Comprehensive Guide- How to Wipe Your Computer Clean and Delete Everything Permanently_1
How to Delete Everything on Your Computer
Are you looking to start fresh on your computer or perhaps you want to ensure that all your personal data is completely removed? Deleting everything on your computer can be a daunting task, but with the right steps, you can achieve this goal efficiently. In this article, we will guide you through the process of deleting everything on your computer, whether it’s due to a system upgrade, privacy concerns, or simply to free up space.
1. Back Up Your Data
Before you proceed with deleting everything on your computer, it’s crucial to back up any important data you want to keep. This includes documents, photos, videos, and any other files you can’t afford to lose. You can back up your data to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
2. Safely Remove External Devices
Ensure that all external devices, such as USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards, are safely removed from your computer. This will prevent any data loss or corruption during the deletion process.
3. Use the Windows Disk Cleanup Tool
If you want to remove unnecessary files and free up space on your computer without deleting everything, you can use the Windows Disk Cleanup tool. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “cleanmgr” and press Enter.
3. Select the drive you want to clean up (usually the C: drive) and click “OK.”
4. Check the boxes next to the file types you want to delete, such as temporary files, system files, and download files.
5. Click “OK” and confirm the deletion when prompted.
4. Use the Windows Reset feature
If you want to delete everything on your computer and start fresh, you can use the Windows Reset feature. This will reinstall Windows and delete all your personal files, settings, and applications. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Update & Security” and then “Recovery.”
3. Under “Reset this PC,” click on “Get started.”
4. Choose whether you want to keep your files or remove everything.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
5. Use the Windows Install-Windows-Feature command
If you’re comfortable using the Command Prompt, you can use the Install-Windows-Feature command to delete everything on your computer. This method is useful if you want to remove all files, settings, and applications without reinstalling Windows. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. Type the following command and press Enter: `Install-WindowsFeature -Name Management-OOB-Images -Restart`
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
6. Use a Third-Party Disk Wiping Tool
If you want to ensure that all your data is completely erased from your computer, you can use a third-party disk wiping tool. These tools overwrite your data multiple times, making it nearly impossible to recover. Some popular disk wiping tools include DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke), CCleaner, and Eraser.
Remember to back up your data before using any of these methods, as deleting everything on your computer is irreversible. By following these steps, you can delete everything on your computer and start fresh or ensure that your personal data is completely removed.