Buying new computer - how do you wipe it clean of all installed software?

[Paula Sims]

Hi there,
In the past I have built my own machines but due to recent events in my life have been forced to buy a new one. My current desktop is 10 years old and has seen better days.

That said, I can get a good deal on a Core 7 with 4 SS drives, 32G ram, and other fun stuff. But it will come with all the software I don't need. I can get a legit copy of Windows 10 OEM but can I use that to just wipe everything out and start again?

I've done it before but it was with new, out of the box, drives. Buying this stuff is new to me.

Thanks for your help.

Paula

[SwankyXomb]

1. PC Decrapifier is a good start

https://www.pcdecrapifier.com/download

Otherwise search for "removing bloatware" if that's not what you want.

[Ron Obvious]

2. I'm not entirely sure I understand your problem

Since you have the OEM Windows disk, there's nothing stopping you from reformatting your drives and installing a fresh copy of Windows. You'd probably have to reinstall some drivers from the manufacturer, but that's still preferable to dealing with all the crapware, trial versions, and adware the typical manufacturers leave on new Windows machines. For the record, this is what I've always done with new laptops and desktops that I didn't build myself.

If you're worried about spyware hiding out in the bootsector or something, you could delete the partition(s) and do a low-level format, but this is the kind of thing people tend to worry about when selling a machine and they don't want to leave anything behind for other people to find. A fresh installation will create the partitions you need.

One problem I've heard about is that the new Windows systems require a GPT type of partition table and not the old Master Boot Record (MBR) when installing a new system and that the error messages in that case will be pretty opaque if you don't have that.

Of course, make a listing of the activation and licensing codes of your installed software before reformatting so you can use that on your new OEM installation.

Let me know if I didn't answer the right question.

[Paula Sims]

3. Thanks both of you

Yes Ron, you're right -- that's what I want to do. And thanks for the tip about removing bloatware. Since this is the first time I've had to do something like this (I've always built from scratch), this is unchartered territory (for me)

[canetoad]

4. Paula, a tip

If you reinstall Windows from the supplied disc, give some thought to partitioning your hard drive into two drives. Keep Win 10 and your installed programs on the C drive and your own documents and media on the second partition. That way, if Windows ever corrupts or you get malware etc you can fairly quickly reinstall Windows and programs without losing any of your own files.

You can also move the My Documents folder to actually BECOME the second drive which can save some hassles.