saab,
oh I'm well aware, as I've needed to do it myself when a brain fart has resulted in forgetting which password i used.
the thing is most thieves are not particularly bright, to be honest, no matter if they do eliminate the passwords they'll have access to installed programs. whoopee do ! its the data on the hard drive i want to keep secure.
i hear ya and agree with you.
the other thing is with this is that if you do use a piece of freeware like in the OP, you are effectively eliminating the possibility of it working as Mr thief will probably re format.
i've noticed you are rather tech savvy like myself, a lot of people are not, and it can get problematic for people to lock down tightly if they dont know what they are doing.
the key is not getting it stolen in the first place !
but if it does, its the data that needs to be secured. the laptop can be replaced but the devastation to business and personal life can often not be undone once the data is out of your control.