Wiping a computer without re installing os?


  1. Posts : 278
    MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
       #1

    Wiping a computer without re installing os?


    Long story short, don't even bother asking about this, i have to "make anew" my laptop. But i cannot re install the OS (dont bother asking). What can i all do to do this? I am currently removing all of the programs from Add or remove programs, deleting everything that is not necessary for windows, is there anything else i can do?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #2

    Yes there is. Once you have uninstalled everything, you can wipe the free disk space using this guide:

    Cipher Command - Overwrite Deleted Data in Windows

    It will only wipe free disk space and will not affect the remainder of the partition/drive.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 72,052
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #3

    Hello JemJem,

    Other than replacing the hard drive (LOL), it's hard to truly wipe a computer without using the "clean" command, and formatting to do a clean reinstall.

    In addition to uninstalling all programs and such as you and Golden posted above, you could create a new administrator account, sign in to the new account, then delete all other accounts and their user folders on the computer to.

    Hope this helps, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 278
    MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Brink said:
    Hello JemJem,

    Other than replacing the hard drive (LOL), it's hard to truly wipe a computer without using the "clean" command, and formatting to do a clean reinstall.

    In addition to uninstalling all programs and such as you and Golden posted above, you could create a new administrator account, sign in to the new account, then delete all other accounts and their user folders on the computer to.

    Hope this helps, :)
    Shawn
    I was planning on doing this as well, thanks for the help guys!

    Also a couple more questions, this is an HP laptop, and are any of the installed HP programs necessary to run the computer? Here is a screenshot of all the programs. And are any of these other programs not necessary to run the computer? Not including CClearner, Nexon, League, and MSE.

      My Computer


  5. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #5

    It depends. The HP software is designed to help manage the computer, but not essential to it running per se. If you uninstall some of the programs, you might for example lose the functionality of the webcam since that is usually made functional through a 3rd party driver (e.g. HP's). If in doubt, then leave it alone.

    If your goal is establish a bloat free installation, then you would need to perform a clean install.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #6

    My two cents worth Jem Jem I just stuck SSD's on my laptops and an OEM but you could do this with this too I reckon.

    Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    Besides the steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which have a "Special Note to HP Owners" at the end, you can also follow these steps to Clean Up Factory Bloatware.
    Last edited by Brink; 25 Sep 2013 at 12:13. Reason: removed unneeded comments
      My Computer


 

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