Question about Restoring a Computer

[Squishman]

I bought a new desktop computer from Costco. Lenova with 32gb of RAM. That'll be nice. It arrives Wednesday. In the meantime, I am preparing to transfer files out of the old one. After I make sure everything is safely out and on the new one and/or an external drive, I will restore it, then sell it.
When I bought this current desktop, it had Windows 10 but I upgraded to Windows 11 around 2022. I also installed 16gb RAM (upgrading from 8gb) around that same time frame. My question is, if I restore it from settings, which OS will be re-installed? Hoping, of course that it restores with Windows 11.
If I have it correct, I won't be able to check the properties, i do not think. Because when it comes back up, i want to power it down at the very first thing, when it asks you to set your language. But If I have to proceed to find out for sure, I will. Then I'd just restore it a second time I imagine.

 

[TLS Guy]

I bought a new desktop computer from Costco. Lenova with 32gb of RAM. That'll be nice. It arrives Wednesday. In the meantime, I am preparing to transfer files out of the old one. After I make sure everything is safely out and on the new one and/or an external drive, I will restore it, then sell it.
When I bought this current desktop, it had Windows 10 but I upgraded to Windows 11 around 2022. I also installed 16gb RAM (upgrading from 8gb) around that same time frame. My question is, if I restore it from settings, which OS will be re-installed? Hoping, of course that it restores with Windows 11.
If I have it correct, I won't be able to check the properties, i do not think. Because when it comes back up, i want to power it down at the very first thing, when it asks you to set your language. But If I have to proceed to find out for sure, I will. Then I'd just restore it a second time I imagine.

Don't sell it with the current hard drive. You won't wipe it as clean as you think. Sell your computer with a new unused hard drive, and drill holes in your current one and take it to the recycling center.

 

[Squishman]

Oh ok. Dumb question: does the hard drive have the OS on it? Or is that located on a different component?
edit: nope. it is not on the HDD.

 

[Squishman]

Looks like what I am seeing with a new HDD is that it does not have the OS on it. So I am still wondering about my original question if anyone knows.

 

[TLS Guy]

Oh ok. Dumb question: does the hard drive have the OS on it? Or is that located on a different component?

Crooks can recover your data from a hard drive and will. Always destroy the hard drive before recycling or selling a computer. Honestly there is not much percentage in selling an older used computer. I destroy the hard drive and take the rest to the recycling center.

I wish you had asked me about that Levono, they are now junk. Not a good purchase at all. You said is what levova, but I'm pretty sure it is a Lenovo.

 

[everettT]

Looks like what I am seeing with a new HDD is that it does not have the OS on it. So I am still wondering about my original question if anyone knows.

The OS is typically partitioned or on a second drive. I've used this company"s software for transferring data and programs from one PC to another for about 12 years
EaseUS

 

[Squishman]

Yeah, that's it. I was typing on my tablet. Hopefully the new one will be better than what you say. I do not do gaming on it or any creativity, etc. So if it's not up to par for those aspects, it should be fine. I paid only $799 for it and most every other 32 GB unit is well over a grand.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Transfer your files and settings to a new Windows PC - Microsoft Support

Learn how to easily copy your files and settings to a new Windows PC.

support.microsoft.com

 

[Squishman]

Transfer your files and settings to a new Windows PC - Microsoft Support

Learn how to easily copy your files and settings to a new Windows PC.

support.microsoft.com

Thx!

@TLS Guy I did mean Lenovo. Are you saying Lenovo's are junk or whatever I typed on my typo above?
Here's the unit I bought. For my purposes, I bet it'll be fabulous. Plus, I like the slimness of the tower as it'll sit on top of my desk.

https://www.costco.com/p/-/lenovo-ideacentre-8-liter-tower-desktop-intel-core-i7-14700-windows-11/4000363400?langId=-1

 

[Cos]

• Your new Lenovo laptop will come with it's own windows software licenses, you will not be restoring your old version of windows with the new laptop
• Your profile settings and a lot of software will be in your user profile for windows
  • Make sure you save your login for windows (PW and six digit code) to login to windows to be safe
  • I always backup my documents / downloads / Music / Movie folders just to be safe
  • Backup your browser/windows password manager if your use it. I use 1Password, that is a third party pw manager
  • Backup your browser bookmarks (This is just to be safe, they should move over with your user ID)
• When you setup your Lenovo Laptop if will ask you for language choice, should be a non issue.

I understand everyone's concern with HDD security, there is an easy free tool you can use to nuke/wipe the HDD if you are passing/selling your laptop.

• Now if you save Crypto keys, your laptop holds government secrets, or you post all your bank account logins and passwords in a doc/txt file, keep the drive!

DBAN is a free program that essentially will nuke your HDD in a good way and wipe data that is nearly impossible to recover.

 

[Squishman]

• Your new Lenovo laptop will come with it's own windows software licenses, you will not be restoring your old version of windows with the new laptop
• Your profile settings and a lot of software will be in your user profile for windows
  • Make sure you save your login for windows (PW and six digit code) to login to windows to be safe
  • I always backup my documents / downloads / Music / Movie folders just to be safe
  • Backup your browser/windows password manager if your use it. I use 1Password, that is a third party pw manager
  • Backup your browser bookmarks (This is just to be safe, they should move over with your user ID)
• When you setup your Lenovo Laptop if will ask you for language choice, should be a non issue.

I understand everyone's concern with HDD security, their is an easy free tool you can use to nuke/wipe the HDD if you are passing/selling your laptop.

DBAN is a free program that essentially will nuke your HDD in a good way and wipe data that is nearly impossible to recover.

Thx. I have restored multiple computers over the years. I have an Acer laptop that I like a lot, but it's really only used for recording LP's. This new one and the one I am replacing are desktops. Not that it matters. Everything you said pertains regardless.
But still when I restore it, it will either revert back to W10 or 11. I guess no one knows what to expect here?
But I will shut it down at the first thing you see, which is to select your language. The new owner will set it up and log in with his own credentials.

 

[Cos]

• Just a quick add, Lenovo, HP, Dell, "insert brand" are pretty much all the same, it is hit or miss.
• Outside of my Apple MacBook Pro, the only PC brand laptop I would buy ,if not a gamer, is Framework
• They are easy to fix, upgrade and even though are a small company, they offer solid support.

I think Apple is the only brand I would buy (Yes, I am typing this on my Windows Desktop) They just make better laptops and since I only use for work, a no brainer decision.