How do I totally "wipe out" my hard drive leaving only the crucial stuff?

Question

I need to delete all the stuff from my computer, how do I do it?

Answer 1

You can't. You can either completely wipe it out or just go and uninstall all the crap you don't want.

Answer 2

What kind of computer do you have? compact has it set up so you can wipe out every thing but windows OS. Most computers do not let you do that. In that case format the hard drive but before you do, you need to back up the things you want on to CD disk, or a flash drives, or even a Ipod. When its time to reformat the hard drives I do it with the old fat 32 then go back over it with NTSF. Sounds strange but if you want nothing on your hard drive, that is the way to Totally wipe out the hard drive. Same thing if you are giving away or selling your old computer and do not want any one to be able to get any of the old information off of your hard drive. The great thing about reformatting is the computer runs so much faster, you will not know why you did not do it sooner. :)

Answer 3

I keep all of my data on a second drive. Whenever my computer is infected with spyware or virus or if it gets too slow because of too many installed programs, I simply format the drive and reinstall everything that I need. I have found this practice to be way easier/fatsre than attempting to clean the infected computer because it never gets completely cleaned after being infected. My data files are on a seperate drive so when I format the primary drive, the data always stays intact. So my rule of thumb is to never use the primary drive for anything other than program installations. period. I have learned it the hard way.

Answer 4

Wow good luck let me tell you what I know. Usually you get a restore cd when you buy your computer so try and find that. Usually people lose the cd so you can buy one from the computer maker(mine is 40$) Allright if you made your own computer than use the windows xp cd. Now the fun part, if you have an ipod, transfer your whole disk drive to the ipod (if your ipod is 20gb or more) usually you only have to transfer 20gb or more if you need more space buy a external harddrive and copy all the information that you want to keep. (70$) Well good luck and if you have any questions contat me at [e-mail]

Answer 5

Ideally, you have a clean backup disk with all your programs and settings ready to go so when you wipe it, re-installation is a one shot deal. In this case you need the original install disk and copies of any drivers (sound, chipset, video, dvd burner...) or programs that you use. Save all your files to a disk and put the install disk in. It will give you options to repair or replace your operating system. You will have to restart your computer a few times. Do this and check all your security settings before you get online, including making sure that your firewalls are up. Now go get your updates from Microsoft. Sometimes you have to go back a few times to get them all. Keep going back untill it tells you that you don't need any updates. Now go get Media player, quicktime, Macromedia and anything else that you need online...and before you surf away happily, use the back-up utility in Windows and make yourself a back-up disk so next time it will be easy!

Answer 6

A product known as Secure Clean from White Canyon Software. Also look at Wipe Drive (White Canyon) if you want to completely obliterate the drive. There are others out there check with cNet.

Answer 7

Put all the stuff you want to keep on an external drive, like a zip drive. The reformat your hard drive. How you do that, I'm not sure!

Answer 8

If you have an O/S boot install cd you can put that in. Then restart computer and a bunch of menus come up and ask if you are sure you want to delete everything and re-intstall windows or whatever O/S you are using. or if you just want to delete everything get boot n' nuke.

Answer 9

You can format the Hard disk and re-install the OS.

Answer 10

Back up hard drive then format it