Erasing data without flashing windows

Question

Erasing data without flashing windows

Ia6676 40

I have a hp laptop that has an issue with the motherboard and only runs the local display for ~15 min before it turns the screen/keyboard and the pc off. I run the machine on a external display but the boot does NOT run on the external display, but the boot is less than a min so the screen/keyboard stays on until an external display is detected and then i can run the machine as normal with the lid closed with a external display/keyboard.

The issue is i would like to get rid of this pc and i want to erase my data for privacy reasons but if i do a factory reset it's likely going to require the native display to stay on longer than ~15 min.

Is there a way to securely erase my data without resetting the machine?

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Answer accepted by question author

Vikki-T 10,395 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Ia6676,

I understand why you want to make sure your personal data is properly removed before getting rid of the laptop, especially when the built-in display and keyboard are unreliable.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. My role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas.

Could you clarify a few details?

After about 15 minutes, does the laptop itself completely shut down or restart or do only the built-in screen and keyboard stop working?
Is the internal drive an SSD or HDD, and is it removable?
Are you planning to sell or give the laptop to someone who will continue using it, or will it be recycled?

In the meantime, I would not recommend simply deleting your files or removing your Windows account, as deleted data may still be recoverable.

If the laptop itself remains running and only the built-in display and keyboard stop responding, you may be able to start the reset while using the external monitor:

Back up anything you want to keep.
Keep the laptop connected to power and disconnect any unnecessary external storage devices.
If BitLocker or Device Encryption is enabled, save the recovery key somewhere separate.
Open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC.
Choose Remove everything and enable Clean data.

Windows may restart several times, and the external display might not be available during every stage. Once the reset has started, avoid manually powering off the laptop, even if the screen remains black for a while. You can review the official steps here: Reset your PC in Windows

If the entire laptop shuts down unexpectedly after 15 minutes, I would avoid starting a reset, as an interruption could cause the process to fail. In that situation, the safer option would be to have the internal drive removed and either keep it or have it securely erased using another computer or by a reputable repair or data-destruction service. If the laptop is only being recycled, you could also keep the drive rather than handing it over with the laptop.

I hope this helps you choose the safest option for your data. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Vikki-T 10,395 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-16T09:15:19.4733333+00:00

Hi Ia6676,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.
Ia6676 40 Reputation points

2026-07-16T21:14:47.6366667+00:00

Is the internal drive an SSD or HDD, and is it removable?

I have to check and see if this is the case.

The laptop when turning off the screen turns off the computer as well. But, it works perfectly fine if i close the lid and it use it on an external display before it turns off.

I may have to take it to a professional to have the date erased because I'm not sure flashing the computer will work without the computer recognizing the external display.

I was trying to retain some of the value of the PC and still use it until i decide to get rid of it but i would like my data wiped before i decide to get rid of it.
Vikki-T 10,395 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-17T09:07:40.3466667+00:00

Hi Ia6676,

Thank you for clarifying. Since the whole laptop appears to shut down when the built-in display turns off, I agree that starting a reset could be risky. The process requires several restarts, and the external display may not be detected during the startup or recovery stages.

For now, I recommend keeping regular backups of anything important due to the hardware issue.

When you are ready to sell, recycle or dispose of the laptop, having a reputable repair technician remove and securely erase the internal drive would be the safer option. If the laptop is only being recycled, you could also ask to keep the drive rather than handing it over with the device. This avoids risking an interrupted reset while still protecting your personal data.

Hopefully, this allows you to keep using the laptop for now while having a safer plan for your data when you are ready to let it go. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Vikki-T 10,395 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-16T09:15:19.4733333+00:00

Hi Ia6676,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.
Ia6676 40 Reputation points

2026-07-16T21:14:47.6366667+00:00

Is the internal drive an SSD or HDD, and is it removable?

I have to check and see if this is the case.

The laptop when turning off the screen turns off the computer as well. But, it works perfectly fine if i close the lid and it use it on an external display before it turns off.

I may have to take it to a professional to have the date erased because I'm not sure flashing the computer will work without the computer recognizing the external display.

I was trying to retain some of the value of the PC and still use it until i decide to get rid of it but i would like my data wiped before i decide to get rid of it.
Vikki-T 10,395 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-17T09:07:40.3466667+00:00

Hi Ia6676,

Thank you for clarifying. Since the whole laptop appears to shut down when the built-in display turns off, I agree that starting a reset could be risky. The process requires several restarts, and the external display may not be detected during the startup or recovery stages.

For now, I recommend keeping regular backups of anything important due to the hardware issue.

When you are ready to sell, recycle or dispose of the laptop, having a reputable repair technician remove and securely erase the internal drive would be the safer option. If the laptop is only being recycled, you could also ask to keep the drive rather than handing it over with the device. This avoids risking an interrupted reset while still protecting your personal data.

Hopefully, this allows you to keep using the laptop for now while having a safer plan for your data when you are ready to let it go. Thank you so much for your cooperation.

Answer 1

Paul C 0

Sounds like you just need to remove the drive and destroy it :)

Ia6676 40 Reputation points

2026-07-14T23:07:42.5966667+00:00

That is an option. I was hoping i could retain whatever value is left of the machine and possibly use it until i can get rid of it, but this may be the route i go.