How To Convert Work Laptop To Personal Use

Have you recently retired from your job or acquired an outdated business laptop that you no longer use for office purposes? However, there are no simple processes or suggestions for converting a professional laptop to a personal laptop. A simple reset or reformat can suffice, but several considerations to consider before proceeding with the conversion.

Can I use my work laptop for personal needs?

It’s wonderful to get a new laptop, especially if you don’t already have one. Checking emails and the web for the latest news is tremendously convenient, but where do you draw between innocent quick checks and exploiting business property?

First and foremost, you should be aware that the laptop is not yours. Just because you know the password and get to take it home with you every night after work doesn’t mean it’s yours to use as you like.

Check the corporate rules to see how you can use that computer before leaping to conclusions. Most corporate regulations prohibit employees from using their laptops for personal purposes but double-check. You can find this type of policy in the company’s handbook.

Even if it says you can use it, you shouldn’t use it carelessly because your employer can always watch it. Employers rarely go out of their way to inform you that your laptop is being monitored, but it never hurts to inquire.

Even if you are merely an employee at a company, you are entitled to some level of privacy. It has been proven that understanding what kind of monitoring occurs on your laptop positively impacts your relationship with your boss.

However, based on our study, there are a few options for converting a work laptop to personal use. A computer has all the functions you need to reset or remove anything. Before restoring important files, you can reformat, reset, or delete undesirable data from your laptop.

Please read the entire article and follow the procedures we’ve outlined.

How to convert laptop work to personal?

1. Factory Resetting.

The simplest solution is to remove all work-related data and restore factory settings. It will delete all company-related applications, allowing you to make your computer completely personal.

However, if you wish to save some applications or files, you can turn off the security settings on your laptop and use it with third-party software and flash drives.

Steps:

• Go to Main Menu
• Tap Setting
• Select Update & Security and tap Recovery
• Tap Reset this PC and Get Started
• Scroll down and select Remove everything or Keep Files
• Tap on Confirm Reset, then it will bring Reset Processed and Finished
• Then select Restart your PC

2. Disable Window Defender.

Window Defender is a Windows security program that provides real-time protection and improves the security of your laptop. When preparing the business laptop for personal usage, delete all other security software and enable Windows Defender.

Steps:

• Select Main Menu and go to window setting
• Tap update & security, which will bring window security
• Select Virus & threat protection
• Tap Manage setting and Tick off at (real-time protection, cloud derived protection, automatic sample protection)

3. Use TrueCrypt to Encrypt Data.

TrueCrypt encrypts all of the data on your business laptop, making it inaccessible to anyone without your permission.

It is free and open-source software that encrypts files, directories, drives, and entire partitions.

You can save all your sensitive data on a virtual encrypted disk created within a file.

You can save the encrypted files on a USB drive or email them to yourself for convenience.

Steps:

• Download True Crypt and Accept the agreement
• Tap Extract and Install, then select Run True Crypt
• Create Volume (standard or hidden) and press Next & select device or partition (encryption options); then select volume size and create a volume password
• Tap Large files and select volume Format
• Select Done

4. Use Virtual Machine.

Virtual machines make it simple to run two distinct operating systems on the same computer.

You may utilize your present operating system to create virtual computers that run another operating system.

For example, you could install Windows 8 Professional on your business laptop and utilize a virtual machine to run earlier Windows versions such as XP or 7.

Steps:

• Go to Main Menu and tap Window PowerShell (Admin)
• Select System Info and press Enter Key
• Tap Hyper V and again press Enter Key, then Turn Window Features on or off
• Select Open, a card opens, then Tick Hyper V
• Click on OK, then Restart Now

You can watch the video below to know how to install Window PowerShell

 

5. Use a Portable Application.

The software is designed to be portable from one computer to another. It is the simplest method of converting a work laptop to a personal laptop. Save relevant apps to a pen drive or network-attached storage device and use them. Instead of many disks strewn about, you’ll have all of your third-party software in one place.

6. Use Steganography Software.

Steganography is a technique for encrypting data in a photograph so that no one can see it.

Put another way, and you can use this software to hide private photos from anyone trying to pry into your personal life.

You have to download the Steganography software and take secret photos as needed.

Create encrypted files from those photos and send them to your email address or save them to a USB disk that you may use on your laptop.

7. Use USB Flash Drive with a Password.

If you wish to use a work laptop for personal purposes, there is a secure way to do it. Take a USB flash drive and transfer all your necessary files, papers, programs, and software.

When you’re done with work and want to use the laptop for a personal project, plug in the USB Flash Drive, enter your password, and go to work.

8. Disable Windows Firewall.

To protect company data, your work laptop will include numerous security features.

The firewall is one of these, as it stops hackers from remotely accessing your system.

It is suggested that you disable Windows Firewall if you are using a public wifi connection or working on a computer that anyone may access.

If you’re utilizing public wifi, turn off the firewall to keep your system safe from hackers.

 

9. Use Bit locker to secure data.

Bit-Locker may encrypt all user and system files on the operating system drive, swap files and hibernation files, and check the boot components and boot configuration data to prevent unauthorized access to data on lost or stolen machines.

10. Set Up VPN Connection for Online Banking and Shopping.

Because of its simplicity, this strategy works like a charm.

It’s as simple as setting up a VPN connection and logging in with your credentials.

Then, as the destination, you must use the IP address of your bank or favorite e-commerce website.

Before initiating a transaction, you can now safely enter your login information and other relevant details.

11. Create a separate user account.

Another option for converting a corporate laptop into a personal laptop is to create your user account. Use a strong password and your email address. In your account, you can carry out your tasks.

12. Use the Self-Destructive Message App.

Install the software self-destructive message program on a work laptop for personal use, and set a date and time. You will notice that it will automatically remove all of the data from your work laptop. Then save those messages on a USB drive and transfer them to your laptop to utilize later. You can also share them with others.

13. Use Cached Data.

When you work for a company that provides you with a laptop, you’ll need to install any third-party apps to improve your performance. You are always modifying them to meet the demands of your job.

However, when you’re at home, close all of those apps. When you begin your job, they will be automatically reinstalled.

14. Disable Windows Updates.

You’ll have to constantly update your computer at work every day when new patches and security updates are released.

It may be necessary when using the work laptop, but it is no longer necessary once you have left the company.

Turn off Windows Updates to avoid wasting time installing all updates every week or month.

If you like, you may always update your system later.

15. Open Private Browsing Window For Privacy on Shared Computers.

There are a few ways to protect your privacy on public computers, but the simplest is to open a private browsing window first.

Go to the private browsing mode in Firefox, Internet Explorer, or any other browser you use.

Open a new browser window for your business.

No one else on the same computer will be able to see what websites you’re surfing or any personal documents you’ve accessed in a previous session this way.

16. Use Quick Boot Updater to Disable Fast Startup.

If you can turn off the speedy boot-up feature, you can save a lot of time switching between work and personal laptops.

Most computer makers use this technology to speed up boot-up times. However, even when logged into your main account, your system may start up faster than usual.

If your IT Managers or Bosses have the requisite expertise to hack into your laptop, this can reveal your actions.

As a result, make sure this option is turned off, at least for dual accounts on the same computer.

17. Turn On File and Printer Sharing.

When you are the only one remaining in the office or utilizing a public computer, you prevent others from seeing your files.

If not, file sharing should be turned on so that all data sent over the wireless network is encrypted by default.

It’s as simple as heading to Network and Internet settings in the Control Panel to enable this option.

You may need to go to Network Connections first, then Wireless Network Connection on some PCs.

A window will appear asking if you want to enable file-sharing or not.

Check that the wireless network is enabled and that you are connected to it if it does not appear.

Utilizing a distinct encryption key will securely encrypt your data before transferring it over the network, ensuring that no one else can intercept it.

18. Create a New Theme for the Guest Account.

You can change the window color, desktop wallpaper, and other aspects of your guest operating system to create a new theme.

You won’t get tired of seeing the same old things every time you log in to this account.

The specifics of how to do so are beyond the scope of this post; you’ll have to look for tutorials on how to change XP or seven themes using third-party apps online.

Everyone will be able to see your activity unless they log onto that account once you’ve finished.

19. Change Work Profile to a Guest Mode.

Companies set up work profiles on select computers so that employees can use them for work while keeping their personal actions secret from the IT department.

So, if you acquire access to a work profile, you have three options for keeping your personal information confidential.

To begin, navigate to the Guest account’s installation directory and erase all of its contents.

Install a virtual machine on that account later to run Windows XP or 7, and set it up as a Guest account.

It will hide all of your activity from the main account.

20. Turning off the fast startup.

Companies frequently install Fast Startup software on their work laptops to assist them in swiftly booting the machine.

However, if you use your work laptop for personal activities, you’ll have to move back and forth between two accounts (Official and Personal). A quick Startup’s software will notify the company’s IT team.

So, if you don’t want the IT team to know about your activities, turn off the Fast Startup option as soon as possible and continue working normally.

 

FAQs

Frequently asked question on how to convert work laptop to personal use and their answers.

How do I reset my company laptop for personal use?

To personalize your company laptop, go to settings and reset, or type reset into the Windows start menu bar. Click on the title “Reset this PC” to reveal two options: “Keep My Files” or “Remove Everything.” You can choose one based on your requirements and have it reset to factory defaults. However, the best option is to reinstall the operating system to utilize a work laptop for personal use.

Can I reformat the company laptop?

You have two options for reformatting your work laptop: first, create an ISO with the Windows Media Creation Tool, boot from it, wipe all partitions, and reinstall Windows 10 pro; second, insert the original key and return it to pro, following by a system reset.

How to wipe a computer before recycling?

Go to the Windows start menu and type Windows recovery or reset if you wish to erase your computer’s data. Then choose reset to return the computer to its settings. However, be aware that it will delete all of the data on your computer. As a result, make sure you have a backup plan.

 

Conclusion

Throughout this post, we’ve attempted to present various practical ways on how to convert work laptop to personal use. However, using an official laptop for personal use is not smart because all functional computers contain sensitive information.

However, you may occasionally need to control your work laptop to complete a critical personal activity. Try one of the alternatives mentioned earlier, now that you know how to convert a business laptop to a personal laptop. The options mentioned above are sufficient for personal usage of workplace laptops without compromising office files or information.