If you're still not quite sure where to start with the cleaning, check out our complete guide to getting your laptop looking its best.īefore you even think about doing a factory reset on your MacBook, you need to save any data you want to keep. It's also a good idea to ensure the power adapter is still in good, working condition. For a slightly deeper clean, you may also want to grab a screwdriver and remove the bottom cover of your laptop (if possible) so you can carefully blow out any dust that's accumulated on the fans and vents.Īfter the laptop is clean, you can also wipe down the power adapter and any related accessories. The basic equipment required for a good laptop cleaning is a can of compressed air and some disinfectant or alcohol wipes.

I typically save the laptop's physical cleaning until last (why clean your fingerprints off twice?), but you may want to start there - especially if it's been gathering dust in the back of a closet/under a bed/in the garage for the past several years.

Below, you'll find everything you need to know and do before giving your laptop a second life. It's the actual step-by-step procedure that differs depending on the type of laptop you're dealing with. The big-picture steps you take to refresh a laptop are the same regardless of whether it's a Windows laptop, Apple MacBook or Chromebook - save your old data, remove all personal information, then go for a factory reset. (Although that's something you should definitely do before you gift it.) How much data scrubbing you need to do, however, will likely depend on the recipient. Wiping the computer of all your apps, files, folders and other personal information isn't necessarily as straightforward as just wiping down the laptop screen. Even if you're giving it as a gift to a friend or relative, you'll still want to clean out the laptop and give it a fresh start. A full factory reset can help an older laptop run a little faster - but it's absolutely crucial that you do it before you give a laptop away or take it to be recycled.

11 windows laptop