Use a data recovery tool or a factory reset to completely erase the hard drive.
Use a data recovery tool or a factory reset to completely erase the hard drive.
I’m preparing a fresh setup tomorrow by adding a new hard drive. To completely erase the current drive, you’ll need to wipe it before installing the new one. This means using Windows’ built-in tools to remove all data so you can start over without any remnants.
Begin with a fresh setup on the new storage, then navigate to the Computer section or its equivalent. Locate the correct drive and right-click it before selecting Format. Proceed through the instructions displayed. You may also utilize Disk Management for this task.
It's an option during the windows install to do a custom disk partitioning, do this and just erase all partitions already in place, then hit "next".
I own a Ubuntu Live CD for various tasks. @Godlygamer23 gave a simple guide on the best way to set it up. It’s usually safest to disconnect all drives except the boot disk during installation—Windows installs still work regardless. Once you’re back online, use Disk Management to organize partitions. This method is handy since Windows often has tiny hidden spaces for things.
For a spotless drive, try this link: http://www.dban.org/