Does Clean Install Wipe All Drives [top] (No Ads)
If you already have backup your data and don't care about the disk contents, then yes, delete all partitions, leave the whole disk... Windows 11 Forum Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support This process involves completely erasing the existing data on your device and installing a clean version of Windows. It's a suitab... Microsoft Support Show all Targeted Formatting: Only the partition you select will be affected. If you choose to delete that partition, its data is gone, but other listed disks remain safe. The "Reset This PC" Exception: If you use the built-in "Reset this PC" feature in settings instead of a bootable USB, you may see an option to
Files on other physical hard drives or separate partitions are generally safe and will remain accessible once the new installation is complete. does clean install wipe all drives
| Drive type | Wiped during clean install? | How to protect it | |------------|----------------------------|-------------------| | | ✅ Yes | Back it up | | Other partitions on OS drive | ❌ No (unless you delete them manually) | Don’t delete them | | Secondary physical drives | ❌ No (unless you manually select them) | Unplug or just avoid selecting | If you already have backup your data and
Here are a few options for a social media post (or forum answer) tailored to different platforms. Microsoft Support Show all Targeted Formatting: Only the
A clean install usually only wipes the specific drive (or partition) you select for your new Windows/macOS installation. It does automatically erase your secondary hard drives, game libraries, or external backups.