I have an old HDD (#1) that was once used for a Windows boot drive, so it has all of the windows files and partitions still on it. For the new computer I just built, I have an SSD as the boot drive and another HDD (#2) as storage. The other HDD (#2) I received used also, but it had been manufacturer refurbished, so all of the files were wiped off. In short, what I would like to do is have the SSD as the boot drive and have both HDD (#1 and #2) as regular storage drives without the extra Windows files. How do I reformat the HDD (#1) I have so that the Windows files are gone and it is completely blank like the other HDD (#2) I received?
Reformatting an old HDD
- Thread starter BenW1229
- Start date
Solution
Tcinator
Reputable
- Jun 25, 2014
- 288
- 0
- 4,860
The most thorough way that deletes all partitions is to open up a command prompt and type:
(each line here is typed after the one before it finishes)
diskpart
list disk
select disk 1 (or whatever one is the HDD #1, you may be able to tell by size.)
clean
create part primary
format fs=ntfs quick
exit
DONE
(each line here is typed after the one before it finishes)
diskpart
list disk
select disk 1 (or whatever one is the HDD #1, you may be able to tell by size.)
clean
create part primary
format fs=ntfs quick
exit
DONE
notherdude
Distinguished
- Jul 18, 2006
- 2,425
- 0
- 20,760
If you prefer the GUI instead then in control panel go to computer management > storage> disk management and then find the disk you want to wipe and right click on each of its partitions and select 'delete volume'. Once it is all un-partitioned right click again on the un-partitioned space and create a new volume
Tcinator
Reputable
- Jun 25, 2014
- 288
- 0
- 4,860
No prob mind picking it as the solution? 
Note: I left out the "active" command because its not going to be bootable. (But you probably already knew that) the clean kills all partitions, even system ones so you get the full disk all to yourself.
Note: I left out the "active" command because its not going to be bootable. (But you probably already knew that) the clean kills all partitions, even system ones so you get the full disk all to yourself.
notherdude
Distinguished
- Jul 18, 2006
- 2,425
- 0
- 20,760
TRENDING THREADS
-
Question User RX 580 8gb red devil powercolor, asking original BIOS- Started by PizzaInGame
- Replies: 5
-
-
-
News Microsoft updates Windows 11 24H2 requirements, CPU must support SSE4.2 or the OS will not boot- Started by Admin
- Replies: 17
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram