New PC - Password Question

I did a search on how to get rid of passwords on your computer:

I was wondering if this is all you need to do with your computer if you are going to sell it. I don't keep addresses on the computer or do my banking on it, either, so that info shouldn't be hanging around any where. I do buy stuff on the internet and use my credit card and I have on-line billing and paying, so my checking account # is out there somewhere. I don't want to mess with reformatting this Compaq. I would rather just delete or uninstall stuff that I put on here. Is this possible?

Thanks!!!

 

Hey Panda

Do you have a recovery disk with the Compaq?

If so just format your C: and use the recovery disk to put it back to the way it was when you got it. No telling what you have lurking in your registry with passwords, bank acct #'s, etc.

 

Thanks, but was hoping to avoid that because the old one has version 4.0 for IE and OE and I really wanted it to have version 6 installed and I won't have the old one hooked up to the net any more. Plus, it was hard finding the upgrade for win98 because it's obsolete now. I'm just trying to find a shortcut, but that might not be a good idea. Will have to think about it now.

HEY! Could I just download a reg cleaner and go that route?

 

If you want to keep the upgrades, you can't format. I thought you were giving the computer to your neighbor?

Anyway, a reg cleaner will clean stuff out that no longer works. I use Easy Cleaner myself. Easy Cleaner

edit....Woooops! Had the bad link. OK now.

 

I mentioned in the first post that I am considering selling the machine. I'm still not sure if I'm going to do it, but wanted it to be clean if I do.

Thanks for the link. I've heard about that before and it is always highly recommended.

Thanks again, and I think this is all the info I need on this.

OOOOPS! The link doesn't work! I think I may have it listed somewhere in my favorites, so don't worry about it.

 

IE stores passwords under this key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider\[windowslogonname]\Data
Poke around the subkeys and you will find them. They are encrypted, but the website name is not.
Most of the regcleaners I have come across will not touch this key.

 

Thanks for the link 'edit' and also for the registry hack. Don't really like mucking around in there, but will keep this one in mind.

Right now I am still playing with my NEW MACHINE and probably won't find time to clean up the old one until after the new year. I'm having toooo much fun with this one.