🖥️ Donation Prep Guide: Factory Reset Instructions

• Back up important files: Save any documents, photos, or business data you need to an external drive or cloud service.
• Sign out of accounts: Log out of Microsoft, Google, iCloud, or business accounts to prevent sync issues.
• Unplug external devices: Remove USB drives, printers, or external hard drives.

Before wiping, it’s useful to collect the PC’s details for donation records.

Windows OS Instructions

1. Click the Windows icon (bottom left of the screen).
2. Type Settings, then click Settings.
3. Go to System, then scroll down and click About.
   • Here you’ll see Device specifications: brand/model, processor (CPU), installed RAM, and operating system details.
   • Note: CPU is another term for Processor.
4. To check storage:
   • Click the File Explorer (yellow folder icon).
   • Select This PC.
   • Look at Local Disk (C:) to see how many GB or TB the computer has.

Mac OS Instructions

1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner.
2. Select About This Mac.
   • The window will show Mac model, chip/processor (CPU), memory (RAM), and macOS version.
3. To view storage:
   • In the same window, click the Storage tab.
   • This will show how much space the Mac has and how much is used/free.

Finding GPU (Graphics Card)

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Performance tab.
3. Select GPU on the left panel to see the graphics card information.

1. Open Settings: Click Start → Settings (⚙️).
2. Go to Recovery: Navigate to Update & Security → Recovery (Windows 10) or System → Recovery (Windows 11).
3. Choose Reset this PC: Under Recovery options, select Reset this PC → Get started.
4. Select Remove everything:
   • Choose Remove everything (not Keep my files).
   • This deletes all personal files, apps, and settings.
5. Select Cloud download or Local reinstall:
   • Cloud download: Fresh copy of Windows from Microsoft servers.
   • Local reinstall: Uses files already on the PC.
6. Confirm Reset: Follow prompts and confirm. The reset process may take 30 minutes to several hours.

(Many older business PCs may run these versions)

1. Restart your PC.
2. During startup, press the recovery key (often F8, F11, or F12, depending on manufacturer).
3. Select Repair Your Computer or Factory Reset from the menu.
4. Follow on-screen prompts to restore the PC to its factory state.

Android Tablets

1. Back up data via Google Drive or SD card.
2. Sign out of Google accounts (Settings → Accounts).
3. Open Settings → System → Reset options.
4. Tap Erase all data (factory reset).
5. Confirm and enter PIN if prompted.

Apple iPad

1. Back up via iCloud or Finder/iTunes.
2. Sign out of Apple ID (Settings → [your name] → Sign Out).
3. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad.
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
5. Enter Apple ID password, confirm, and wait for restart.

For highly sensitive business data, consider:

• Data wiping tools: Use software such as DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) or manufacturer-specific tools to overwrite the hard drive.
• Remove or replace the drive: Donate the computer without the drive, or install a new blank drive.

If you are unsure about completing this process, our Security Team can handle it for you. We follow strict protocols and take every precaution to securely wipe highly sensitive data.

• The PC will restart and show the initial Windows setup screen (language, time, user account setup).
• At this point, the computer is safe to donate.

• Always back up what you need before wiping.
• Make sure the device is plugged into power during the reset.
• If you’re unsure or unable to reset, let your IT team or a local tech professional handle it before donation.