Well, at Prime GadgetLab, How to Format a Laptop? we do understand the point when your laptop starts slowing down due to unwanted files or viruses. Formatting may be one perfect solution to refresh your laptop to get it performing optimally again. So, in this guide, let’s go through the step-by-step process of formatting your laptop.
Why Should You Format Your Laptop?
Before going into the process, here are some reasons why you might need to format your laptop:
1. Improves Performance: Over time, your laptop may get slow due to accumulated files and software. The formatting removes unnecessary files from the laptop and reboots the system.
2. Remove Viruses/Malware: Fresh installation removes viruses or malware which even antivirus software won’t be able to clean.
3. Install a Clean Operating System : If your software is behaving erratically or you just want to start anew, a format allows the installation of an OS from scratch.
Having established the why, let’s move into the how.
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Wipe everything off your hard drive, complete laptop format. You will lose everything so backup all your important files including:
- Documents
- Photos and videos
- Installed software-save installation files or product keys if needed
You can store your data externally using an external hard drive or such any service, be it Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.
Step 2: Create a recovery drive ither installation media
You will need an installation media if you are reinstalling your operating system. If so, do the following:
Windows :
1. Go to Microsoft’s website then download the Windows Media Creation Tool.
2. Use the tool to create bootable USB drive or DVD and and click Next.
3. If you want to follow the on-screen instructions, you will be guided by series of installation screens.
MacOS :
1. Proceed to App Store and download the latest version of macOS.
2. You can use the disk utility and create a bootable USB installer for now.
Step 3: Getting into the BIOS/UEFI from which one will boot off of installation media
1. Restart your laptop and press the specific key to enter BIOS/UEFI. Common keys involve F2, F12, DEL, or ESC, depending on the manufacturer.
2. Now, once you enter BIOS, look for the Boot section.
3. Choose the USB drive or DVD as your main booting device.
4. Save and exit the BIOS.
Step 4: Start Formatting Process
When the laptop boots from the installation media:
Windows :
1. Windows will bring you to an installation window. You would be needing to select your language, time, and keyboard.
2. Click “Install Now”.
3. Select Custom (advanced) when prompted to install a fresh copy of Windows.
4. Remove all existing partitions in the partition section. It will erase all of its data before creating a new partition for the installation.
5. Proceed with the installation and windows will complete the rest.
MacOS :
1. Boot using the macOS installer you created.
2. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities panel to delete the data off of the hard drive.
3. Install macOS on the clean drive.
Step 5: Finalize Installation and Configuration
Once formatting is complete, walk through the on-screen instructions to configure the new installed operating system.
1. Create a new user account.
2. Install required drivers, if not installed automatically.
3. Recover your files from backup.
4. Reinstall required software.
Final Tips:
- Ensure you have an efficient internet connection at all times when the process is downloading updates and drivers.
- Your laptop should have all pre-installed software that was given with it, like Microsoft Office and antivirus tools for which you should have product keys so that you might reinstall them if necessary.
Conclusion:
Formatting your laptop can bring life to it, making it better in performance by removing clutter or malware. Don’t forget, however, to take the data backup and prepare the installation media. In case you are not sure at any step and need help, don’t hesitate to reach us at Prime Gadget Lab; we would be more than happy to help you!
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