Sending laptop for repairs. Should I delete main user admin account?


  1. Posts : 685
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #1

    Sending laptop for repairs. Should I delete main user admin account?


    I'm sending my laptop in for a screen repair to Lenovo, and I've never sent a computer out for repairs before, so I'm looking for input on how to handle my user account (Admin account). I'm current using a Microsoft account, so everything is tied to my username and account. Should I delete it, and create a new standard user, keep it along with creating a standard user, switch to a local account, or wipe the system completely? It's a pretty new laptop, so wiping it won't be a bother as setting it up again shouldn't take too long, but I really would like to keep it intact if possible. I'm concerned with anyone accessing my personal files/account if I leave it as is even if it's being password protected. Like my browsers being set up to sync, having passwords saved, etc. Would simply creating a new standard account to use be enough, or could they still somehow access my info? Lenovo instructed me to allow them to have access to test everything when the repairs are complete, but I don't want to give them access to my personal user account. I'm leaning to just wiping it, and then wipe it again when returned, and starting over, unless others have a better solution to stay safe and secure.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,986
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       #2

    A few of my clients had to do the same under warranty and the company [not all the same brand] wiped the HDD/Hard Disk Drive during the repair process to put the machine back to "normal" so be sure you have a copy or back up of your data, anything that exists nowhere else. When I replace the screen I do the backup for the client. I had one client with his company data on the Notebook so I created the Factory Restore disc, removed his drive and loaned then installed a used drive then restored, worked fine.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,430
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    Like @Berton stated, and probably what Lenovo has told you as well, back up what you want to keep, because they might wipe the hard drive clean and start over from a factory image.

    To protect your own privacy you want to create a new Local account. Then change that Local account to an Administrator type. Log into that new local administrator account and delete your previous user account.

    Before sending in a computer for repair, I make a backup image of at least the OS partition so I can just restore everything back to the way it was when I get the computer back.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,524
    Windows 10 Pro (32-bit) 16299.15
       #4

    Bobby Phoenix said:
    Should I delete it, and create a new standard user, keep it along with creating a standard user, switch to a local account, or wipe the system completely? It's a pretty new laptop, so wiping it won't be a bother as setting it up again shouldn't take too long, but I really would like to keep it intact if possible.
    If you wipe the only admin-level account then you can't set up another admin-level account from the standard account.

    I'm guessing Lenovo would probably want admin access to test the screen after repairing?

    Personally I would take a backup image (or two) first, as suggested by Berton. I'd also make a note of drivers installed, and then wipe it and put an admin-level local account on . When it comes back, check the drivers are the same, and restore the backup.
    Edit: Beaten to it!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 685
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks all. You all basically said what I was thinking. I already have a back-up, so I'll just wipe it, add a local admin account, and let them use that.
      My Computer


 

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