Turning an old work laptop into a new personal one

[arry]

I'm not very tech savvy but I'm hoping someone can help me.

I've got a nice little Dell laptop that belongs to an ex employer of mine. It's been sat in its box for two years now waiting for them to send a courier to pick it up, and after months of chasing, they've just fobbed me off.

So I guess it's mine now. I'd like to get it set up for me.

It's got BitLocker on it and I can't remember the BitlLocker password. Even if I could, I'm not sure I want to sign in past it because I wouldn't want them picking it up on the network somehow and assuming I'm trying to access their data. I don't even know if that's a thing?!

Anyway, I guess the question is - is it possible to do a wipe and reinstall a fresh Windows OS and use it as my own laptop?

Ta

[panrider_uk]

If you just do a clean install of Windows it will wipe the existing partitions so Bitlocker encryption shouldn't be a problem.

Even if you remembered the Bitlocker password the pc would probably still be in the old company's domain so best to do a clean install really.

I'd take the opportunity to install a SSD if it doesn't already have one - it will perform much better.
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Current bikes: Forza 750, ST1100A

[arry]

[Rob W]

[Ayrton]

I had the same problem and just swapped the hard drive out for another one. I wanted to keep the original in case they ever ask for the laptop back too.

If the BIOS is also password protected you can use this site to get a password for it https://bios-pw.org/

Best way to find what kind of hard drive it has is to google the model number I think.

[arry]

[stinkwheel]

If you go on the dell website and type in the service tag number, it'll tell you about your specific PC.

EDIT: It's been a while but if it's up and running and connected to the internet, you'll probably be able to make a windows recovery disc on a USB stick and return it to factory settings with a fresh windows install.

I did that with Mrs stinkwheels dell laptop because it was a slightly hooky seeming one off ebay. Re-partitioned the hard drive during the process.

If it's on windows 10, it might also give you an option to install 11 and I think you might be able to do that as a clean install.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[arry]

[arry]

[Rob W]

What is it you plan on doing with the laptop?

Seems like a half decent drive, I'd just go fresh install if you aren't planning on storing millions of photos or something. For general browsing/usage I would think 256GB would probably do you.
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'16 GSX-S1000F

[stinkwheel]

I'd probably stick with the original Dell drive if it's big enough for you. Companies use them because they are built to be robust and reliable for big IT rollouts. They could easily buy something faster and cheaper but choose not to.

If you do decide to fiddle with it, they are also assembled like lego, very easy to work on.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[arry]

[stinkwheel]

[t121anf]

The hardware might license W10 or W11 that's what I find with newer machines, might only be Personal edition but it's usually enough for most things.

[stinkwheel]

Another option would be to put mint linux on it.

You can put it on a bootable USB drive and have a test drive using the live version. Then if it all works and you like it, you can install it as your OS.

If you're just using it for browsing, it'll fly on anything that runs windows 10. Doesn't run MS office but it comes with libreoffice. Uses firefox as standard browser but you can put chrome on if you preferr.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[arry]

[Pete.]

Rather than creating repair media (or rather, as well as), another option is to download windows 10 and run the installer. Being a Dell and being ex-commercial use it might well have a volumn license key but also if it's already windows 10 it'll probably self-activate anyway.

The reason I say use a download is that it might have been installed from an image rather than the windows installer. Companies do this to streamline their installs, but you don't end up with vanilla Windows, rather you might get their compay install along with their VPN/monitoring/login software.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Nobby the Bastard]

Or just buy a Win 10 key off ebay for £2.50
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[dave001]

[arry]

Stumbling.

Can't get it to recognise the USB - going through the boot menu it just doesn't recognise it. If I try to do anything it's asking for admin password which I don't have, of course.

Not sure what I can do?

[dave001]

[Ayrton]

[arry]

[arry]

[arry]

The BIOS website doesn't give me a 'Dell From Serial Number' code which is what, looking at videos on YouTube, seems to work for most.

I have been reading up on PSWD Jumpers but that's getting a bit beyond me.