Re-install Windows 764 home edition

[Saint]

I just used my Windows 7 x64 disk to reinstall windows, I selected the option that takes everything off your hard drive, all your personal files and everything is to be taken off the hard drive. I have noticed that Windows does not take everything off the hard drive most of my personal files, programs, Directories are still on the harddrive.

I thought Windows re-formats the harddrive and wipes it clean but it does not, ??.
Any inforamtion on this subject welcome.
Steve

 

[CapStar362]

best way to do that is to delete the partition and re-partition then re-install it. or use a utility boot CD and wipe it third party and the likes

 

[Saint]

reinstall

best way to do that is to delete the partition and re-partition then re-install it. or use a utility boot CD and wipe it third party and the likes

Thanks so much for the info, I was going to do it the way you have said too, but I thought Windows 7 would do that but I was wrong, The next time I will do the reformatting myself, thanks again.
Steve

 

[n5ims]

When I do a re-install of my OS, I go out and get a new hard disk and remove the old one (temporarily) and install the OS onto the new one. That way I guarantee that all of the "junk" that made me want to do the reinstall of the OS is gone completely in the new install. Once the system is back and running again, I add back the old hard disk so I have a full "backup copy" of all my old files and none of the bad registry entries, viruses, unused programs, etc. that were messing up my old installation. I also know that any new stuff is on my C: drive and the old backup files are on D: (or whatever drive letter was given to the old drive). Running a full disk scan on the old drive using the newly installed (and updated) virus scan utility should make sure that any "nasties" on the old drive are caught and removed (even those that attempt to "hide" themselves from the virus scan routines - since they weren't running their hiding should be ineffective).