TL;DR: The Data Shredder Stick permanently erases sensitive files from any Windows PC- use and reuse for $59.99 plus free shipping. Upgrading to a shiny new computer feels great-faster speeds, more ...

Before selling, donating, or recycling your outdated laptop or desktop, protect your privacy with this important step By Nicholas De Leon Looking for a new home for an old laptop or desktop computer?

Drag files to your computer’s trash, and they’re not really gone—most can be recovered with basic tools. Whether you’re wiping a single file or scrubbing an entire hard drive, the Data Shredder Stick ...

A reader asked me how he might safely donate a computer to a local refurbishing group. "Our son-in-law takes the hard drive out and destroys it with a hammer," he said. "Is that the best way?" Unless ...

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Kimber Streams Kimber Streams is a writer who has been covering laptops and ...

About 10 years ago, a prominent tech executive confidently informed me that computer files would become obsolete. The exec was Bret Taylor, who at the time was building a Microsoft Word alternative ...

“It’s been over a month, but I have accidentally deleted some photos via the recycling bin, and I’d really like them back. I’ve heard of Windows recovery files, but I’m not sure how they work. Any ...