Delete the partition or format during clean install? part 1

osu1357

Once you get to the Custom (Advanced) tab of Windows 7 clean install there are options to delete the partition, format, etc. Assuming I want to delete all of my partitions so that I have one large volume C: is it best to delete the partitions first and then format? Why would someone do one over the other (or both?) Right now I have a C: partition and a D:RECOVERY partition. I want to delete the D: partition and combine it to the C: partition.

Don't they do the same thing? Why do you need to format after you delete a partition ? Do I also delete the C: partition and "re-create" it? What about the term "Unallocated Space"

I apologize if these are easy questions but I feel this is the most important step of my clean install.. I plan on doing this once I boot from the Windows 7 DVD.

Petey7

Unallocated space is the easiest one. It is space on the HDD that is not part of any partition. Simple enough to understand. When you format a partition, you erase everything on that one partition, and set it up to be written to (leaving it as a partition), while leaving other partitions untouched. If you delete a partition, everything on it will be erased and it will become unallocated space, which will need to be formatted before written to. For what you want to do, you will need to delete both partitions. When you delete more than one partition, it becomes a big hunk of unallocated space. You can then make as many partitions from that unallocated space as you wish. If you merely reformat, without deleting the partitions, you end up with the same two partitions you had before, with the exact same size. Any other questions?

osu1357

Delete both partitions, create New of the size you want, format and install.

Installer will create a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which places the boot files outside the OS and also places the Win7 Repair console on Advanced boot tools accessed by tapping F8 at bootup. This is no problem at all and can be ignored.

You might want to make the Recovery disk set if you haven't already before deleting the Recovery partition, so you have a path back to Vista/XP if you should want to sell the computer but keep your Win7, or need to ship it back for warranty servicing.

Petey7

OK I think I've got it ..

Step 1) Delete both partitions C: and D:
Step 2) Format the large partition (which is now "unallocated space" ?)
Step 3) Click "Next" and Install Windows 7 on the large partition that I just formatted

Am I missing a step where I have to make a "New" partition? I only want one partition C:

Could you tell me if this is correct?

MacGyvr

Seems like you got everything figured out. Formatting will make the new C: partition for you. I hope you enjoy your experience with Windows 7. We are always here to provide any assistance you need in the future.

pat247

The format step is actually unnecessary. If you try to install 7 to an unformatted partition, it will be formatted in the process anyway.

DeaconFrost

^^ What MacGyvr said ^^

Toxteam

�� Quote: Originally Posted by MacGyvr

The format step is actually unnecessary. If you try to install 7 to an unformatted partition, it will be formatted in the process anyway.

Yep, this is the case. In fact, I always blank my drives first, before even booting from the Windows 7 DVD. There's no real reason to do so, though, if you plan to install the same OS on the drive again.

Petey7

Hey i am sorry to re-open this topic tbh.. but i think its stupid to open a new thread when there are already topics on this subject.

i have myself two question.

1) do you also have to format before you delete partition?
2) Can you delete every partition without any problem? as i heard that sometimes the recovery part can not be touched?

i hope you guys could help me with those question!

Thanks a lot alrdy: )

greetz yannick

Guest

We actually prefer if you make a new thread, but thats okay.

1) Deleting a partition is basically doing the same thing as what is sometimes called a "quick format". Basically, it marks the space on the hard drive as unused but does not actually remove what is there. A regular/full format actual overwrites (effectively removing) the data that is there, making it unretrievable. To do a full format follow the instuctions in step one of this tutorial: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

2) In the past we have recommended using the tutorial above to remove all data including the OEM recovery partition. I have also found a few sites stating that you can use Option 2 of the following tutorial to remove the partition from within windows: Partition or Volume - Delete

Toxteam

Thanks for the reply, i'll take a look at it.

yes, i'm sorry i didn't make a new thread but as its close to my subject i thought i would be stupid to open a new one

Toxteam

the first link is really perfect, i really thank you for that and will help me by my clean install of windows 7.

The second link i knew that already about deleting partition within windows without cd. But what i was not sure of was when i am going to install windows 7 that when for example beneath here on this picture stands 4 partition that i can delete every one of them.. as sometimes there stand recovery or primary as type.

Toxteam

The picture did not upload sorry...

here is the pic

Petey7

Okay. I'm having some trouble understanding your question, but I think I understand what you mean. Yes, you should be able to remove the recovery partition without an issue. The only problem I ever see come up is if there is some program that came on the computer that you cannot easily install again yourself (i.e. Office 2010 Starter or Cyberdisc PowerDVD). Barring that, you can wipe everything and do a clean install without concern.

Toxteam

Okey if i may i will resume now what i think i learned and how i should do it, if i am false please correct

1) clean with DISKPART all my harddisk 1 by 1... then i go out of that command and i start Pc with the Windows 7 installation disk.

2) When i take then custom(advanced) i delete every partition in the list and make 2 new ones : 1 from 100 gig and the second one from 800 gig.

3) when i made those two... i format them both and start the installation on the 100 gig one.

When i go through these 3 steps i should be able to clean install windows 7 on an empty pc. Correct?

Thanks very much Petey!

Petey7

When you use the clean all command, the partitions will no longer exist. Also, you should only format the harddisk that Windows is/will be installed on. I recommend disconnecting any other harddisk (if any) while installing Windows just to be safe. Also, you can just do one large partition if you want (will be the easiest thing to do).

To go over the steps real quick, 1) Use Clean all command in Diskpart as per the tutorial, 2) reboot computer and boot from install disk, 3) Click install now, 4) select unallocated space and create partition, 5) install Windows 7. You should probably go ahead and take a look at out tutorial for doing a clean install if you have not already. Clean Install Windows 7

Toxteam

Petey, i really appreciate your replies to my posts... I know i'm a newbie on this subject, but hey... i learned again because of you !

I will do the clean install in about 2 weeks as i' not home at the moment, but i'm already gathering information since one week how to do it properly without any mistakes.

If i have more further questions i will post them then on the moment itself and hopefully you are also online then

Thanks very much for all your help and added you reputation ofcourse!!

Kind regards,
Yannick