Formatting my Hard Drive (NEED ASSISTANCE)

[Connote]

I Have had this hard drive for 2 years now and its full of random, old junk that I barely use.
I want to format it so it will be wiped clean, but need help.

I dont use an SSD, only the hard drive which has my Windows installed on. I know I need to put the cd back in to reinstall windows but its confusing., I dont want to mess up!

What steps do I have to take to wipe my harddrive completely?

 

[Cowboy303]

EDIT: Whoops, windows 8 section, got it.

 

[Connote]

What version of windows?

Windows 8.1

The thing I need help with is I only have one Drive, my C Drive with windows 8.1 on it. I have a USB with some saved stuff on which I wish to keep but i dont know what to do next

 

[USAFRet]

What version of windows?

Windows 8.1

The thing I need help with is I only have one Drive, my C Drive with windows 8.1 on it. I have a USB with some saved stuff on which I wish to keep but i dont know what to do next

Was this a preinstalled Win 8.1?
If not, where did it come from?

 

[Cowboy303]

Do you know your product key? If so, would changing to windows 10 be an option for you? Just do a clean install of windows 10 and give it your 8.1 product key, that should format your drive and give you a clean install of windows.

 

[Connote]

I have my windows 8.1 disk and product key in front of me, I just need to know what to do.

I'm using a 1tb hard drive with windows 8.1 already on, along with a lot of junk saved up over 2 years. I want a clean reset of it essentially.

I need to know the correct way to do it.


I'm down to upgrade to windows 10 but I dont have it? Only windows 8.1 my friend.

 

[USAFRet]

I have my windows 8.1 disk and product key in front of me, I just need to know what to do.

I'm using a 1tb hard drive with windows 8.1 already on, along with a lot of junk saved up over 2 years. I want a clean reset of it essentially.

I need to know the correct way to do it.


I'm down to upgrade to windows 10 but I dont have it? Only windows 8.1 my friend.

No problem.

Be sure you have any license keys, serial numbers, username, etc...all written down.

Boot from your Win 8.1 DVD
When it asks 'where' to isntall, select Custom.
You'll be presented with a list of all existing partitions.
Select each, and DELETE.
Leaving one large empty space.
Let Windows format and install to that, creating what it needs.

 

[Connote]

So...

Insert my windows 8.1 dvd right now
restart pc?
delete every partition i see
create a new one?
install on that one?


and I will have a fresh pc essentially?

 

[USAFRet]

So...

Insert my windows 8.1 dvd right now
restart pc?
delete every partition i see
create a new one?
install on that one?


and I will have a fresh pc essentially?

Yes...a new bare OS and system.
Before you do this, track down and save all the drivers for your hardware. GPU, mouse, keyboard, motherboard LAN port, etc, etc.
Save this to a USB stick.

 

[Connote]

Cant I just reinstall all of those once I have formattign and rebooted up?

 

[USAFRet]

Cant I just reinstall all of those once I have formattign and rebooted up?

Yes, you WILL need to reinstall those.
But you need to have them to install them..
At least, have the LAN (or WiFi) driver first.

Easier to get it now, rather than later.

 

[Connote]

I dont think I have that, I just plug in my ethernet cable and thats it?

 

[USAFRet]

I dont think I have that, I just plug in my ethernet cable and thats it?

After a full wipe and reinstall, that may not work until you also install the driver for the LAN port.