PCA Forums

On Windows XP Home Edition, what is the easiest way to clear my HDD of the data I added to it? I'm talking about having Windows restored to the way it was when it came. I do not have a system restore point for that so I can't use that.

If I have to use the disc start up that came with my computer, will it automatically clear my HDD of all data so that I can start freshly?

What brand of computer? Most OEM systems don't give you a recovery disc anymore - there's a hidden 4 Gb partition on the HDD that contains an image of the factory install for the boot drive.

You can usually just google the brand of your PC and the words "Factory Recovery" or "PC Restore" and find out the procedure. On most Dells you press the CTRL and the F11 keys at the same time right after the Dell logo appears.

Some manufacturers still require that you use a CD. Sometimes the image is on the CD or it's hidden on the hard drive but either way you have to boot from the CD first to install the image.

All of these factory restore procedures will erase all the contents of the hard drive before installing the image.

Some older systems will only give you a Windows installer CD and a driver CD and you're on your own.

If you just need to get windows working again, I prefer to use the actual Windows disc & do a restore (second prompt, not the first). That'll get you pretty much back to where you were (won't erase anything but the windows files). But yeah, if you don't need to save files or settings, then just use the factory restore procedure.