Whether you are preparing to sell your computer, give it away, or simply want a fresh start, it is crucial to remove all personal files and data. You definitely don't want anyone else to gain access to your private information. That's why many users search for "delete everything but OS" as a solution.
How do I delete everything except OS? The good news is that both Windows and Mac offer built-in features to make this process simple. If you are not sure how to proceed, this guide is for you. Let's get started.
Windows offers a built-in feature called "Reset this PC" that allows you to clear out apps, settings, and personal files while keeping the operating system intact. It is one of the easiest and fastest ways to delete everything but OS on Windows, making it ideal for everyday users.
Here is how to delete everything but OS in Windows 10/11:
Step 1. Click the "Start" menu and open "Settings".
Step 2. Go to "Update & Security" > "Recovery".
Step 3. Under "Reset this PC", click "Get started".
Step 4. Choose the option "Remove everything", instead of "Keep my files".
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
macOS offers the "Erase All Content and Settings" feature (available in macOS Monterey and later). With this feature, you can easily delete everything but the OS.
Here is how to wipe all data but OS on Mac:
Step 1. Click the "Apple menu" in the top-left corner of the screen and select "System Settings".
Step 2. Go to "General" > "Transfer or Reset" > "Erase All Content and Settings".
Step 3. Enter your administrator password to confirm.
Step 4. The system will erase all data while automatically keeping macOS intact.
While built-in tools work well for deleting everything but OS, they don't always guarantee that deleted files are completely unrecoverable. If you want to delete everything and make it unrecoverable, a professional solution like Coolmuster Data Erasure is recommended. This tool uses advanced overwriting methods to permanently erase files.
However, with this method, you cannot keep your Windows operating system while deleting other data. This approach will wipe the entire disk (HDD or SSD), and after erasing, you will need to reinstall the Windows OS.
Key features of Data Erasure:
* Securely erase files and folders from HDDs, SSDs, or external drives to prevent any data remnants.
* Wipe entire disks, whether system or non-system, using Quick Erase or DoD 5220.22-M(E) standards for complete, unrecoverable data destruction.
* Remove residual data from free space without affecting existing files, offering both fast and DoD-certified deep cleaning options.
* Erase USB drives, partitions, external hard drives, and clean system drives (including the C drive) without the need for bootable media.
* Comply with government-grade security standards to ensure sensitive data is permanently and irreversibly deleted.
01Download and launch the tool on your Windows PC. From the main interface, select the "Drive Wiper" mode.
02Then, choose your preferred erasure level, either "Quick Erase" or "Deep Erase", to continue. Next, select the hard drive you want to wipe and click the "Erase Now" button to start the process.
03When prompted, confirm your choice. Make sure you have backed up any important data beforehand, as this action will erase everything on the drive.
Video Tutorial:
Step 1. First, connect your media device that contains the Windows installation files. This could be a USB drive or a disk. Next, reboot your system. It will prompt you to press any key to boot from the device.
Step 2. The setup will then give you the option to install Windows. Click on "Install Now" to continue. Since this is a reinstall, we'll be starting from scratch.
Step 3. Your system will begin copying files. During this process, your computer will restart several times.
Step 4. After a few minutes, you will be greeted with the welcome screen. Congrats! You've successfully reinstalled Windows.
If you're looking for ways to delete everything but OS, both Windows and Mac provide built-in tools to get the job done quickly. However, if data security is your top priority and you want to ensure files are permanently destroyed, Coolmuster Data Erasure is the best choice. It provides complete peace of mind when you're ready to start over, sell, or donate your computer.
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