When you delete a file on Windows 7, the operating system only removes the reference to that file—like tearing a name out of a library’s card catalog. The actual book (your data) stays on the shelf until something new overwrites it.
When finished, the drive is completely blank – no OS, no partitions, no recoverable data. The PC will show “Operating system not found.”
As the installation wizard guided him through the process, John came across the option to format his hard drive. He selected the option to delete all files and partitions on the drive. The computer warned him that this would erase all data on the drive, but John was resolute.
Windows 7 Wipe Hard Drive Site
When you delete a file on Windows 7, the operating system only removes the reference to that file—like tearing a name out of a library’s card catalog. The actual book (your data) stays on the shelf until something new overwrites it.
When finished, the drive is completely blank – no OS, no partitions, no recoverable data. The PC will show “Operating system not found.”
As the installation wizard guided him through the process, John came across the option to format his hard drive. He selected the option to delete all files and partitions on the drive. The computer warned him that this would erase all data on the drive, but John was resolute.