How do I clear everything from my HDD except for the operating system?

slayasheep · Dec 20, 2017

I am getting a M.2 for Christmas and want to clear out my pc and start a fresh, i just cant be bothered installing windows 10 again tho.

Paul NZ · Dec 20, 2017

If it's a samsung use their data migration program. But I dont think you can remove everything but the OS

slayasheep · Dec 20, 2017

Paul NZ :

is it better for me to just format my HDD and then reinstall windows on to my M.2 SSD?

theyeti87 · Dec 20, 2017

slayasheep :

A clean installation of Windows to the M.2 drive is the preferable method.

coozie7 · Dec 20, 2017

^ WORD!
Actually, I'd install to the SSD first, THEN trash the HDD...Just in case there's something on it you forgot to save out.

theyeti87 · Dec 20, 2017

coozie7 :

This. Best practice would be to remove / unplug existing HDD from system > install M.2 > install windows > all clear? reconnect HDD and wipe it

coozie7 · Dec 20, 2017

^ Yep, just like that.

slayasheep · Dec 20, 2017

theyeti87 :

How does one simply wipe the HDD?

Paul NZ · Dec 20, 2017

After windows has been installed. Turn it off reconnect the old hdd then do a quick format.

If you want to use it again. Or use Dban or something. But depending on how big it is, this can take forever

slayasheep · Dec 20, 2017

Paul NZ :

my HDD is 1TB but only 450GB is used at the moment so will it be useful formatting this just so i can put unimportant things and games on it.

Paul NZ · Dec 20, 2017

Nothing wrong with that

coozie7 · Dec 20, 2017

@ Slayasheep: Right click on the HDD icon in my computer then select the format option, it'll clear the drive allocation tables but it will not delete any data, only mark the entire drive as being available to be reused.
If you have sensitive data on the drive you can use a scrubbing tool like Dban or even the overwrite option in Ccleaner to overwrite the entire drive with random data without formatting it first.

Wolfshadw · Dec 20, 2017

theyeti87 :

While I don't completely disagree with this, I've never understood why removing the old hard drive first has become so important.

When Windows asks you where you want to install, there should be an advanced option. If you click on that, you should be given at least two options. One should be a currently formatted and partitioned disk (obviously, your old drive) and the other should be an unpartitioned space (your new M.2 SSD).

Click on the formatted drive and select Remove Partition. This will "wipe" your drive clean. The click on the other device and select "Create Partiton" and then, with it still selected, Install Windows there. I've had multiple hard drives in my system since Windows 95 and it's never caused any issues, but then, I've always performed the clean Windows install on the same/replaced drive.

-Wolf sends

captaincharisma · Dec 20, 2017

Wolfshadw :

theyeti87 :

While I don't completely disagree with this, I've never understood why removing the old hard drive first has become so important.

When Windows asks you where you want to install, there should be an advanced option. If you click on that, you should be given at least two options. One should be a currently formatted and partitioned disk (obviously, your old drive) and the other should be an unpartitioned space (your new M.2 SSD).

Click on the formatted drive and select Remove Partition. This will "wipe" your drive clean. The click on the other device and select "Create Partiton" and then, with it still selected, Install Windows there. I've had multiple hard drives in my system since Windows 95 and it's never caused any issues, but then, I've always performed the clean Windows install on the same/replaced drive.

-Wolf sends

because in the past windows likes to install its own files on all drives connected to the PC. its not a big deal connecting and reconnecting drives

Wolfshadw · Dec 20, 2017

Unless I'm mistaken, even Windows can't install files on non-partitioned drives.

-Wolf sends

Major_Trouble · Dec 20, 2017

Wolfshadw :

And that would involve losing all the data on the HDD before installing Windows on the SSD. What if he forgot about some docs on the HDD he forgot to backup?

slayasheep · Dec 20, 2017

Major_Trouble :

i have only had my pc for 2 months becuase i wanted a gaming pc, i dont really use it for anythiing except gaming and talking to my friends and also college work. all of my college work is saved on my perssonal usb anyway. i dont think i have any important documents to be worried about losing tbh.

Wolfshadw · Dec 20, 2017

Major_Trouble :

Very true, but if you keep all your data in one location, it's not much of an issue as long as you remember to back up that location before doing ANY work on the computer.

I suppose it's a moot point anyway. While you can restrict where Windows installs it's files during the initial installation, once your system is up and running with both drives, any updates Windows installs will go where ever Windows wants.

-Wolf sends

slayasheep · Dec 20, 2017

Wolfshadw :

Major_Trouble :

Very true, but if you keep all your data in one location, it's not much of an issue as long as you remember to back up that location before doing ANY work on the computer.

I suppose it's a moot point anyway. While you can restrict where Windows installs it's files during the initial installation, once your system is up and running with both drives, any updates Windows installs will go where ever Windows wants.

-Wolf sends

If i have no files or apps i really care about, why will i need to back things up? will i not just be able to install windows on to the M.2 and then wipe the hdd because i have nothing i need to back up.

Wolfshadw · Dec 20, 2017

If you have nothing to back up, wipe (remove the partition) the HDD first, then install Windows onto the M.2.

-Wolf sends

RolandJS · Dec 20, 2017

"..all of my college work is saved on my personal usb anyway.." Please tell us that you either have two twin USB sticks with your school stuff or that those USB-stick-residing schools files are backed up onto any affordable, reliable, external media (such as another hard-drive for example).

USAFRet · Dec 20, 2017

Having only the single drive connected when you install the OS prevents 2 things.

1. Accidental "oops, I wiped and installed on the wrong drive"

2. (more importantly), To prevent the boot info from ending up on the 'other drive'. Yes, it does this.
Not an issue, until that drive dies, or you remove it and want to use it elsewhere.

One of these days I'm going to do a full install with 2 blank unpartitioned drives to display and document this

How do I clear everything from my HDD except for the operating system?

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