How to remove windows guys?

Allnamestaken · 5 Dec 2013 at 22:26

Hey guys,

I need to uninstall windows 8 and leave the SSD blank for when I sent my machine to someone else whats the best way to do this?

ajezard · 5 Dec 2013 at 22:28

Boot a windows install disc / usb or whatever you used to get it on there in the first place. When asked to select a disk to install to, format the drive. Done.

Allnamestaken · 5 Dec 2013 at 22:30

ahh GG

Thanks bud il give that a shot later tonight

.

Rilot · 5 Dec 2013 at 22:31

http://lifehacker.com/5520289/use-an-ubuntu-live-cd-to-securely-wipe-your-pcs-hard-drive

Do it securely.

Jasseh · 5 Dec 2013 at 23:10

Rilot said:
http://lifehacker.com/5520289/use-an-ubuntu-live-cd-to-securely-wipe-your-pcs-hard-drive

Do it securely.

Agreed. You should always securely erase your HDD/SSDs before either disposing of them or selling them on. I use Parted Magic for SSDs and Blancco for HDDs.

Allnamestaken · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:38

Guys I put the install disk in and there is no option to format anything.

Avenged7Fold · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:46

I think probably because it is booting from your SSD over your CD driver. Go into bios and boot it manually or set priority to the CD drive. Though i still would do the above of securely cleaning the drive when selling one, if it is just for a refresh of windows, i delete all the partitions and create one, format it using the windows disk.

Orcvader · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:47

Allnamestaken said:
Guys I put the install disk in and there is no option to format anything.

When you choose the partition to install on, there's where you can delete the current Windows partition and format the drive. But I would do what everyone else has said, secure erase it, otherwise someone might be able to recover your old files.

Allnamestaken · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:50

I had no personal files other then games installed on this machine so it should not be an issue.

I am going to do it anyway and attempt to reboot now and see if it does that.

The windows 8 disk is not giving me those options only the option to straight install on drive c -_-.

Allnamestaken · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:53

Nope didnt work -_-

Orcvader · 6 Dec 2013 at 01:13

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/clean-install

Follow the steps to step 8, under the "Drive Options (advanced)" is where you can delete partitions.

dan958 · 6 Dec 2013 at 14:28

Is Dariks Boot and Nuke still the go to program?

Ethermaster · 6 Dec 2013 at 14:32

SSD / HDD + Hammer is the only true way to remove all data from a drive the only problem is you lose the drive as well.

Rainagul · 6 Dec 2013 at 14:41

1) Boot from Windows Install
2) Click Install Now
3) Keep clicking next till you end up on a screen that ask you installation options
4) Choose Custom (advanced)
5) It will show you what drives you have available. Expand the drive options (advanced)
6) Select the correct HDD and press Format
7) Job done, exit installer.

This won't be the 'safest' blah blah, but a lot less hassle then downloading Ubuntu.

Idleman · 6 Dec 2013 at 14:41

I just used PartedMagic, when I sold my M4. D/load and install it on A bootable USB flash drive or burn to disc. Really easy to use.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1227597/how-to-secure-erase-your-solid-state-drive-ssd-with-parted-magic

joeyjojo · 6 Dec 2013 at 18:33

UBCD has several secure erase progs (and many others too).

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

Allnamestaken · 8 Dec 2013 at 18:20

ugh still aint managed this.

KIA · 8 Dec 2013 at 18:26

No need for more than one thread. See post #15.

kageyyy · 8 Dec 2013 at 18:35

Edit: My bad didn't read the SSD bit!

biuro74 · 8 Dec 2013 at 18:42

You will cut SSD's lifespan by doing this... as a potential buyer I'd "thank you" for that ;-)

Read this: (link from post #15), especially the beginning and the end:

Don't do this unless you NEED to. You don't even need to secure erase your SSD when you reinstall. The only reasons to secure erase is if there is a drastic speed decrease from either a hard workload or a TRIMless environment which you need fix quickly or if your SSD is acting up. Otherwise TRIM and garbage collection will take care of everything automatically.

SSD manufacturers often have a toolbox which has a secure erase utility built in to wipe their drive. Check the respective manufacturer of your SSD and see if they have something for ya.