If you look at the most visited topics on the forums, a rather funny picture emerges. For example, some people buy laptops with the Linux operating system preinstalled , so that when they come home, they immediately delete all of its traces from the hard drive partitions.
Others, on the contrary, having acquired a computer with a well-known software product from Microsoft, begin to learn how to tear down Windows. So, really, there are so many people - so many opinions. This article will discuss how to tear down Windows. By the way,
this is a slang name for the Windows operating system
(Windows, Windows).
Erase! You can not leave!
The reasons that make it necessary to remove Windows can be very different. We list the main ones:
- A laptop with a pre-installed operating system was purchased, the version of which does not suit the user. For example, the starting Seven, in comparison with the most advanced Ultimate, has a number of limitations that make working with it less convenient;
- due to a malfunction of the installed system, updating is required;
- the licensing period is over;
- other reasons.
At the crossroads…
It is known that in order for a ship to arrive at its destination, the captain needs to know his current location on the map, the final destination and the route of movement. For completeness, the third point is sometimes mentioned - the source port. This principle is true for almost all life situations, and the answer to the question of how to tear down Windows is also no exception. To delete files from the hard drive, you do not need to graduate from the academy. You can take down Windows in a couple of minutes, the main thing is to choose a method. But it depends on the current state and the desired end goal. For example, some reformatting a hard disk partition may be quite suitable for some, but such a cardinal method is not suitable for others.
Methodology
So, how to tear down Windows? Let's consider the main options.
First. Winchester is divided into several sections, on one of which the operating system is installed. In this case, further actions depend on whether there are files in the system partition that need to be saved.
Suppose that all the necessary information is transferred to other media. In this case, starting the installation of a new OS (both Windows and Linux), when asked by the installer about the choice of the partition, it is necessary to indicate exactly where the deleted system is located. Next, select the "Format" option. That's all - the partition will be cleared, and there will be no trace of old files. This method is not suitable when using a hard disk with a single partition.
The second method assumes that the necessary data remains and must be restored later. So when choosing a partition for the system, formatting should not be used. All new versions of Windows, having discovered an old installation, will transfer all of its files to the Windows.old folder, from where you can later copy the necessary, and delete the excess - with Explorer. Pretty convenient way.
And finally, you can use the special Live-CD boot disk (can be downloaded from torrents). You should boot into a simplified operating system from it and wipe all the files of the old Windows from the hard disk partition with a wire. The necessary data can be saved. Since not all Live disks work with AHCI mode, it is first necessary to switch the hard drive subsystem to IDE (Native) in BIOS.
Apparently, everything is simple. The main thing is to choose the best option for yourself.