How to prepare partitions for reinstalling windows?

I'm reinstalling windows 10 soon, following this tutorial Clean Install Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials since it seems to be the best and most complete (can't find any good videos which would just be easier visually).

On step 13, it says "A) Delete all partitions/volumes on the Drive # (ex: Drive 0) that you want to install Windows 10 with UEFI on until that Drive # shows as unallocated space. (see screenshot below)"


So I just select each drive that shows up and I delete it? Or will there be "Drive 0 unallocated space" that I do not delete, and just choose that and select next?

Thanks for the help, I have never reinstalled windows and just want to make sure I don't mess anything up.

Na you really need to run Dispart and Clean the Disk/SSD that leaves them RAW just as they come from the manufacturer. And then using the USB thumb drive I created with the MCT I boot it UEFI and install windows, The install will create all the partition it needs to boot and run.

Clintlgm said:

Na you really need to run Dispart and Clean the Disk/SSD that leaves them RAW just as they come from the manufacturer. And then using the USB thumb drive I created with the MCT I boot it UEFI and install windows, The install will create all the partition it needs to boot and run.

Can you elaborate? This is my first time hearing about this. Doesn't the windows installer format it before installing the OS?

If there is already data on the drive you want to install onto then you have to individually delete the partitions.

The screen will initially look like this. Once you delete all the partitions on the drive then there will just be one "unallocated space" entry. If you have multiple drives then make sure you know which partitions you're deleting.



If you want to use diskpart, press SHIFT-F10 during Windows setup at or before the partition screen. Again, if you have multiple drives then make sure you know which one you're selecting.



Then close the window and press refresh on the partition window, if needed. Then it will look the same as the tutorial with one "unallocated space" entry.

Hi,
Indeed remove all data drives you have
Use the custom install method has worked countless times no need to use disk part
The custom install will show all partitions just select and delete each one till it only shows one left and your done.

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
Indeed remove all data drives you have
Use the custom install method has worked countless times no need to use disk part
The custom install will show all partitions just select and delete each one till it only shows one left and your done.

Except there shouldn't be any partitions left - nothing but unallocated space - which is not a partition. Unless you are intentionally leaving a data partition on the drive.