Reformatting HDD?


  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 64bit
       #1

    Reformatting HDD?


    I have a lot of junk of my HDD from testing out free spywares, firewalls, converters, games, upgrading adobe products, upgrading other products, etc. Uninstalling them helps, but it almost always leaves behind a bit of data and I would like to just start my HDD over.

    I have the Windows 7 install disk, what is the best way to do this?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #2

    Try a full clean & full format in command prompt.
    Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command
    Partition or Volume - Delete
    Partition or Volume - Create New
    Partition - Mark as Active
    1) Boot DVD, & Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)
    DISKPART : At PC Startup
    2) Boot DVD, & Command Prompt at Startup
    (for command prompt)

    Type in command line
    If you have no partitions on your HD.
    DISKPART
    LIST DISK
    SELECT DISK # (HD to cleaned)
    CLEAN ALL
    CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
    SELECT PARTITION 1
    ACTIVE
    FORMAT fs=NTFS
    ASSIGN
    EXIT
    EXIT

    Reformatting HDD?-list-disk.png



    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 664
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #3

    if you go for 'Custom' rather than 'Upgrade' when booting from the disc, it will ask you where to installit (it alsol does this for upgrade option, but nevertheless). When on the select destination page, click on the HDD you want to wipe. At the bottom of the windows, you should see an 'advanced options' sort of thing. one of thee options will be format, another will be erase. erase deletes the partition (good if you have multiple partitions) and format just 'empties' the partitions.
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    Use the tips which apply here to get a perfect install: Reinstalling Windows 7
      My Computer


  5. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #5

    I would recommend the "Clean All" approach followed by the clean install with your installation disks.
    It is important to clean the first sector (MBR) and clean all does this.
    It just takes some hours to do.
      My Computer


 

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