Should I Wipe My Hard Drive Before Installing Windows 10?

Doing a clean install erases everything on your hard drive—apps, documents, everything. So, we do not recommend continuing until you have backed up any and all of your data. If you bought a copy of Windows 10, you will have a license key in the box or in your email.

Should I wipe my hard drive before reinstalling Windows?

Wiping your hard drive prior to reinstalling Windows 7 is the preferred installation method, and ensures optimal performance. You may perform a clean installation even if you’re reinstalling an upgrade edition of Windows, but in that case you must wipe the drive during the installation process and not before.

Should I format my hard drive before installing Windows 10?

There is no need. The installer automatically formats the drive where you told it to install Windows. The only time you would format before installation is if you want to securely erase a disk by writing zeroes. This is only done before reselling a computer.