How to Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP

This wikiHow teaches you how to remove all user-created files, folders, and programs from a Windows XP computer by booting from your installation CD and reformatting the drive. You must have your Windows XP installation disc to perform this process.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Booting from the CD

  1. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 1
    1
    Back up any files you want to save. Once you delete the files from your computer, getting them back will be nearly impossible. You can use a USB drive or an external hard drive to back up your files.
    • You can also use a CD-RW to back up your files, but these typically have less space available than a standard USB drive or hard drive.
  2. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 2
    2
    Insert your Windows XP install disc into your computer.
    • If you no longer have your XP install disc, you'll have to buy a replacement.
    • You can also download an XP installation file and burn it to a CD, though you'll need the accompanying purchase key.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 3
    3
    Restart your computer. Click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and click the green Restart button when prompted.
  4. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 4
    4
    Press and hold Del or F2 to enter setup. The key you're prompted to press might also be different; most computers will display a message on startup that says "Press [key] to enter setup" or something similar.
    • You can look at your computer model's manual or online support page to confirm your computer's BIOS key.
  5. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 5
    5
    Select the Boot tab. Use the arrow keys to move the selection box over to Boot.
    • The Boot tab may instead say Boot Options, depending on your computer's manufacturer.
  6. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 6
    6
    Select the CD-ROM Drive option. Press ↓ until this option has a box around it.
  7. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 7
    7
    Make the CD-ROM Drive your boot option. Press + until CD-ROM Drive is at the top of the list.
    • You may have to press a different key here. Check the key legend on this screen to confirm.
  8. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 8
    8
    Save your settings. You should see a key prompt (e.g., F10) at the bottom of the screen that correlates to "Save and Exit"; pressing it will restart your computer, using the CD drive as a reboot point.
    • You may have to press ↵ Enter to confirm the changes.
    9. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Formatting the Hard Drive

  1. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 9
    1
    Press ↵ Enter at the "Welcome to Setup" screen. This will begin the setup process.
  2. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 10
    2
    Press F8 to accept the Windows agreement. If you're prompted to press a different key, press that key instead of F8.
  3. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 11
    3
    Press Esc when prompted. Doing so bypasses the repair process.
  4. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 12
    4
    Select the "Windows" partition. This line of text will say something like "Partition 2 (Windows)". Press the ↓ key until this line of text is selected.
  5. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 13
    5
    Press D, then press L. This will delete the partition where your operating system and all of its files are stored.
    • You may see slightly different key prompts at the bottom of the screen. If so, use those instead.
  6. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 14
    6
    Re-select the partition's space if necessary. There should be a blank space where the partition used to be; make sure it's selected.
  7. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 15
    7
    Press C, then press ↵ Enter. This will create a new, empty partition in the space where the old one was.
  8. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 16
    8
    Select the new partition and press ↵ Enter. Doing so will select the partition as the location to install Windows XP.[1]
  9. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 17
    9
    Choose NTFS as the partition's format. Select the Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick) option using the arrow keys, then press ↵ Enter.
  10. Image titled Clear All Files from a Computer Running Windows XP Step 18
    10
    Wait for your hard drive to finish formatting. This can take several hours. Once this process is complete, you'll follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows XP; however, your files, programs, and any other user-installed items will be gone.
    • You will need your product key to finish installing Windows XP.
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I clear all the files off the computer and store them on an external hard drive?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Back up all the files to a hard drive or disc, delete the files off the old hard drive, and use a computer to transfer the back-up onto the new hard drive.
  • Question
    Does this get rid of the OS as well?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, resetting or reimaging a device will reinstall all of the software and the operating system information but it will delete all user data.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • The only guaranteed way to ensure that no one can ever recover your files is to physically destroy the hard drive.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Clear up Unnecessary Files on Your PC
How to
Clear up Unnecessary Files on Your PC
Delete Your Usage History Tracks in Windows
How to
Delete Your Usage History Tracks in Windows
Recover Deleted History in Windows
How to
Recover Deleted History in Windows
Permanently Delete Files
How to
Permanently Delete Files
Activate Windows XP Without a Genuine Product Key
How to
Activate Windows XP Without a Genuine Product Key
Make Windows XP Genuine Forever
How to
Make Windows XP Genuine Forever
Activate Windows XP
How to
Activate Windows XP
Install Windows XP
How to
Install Windows XP
Change the Language of Your Computer (Windows XP)
How to
Change the Language of Your Computer (Windows XP)
Log on to Windows XP Using the Default Blank Administrator Password3 Ways to Access Windows XP with a Blank Administrator Password
Create a Bootable Windows XP ISO from a Folder
How to
Create a Bootable Windows XP ISO from a Folder
Set Up Internet Connection Sharing for Windows XP
How to
Set Up Internet Connection Sharing for Windows XP
Set up a Wireless Network in Windows XP
How to
Set up a Wireless Network in Windows XP
Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
How to
Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/313348/how-to-partition-and-format-a-hard-disk-by-using-windows-xp-setup-prog

About This Article

Yaffet Meshesha
Written by:
Yaffet Meshesha
Computer Specialist
This article was written by Yaffet Meshesha and by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time. This article has been viewed 512,256 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 26
Updated: March 15, 2023
Views: 512,256
Categories: XP Instructions
Advertisement