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SupportAssist for Home PCs User’s Guide

PDF

Erase and reset old PC

Prerequisites

Ensure the following:
  • Dell Migrate service is available for your new PC. For instructions to purchase, click Dell Migrate on the Discover page.
  • The operating system that is installed on your old PC is Windows 8.1 or later.
  • Your old PC is connected to an electrical outlet.
  • You are logged in to your old PC as an administrator.
  • No applications are running on your old PC.
  • BitLocker is disabled on your old PC.

Steps

  1. If you have already migrated your data to your new PC, perform the following steps on your old PC:
    1. Open Dell Data Assistant.
    2. Click Erase this PC.
      • If an external hard drive is connected to your PC, a message is displayed stating that the data in the external hard drive will not be erased. Remove the hard drive and click Proceed to continue.
      • If multiple user accounts are detected on your old PC, you are prompted to confirm if you want to continue to erase and reset your PC. Click Proceed to continue.
        CAUTION:If you click Proceed without migrating data of other user accounts, the data of those user accounts is also deleted.
      • If an issue is detected in the hard drive, a message is displayed to confirm if you want to continue. Click Proceed to continue.
      • If your PC is compatible with the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery version 5.3, or later, one of the following reset options is displayed:
        • Reboot to Begin Dell Reset—reboots your PC and displays the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery user interface. Select the appropriate reset option and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the erase and reset process.
        • Launch Windows Reset—displays the Windows reset options. Select the appropriate option and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the erase and reset process.
  2. If you have not migrated your data to your new PC, perform the following steps:
    1. On your old PC, open Dell Data Assistant and click Let's get started.
    2. On your new PC, initiate the migration process. For instructions to migrate your data, see Migrate data from old to new PC.
  3. If you do not want to erase your old PC now, click Remind Me Later, select the time when you want to receive a notification, and then click Okay.

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