How do I reformat entire computer?

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  1. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
    Thread Starter
       #41

    Is it OK to move my Windows.old files off of my C:\ drive


    As shown in the 40 posts above, I've had a difficult few weeks and many hours working to recover a notebook computer after losing my OS. It's now booting and appears to be working, albeit with multiple OS choices on boot.

    Instead of a relatively clean computer I find that my 750 GB HDD has only about 100 GB free. Most of the unavailable space is taken up by 3 windows.old folders:

    • Windows.old = 378 GB
    • Windows.old.000 = 19.6 GB
    • Windows.old (1) = 0 GB

    I understand that the Windows.old files will be automatically removed after about a month. But I'm a little anxious to regain full use of my notebook and also am a little paranoid about losing the windows.old data.

    I have a few large HDDs. What do I risk if I move these Windows.old files onto one of my large HDDs and delete them after I regain confidence that they have no value (maybe 5-6 months)?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #42

    This is the full computer model:

    HP Pavilion dv6t-6c00 CTO Quad Edition Entertainment Notebook PC

    Please update the specs in the "My Computer" section

    System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums | Tutorials
    In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
    After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
    System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

    Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)


    HP has tested drivers for Windows 7 ad 8.
    There were no tested drivers for Windows 10.
    All Windows 10 drivers are on a trial and error basis.

    HP Pavilion dv6t-6c00 CTO Quad Edition Entertainment Notebook PC - Driver Downloads | HP® Customer Support


    The Windows old is now automatically deleted after 10 days.

    This is a link on how to manually delete it:
    Delete Windows.old Folder in Windows 10 | Tutorials

    This is a link to free up drive space:
    Free Up Drive Space in Windows 10 | Tutorials

    For preventative maintenance perform these steps:

    1) Download and install HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows 1.5.4.0

    The right upper area of this link:
    HP PC Hardware Diagnostics | HP® Official Site

    2) Launch the software > click system tests > click system extensive test > click run once > run overnight > use the snipping tool or camera > post the results into the thread

    3) If any problems were found the test is designed to abort and post an error code
    4) The component tests can be run as needed
    5) This windows software is not able to test RAM.
    6) To test RAM > power on the computer > repetitively click the F2 key to boot the HP BIOS UEFI diagnostics > run the RAM test

    The above tests can be run overnight with the exception of some of the component tests which are interactive.

    7) Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:
    8) sfc /scannow
    9) dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
    10) chkdsk /scan
    11) wmic RecoverOS set AutoReboot = False
    12) When these have completed > right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into the thread
      My Computer


 

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