Solved Sending laptop in for repair

sam9978 · Nov 8, 2023

I need to send my son's laptop in for repair and I was sure there was an option in Windows 11 to secure the device before sending it in for repair. I'd never used it before but I was 100% sure I saw an option similar to that but now that I need it I can't find it. Was I imagining this or was it maybe removed? I'll probably just image the drive and then reinstall Windows but I'm still interested in what happened to that option or if I was just mistaken. Thank you!

FreeBooter · Nov 8, 2023

You can use BitLocker to encrypt the hard drive.

Turn On BitLocker for Operating System Drive in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on BitLocker Drive Encryption for an operating system drive in Windows 11. BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or...

www.elevenforum.com

sam9978 · Nov 8, 2023

Thank you! Unfortunately, the laptop only has Windows 11 Home so drive encryption is not an option. I'm guessing "device encryption" is not quite good enough, right?

johnlgalt · Nov 8, 2023

Image and clean install is probably better. You'll still want to image before you use BitLocker, anyway, as decrypting and disabling BitLocker can be problematic.

And it's moot since it's Home lol....

As for the secure device option - could it be that was an option specific to a particular brand, because I don't recall seeing anything like that in Windows itself.

Stigg · Nov 8, 2023

I personally wouldn't trust anyone else repairing my computers.
I fix them myself. Most repairs are fairly easy.

sam9978 · Nov 8, 2023

Stigg said:
I personally wouldn't trust anyone else repairing my computers.
I fix them myself. Most repairs are fairly easy.

I totally agree, however this is a warranty repair on the screen so it's not worth it to do it myself.

glasskuter · Nov 8, 2023

My OEM (Dell) advised me to back up my data and perform a system 'reset and remove everything' before returning my computer for warranty repair.
Settings>system>recovery
When I got it back they had done the same and I restored the image I had made.

sam9978 · Nov 8, 2023

johnlgalt said:
Image and clean install is probably better. You'll still want to image before you use BitLocker, anyway, as decrypting and disabling BitLocker can be problematic.

And it's moot since it's Home lol....

As for the secure device option - could it be that was an option specific to a particular brand, because I don't recall seeing anything like that in Windows itself.

Yeah, I'll just image and reinstall. I wish I could find that option thought just out of interest. I even read an article about it a few months back but now I can't find anything about it when searching online.

Here's a screen snip from my laptop. I have 11 pro but it looks basically the same on his with the exception that "device encryption" is enabled and when going to "Bitlocker device encryption" it takes me to the Windows store to upgrade.

sam9978 · Nov 8, 2023

glasskuter said:
My OEM (Dell) advised me to back up my data and perform a system 'reset and remove everything' before returning my computer for warranty repair.
Settings>system>recovery
When I got it back they had done the same and I restored the image I had made.

Yeah, I'll probably do this. Thank you!

NavyLCDR · Nov 8, 2023

glasskuter said:
My OEM (Dell) advised me to back up my data and perform a system 'reset and remove everything' before returning my computer for warranty repair.
Settings>system>recovery
When I got it back they had done the same and I restored the image I had made.

This^^^ 110%!

Stigg · Nov 8, 2023

sam9978 said:
I totally agree, however this is a warranty repair on the screen so it's not worth it to do it myself.

Yes, I can understand that.

FreeBooter · Nov 9, 2023

Turn On or Off Device Encryption in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off device encryption on a Windows 11 PC. Device encryption is a Windows feature that enables BitLocker encryption automatically for the Operating System drive and fixed drives. It’s particularly beneficial for everyday users who want to ensure...

www.elevenforum.com

antspants · Nov 9, 2023

If you’re worried about privacy also, I’d backup, replace your current OS with a win 11 home OS fresh install and leave nothing on it. I believe John said the same thing.

Almighty1 · Nov 9, 2023

sam9978 said:
I totally agree, however this is a warranty repair on the screen so it's not worth it to do it myself.

Only problem is they will need access to the system as part of the repair so if they don't have access, even if you encrypt it. They can do whatever they need to get access including formatting the drive or replacing the storage and then putting the stock OS on it. And ofcourse there is the privacy issue too so better to just image the HD/SSD and then put a fresh install or even leave the HD blank and then restore from the image when it returns.

abactuon · Nov 9, 2023

Is it possible to just remove the disk and install it after repair ?

johnlgalt · Nov 9, 2023

Mama Gk and NavyLCDR have the right of it - make your system (backup) image (make two if you want to be sure of no accidental issues with a single image that has all your necessary data), and then use the OEM's tools to reset / refresh Windows back to it's factory defaults - that is how they shipping it to you, and that is what they can easily use for whatever diagnostics they need to perform in-house.

Once they are done, I would not be surprised if they simply re-image your machine with that default factory image and ship it back - so you receive what is, for all intents and purposes, a machine that is ready to be set up again as if it were brand new.

sam9978 · Nov 9, 2023

Thank you everyone for all the replies. I imaged and reinstalled.

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