Question Clean install inquires

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Nokeys

Dec 7, 2024
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I believe my PC may be infected with malware/viruses of some kind and am thinking of doing a clean install to address this issue. It is very important that this PC is completely clean of all infections as it will be a work PC with very important documents on it. This leads me to my questions.
1.Is it unsafe to make the windows installation media on the pc(feels like I can answer this one for my self.)
2.I have seen some people recommend during the clean install via command prompt or before the clean install to type something like disk part clean all in command prompt. Why are they recommending doing this is that not what you are doing by preforming the clean install in the first place?
3.Do you turn on secure boot before or after clean install?

Your help is greatly appreciated.
 
I believe my PC may be infected with malware/viruses of some kind and am thinking of doing a clean install to address this issue. It is very important that this PC is completely clean of all infections as it will be a work PC with very important documents on it. This leads me to my questions.
1.Is it unsafe to make the windows installation media on the pc(feels like I can answer this one for my self.)
2.I have seen some people recommend during the clean install via command prompt or before the clean install to type something like disk part clean all in command prompt. Why are they recommending doing this is that not what you are doing by preforming the clean install in the first place?
3.Do you turn on secure boot before or after clean install?

Your help is greatly appreciated.
 
If your fear level is beyond a certain point, you could always simply buy another drive that has never been used at all.

I have no idea where that "certain point" is in your case.

Either that or rely on what you read on the Internet. That's what most people do.
 
Lafong said:
If your fear level is beyond a certain point, you could always simply buy another drive that has never been used at all.

I have no idea where that "certain point" is in your case.

Either that or rely on what you read on the Internet. That's what most people do.
Click to expand...
This PC is not for me, it is for my mother. I would feel very guilty if any of her ideas or designs got stolen. I have considered buying the SSD, if i did continue with this option is there any steps i would need to do beforehand to ensure there is no infections present after the replacement of the SSD.

Thank You.
 
Nokeys said:
This PC is not for me, it is for my mother. I would feel very guilty if any of her ideas or designs got stolen. I have considered buying the SSD, if i did continue with this option is there any steps i would need to do beforehand to ensure there is no infections present after the replacement of the SSD.

Thank You.
Click to expand...
Create the USB install on a different PC.

Boot from that, and proceed on.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com

How To - Windows 11 clean install tutorial

Windows 11 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows 11, version 23H2 or newer but can be equally applied to earlier versions which may have some basic differences in the screens you see but will largely remain similar in...
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com
 
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Nokeys said:
This PC is not for me, it is for my mother. I would feel very guilty if any of her ideas or designs got stolen. I have considered buying the SSD, if i did continue with this option is there any steps i would need to do beforehand to ensure there is no infections present after the replacement of the SSD.

Thank You.
Click to expand...

Do you mean AFTER you replace the suspect drive with a new replacement?

Sure....all kinds of anti-virus and anti-malware applications to both protect against future infections and inspect for existing infections.

I'm not going to tell you they are flawless. Nor do I know how careful your mother might be about PC security generally.

Many here just rely on built-in Windows Defender (it may have been re-named?) and possibly an occasional scan by a separate application. Possibly more than that depending on your anxiety level.
 
Lafong said:
Do you mean AFTER you replace the suspect drive with a new replacement?

Sure....all kinds of anti-virus and anti-malware applications to both protect against future infections and inspect for existing infections.

I'm not going to tell you they are flawless. Nor do I know how careful your mother might be about PC security generally.

Many here just rely on built-in Windows Defender (it may have been re-named?) and possibly an occasional scan by a separate application. Possibly more than that depending on your anxiety level.
Click to expand...
No I meant before i install the SSD. I don't think she is that tech illiterate I don't see her getting anything as long as she keeps windows defender up to date I'm just trying to make sure nothing is on it before I give it to her.

Thanks for the fast reply:).
 
USAFRet said:
Given a NEW drive, there is nothing that can be transferred from the old, possibly infected one.

Given still using the old drive, DELETE all existing partitions during the install routine. (the tutorials above have a section for that)
Click to expand...
thank you for the response. I went ahead and ordered a 990 pro with heat sink and it is on its way. This leads me to my 3 questions

1. i have a evga z490 kingpin edition. Is getting the heat sink version worth it? I see some motherboards come with a ssd heat sink
2.Do i need to replace the thermal pads as shown on page 34 before replacing the ssd https://www.evga.com/support/manuals/files/131-CL-E499-KP.pdf
3.The heat sink version is better correct? id imagine its supposed to be but im finding it listed cheaper then the regular 990 pro.
 
Last edited:
Nokeys said:
thank you for the response. I went ahead and ordered a 990 pro with heat sink and it is on its way. This leads me to my 3 questions

1. i have a evga z490 kingpin edition. Is getting the heat sink version worth it? I see some motherboards come with a ssd heat sink
2.Do i need to replace the thermal pads as shown on page 34 before replacing the ssd https://www.evga.com/support/manuals/files/131-CL-E499-KP.pdf
3.The heat sink version is better correct? id imagine its supposed to be but im finding it listed cheaper then the regular 990 pro.
Click to expand...
1. That motherboard does not appear to include a heatsink for the top of the NVMe drive. So the one you bought is just fine.

2. Yes, do all that stuff. That is under the drive.

3. 990 drive can be a bit hot. So the heat sink is a good idea.
 
USAFRet said:
2. Yes, do all that stuff. That is under the drive.
Click to expand...
bummer any recommendation on what thermal pads to get? custom built pc i dont have the thermal pads included in the motherboard box how bad is it to keep the thermal pads that are already in there?
 
Last edited:
Nokeys said:
bummer any recommendation on what thermal pads to get? custom built pc i dont have the thermal pads included in the motherboard box how bad is it to keep the thermal pads that are already in there?
Click to expand...
"I went ahead and ordered a 990 pro with heat sink and it is on its way."

Unless someone removed them, they should be included.


But even without those, and with the one that comes with the drive..it is probably OK.
Especially for a low impact user.
 
Thank you for all your help thus far. Should be the last few questions.

Do you turn on secure boot before or after clean windows install?
 
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