Wiping a computer without re installing os?

[Jemjem787]

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?

 

[Golden]

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

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/276046-cipher-command-overwrite-deleted-data-windows.html

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

 

[Brink]

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

 

[Jemjem787]

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.

 

[Golden]

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.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[gregrocker]

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.