How do i reformat my harddrive in Windows 7.

[dbradbury]

Looked at my partitions and i noticed a 'System Reserved' partition, looked online, this stores the boot files etc. How would i format my hard drive, rebooting it, to wipe all the data off it?

 

[TwoCables]

You can do it from inside the Windows 7 installer. So you'd boot to the Windows 7 installation DVD and then you will be able to format it from in there. If you want to do it that way, then I can show you how. It's very easy.

By the way, formatting doesn't touch the data: it basically just replaces the Master File Table with a blank one (in the format specified) which is kind of like a Table of Contents. If the Master File Table is blank, then the hard drive appears to have no data on it. For this reason, data recovery is still possible (and easy) after formatting.

Why do you want to do this though? Are you looking to start over to get a fresh start?

 

[theog]

Always backup your DATA first.

To clean install:
1) Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html
than
2a) clean install with the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk.
2b) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html?ltr=C
2c) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[gregrocker]

To do this during install use the Drive Options shown in Step 7 in Clean Install Windows 7
to Delete all partitions, Create new as you wish, then format.

To avoid System Reserved when creating and formatting HD, use Step 2 in SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

To format as secondary HD from Win7 Disk Mgmt: Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Create New

 

[dbradbury]

I didnt get a Windows Installation DVD when i bought my PC, can i still reformat?

 

[gregrocker]

Download and burn to DVD or write to flash stick the licensed version which came with your PC, from Steps 1 and 2 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Stick with the steps in the tutorial and you'll wind up with a perfect install.