How to properly format the entire Operating System

duyhx48

Distinguished
Nov 23, 2014
32
1
18,545
So I'm selling my old laptop which has Windows 8.1 running. I was wondering how would I completely erase the OS and partition and leave it without OS (for buyer to install their own), as in when you boot it would notify "No operating system" and ask you for installation.

Thanks,
 
Solution
Easy way, but not smart if that is the OEM edition of Windows 8.1 on it. The OS is ONLY allowed on THAT laptop, you can't use it on a 'new' computer. If you heed this advise then start in safe / recovery mode and you can restore to FACTORY which will wipe out the user data and put it just like you pulled it out of the box to begin with.

Otherwise you have to use a tool like DBAN to wipe it, but honestly no one wants a 'old laptop' with no copy of Windows on it (your price PLUS another $179 for Windows just to make it work? Screw that old laptop, I get a brand new one for only $200 at Walmart WITH warranties and BRAND NEW!) is what people think.
There is no way to "format the entire operating system". You also cannot delete the entire operating system because many of the files will be in use and deletion prevented.

You can however, format the entire disk drive that it resides on. That will also get rid of any persoanl data you have on the machine which is always a good idea.

https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+8.1+format+hard+drive&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
 
Easy way, but not smart if that is the OEM edition of Windows 8.1 on it. The OS is ONLY allowed on THAT laptop, you can't use it on a 'new' computer. If you heed this advise then start in safe / recovery mode and you can restore to FACTORY which will wipe out the user data and put it just like you pulled it out of the box to begin with.

Otherwise you have to use a tool like DBAN to wipe it, but honestly no one wants a 'old laptop' with no copy of Windows on it (your price PLUS another $179 for Windows just to make it work? Screw that old laptop, I get a brand new one for only $200 at Walmart WITH warranties and BRAND NEW!) is what people think.
 
Solution