How to remove windows guys?

Im not necessarily trying to secure erase it.

I am just trying to remove windows and leave the drive blank alah format it so I can send the pc blank to the person whos bought it.

I need to do it right as my windows copy is OEM.

The windows disk does not allow me to select partition and format it just straight begins installing.
 
Op, you can use something called Gparted which you can burn to a disc and format your Windows drive there. This will leave it blank. Alternatively if you wanted to do it securely, we use something called Dban at work, which will do the trick.
 
biuro74 said:
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.
Click to expand...

The OP is selling his ssd, so ideally wants to remove all data. A secure erase will do that. With a quick format, data can be retrieved with DataRecovery software. I have bought a few hdd`s in the MM and it`s amazing how much can be recovered from a drive that has only had a quick format or they just deleted the partitions.
 
Idleman said:
The OP is selling his ssd, so ideally wants to remove all data. A secure erase will do that. With a quick format, data can be retrieved with DataRecovery software. I have bought a few hdd`s in the MM and it`s amazing how much can be recovered from a drive that has only had a quick format or they just deleted the partitions.
Click to expand...

Thats why I said a hammer is the only way, the OP will have to buy a new HDD to sell the system but would be safe in the know that all his data is safe.
 
Allnamestaken said:
Hmmm not sure how to use Gparted why is there not a simple way to just blank format your main drive -_-
Click to expand...

Could stick the drive in another computer and then it's as easy as formatting a USB stick?

Personally though if I was selling it and it had a lot of personal data on there I would Dban it instead.
 
Allnamestaken said:
How easy is Dban to use?

Sorry guys if I am being difficult lol.

(I have not got another computer to connect it to lol)
Click to expand...

Just burn is to a disc, insert the disc - follow some simple on screen instructions (pretty much just 'are you sure' and what drive to nuke) Then wait many many hours.

I haven't had to wipe a drive in many, many years - so I don't know of Dban is still a good/safe program to use - especially on ssd's.
 
joeyjojo said:
UBCD has several secure erase progs (and many others too).

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html
Click to expand...

There are ten choices of disk wiping prog on there, just download the ISO (preferably by torrent), burn, boot, pick one of them and follow the instructions.

Allnamestaken said:
Hmmm not sure how to use Gparted why is there not a simple way to just blank format your main drive -_-
Click to expand...

How could an OS wipe the disk it was running off? :rolleyes:

edit: actually I'd love to know if it's possible to do the above. I found this great free partition management software the other day. Download it and tell it to erase the disk, it'll say you need to restart, ???, profit.
AOMEI Partition Assistant
 
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I would be very careful as to what you use to secure erase your ssd. A lot of the disk wiping progs on UBCD will likely damage it, as most are for hdd not ssd. Just check online before using any of these, to make sure they are safe to use.
 
Idleman said:
I would be very careful as to what you use to secure erase your ssd. A lot of the disk wiping progs on UBCD will likely damage it, as most are for hdd not ssd. Just check online before using any of these, to make sure they are safe to use.
Click to expand...

Good point, just removing the partitions should be enough for a SSD.

I've always been a bit sceptical of multiple passes when wiping a (magnetic) HDD, what do we think of this? http://www.howtogeek.com/115573/htg-explains-why-you-only-have-to-wipe-a-disk-once-to-erase-it/
 
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