Hello, I read a few posts (here and here) on how there are currently no easy way to erase all data and reset all settings in Fedora. I understand there are a few workarounds (by creating a new user, etc) but this is quite inconvenient and not very accessible.
I think it would be a great improvement to have a simple GUI option to reset the Fedora installation to default and wipe all data.
Factory reset means different things to different people. Some are referring to user data, others to system data. What are you trying to achieve?
User data resets can easily be achieved with workarounds.
As for resetting system configs, I know there’s something being worked on for image based OS’s (see this bootc issue for details). The advantage here is that the changes would be transactional, hence reversible.
Such an option sounds quite dangerous for inexperienced users, so I doubt it will be implemented as a GUI offering.
Why not? You surely do want to factory reset your device when selling or discarding it.
That sure sounds like a reinstall. Most people running Fedora have installed the OS themselves, so they should be able to quickly fire up fresh install before selling their device or in that rare case of wanting to reset everything.
Is that enough to guarantee non-recoverability of sensitive data?
Good point, and no it won’t.
You can simply use the “shred” command on individual files. This comes as “core” util. But if you really want to wipe the whole thing then you need use stronger measures.
Absolutely. But my iPhone only has the option of factory reset, whereas if I sell my laptop, I’d rather wipe the operating system completely, given that I have the option to do so and that I find such a measure more secure.
I imagine an OS reset could be possible, but here are some challenges I can think of:
fstab, crypttab, while keeping the system partitionsThere are certainly other challenges as well, and I’m sure most or all of them can be solved, but I wonder if it’s worth the effort. Atomic desktops might have an easier way to implement such a feature, but what about traditional Fedora editions?
I do full SSD trims when reinstalling any OS (drive needs wiped anyway so it’s the perfect opportunity 
) Solid state drive/Memory cell clearing - ArchWiki