Will reformatting hard drive remove Linux OS ?

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  1. treblefree
    Posts : 217
    windows 8.1 pro
       New #1

    Will reformatting hard drive remove Linux OS ?


    I have installed Linux Cinnamon 18.1 on another pc to try and i cannot remove it to re-install Windows 10 back on...i have tried altering BIOS Boot order by putting USB bootable Windows 10 flash drive but there is no option there for USB.. i tried creating a bootable 4.7 Gb Dvd but a message popped up stating there is not enough room on disk..hence i created USB

    To cut a long story short ...will reformatting the hard drive where the only OS is Linux remove LInux completely ?

    I would be grateful if some member could show instructions as to how to to re-install Windows 10 back on after reformatting...

    My PC is HP Pavillion desktop pc 500-242...i also bought recovery discs from HP which has 8.1 on

    Thank you
    Would i have re-install Windows 8.1 ( made note ok key ) first before re-installing Windows 10 ?
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  3. pcgeek11
    Posts : 50
    Windows 10
       New #2

    HP PCs - Cannot Start Desktop Computer From a Bootable CD or DVD (Windows 8) | HP® Customer Support
    Last edited by pcgeek11; 08 Apr 2017 at 02:45. Reason: Added info.
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  4. pcgeek11
    Posts : 50
    Windows 10
       New #3

    And yes, If you reformat the hard drive it will wipe out Linux entirely. The second issue would be if you have Grub Boot Loader in the MBR ( Master Boot Record ) you will need to restore the boot record to the Windows Version.

    Here is a how to:

    Fix the MBR Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10
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  6. lx07
    Posts : 5,478
    2004
       New #4

    Yes, if you boot from the USB then formatting the disk will remove Linux completely. You can just re-install 10 if it has been installed before. No need to re-install 8.1.

    Clean Install Windows 10 - Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials
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  7. CountMike
    Posts : 19,518
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       New #5

    Reformatting only may not be enough, what about partition)s) made by Linux ?
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  8. treblefree
    Posts : 217
    windows 8.1 pro
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Thanks for all your replies..as regards linux partitions..i will have to see when i reformat hard drive..i cannot even delete the partitions on Linux pc..i can only view...with Linux i am a complete novice..in fact ...i'm below that ...i was only trying it and i found out that it is a very steep learning curve and a user must be comfortable with coding....my mind is windows formatted ever since Windows 98 days and it is not easy to swap and think Linuxly as it is a different architecture
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  9. CountMike
    Posts : 19,518
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       New #7

    treblefree said:
    Thanks for all your replies..as regards linux partitions..i will have to see when i reformat hard drive..i cannot even delete the partitions on Linux pc..i can only view...with Linux i am a complete novice..in fact ...i'm below that ...i was only trying it and i found out that it is a very steep learning curve and a user must be comfortable with coding....my mind is windows formatted ever since Windows 98 days and it is not easy to swap and think Linuxly as it is a different architecture
    I always keep an USB with Linux on it with tools installed in persistence mode, You can do anything to practically any system including reformatting and working with partitions.
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  10. lx07
    Posts : 5,478
    2004
       New #8

    CountMike said:
    Reformatting only may not be enough, what about partition)s) made by Linux ?
    When you get to the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen during installation of Windows 10 you can delete all the partitions and (optionally) format the drive.

    As Windows installer doesn't understand Linux ext4 etc partitions they will be seen as "Unknown partition" but you can still delete them.

    Reformatting destroys the partition table so they will be gone.

    When you continue with the install Windows will create the partitions it needs out of the now unallocated space.
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  12. CountMike
    Posts : 19,518
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       New #9

    lx07 said:
    When you get to the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen during installation of Windows 10 you can delete all the partitions and (optionally) format the drive.

    As Windows installer doesn't understand Linux ext4 etc partitions they will be seen as "Unknown partition" but you can still delete them.

    Reformatting destroys the partition table so they will be gone.

    When you continue with the install Windows will create the partitions it needs out of the now unallocated space.
    Yes and you still have to delete them if you want to reclaim space. Reformatting can also be done from there but I like to clean disks to RAW state before installing OS. Some Linux distros may need more of "pedestrian" work (and knowledge) to install.
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  13. treblefree
    Posts : 217
    windows 8.1 pro
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    My problem has not been solved...i thought it was...i reformatted disc..ok..so far..rebooted pc ...had to put in my HP Recovery Discs...rebooted ok...now when i tried to upgrade to Windows 10...i get a message stating .Windows 10 installation cannot install in audit mode..Did a search on Google and found this link
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\State

    to delete a key.

    Rebooted but now get a message Windows cannot complete installation.Restart pc to continue.

    Rebooted pc and then i see

    Checking Media Presence...
    Media Presence....
    Start Pxe over IPv4...
    then Start Pxe over IPv6


    I just keep seeing this and Windows cannot complete installation.message every time i reboot pc and
    and i keep going into a loop

    Have i done something wrong when i reformatted hard drive
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