Getting your PC ready to sell: wipe, clean, photograph

An hour of preparation protects your personal data and helps your PC sell faster. Work through these steps in order.

1. Back up your files

Copy your documents, photos, game saves and anything else you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage. Check you can open the copies before you go any further.

2. Sign out of everything

• Sign out of Steam, Epic, Battle.net, EA, Ubisoft and any other launchers.
• Deactivate software licences you want to move to your next PC (for example Adobe or Microsoft 365).
• Remove the PC from your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/devices.
• On a Mac, sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My. Otherwise the buyer won't be able to use it.

3. Wipe it properly

Deleting files isn't enough. In Windows 11, go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything. Under "Change settings", turn on Clean data. This takes longer but makes your files very hard to recover. Windows reinstalls itself and stays activated.

Wipe any extra drives too, using your drive maker's "secure erase" tool. If you'd rather keep a drive, take it out and say so in your listing. Remove any BIOS password you've set.

4. Clean it

• Turn it off and unplug it.
• Blow the dust out with compressed air, outdoors if you can. Hold each fan still while you do it so it doesn't spin too fast.
• Wash or wipe the dust filters, and wipe the case and any glass.
• Tidy loose cables with a few cable ties.

5. Gather the extras

Original boxes, receipts, spare cables and screws, Wi-Fi antennas and the original CPU cooler all make your listing more appealing. Receipts matter most if there's manufacturer warranty left.

6. Take great photos

• Use daylight or a bright room, and a plain, uncluttered background.
• Photograph the front, both sides, the back (to show the ports) and the inside.
• Show it switched on, with its lighting if it has any.
• Include a photo of the screen showing the specs. Our spec summary script creates a clear one.
• Photograph any damage honestly. Buyers trust sellers who show the flaws.
• Your first photo is the one shown in search results, so make it the best one.

7. Write a clear listing

Lead the title with the parts buyers search for, for example: "Gaming PC – Ryzen 7 7800X3D, RTX 4070 Super, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD". Use Import specs when you create your listing to fill in the details for you. In the description, say how old it is, why you're selling, any faults, any warranty, what's included, and whether you can deliver.

Not sure what to charge? Read how to price your used PC. Then start your listing.