the disk. Install Windows, enter Audit Mode from the settings screen when installation is ready before creating any user accounts. Download and install all necessary drivers and software like the ASUS Bluetooth you mentioned. Sysprep and shut down. Give the PC to new owner who gets a real new machine OOBE First Run Setup experience, a fully functioning PC with all drivers present but virgin when it comes to user accounts (no accounts exist, not even the Public account you have mentioned).

Exactly as told in the tutorial I linked to in my earlier post.

Kari

The WiFi is not switched on or off by having or not having an MS account! I don't where you are getting this idea that everything is reliant on having an MS account. The Bluetooth and WiFi are strictly hardware controlled by device drivers and settings in Window or the OS being run.

When setting up a network or internet connection the WiFi then starts receiving and sending packets to the ISP while Bluetooth is enabled by the detection of the external device or peripheral being used such as Bluetooth head sets or a smart phone. Portable speakers for laptops may be Bluetooth as well. In fact if I found usb powered Bluetooth speakers I could replace the present set for the laptop where you need to plug into the headphone jack and one more cord to unravel when going to set them up.

As for securely seeing a drive wiped NavyLCDR touched on just one of the many available for seeing a secure wipe especially when donating if not selling any older system to insure all personal data is gone and not able to be retrieved later since any data recovery service is equipped with the right data recovery tools to bring things you may think are gone for good simply from reformatting or even repartitioning a drive. A tool that repeatedly overwrites existing yet hidden not completely lost data is the more common type of secure erase type program used. That still has to be your own decision there on which route you will take.

NavyLCDR said:

+1 Night Hawk, agreed!

Understand I'm not trying to knock down Kari's advice either but simply indicating the need for placing security first ahead of other things at times for precautionary measures. That comes from actually having been burned a few times by bogus vendors one a later proven scam site where the perp took the money for the board even replied to an inquiry about not receiving any confirmation and then tried making a $2,600 purchase from Istanbul, Turkey according to the prepaid debit card's security records! Best to be forewarned ahead of time!

Leaving traces and possibly any credit information on a system being sold or donated without first being nuked potentially can leave unwanted doors open as far as how your information can be exploited if recovered by some means. A fresh drive with a clean install with request to have the buyer supply you with the information as far as the new admin account and what programs he wants on by agreement would see to it that every trace of your use and personal information was gone as well as the buyer getting into the fresh install. That will make everyone a happy camper there.

Night Hawk said:

Understand I'm not trying to knock down Kari's advice either but simply indicating the need for placing security first ahead of other things at times for precautionary measures.

Although telling in this thread that I personally am satisfied with Windows setup disk tools, deleting existing partitions with it before installing, in the tutorial and my instructions I tell to use Diskpart to completely wipe the disk beyond "resurrection" before installing OS on a PC to be sold or given away.

It is secure but done with native Windows tools instead of third party programs.

Well for the most simply clearing off stuff like downloaded apps and temp folders as well as other clutter is a 1-2-3 with the Disk Part tool or drive tools option on the Windows media would be enough as far as simply seeing Windows go back on fresh or passing the system onto a family member or friend if not coworker who wouldn't want your personal stuff lingering around.

And it isn't the paid for softwares or browsing history you would be concerned about but the stuff dealing with your credit and other personal information you want to see gone forever when either selling or giving away any older system you used for a period of time to prevent any unauthorized access to your banking or credit cards for example. These tools are there to insure that can't happen

With anything personal and sensitive other 3rd party tools can be used to recover files you thought were gone for good. Someone could easily bring the drive in to a professional service for example simply claiming they had accidentally deleted important information in order to see your data recovered instead.Unfortunately in this day and age with Identity theft, phising scams, and other things playing it smart usually turns out to be the best move to make.

And to make matters worse SSDs and flash drives are the most vulnerable to data theft since they can't thoroughly cleaned like you can see done with any mechanical drive. So when you decide an old flash drive is nothing you want don't simply toss it intact in the trash but take a good hammer and smash it to bits! break the circuit card inside into pieces with a pair of pliers if you ever used it to transfer any important files with! A good 2014 article to look over about all this can be seen at: Definitely deleted: How to guarantee your data is truly gone before recycling old PCs and drives | PCWorld