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Ask HN: How do I clean a Laptop from a previous setup by a Law Firm

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Re: Ask HN: How do I clean a Laptop from a previous setup by a Law Firm

#11

Post by betamonk »

lovelearning wrote: post #9

There's a network and system activity monitoring tool called GlassWire[1] with good visualizations and intuitive reports. When it was first shown here couple of years ago [2], I was very impressed. I don't use Windows anymore but hopefully the tool's still as good and maintained well. Maybe you can run it for a few weeks to either convince yourself there's no mischief from the old firm, or take more targeted actions.…

lovelearning,

I am going to give this a try. Thank you for the share.

Re: Ask HN: How do I clean a Laptop from a previous setup by a Law Firm

#12

Post by betamonk »

jklein11 wrote: post #8
betamonk wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

jklein11, Thank you for your response and advice. Yes, she owns the license as well as the new firm she joined has purchased the software they use. She doesn't want to go through re-installing and asking for the software again because of the time crunch she is in. The suggestion in buying a new laptop at this time is not an expense we can take on. I will have to think of something else as the clean wipe is the only w…

If this is a temporary solution you could use the laptop with the network card disabled. If this isn't a license issue the price of replacing the laptop would be way less. The model you mentioned previously sells brand new for $900 or less. I saw some refurbished models for ~$300. Is her new firm providing her with a laptop? It strikes me as odd that law firms have a BYOD policy when the data that is stored on them i…

jklein11,

The purchase of the laptop when bought new was over $2K. My wife is frugal and won't spend more money on another "new" or "refurb" computer.

Licensing is not an issue. It's the scarce time and how busy my wife is that I can't wipe and re-load.

But, reading everyone's comments the best way is to wipe. I will provide that option to my wife and proceed when I can to wipe and re-install.

Thank you for your response.

Re: Ask HN: How do I clean a Laptop from a previous setup by a Law Firm

#13

Post by lsiebert »

Make a system restore backup, and preferably a full disk image backup, in case the below screws something up. Run it overnight on the weekend, to an external hd enclosure.

Any programs she is using with keys from the Law Firm. Look up how to export settings and how to change product keys.

This is the most potentially problematic thing that could bork you if it resets stuff she needs, but you can always restore from your full disk backup.

Change the styling

See http://www.makeuseof.com/answers/how-can-i-restore-my-window...

Remove unneeded programs.

go to control panel, add remove programs, and remove any programs that your wife doesn't need.

Reset and turn on the windows firewall

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff428142(v=ws.10...

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