Windows 7: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

This will show how to remove / over-write all existing data from a Solid State Drive (SSD) or a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), it'll work for both, then how to...

Great way to clean a disk before its new life whether it be for OS or data storage. Good Work Ted. Makes me wonder why I spent a few dollars on drive erase pro. lol Although there are a few other things it can do, but for whole drive wipe out this tut can't be beat. Great Job!

Do you know of any commands similar to this where it will write all zeros for individual folders/files cleaning?

Hello OEM, thanks mate.

I don't know about folders/files but have a look at Option Two, and it's free.


Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD


Edit: I did see someone had a file shredder but I can't remember who right this minute, I'll think about it.


I haven' had time to have a play but see what you think.

The Windows File Shredder

Its not so much that I need one, but was curious if Windows Windows 7 Command line could also do single file/files & folders too. Should something go wrong with what I currently use, I'll certainly give that a try.

For others looking to erase files/folders only, please take a look at the link Bare Foot has provided.

Thanks again, -OEM

Thanks again for your interest OEM.

Hi Ted. There may need to be info inserted before partitioning to let them choose if they want to include the 100mb System Reserved Partition (gives Repair console on Advanced Boot Tools F8 menu, needed for Bitlocker, etc). by NOT partitioning with DISKPART but moving to the booted installer to create partitions and format.

Hello Greg.



I'm not sure what you're saying, if you're referring to the "Repair Your Computer" option in the F8 menu, it's there and it seems to be the same functionality in installs using both the "clean all" and letting the installer create (partitions) the 100MB boot partition; though I'm aware it may be easier to repair certain boot issues with the separate 100MB boot partition added, help me understand your point as I'm unsure.

I just created identical installs in VirtualBox to check this out, one using the installer created partitions and the second using "clean all" as in this tutorial.


Thank you.

BFG, this is a truly great article you have here. I did a clean install of 7 for the first time since the RC yesterday and used this tutorial along with the ones for making the universal install disc and doing a clean install with a 7 upgrade version. I had always installed XP before hand in the past. I don't know if its because of this, my finding a couple new drivers, or a combo of the two, but 4 of my WEI scores went up by 0.1 after doing this. They had been the same (except the HDD one, since I got a new one recently) since I first installed the RC, so I was happily surprised. Also, I tried the F8 option at start-up and did not see the problem Greg mentioned, but there might be a problem when actually doing the repair and/or with bitlocker.

Hello Petey.





I'm glad you found it useful, thanks for the encouragement.

I've just re-worked this tutorial to include Method One and Method Two, I also added the command to be used to create a specific size partition at Step Two; these additions should make it easier to use as a whole, I hope so; any feedback would be appreciated.

bare foot kid I have 2 partitions if I give clean all these 2 partitions will be single unallocated space rite?