How do I remove windows completely?

Question

when i try to format c drive it says it can't be done cause files are in use by windows how do i get rid of windows completely?

Answer 1

You will need to boot an OS from CD or a floppy disk that contains format.exe
By deleting via CD, the XP installation CD can delete partitions or you can use Linux live CDs like knoppix (www.knoppix.net) to delete the partition that way.

Just wondering though, why do you want to remove windows completely?
If you want to reformat, use either the boot menu on the computer (usually F8 or F10) or the CD that came with your computer- recovery disk/Windows installation disk

Answer 2

There is a program called KillDisk that will totally wipe your C: drive sort of like formatting, but better. This program actually write 0's to the drive that way if you had any viruses or anything they will be gone unlike a regular format just formats the C: drive, but can leave really hard viruses behind. Anyway I would use it then rebuild from scratch. We use it all the time in the incident of a virus. But it should do what you want it to as far as removing Windows. Now it does take longer then a regular format, but it's worth it cause it will get rid of any spyware/ad-ware or viruses you may have still embedded on the drive after you do a regular format. When doing a KillDisk in the program don't select the C: drive directly select the thing right above the C: drive that says harddrive 0 or whatever it says and that will wipe everything including any extra partitions you have.

Answer 3

You can't format an OS while the OS is in use. So you need to format it when it is not in use (obviously). The question is how. One way to is to use another OS on the same computer. You can do this by switching to a dual boot OS or use a Live CD to run one off a CD -ROM.

I'll give a second method. Wipe your computer with Dban (http://dban.sourceforge.net/ ). Be careful with it. It will really wipe the partitions, and if you so choose, the entire disk along with the partition table.

Answer 4

You can't get rid of windows from within windows. You will have to boot into a different operating system (DOS, BartPE, Knoppix) and do it from there. Actually, you could boot into your windows installation disk and start installing it, but turn off the computer after you format the disk.

Answer 5

You have to do it while your computer is starting up . Are you going to install a different os or windows again? Just use your installation disc while windows is rebooting. If you just want your computer with no os then go to www.bootdisk.com and make a floppy that is bootable to erase everything.

Answer 6

you can not format a system partition while still being booted from the same. To be able to do so you need to boot from another boot disk.

Answer 7

Insert your windows installation CD ( shipped with PCs ), then press 'REINSTALL WINDOWS', then it will give you the option of reformating your hard drive.

Hope this helps!