If you’re trying to wipe your computer with Windows 8 without a disk, there are a few different methods you can use.
The first is to use the Built-in Disk Cleanup Tool. This is a built-in tool that allows you to delete unneeded files, delete temporary files, and can even restore some of your system settings back to their factory defaults.
To use it, press the Windows Key and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search box. Once the tool appears, follow the on-screen instructions to get your system clean again.
The second method is to perform a Refresh or Reset operation. This will restore your computer back to its original factory settings, but it will also delete all of your personal files. To do this, open the PC Settings app in Windows 8 and select the “Refresh or Reset” option.
Follow the on-screen instructions, making sure to back up your personal files if you haven’t already.
Finally, you can use the Recovery partition or a recovery disc provided by the manufacturer, if available. This will allow you to recover your computer to its original factory state, and you can often access this screen by pressing a specific key when your computer first boots up (often F11 or F12).
This will erase everything on your hard drive, but it may be your only option if a disk is not available.
These are the three primary methods you can use to wipe your computer with Windows 8 without a disk. Whichever method you choose, make sure you have all of your important files backed up before proceeding.
How do I wipe everything off my computer and operating system?
If you want to completely wipe everything off your computer, including your operating system, there are a few steps you will need to take.
The first step is to back up any important files or data that you wish to keep. Even though everything will be wiped, it is still important to have a backup in case of data loss or other issues.
Once you have backed up your files, you need to insert your operating system installation disk or USB drive into the computer. Boot it up and follow the instructions to start the installation process.
In most cases, this will require you to select a disk/partition and click on a “Format/Clear” option to completely wipe the hard drive.
When this is done, you will then have to reinstall the operating system of your choice. Once the installation process is complete, you will have a freshly wiped computer with a new operating system.
How do I reset my computer without a CD or USB?
If your computer does not have a CD or USB drive, you can still reset it. Depending on the type of computer and operating system, there are a variety of ways to reset your computer.
If you are running a Windows operating system, one way to reset or restore your computer is to open the “Settings” option and click “Update & Security” followed by “Reset this PC”. This will open a window that will allow you to choose from 2 different reset options – “Keep My Files” or “Remove Everything”.
If you choose to “Keep My Files”, then any personal files, such as documents, photos, music, etc. will remain while any installed programs and settings will be removed. If you choose to “Remove Everything”, then all files and programs will be removed.
Another option to reset a Windows computer that does not have a CD or USB drive is to use the command line. To do this, open “Command Prompt” and enter the command “systemreset” followed by the appropriate prompt.
This will reset the computer and allow you to reinstall all necessary programs and settings.
For Macs, you can use the “Reset” utility in the Utilities folder. This utility allows you to easily reset your computer without the need for a CD or USB drive.
Regardless of the type of computer and operating system you are running, you should always back up all of your data before attempting to reset your computer. This will ensure that all your personal files, programs, and settings can be restored in the event of any problems.
Can you reformat without Windows CD?
Yes, you can reformat without a Windows CD. Depending on your situation, the easiest way to do this may involve using a USB flash drive or an external hard drive. You will need to download a Windows installation ISO or a ISO that contains the version of Windows you have installed.
If you have downloaded the OS image, you can create a bootable USB or external hard drive to start the installation. Once you have done this, you can boot from the USB or external hard drive and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
If you are planning to reinstall the same version of Windows that is already installed, you can also simply press the reset button (or run the Reset program from the Settings menu) to get a clean version of the OS that is already installed.
This process preserves your installed programs and user account settings, but it will delete any personal data not associated with the account.
Finally, some OEM machines may also allow you to reset the system to an earlier restore point, which is simply a complete system re-installation without the use of Windows media. Each OEM machine will have different options, so consult the manufacturer or support website to determine what is available.
Overall, you can reformat without a Windows CD by using a USB flash drive or external hard drive and downloading the OS image. You can also try resetting the system to an earlier restore point, which is specific to certain OEM machines.
Does factory reset completely wipe computer?
A factory reset may appear to completely wipe a computer, but it may still be possible to recover some data. When a factory reset is performed, the computer is returned to its factory state, but the existing files remain untouched on the hard drive.
These files can be accessed with the right software and data recovery techniques. Additionally, some of this information may linger in temporary files, system caches, and other locations, so it is important to securely delete these areas as well.
It is also essential to format the hard drive, as a factory reset does not erase the data stored in the hard drive but may make it harder to access. Finally, widespread encrypting should be employed to ensure that the data cannot be accessed.
How do I delete everything on my computer before I sell it?
When preparing to sell your computer, your first step should be to back up any important data or files that you wish to keep onto an external source, such as a hard drive or cloud storage. Once you have completed the backup and are sure that you have a copy of all the files you want to keep, you can begin preparing to delete everything on your computer.
To delete all the data currently on your computer, you can use the built-in tool in your operating system. For Windows users, use the Reset this PC settings, which will delete all data from your computer and reset it to its original settings.
For Mac OS users, use the Disc Utility, which can be found under the Utilities folder. After running this search, you will be able to write over all data on your hard disk drive and erase all its contents.
Before you sell your computer, it’s highly recommended to uninstall all programs from your device and delete all user profiles to help protect your privacy. When all data and programs have been deleted, you should also reinstall your operating system to ensure no traces are left on your computer.
Finally, be sure to remove any personal or sensitive information, such as bank statements or usernames and passwords. You should also find a way to disable the hard disk drive if you cannot delete all its contents.
This can be done by unscrewing the disk drive and unhooking the battery wires.
Following these suggestions should help prepare your computer for sale as it will ensure all personal data is removed and protect your privacy.
Does wiping a computer get rid of everything?
No, wiping a computer does not get rid of everything. It is important to understand that wiping a computer will remove the main operating system, but other data remains on the machine such as files that were previously in the Recycle Bin, bits of data that remain on the hard drive, temporary internet files, and any spyware or malware left behind.
Even if a computer’s hard drive is wiped, it is possible for hackers to retrieve your data from the wiped drive so it is important to use other methods such as disk encryption to protect your data. Other measures such as removing or disconnecting any external drives that are connected to the computer or running a data erasing tool to completely overwrite and erase the hard drive can also be helpful.
Can everything that is erased from a computer be recovered?
In short, it depends. Deleting files from your computer does not automatically delete them from existence. If the file has been saved to the computer’s hard drive, then it can be recovered. However, the process of recovering deleted files will depend on how the file was deleted, as well as the condition of the drive itself.
If a file was deleted with the appropriate software, using methods such asEMP (erase with overwrite), it is unlikely it can be recovered.
Generally speaking, the most successful way to recover deleted files is with data recovery software. There are techniques that can be employed to recover files, but recovery success will depend largely on the extent of the damage to the drive and the file structure it contains.
Other than data recovery software, external hard drives, servers, and recovery companies can also provide the means to access eliminated files. Depending on the problem, it may be necessary to send the hard drive in for evaluation to a recovery specialist.
It is important to remember that no data recovery operation is guaranteed, and most often the more time that has passed since the file was deleted, the lower the chances of successful recovery. If you act quickly, have a reasonably good understanding of data recovery techniques, or are willing to invest in recovery services, then you may have success in recovering deleted files.
Is wiping a hard drive enough?
No, wiping a hard drive isn’t enough – while it can ensure that the data stored on it can no longer be accessed, it isn’t enough to guarantee the data won’t be retrieved in some other way. Wiping a hard drive removes all data on the drive, but if the drive is sent to a data recovery specialist, they may be able to recover the data.
This means that sensitive and confidential data is at risk of being exposed if the drive is ever disposed of inappropriately. To ensure the complete destruction of data on a hard drive, the drive should be physically destroyed by either breaking it apart, or burning it in an incinerator.
There are also options such as degaussing, which uses magnets to disrupt the data stored on the hard drive, as well as software that can overwrite data multiple times, making it virtually impossible to retrieve.
So, when it comes to disposing of data stored on hard drives, wiping is not enough; additional measures must be taken to ensure the complete destruction of data.
Will completely wiping a computer remove viruses?
No, completely wiping a computer does not remove viruses. Virus removal requires far more than simply deleting all the data from a computer. The virus may still be present in the computer’s hidden files, or infected into its hardware components such as the BIOS or CMOS.
Even completely erasing all files and reinstalling the operating system will not guarantee that a computer is virus-free. A virus can be embedded in the computer’s Basic Input/Output System. The virus will remain there even if the files are wiped and the operating system is reinstalled.
That is why completely wiping a computer is not enough to remove viruses. To completely eliminate any viruses present, you should also use a good antivirus software to scan the computer and delete any malicious files that the virus may have left behind.
Can virus remain after formatting?
Yes, viruses can remain after a computer is formatted. Formatting a hard drive or disk does not completely erase the data that was stored on it. When formatting a disk, the files that were originally on the disk may or may not be removed, and the new file system created by the formatting process may not be effective at removing viruses, unlike anti-virus software.
This is why it is important to scan the disk for viruses before and after formatting it, and to use anti-virus software when transferring files from the disk to another device. There may also be hidden files on the hard drive, which can contain malicious code that can reinfect the computer after it is formatted.
To completely eradicate a virus from a device, the hard drive or disk should be wiped using a data destruction program, which overwrites the hard drive several times with a series of random data, completely eradicating any viruses, malicious code, and other files that may remain in the drive after it is formatted.
Does factory reset remove hackers?
No, a factory reset does not remove hackers. It can help protect your data, but it won’t remove the hacker. It may stop the attack temporarily, but the hacker could still find a way back into your device or system.
To completely remove a hacker, you would need to take additional steps, such as checking for malicious software on your device and performing antivirus scans, as well as checking all external connections to your device.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the signs of a hacker, such as unusual data usage, sudden slowness or crashes of your device or programs, and new files appearing on your computer. You should always stay up-to-date with security updates for your device and system, as this can help protect you from possible future attacks.