Windows 7 - Fully format on HDD

Hello guys.

So I upgraded my whole rig except the HDD so that's the only drive I have in my computer. So the time has come where I'm buying a SSD! When I have that SSD, I should run everything else such as games, music, etc on the HDD. I haven't ever did a fully formatted it.

So there's a few types of formats I think. I want the full format.
WD released a software where you get the option to "Turn Zeroes". Is that a fully format? Should I use a software? Should I delete everything on the drive before turning zeroes if that's the way out?

Hit me!

Fred, check this tutorial: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Diskpart's Clean All command will do the job as explained in the tut.

Thank you seavixen!
Wouldn't it just be easier to install Windows on the SSD, and then use the WD utility to turn the zeroes?

Fred.

The Western Digital utility is great for completely erasing an old hdd. Its especially useful for companies who will be donating used systems, lets them totally erase any confidential material on hdd.

It is a very slow process, you'd be better off running a normal format if this is your personal system. Or are you donating your old PC and HDD and your wish is to totally erase all your data?

Nah I'm not donating anything. Should I do a quick format first (the one from the Windows 7 install maybe) before doing a turn zero on the utility?

Thank you.

Use the tutorial to optimize your new SSD then install Windows, and then use Darry's suggestion to wipe your HDD.

with my SSD i just installed windows to it and then added my other hard drive and formatted it using windows. i cant possibly see how my rig can get any quicker lol it loads faster than i can click a mouse!

I don't see why you would need to write zeroes to the HDD.

I would do the Windows installation with only the SSD connected. Disconnect the HDD.

If you don't want to use that "system reserved" partition on the SSD, you can omit it if you enter Diskpart by hitting Shift-F10 at the language choice screen when you begin to install Windows to the SSD.

You can define your SSD partition, make it active, and format at that time in Diskpart. Exiting Diskpart drops you back into the Windows installation from your DVD drive.

If you have a factory fresh SSD, Windows 7 should realize it is an SSD immediately and make a few necessary adjustments in configuration without any special input from you. You can recheck all of that after Windows is installed.

After Windows is installed and operating properly on the SSD, you can reconnect the HDD and re-enter Diskpart and remove all partitions from it with a "clean command". Then repartition it as you see fit from Diskpart.

Thanks guys!

I just prepped my spinners for a clean install, on a new build.

I just backed up the DATA I needed to, and ran a CLEAN ALL on both of them
Afterwards, I created the new partitions and done a Full Format on each of them.

The Quick format is probably more than needed after a Clean All.
But I done it anyway

If you go this route, each step will take awhile, so be aware of that.
Clean All + Full Format took something like 4-5hrs each on my 1TB drives.


I actually though about running Acronis Drive sweeper, but ... that takes even longer and i didnt feel it was needed.