Reinstalling Win 7, format necesary ?

[soldano]

I reinstalled Win 7 without previously formatting the partition, now I see a few folders remained from the old install besides the windows old it created.-
I remember XP offered an option to format the partition before its installation, but Win 7 doesnt, so I thought it would do it by default.-

Should a format had to be done previously ?

Thanks

 

[Elixer]

While you don't have to, I like a clean install to be just that, a clean install, and no other stuff is left from the old install.

 

[colonelciller]

I'd be tempted to reinstall with a quick format thrown in... not sure if it can be justified but that's just how I roll

 

[szvwxcszxc]

1) Insert Gparted Live CD. (Burn on another PC)
2) Boot into Gparted. (Just press enter on everything except choose 02 for English)
3) Enter Gparted, wipe whole HDD. (Delete all partitions. Apply. Do not create any partitions. Will say "unallocated".)
4) Exit Gparted

 

[Skywaulker]

Windows 7 does indeed offer the option to format the drive and I would definitely recommend doing so if you are going for a clean install.

As long as you are booting from the Windows 7 DVD (or whatever media you have the W7 installation files on), you should come to the prompt that asks which drive you want to install Windows on. Below the drive list you will see "Refresh", "Load Driver", and to the right of those you will see "Drive options (advanced)". This is the option you want to click and you will then find "Format". You will also have "Delete", "New" and "Extend" if you need to do any of those as well.

If you breezed though the install, you may have just advanced right through the options as it could be a little hard to notice unless you knew it was there.

I would insert the Windows 7 DVD again and then choose to "Delete" all the partitions you had there (as long as you trying to wipe the entire drive) and then "Create" a new partition for Windows to be installed on. You can then "Format" the new partition if you like but Windows should automatically perform a quick format when you create the new petition anyways but it couldn't hurt to run it yourself.

Good luck!

 

[bigrash]

I always format before a clean install.

 

[uallas5]

The way I figure it, if you're going the trouble of reinstalling any OS, it's for a very good reason. This alone necessitates a format. With win7, i actually delete the 100mb system partition as well as the data partition, then let the install do its thing.

 

[Skywaulker]

Yes I also always delete the system-created partitions.

It helps to ensure that Windows is creating any partitions that it deems necessary on your clean install.

 

[Ketchup]

Windows will run just as well whether you format or not. The registry, and all Windows files, will be for a clean installation. You will lose some space from data that is still on the disk, but not "installed," but that's pretty much it. Of course, this is assuming there is no viruses or malware in these other folders.

 

[james7679]

I prefer using a disk shredder first. There are cases, where malware and viruses are involved, where a wipe is absolutely necessary.

Also, anything can be recovered from a drive that has not been wiped, regardless of formatting.

 

[szvwxcszxc]

1) Insert Gparted Live CD. (Burn on another PC)
2) Boot into Gparted. (Just press enter on everything except choose 02 for English)
3) Enter Gparted, wipe whole HDD. (Delete all partitions. Apply. Do not create any partitions. Will say "unallocated".)
4) Exit Gparted

yes

 

[MadScientist]

I reinstalled Win 7 without previously formatting the partition, now I see a few folders remained from the old install besides the windows old it created.-
I remember XP offered an option to format the partition before its installation, but Win 7 doesnt, so I thought it would do it by default.-

Should a format had to be done previously ?

Thanks

During installation Windows 7 does give you the format option. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced).

 

[abaez]

1) Insert Gparted Live CD. (Burn on another PC)
2) Boot into Gparted. (Just press enter on everything except choose 02 for English)
3) Enter Gparted, wipe whole HDD. (Delete all partitions. Apply. Do not create any partitions. Will say "unallocated".)
4) Exit Gparted

Why even do this? Win7 installer lets you format your drive right there.