Quick easy way to format the HD and erase all files?

MamaBear2017

MamaBear2017

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I want to sell my older Windows 8.1 PC, and need a quick easy way to format the HD and erase all files, making just a C drive. It didn't come with a Windows install disk.
 
Most Windows 8/8.1 Computers came with a Recovery Image (Partition) - You may be able to Restore the PC to Factory State...
 
I don't know how to do this, which was why I asked if there was a simple way. Used to be, I could just say Format: C:
 
Last edited:
No you can't. But then a PC without a working Operating System is a worthless piece of junk.
A neat way to prepare any PC for sale or giveaway, is:
Go into the users app in the Control Panel, and create a new user and give it a generic name with Administrator Privileged.
Then reboot the PC, and log in as the new user (don't use a password. The new owner can add a password if they want to)
Then once you're logged in as the new user, go back into the Users app in the Control panel, and delete the OLD User.
That not only deletes the user but all of that user's data files/folders/etc.
I've done that a few (dozen) times myself, and it works a treat and you don't loose the OS, Drivers, setups, etc.
Now you'll have a PC that's actually refreshed and worth something.

If someone gives me an old PC, that's the first thing I do, to preserve the OS, Drivers, etc.
Then I can tweak it, and tune it, to my own specifications.

Good Luck,
TM :cool:
 
TechnoMage said:
No you can't. But then a PC without a working Operating System is a worthless piece of junk.
A neat way to prepare any PC for sale or giveaway, is:
Go into the users app in the Control Panel, and create a new user and give it a generic name with Administrator Privileged.
Then reboot the PC, and log in as the new user (don't use a password. The new owner can add a password if they want to)
Then once you're logged in as the new user, go back into the Users app in the Control panel, and delete the OLD User.
That not only deletes the user but all of that user's data files/folders/etc.
I've done that a few (dozen) times myself, and it works a treat and you don't loose the OS, Drivers, setups, etc.
Now you'll have a PC that's actually refreshed and worth something.

If someone gives me an old PC, that's the first thing I do, to preserve the OS, Drivers, etc.
Then I can tweak it, and tune it, to my own specifications.

Good Luck,
TM :cool:
Click to expand...

Ahhh! I created a new user - just User with no password, and it installed all my old programs in it!
 
I went and deleted all the programs and oops - now I don't even have the wireless internet drivers....

Now I need to download Windows 8.1 wireless internet drivers to a thumb drive on my Windows 10 PC, then get them reinstalled on the AMD 8310 Windows 8.1 PC.
 
Last edited:
billmcct said:
Windows 8.1 should have the Driver. Just update the driver in "Device manager".
Click to expand...

I got one last night, from M32BC - Support and it seems to work.

I went and uninstalled all my software and emptied the recycle bin.

Now all that remains are some random folders, which don't seem to have any of my data in them - some of which cant be deleted. Cleanup doesn't apparently cover those.
 
just boot up any OS you have bitting dust in your drawers and format from there, it also cleans up the bitmap/NTFS type of MBR/GPT depending what you had giving you a brand new HDD to make it how you probably want
 
Iwannaknowyoubetter said:
just boot up any OS you have bitting dust in your drawers and format from there, it also cleans up the bitmap/NTFS type of MBR/GPT depending what you had giving you a brand new HDD to make it how you probably want
Click to expand...

Nope - everything, for many years, has been coming on PC only.

Is there a way to generate a Windows DVD from the HD?
 
Teeotsa said:
Sorry... lol




Yeah it will.


Nope. Video here :
Click to expand...

Thanks, will try that. ...

Oops. "Could not find recovery environment, insert installation or recovery media.

This is crazy, I found an Acronis rescue disk in the drawer here, but I cant even get the PC to boot from the DVD drive. Oh wait, it's from 2013. I got nothing...
 
Last edited:
MamaBear2017 said:
Thanks, will try that. ...

Oops. "Could not find recovery environment, insert installation or recovery media.

This is crazy, I found an Acronis rescue disk in the drawer here, but I cant even get the PC to boot from the DVD drive. Oh wait, it's from 2013. I got nothing...
Click to expand...
Maybe try to create a bootable USB?
 
Can I refresh Windows 8.1 online from Microsoft?

Or what if I just update it online?...

OK, I updated it, with very few folders left from me - all empty.

Now I want to upgrade to Windows 10. It says to enter a product code. Back serial label?
 
Last edited:
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