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Change used computer unique numbers

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KW.

Regular Contributor
I have a used Dell laptop and wonder if its possible to make that laptop to change everything. Mac adress i know you can change. But is it possible to change every other identifier on the computer that existed before I got it?

And is it enough to just do format on the drives and windows restore?

EDIT: I understand its identifiers on the hardware, but its on software my question is about:)
 
Nope. Not everything.
Are you trying to hide your activity or the previous owner ?
Bottom line , it can be traced back to you.
 
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In terms of user software you could completely wipe the hard disk, including any hidden partitions like the ESP, recovery or OEM. That would be equivalent to installing a brand new disk.

But the hardware characteristics remain the same. You might be able to spoof a MAC address in software but the real MAC address is still there. In the BIOS/UEFI there are ACPI tables that allow the PC to be uniquely identified. This is how OEMs store the Windows licence key nowadays so that you don't need to read a product key off a sticker.
 
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MAC addresses are like serial numbers, they are embedded into the hardware. The best you can do is have the software ignore it and use a different MAC when configuring the network, but that won't replace the hardware-burned MAC, and reinstalling the operating system will restore the original MAC.
 
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