Microsoft confirms Windows data wiping tool could leave some information behind
The “Remove everything” solution utilised to reset Home windows product may well really go away some information behind due to a regarded issue that has now been acknowledged by Microsoft.
In a publish on the Home windows Health dashboard, the application big spelled out the situation is caused by its cloud storage assistance OneDrive, saying:
“When making an attempt to reset a Home windows gadget with applications which have folders with reparse facts, these as OneDrive or OneDrive for Small business, files which have been downloaded or synced domestically from OneDrive could possibly not be deleted when selecting the “Remove everything” selection.”
Nevertheless, his concern can also be encountered when “attempting a guide reset initiated in Home windows or a remote reset”.
Microsoft MVP Rudy Ooms is credited with very first spotting this problem just after he found that the two distant and regional wipes of devices working Windows 10 would go away user details readable in the operating system’s Home windows.aged folder. At the identical time, the concern also moves knowledge encrypted with Bitlocker into the same folder however afterwards it is readable as the details is no extended encrypted.
Functioning on a deal with
The situation was first introduced pursuing the Oct KB5006670 cumulative update for Windows 10 systems in accordance to Microsoft. Even so, all Home windows variations together with Windows 10 20H2 up to 21H2 and even Windows 11 are impacted by the bug.
Microsoft is at this time functioning on a take care of for the difficulty which it options to handle in an forthcoming Windows update that will likely be pushed out quicker relatively than later on.
In the meantime however, the software giant has occur up with a workaround for Windows consumers to enable assure that no person data is remaining powering when wiping a process by resetting a Home windows device. Effectively, it involves signing out or unlinking OneDrive prior to resetting any of your Windows equipment. You can look at out this guidance document for extra information on how to change off, disable or uninstall OneDrive.
If you can set off wiping Windows products for now you need to but at least Microsoft has devised a workaround for IT teams and other folks who frequently want to reset and wipe equipment jogging its running program.
By means of BleepingComputer