Everyday Computer Skills · Keeping It Running · Lesson 4 of 5

When It's Time to Replace It

Know when a computer is worn out, and how to part with it safely.

Signs a computer is wearing out

Computers don't last forever. Most last several years with good care. Here are signs that yours may be near the end.

It no longer gets updates. An update is a fix or improvement from the maker. Security updates protect you from new threats. When a computer is too old, the maker stops sending them. For example, Windows 10 stopped getting regular updates in October 2025. A computer without security updates gets riskier to use online every month.

It is still very slow after cleanup. You closed tabs, turned off startup apps, freed up space and restarted. If it still takes minutes to open a simple app, it may be too old for today's apps and websites.

Parts are broken. A cracked screen, missing keys, a dead battery or a fan that roars all the time are all signs of wear.

Not every problem means you need a new computer. Ask these questions:

• Is it still getting updates?
• Would the repair cost less than half of a new computer?
• Does it do what you need once it's fixed?

If the answers are yes, a repair can be a smart choice. A new battery or more storage can give a laptop a few more good years.

If it no longer gets updates, replacing it is usually the safer choice.

Saying goodbye to an old computer

Your old computer is full of personal things: photos, emails, saved passwords. Before you give it away, sell it or recycle it, follow these four steps.

1. Back up. Copy the files you want to keep to the new computer, the cloud or an external drive. Check that they opened fine before you go on.
2. Sign out. Sign out of your accounts, like your email and your Microsoft account or Apple Account. On a Mac, turn off Find My, the feature that tracks a lost Mac. If it stays on, the next owner may not be able to use it.
3. Reset it. A reset erases your files and settings and puts the computer back the way it came from the store. On Windows, open Settings, then System, then Recovery, then Reset this PC, and choose Remove everything. On a newer Mac, open System Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Recycle it. Don't put a computer in the trash. Its battery and parts can harm the environment and can even start fires. Many makers and electronics stores take old computers back for free. Your town may also have an electronics drop-off day.

Keep the charger with the computer if someone else will use it.

Take your time with these steps. Once a computer is reset, your files on it are gone.