Resetting PC w/ Windows 8...I want to keep a few files?

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Griffin832

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Hello! I have a desktop PC which currently has two hard drives, one (an SSD) which runs Windows 8 and the other (a 1TB hdd) which acts as a storage drive. What I would like to do is reset both drives as if they were brand new while keeping some files from the SSD. (Such as 2013 Microsoft Office which I purchased & drivers for the hardware) How would you recommend I go about this? What do I need in order to do this? I am not the most advanced computer person so I will need a detailed explanation.
 
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PandaBear270

PandaBear270

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Create a partition in the HDD to save your files as a backup. Then format the SSD and the other partition of the HDD. But would be more reliable to buy a 39$ laptop HDD to serve as a independent storage. That is what I do.
 
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Griffin832

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Okay thanks...how exactly would I go about doing this? haha
 
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PandaBear270

PandaBear270

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1* - Press Windows key and type Disk Management.

2* - Select 'Create and format hard disk partitions'.

3* - Right click on the C: drive and then 'Shrink'.

4* - Will take a while to analyze the disk.

5* - Select the amount in MB to shrink. This will be your new available space for the partition.

6* - Once shrinked, right click on the now appearing free space and Format.

7* - Select Quick Format, NTFS and Default allocation size.

8* - Once created, right click on the partition and assign a Letter to it so it will appear in Computer as any other device.



 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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For applications like Office, you will have to reinstall it. You can't 'keep it' from the old install.
Same with drivers.
 
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Griffin832

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What do you mean? I only had one code for Microsoft Office so I couldn't reinstall and the drivers are probably gone lmao
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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You can reinstall Office. As always, 1 PC at a time.
Drivers you can download from the manufacturer(s).
 
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Griffin832

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Okay, so let me just make sure I have all the details correct because I misunderstand easily lol. So..if I do a refresh I can reinstall Microsoft Office even though I've already used the code and download all the drivers I need from the manufacturer's website? Will it delete the OS since when I built the computer I installed Windows 8 with a disc?
 
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