If you have joined an organization where you got a laptop to work on. The first question to arise in your mind is most likely, how to convert work laptop to personal laptop?
But what’s the difference between a work laptop and a personal laptop?
Because most organizations deal with a lot of confidential data and information that they don’t want to leak. So, to ensure the security of their data, they enable different kinds of protection on their laptops.
However, if you have left your organization and you are taking your work laptop with you for personal use, there is no need for these protection measures. Also, if you are still working for your company, you should not mess up with their data while you perform your personal tasks on the work laptop.
But why should you convert your work laptop into a personal one?
Well, because with these protection measures enabled, you cannot install any third-party software, you cannot use unauthorized flash drives, CDs, and DVDs, which are very common for your day-to-day personal use.
Although the quickest and the easiest way to convert a work laptop into a personal laptop is to delete every file and factory reset all the settings. This will completely remove the security software installed by your organization.
However, this method will remove all the files, some of which may be important for you. If you want to keep some files or applications, you will have to use other methods.
So, in this guide, we have brought the 9 easiest ways to convert a work laptop into a personal one, along with keeping your desired files safe.
Have a look!
How to Convert Work Laptop to Personal Use Laptop
Below, you will find the top 9 easy ways through which you can use your work laptop for personal use. The use of these ways also ensures that any of your desired files, except the actual protection software installed by your company, will be kept safe.
1. Uninstall the Anti-Virus Programs
Although the latest versions of windows come with a pre-installed windows defender program. But for most organizations, because of their confidential data, a Windows defender is not enough. So, they install different types of powerful anti-virus programs, and sometimes they even pay for that.
But the drawback of these programs is that they take up a lot of your processor speed and RAM usage.
However, for your personal use, these heavy anti-viruses are not necessary. The typical windows defender can also work for you well.
Hence, the best method to convert a work laptop into a personal laptop is to uninstall all the protection programs including those installed by your organization as well.
But make sure that you have enabled the windows defender. So it could help you have a secure browsing experience along with protecting you from ransomware attacks.
2. Use Encryption Software to Encrypt Data
When you use your work laptop for personal use, it’s more likely that someone from your family or friends may also use it sometimes.
Also, if you kept some of the official files safe on your laptop, then you should ensure the protection of those files.
So, it’s a better idea to encrypt the official files and secure them to prevent others from using them.
One of the best file encryption programs is TrueEncrypt.
It is a free program that helps you encrypt folders, files, drives, and also whole partitions.
You can even create a virtual operating system within your existing system with TrueEncrypt. It will make it impossible for the hacker to enter your laptop without your authorization.
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3. Disable the Windows Update
Windows updates are a good thing when you are working for your organization on your laptop. Because with every update, Microsoft provides you with some new security patches.
However, when you will be using the laptop for your personal use, the updates will not be so important.
So it’s a good idea to turn off the windows updates. So that your precious time doesn’t waste in weekly and monthly updates.
Also, with the windows update turned off, you can manually update your windows anytime. So there is nothing to worry about.
4. BitLocker for Securing Data
If you don’t want to use the TrueEncrypt software, there is another one!
However, it’s not the same as TrueEncrypt but it has its own perks.
This program is called BitLocker and it is very useful in securing the whole storage drive. On the other hand, it is also very easy to use.
First of all, install BitLocker. Then, put all the confidential data in a drive and right-click anywhere in that drive. And turn on BitLocker with your private password.
Moreover, you can save all your passkeys in a USB flash drive, just in case you forget them.
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5. Virtual Machines
One of the many ways to secure your data is to use virtual machines.
After leaving your company, if you want to keep some files still on your laptop, then using security measures like Virtual Machines is important.
Virtual machines enable you to create different versions of operating systems within your existing ones.
Just install any of the virtual machines’ software and create a different version of the operating system on your laptop for your personal use.
Furthermore, you can create a work environment separately inside your operating system to get access to all the necessary data.
6. Secure Folders with Password Using Stenography App
Using the Stenography app, you can hide all your personal files and folders secured with a password on your work laptop.
Now a question may arise in your mind that why only the Stenography app?
Well, the answer is simple. It’s because you can not password protect your files with other apps. Anybody who will get access to your laptop will be able to use your personal files.
However, on the other hand, if you password-protect the files with the Stenography App, then every time someone tries to access the files, will have to enter the set password.
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7. Turn-off the Fast Startup
Most organizations install a feature called Fast Startup on their work laptops. It helps in the quick boot of the system.
But the problem is that when you use the work laptop for personal use, you will have to switch between the official account and the personal account frequently. When you are switching between the accounts, the fast startup will alert the IT team about it.
So, if you do not want the IT team to be aware of your personal use, then you should turn off the Fast Startup feature immediately.
8. Changing Work Profile to a Guest Mode
Some companies tend to make work profiles on their work laptops. So that when the employees use the laptop, the IT team would be able to monitor the activities.
However, there is a way that will help you bypass these work profiles.
First of all, open the installation directory of the guest account. You will find different directories placed there. Delete all of them.
Now, using the virtual machine program, create a new version of the operating system on this account and then describe it as a guest account.
By doing this, you will be able to perform all the activities hidden from the main account.
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9. Incognito Mode for Privacy on Shared Laptops
Although there are numerous ways through which you can keep your privacy on shared laptops. But the easiest and the simplest among all is private browsing which is also called Incognito.
To do this, open any browser of your choice and turn on the private browsing mode. If you cannot find the Private Browsing option anywhere, try looking for incognito mode.
Once you get into the private browsing or incognito mode, open up another private window. Now use this new private window for your personal activities.
This will ensure that nobody on the same laptop will be able to see what you have searched. Furthermore, all the private files and documents that you will open in the session will also be kept private.
Final Words
In this article, we have explained the 9 easiest and the simplest ways through which you can learn how to convert work laptop to personal laptop.
Some of the methods require you to install a third-party app. While some will be done with turning off specific options.
However, the ultimate goal of all the methods is to convert a work laptop into a personal laptop.
So that none of your employers would find out what private things you’re doing on the laptop. Also, it will prevent hackers from getting into your system and stealing the data of your company.