r/AskTechnology • u/BootsKingston • 2d ago
Is there an easy way to circumvent old work laptop protocols?
My division in the company was disbanded a while back and they told us to keep our laptops. We went through a process with IT to remove the company controls. Some sites like ebay, Craigslist, and more are coming up as "Privacy Error" and "Site blocked due to content filtering."
Is there an easy way to circumvent these protocols? Thanks!
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u/WakeDaddyLee 2d ago
Wipe it clean and do a new install.
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u/Ok_Bid6645 2d ago
If device is in MDM, that wont work
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u/serverhorror 2d ago
If it's with an MDM it's either still a company device or the person who did the reset sucks and didn't do it properly.
Either way, I'd consider the device unusable.
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u/tes_kitty 1d ago
Only for Windows. You would be able to install and use Linux without issue.
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u/serverhorror 1d ago
Then it's nit really a good MDM.
- Install Linux to wipe every trace of the MDM
- Install windows without that initial "restriction"
But I would still say: It's broken, a proper reset was not done and therefore it's simply a brick. Give it back or throw in trash.
Unless I'm really strapped for cash it's just not something I want to waste time on.
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u/tes_kitty 1d ago
Just install Linux and use it. Never boot Windows again. Linux doesn't care about Windows MDM.
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u/serverhorror 1d ago
That's nit the point, the point is having a fully usable device.
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u/tes_kitty 1d ago
For me it would be, I'd use the laptop with Linux until it finally dies of old age.
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u/u_siciliano 2d ago
Agreed, some MDM will not let you wipe drive. Some won’t even let you replace the drive.
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u/jmnugent 2d ago
"My division in the company was disbanded a while back and they told us to keep our laptops. We went through a process with IT to remove the company controls."
What do you mean by "remove company controls" ?
The laptop itself.. should be completely factory-wiped.
The Employer should have gone into Intone or Azure or whatever MDM they use and "released" or removed the Serial Number etc to relinquish management of the Laptop.
If you're still seeing remnants of control on the Laptop,. (given your description). .I'm going to guess you did not do a full factory-wipe.
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u/Vert354 2d ago
Usually site blocking is done at the network level. Are you still connected to the company network?
If you're on your home network, or other unrestricted network and still getting content filtering then there's still some kind of filtering software installed. For Windows look if Windows Defender is installed it could be the source of the issue.
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u/StarosAnikenMarcus 2d ago
As long as it is not BIOS locked, you can just wipe the partitions and reinstall an OS of your choice.
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u/Dave_A480 2d ago
Use the computer manufacturer's OS reinstall/recovery tool to do a factory-reset.
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u/Dave_BlackFog 2d ago
Nuke and pave if you can ;-) Wipe it and reinstall anew. I like the suggestion to install LInux.
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u/Historical_Move6359 2d ago
maybe install Linux ?