Can my data be recovered by the next owner when I sell my laptop?

If you simply delete files or do a quick format before selling a laptop, your data can often still be recovered, so you should securely wipe the drive first. On an SSD, use the manufacturer's secure-erase tool or a full factory reset that resets the encryption keys; on Windows, "Reset this PC" with the "remove everything" and data-cleaning option is a reasonable baseline, and turning on BitLocker beforehand adds protection. For sensitive data, a dedicated secure-erase to a recognised standard is best. This is exactly why selling to or buying from a certified refurbisher is safer than a peer-to-peer deal: a legitimate refurbisher securely wipes every device it takes in and re-images it before resale, so your data does not reach the next owner and you do not inherit the previous owner's. If you sell your old laptop to Edify through its Buyback Program, the device is securely wiped as part of intake. Always remove accounts and sign out of services before handing over any device.