How To Format Hard Drive And Install Windows 8.1

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While yous can format any drives continued to your computer in Windows 8, you can't format the bulldoze segmentation that really contains the Windows 8 files. To do this, you'll need to either start an operating system installation so that the drive is formatted, or utilise a drive erasing program like DBAN.

1. 1

   Fill-in any important data. Formatting your hard bulldoze will delete everything on it, and so brand sure that all of your of import files are backed up somewhere safe. Click here for instructions.

2. ii

   Insert your Windows 8 DVD. The easiest mode to format your hard bulldoze is to reinstall your operating organization, which will format the bulldoze in the process. You will need your Windows 8 installation DVD in club to do this.^[one]

   • Note: This guide will walk through the steps for formatting and installing Windows 8, but you can use this method with any version of Windows or Linux. Most versions of both Windows and Linux take very similar installers that will guide you lot through the process.
   • If you just have an ISO file for your operating organization, click here for instructions on called-for it to a DVD so that yous can boot from it.

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3. three

   Restart your calculator.

4. 4

5. 5

   Open the Kick menu in your BIOS. This volition let you to change the social club of devices that your estimator tries to kick from.

6. 6

   Set your DVD drive as the primary drive. This volition brand your computer attempt to boot from the DVD first, allowing you to starting time the Windows viii installation.

7. 7

   Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer volition reboot.

8. 8

   Press any central when prompted to start the Windows 8 installation. The setup programme may accept a few minutes to load.

9. ix

   Click the "Install now" button. This will begin the installation process.

10. 10

    Enter your Windows 8 product central. This is a 25-character key that is unique to your copy of Windows. Yous will demand this key in order to go along with the installation.

    • You can usually notice the key on your installation disc's case, affixed to your figurer, or in the confirmation email for your online buy. It would also be tied to your Microsoft account.^[2]

11. 11

    Click "Custom" asked what kind of installation you want to do. This will let you to format your drive before reinstalling Windows 8.

    • In general, information technology is recommended that you never select an "Upgrade" installation. While this volition salvage your data and installed programs, information technology will oft lead to errors and software conflicts.

12. 12

    Click "Drive options (avant-garde)". This will not be present if you are installing Windows 8.i.

13. 13

    Select the partitioning that you desire to format for Windows 8. If you are reinstalling Windows 8, select the bulldoze that currently contains Windows eight.

14. 14

    Click "Format". This volition format the drive using the NTFS file system, which is the file system used by the Windows operating organization.^{[three] [iv]}

15. 15

    Click . Adjacent to proceed with the Windows 8 installation. For more details on installing Windows 8, click here.

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1. 1

   Download DBAN. DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) is a free hard commuter eraser that will completely wipe the unabridged hard drive containing Windows 8. The hard bulldoze volition exist empty and need to exist either initialized past another operating system for storage or accept an operating organization installed on it.

   • This volition delete everything on the drive, so make certain anything you demand to relieve has been properly backed upward. You will not be able to employ data recovery software on the drive later to recall anything you forgot.
   • If Windows 8 is your simply operating system, you won't be able to use the computer until you install a new operating system or reinstall Windows 8.
   • Do not use this method if yous have a solid state bulldoze (SSD). If you lot are formatting an SSD, the best way is to simply reinstall your operating system on it. Do non use traditional data-wiping methods when trying to completely format an SSD. These can drastically reduce the lifespan and may non actually remove any data.

2. two

   Burn the DBAN prototype to a bare DVD. DBAN is downloaded in ISO format, which is a disc prototype file. This allows you to burn it to a disc and then that you lot tin kick your computer from it. You tin utilize a free burning tool like ImgBurn to burn the ISO to a disc. Click here for detailed instructions.

3. 3

   Reboot your reckoner. Y'all will need to open your BIO settings to change the boot order.

4. 4

5. five

   Open up the BOOT menu in your BIOS. This will allow you to change the order of devices that your computer tries to boot from.

6. 6

   Set your DVD drive as the primary drive. This will make your estimator endeavor to kicking from the DVD showtime, loading DBAN.

7. 7

   Salve your changes and go out the BIOS. Your computer will reboot and DBAN will start.

8. 8

   Press . ↵ Enter to offset DBAN. DBAN volition take a few moments to load.

9. ix

   Use the arrow keys and so press . Infinite to select the bulldoze yous want to erase. If yous have multiple drives, be absolutely sure that you have the right bulldoze selected. Yous tin can employ the drive sizes to help determine which drive is which.

10. ten

    Set your wipe settings. There are several settings you can modify, but near users can simply exit everything at default.

    • Press P to open the "PRNG" card. This stands for Pseudo Random Number Generator, which is the algorithm used to wipe the drive. There are two unlike algorithms to choose from.
    • Press M to open the "METHODS" menu. These are the number of passes that DBAN volition brand over the bulldoze. More passes ways a more secure erase, simply as well significantly increases the time information technology will take. If you lot're just wiping the drive to reinstall, you can cull 1 of the lighter-security methods. If you lot're wiping to erase sensitive data earlier recycling the drive, select one of the more secure methods.
    • Press R to set the number of "ROUNDS". This is the number of times the wipe process will be run. More rounds means a more secure wipe.

11. 11

    Printing . F10 to kickoff wiping the bulldoze. DBAN will apply the methods you picked to begin overwriting all of the sectors on your drive. You will be able to see the time remaining in the upper-correct corner.

12. 12

    Utilize or dispose of your newly-wiped hard bulldoze. Now that your hard drive is wiped, you lot can move on to doing whatever it is you lot want to practise with it.

    • If you lot want to reinstall Windows 8 or install another operating organisation on it, click here. This will format the drive and install the operating system. If you wiped your only hard drive with an operating organisation installed, y'all'll need to install an operating organisation before you can utilise information technology once more.
    • If y'all want to use the bulldoze as storage for another operating organization, click here for instructions on formatting it for use every bit storage.
    • If you want to recycle your computer, click here.
    • If you desire to sell your computer, click here.

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Things You'll Need

• Windows Bootable Installation Media (Usb or Optical Disc)

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Article Summary X

1. Support your data.
2. Kicking from the Windows 8 DVD.
3. Click Install at present.
4. Enter your product primal.
5. Click Custom.
6. Click Drive options (advanced).
7. Select a division and click Format.
viii. Click Next.

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Format-Windows-8

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