Remove all data from Windows 8

Question

Hi,

I just a got a second hand Windows 8  HP laptop.

Windows 8 was installed on that device using a CD which I don't have.

All the files and folders (data) of the previous user are still on my device.

I just want to remove this data, including all softwares without affecting the operating system.

I don't want to remove Windows 8 operating system (for I can't reinstall it).

Is there any way to automatically delete only the user data and settings from the laptop without affecting the operating system.

Help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Regards,

Pranav

Answer 1

Hi,

I just a got a second hand Windows 8  HP laptop.

Windows 8 was installed on that device using a CD which I don't have.

All the files and folders (data) of the previous user are still on my device.

I just want to remove this data, including all softwares without affecting the operating system.

I don't want to remove Windows 8 operating system (for I can't reinstall it).

Is there any way to automatically delete only the user data and settings from the laptop without affecting the operating system.

Help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Regards,

Pranav

See here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/

You may also want to use the internal recovery partition to restore to factory settings.

Hi Philip,

The thing is I can only use official Microsoft content. Anyways, this is not solving my problem.

I need to remove the data (files and folders) and all the installed softwares (except pre installed ones) without removing Windows. Windows 8 was not pre installed on the laptop and was downloaded using a cd (which I don't have now). 

Please help

What you want to do is a Windows Reset.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB3cmIXAs_U

• The reset should keep your Microsoft product activation intact however its recommended to use Berlarc Advisor on your old installation to determine your product key "just in case" and will reinstall Windows wiping all your programs and user files.
• The reset requires installation media and its best to use Windows 8.1 with Update 1. I have already given you instructions on how to download and create this using the Microsoft Windows 8.1 Media Creation Tool. As your system is older it has a legacy Operating System do not use the GPT partition scheme.

P.S. the guides and tutorial videos I am referring you to are my own and not official Microsoft tutorials. I find Microsoft official documentation to lack hence I made my own.

Answer 2

Hi,

I just a got a second hand Windows 8  HP laptop.

Windows 8 was installed on that device using a CD which I don't have.

All the files and folders (data) of the previous user are still on my device.

I just want to remove this data, including all softwares without affecting the operating system.

I don't want to remove Windows 8 operating system (for I can't reinstall it).

Is there any way to automatically delete only the user data and settings from the laptop without affecting the operating system.

Help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Regards,

Pranav

See here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/

You may also want to use the internal recovery partition to restore to factory settings.

Hi Philip,

The thing is I can only use official Microsoft content. Anyways, this is not solving my problem.

I need to remove the data (files and folders) and all the installed softwares (except pre installed ones) without removing Windows. Windows 8 was not pre installed on the laptop and was downloaded using a cd (which I don't have now). 

Please help

Answer 3

Hi,

I just a got a second hand Windows 8  HP laptop.

Windows 8 was installed on that device using a CD which I don't have.

All the files and folders (data) of the previous user are still on my device.

I just want to remove this data, including all softwares without affecting the operating system.

I don't want to remove Windows 8 operating system (for I can't reinstall it).

Is there any way to automatically delete only the user data and settings from the laptop without affecting the operating system.

Help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Regards,

Pranav

See here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/

You may also want to use the internal recovery partition to restore to factory settings.