Easiest Way To Delete Large Amounts of Data

[chapmanator]

I rebuilt the old family PC that died (needed new mobo) so I used the same HD. I did a clean install of W7 but backed up the files before since I heard that sometimes they get deleted doing a clean install. Well, they didn't get deleted, but it doesn't matter since I already had them backed up on the new family PC.

I'd like to wipe this data (it's partitioned on the D drive) and start with a nice fresh HD for my use. What's the best way to do this? Can I select all the folders in the drive and hit delete?

Or do I need a certain program to actually "format" the HD or anything? I've never had to do this before so I don't know what my options are, and how those options differ from each other.

Thanks!

 

[psaus]

If the OS is not on the drive/partition, you can do a quick format of that drive. If you have applications or the OS on that drive, you can simply select the folders and hit the delete button. Frankly, that last option is probably the easiest, regardless of your scenario.
Make sure to empty the recycle bin afterwards, as well as run a defragment.