How to Format a Computer with Windows XP

Table of contents:

How to Format a Computer with Windows XP
How to Format a Computer with Windows XP
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This article shows you how to delete all of a user's files, folders, programs, and personal data from a Windows XP computer by using the installation CD to boot the system and then proceeding to format the hard drive. In order to perform the steps described in this guide, you must have the Windows XP installation disc.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Boot the Computer from CD

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 1
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 1

Step 1. Back up any files you want to keep

Remember that after formatting the disk, restoring the files it contains turns out to be next to impossible. To do this, you can use a USB memory drive or an external hard drive.

Alternatively, you can choose to back up your files using a CD-RW, but media of this type have limited storage capacity compared to a normal USB stick or external hard drive

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 2
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 2

Step 2. Insert the Windows XP installation disc into your computer

  • If you don't have optical installation media for the operating system, you'll need to get a new one.
  • Alternatively, you can download the Windows XP ISO file and use it to burn a new CD. In this case, however, you will also need to purchase a valid product key.
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 3
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 3

Step 3. Restart your computer

Access the menu Start, choose the option Turn off computer and press the green button Restart when required.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 4
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 4

Step 4. Press and hold the Delete key or F2 to enter the computer's BIOS.

The specific key to press varies according to the manufacturer of the computer and the firmware installed. In most cases, when the system starts up, immediately after the POST (from the English "Power-On Self-Test"), the message "Press [key] to enter setup" or "Press the key [name_key] to enter the BIOS "(or similar) which indicates which key on the keyboard to press to access the BIOS of the computer.

Alternatively, you can consult your computer's user manual or search online to find out which specific key to press in your case

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 5
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 5

Step 5. Go to the Boot tab or Starting the BIOS.

To move around it, use the arrow keys on your keyboard, then choose the menu named Boot or Start.

The precise name of this section of the BIOS might be different, for example Boot Options, depending on the manufacturer of your system.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 6
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 6

Step 6. Choose the CD-ROM Drive boot option

To do this, use the directional arrow ↓ until the indicated item is highlighted.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 7
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 7

Step 7. Make the CD-ROM Drive boot option the BIOS default

Press the + key until the indicated item appears at the top of the system boot device list.

To perform this step, you may need to press a key other than the one specified. For safety see the controls guide located at the bottom of the screen

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 8
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 8

Step 8. Save the new settings

At the bottom of the screen there should be the name of a key (for example F10) related to the item "Save and Exit" or "Save and Exit". Press it to save the new BIOS settings and automatically restart the computer using the CD-ROM drive as the first option.

You may need to press the Enter key to confirm your action

Part 2 of 2: Format the Hard Drive

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 9
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 9

Step 1. Press the Enter key as soon as the welcome screen of the Windows XP installation procedure appears

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 10
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 10

Step 2. Press the F8 function key to accept the terms of the Windows operating system license agreement

If you are asked to press a key other than the one indicated, do so without hesitation.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 11
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 11

Step 3. Press the Esc key when prompted

This way you will avoid starting the repair procedure of the current Windows installation on the disk.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 12
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 12

Step 4. Select the hard drive partition that contains the Windows installation

It is indicated by something similar to "Partition 2 (Windows)". To select the indicated option, press the ↓ key on the keyboard.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 13
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 13

Step 5. Press the D keys in succession And L.

This way the selected partition will be deleted along with all the data it contains.

Other keys may be indicated at the bottom of the screen that you can use to navigate the menus. If this is your case, follow the instructions received

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 14
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 14

Step 6. If necessary, re-select the partition that contained the Windows installation

At this point it will be referred to simply as free unallocated space.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 15
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 15

Step 7. Press the C key then Enter.

This will automatically create a new empty partition, exactly in the same place where the one you just deleted existed.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 16
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 16

Step 8. Select the new partition and press the Enter key

This will select it to accommodate a fresh installation of Windows XP.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 17
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 17

Step 9. Select the NTFS file system format to format the new partition

Choose the option Format partition using NTFS file system (quick) using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 18
Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 18

Step 10. Wait for the hard drive formatting procedure to complete

This step could take several hours. After the formatting process is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to be able to reinstall Windows XP. At this point, all files, folders, programs and personal data on the disk have been erased.

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