The first thing that a technician should verify before decommissioning and wiping a file server is non- utilization, which means that no one is using or accessing the server or its data. This can be done by checking logs, monitoring network traffic, or contacting users or stakeholders. Non-utilization ensures that decommissioning and wiping will not cause any data loss or disruption to business operations. Verified References: [Server Decommissioning Checklist]