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Stupid question - formatting my computer

S

swchoi89

Senior member
Hi,

I recently upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Now... If I were to format my computer... how would I go about doing this??? Does anyone know how to do this without reinstalling Windows?

thank you,
 
Formatting wipes all data on the hard drive (actually all reference to the data in most cases, but I am not going to quibble about that ATM). If you format, you will need to reinstall Windows, all your programs, and retrieve all your data from a backup location.

My question is: why do you want to format?
 
Ketchup said:
Formatting wipes all data on the hard drive (actually all reference to the data in most cases, but I am not going to quibble about that ATM). If you format, you will need to reinstall Windows, all your programs, and retrieve all your data from a backup location.

My question is: why do you want to format?
Click to expand...

I am trying to sell off my computer. I've sold my computer before and in the past, I did a simple windows re-install. But I am wondering if it is possible to somehow wipe it clean without doing so...?
 
Ketchup said:
Which OS do you want on it?

If Windows 10, you can use the clean install function from within Windows and all your personal data will be wiped. Then get a scrubbing app like this one to keep your personal data from being "undeleted."

http://download.cnet.com/Eraser/3000-2092_4-10231814.html?tag=mncol;4
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-hard-disk-cleaning-and-erasing-tools/
Click to expand...

It will be easier if I kept my Windows 10 on it. I had no idea Windows 10 had that feature. I don't have a copy of the CD nor do I know the CD-KEY for it.

Thank you for your help.
 
After re installing windows install ccleaner go to tools->drive wiper select "free space only" (should be selected already) and single overwrite if you are really paranoid use 3 passes (advanced) although 1 pass is enough to destroy all data,only a forensic analyst would be able to MAYBE find some remaining bits.
 
In my opinion I would secure delete what is on the hard drive and reinstall the original which is windows 7. Then sell the computer.
 
Billb2 said:
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

Download Windows 10 iso

Find your key, burn the iso, and do a fresh. clean Win 10 install.
Click to expand...

Programs like EasyBCD will do nothing but capture a generic key for Windows 10. If you installed, or upgraded to, 10, you have a key that is tied to your hardware. If you ever felt the need to re-install from USB/DVD,you would have no need to enter a key. And since you can do a fresh install from within the OS itself since 8, a fresh install on from a USB/DVD drive would not be necessary in most re-install circumstances.
 
Its better to format and reinstall windows if your gonna sell it.

Before you format your HDD you can pull the product key from cmd. Heres the link that has the command to grab the product key.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/find-windows-product-key

Now insert a bootable win7 or win10 usb or CD/DVD and format your hard drive and install the OS you want to sell the computer with.

Even though the product key remains integrated on your motherboard its better to have it handy so that when you do a clean win 7 or win 10 install you have it handy just in case it prompts you to put your product key.
 
Last edited:
Ketchup said:
Which OS do you want on it?

If Windows 10, you can use the clean install function from within Windows and all your personal data will be wiped. Then get a scrubbing app like this one to keep your personal data from being "undeleted."

http://download.cnet.com/Eraser/3000-2092_4-10231814.html?tag=mncol;4
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-hard-disk-cleaning-and-erasing-tools/
Click to expand...

There is no clean install function!

Yayo3p said:
Its better to format and reinstall windows if your gonna sell it.

Before you format your HDD you can pull the product key from cmd. Heres the link that has the command to grab the product key.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/find-windows-product-key

Now insert a bootable win7 or win10 usb or CD/DVD and format your hard drive and install the OS you want to sell the computer with.

Even though the product key remains integrated on your motherboard its better to have it handy so that when you do a clean win 7 or win 10 install you have it handy just in case it prompts you to put your product key.
Click to expand...

This doesn't work! But I found my CD Key which is nice (Win 7)
 
swchoi89 said:
There is no clean install function!
Click to expand...

It's called "Reset this PC."

Capturex.jpg
 
swchoi89 said:
Oh sorry... didn't see that. And how come you have three buttons there? I only have two.
Click to expand...

That was off the web (faster than uploading for me). They were within the 30-day window to go back to 7, and didn't delete the backup data.
 
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