How to partially format a hard drive?

webrador3

I just installed Windows 8 on my computer. I placed the files I wanted to keep on an external hard drive prior to the installation, that is fine. However, I though that the process would format the computer's hard drive, which it did not.

Is it possible to format my hard drive in order to keep only what is related to Windows 8?
If not, can I format the whole thing and re-use the same Windows 8 key?

Thanks for your help

WAYT

How did you install Windows 8? From boot, choosing the Custom Install?

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/the-complete-guide-to-a-windows-8-clean-installation/

wongataa

webrador3 wrote: »

Is it possible to format my hard drive in order to keep only what is related to Windows 8?

No

webrador3 wrote: »

If not, can I format the whole thing and re-use the same Windows 8 key?

Yes. Re install Windows. At the beginning there is an option to choose where to install Windows. Go that route, delete all the partitions on the disk, and then the disk will be wiped and Windows installed. Only have the disk you intend to install Windows on connected to the computer.

wongataa

It is a pain working with disks that have more than one partition. If you fill one up it will cause difficulties, especially if it is the one with the OS on it. There is no need for most people to have more than one partition per physical disk and it means you can use the space more easily.

were

Why not just back it up onto portable media? To be honest you will probably never use it again?

If putting it onto a second partition, when the drive fails, you still will lose both.

I upgraded online and there was a roll back feature

were

DavidP24 wrote: »

Of course the idea is to move the image off, it is just quicker to backup onto that partition than straight to USB.

To repartition, set up the boot order, then backup is more involved and takes longer than a simple backup.

DavidP24 wrote: »

Ideally you would not need it again but when you do and you have it then you feel glad you did.

Six of one and half a dozen of the others. Yes can be handy in the right circumstance, but when you need it it is often the wrong circumstance . Only time it is of use if you have some dependence base on the original os. The first thing that shrunken partition will probably do when active after time is auto update, possibly eating up the meagre space given to it, non of the recent apps and addons will be there either. My twisted opinion is a bootable usb would be far more useful, and a recent periodic backup of the new o/s is very useful too.

Disclaimer: I have done it in the past a good few times, and for me it was a waste of space and time. Once a virus messed up both partitions too. The real time i needed it was when the drive failed and after a brief attempt thought it easier to drive in 6" rubber nails into concrete than trying to get that partition to work on a faulty drive.

ChristianC123

Nope, the only way you could do a "partial" format is to make a secondary partition and move all of the existing data to the other partition, then format the main partition.

Regards,
Christian

jshm2

I think you mean a "Windows refresh" rather than a reinstall.

If you hit the "Settings" option in Windows 8 and then go into "update and recovery" then select "recovery" you have the option of a partial reset or a full reset. The CDkey installed will be used