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Removing Data from an HDD

Tanix
By Tanix
in Storage Devices
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I have a HDD with all of my files on it (OS, Games, etc.) and I just got an SSD.

I would like to put my OS and some other files onto the SSD. I know I need to reinstall Windows (My 8.1 is OEM so I don't even think it will work) onto the SSD, but what about the data on the HDD?

Removing all data then reinstalling/downloading programs is not a big issue for me; but everywhere I look, people are showing how to erase a drive for good as if you were selling it.

All of the methods that people talk about seem pretty hard core and I don't know much about the life span of a drive after you clear its data, I only have 320GB taken up on the HDD anyway.

I don't need to write 0s over all the data, because I plan on keeping the drive. I just need the drive to act empty.

 

Thank you for reading.

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Do a quick format on it.

"It pays to keep an open mind, but not so open your brain falls out." - Carl Sagan.

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you" - Edward I. Koch

"I didn't die! I performed a tactical reset!" - Apollolol

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Format the drive when you've installed your OS on the SSD. You can do so by right clicking the HDD and choose "format". 

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Just quick format it, do it twice if you really want to get rid of the data.

It really shouldn't take you longer than ~7 minutes (granted you have the equipment)

"We're all in this together, might as well be friends" Tom, Toonami.

 

mini eLiXiVy: my open source 65% mechanical PCB, a build log, PCB anatomy and discussing open source licenses: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1366493-elixivy-a-65-mechanical-keyboard-build-log-pcb-anatomy-and-how-i-open-sourced-this-project/

 

mini_cardboard: a 4% keyboard build log and how keyboards work: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1328547-mini_cardboard-a-4-keyboard-build-log-and-how-keyboards-work/

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Just quick format it, do it twice if you really want to get rid of the data.

It really shouldn't take you longer than ~7 minutes (granted you have the equipment)

Quick format doesn't delete any physical data AFAIK. It only removes data from the file table.

"It pays to keep an open mind, but not so open your brain falls out." - Carl Sagan.

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you" - Edward I. Koch

"I didn't die! I performed a tactical reset!" - Apollolol

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Quick format doesn't delete any physical data AFAIK. It only removes data from the file table.

Yeah I know, it basically says to Windows or whatever like "This data place empty".

Quick format is as empty as it gets for a regular user.

"We're all in this together, might as well be friends" Tom, Toonami.

 

mini eLiXiVy: my open source 65% mechanical PCB, a build log, PCB anatomy and discussing open source licenses: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1366493-elixivy-a-65-mechanical-keyboard-build-log-pcb-anatomy-and-how-i-open-sourced-this-project/

 

mini_cardboard: a 4% keyboard build log and how keyboards work: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1328547-mini_cardboard-a-4-keyboard-build-log-and-how-keyboards-work/

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