Many users must evaluate whether or not they should format their computer. Formatting is not always necessary. Basically, formatting a computer is actually formatting an HD (hard drive) because every file that exists on the computer is actually present on the hard drive.
New computers are sold with a pre-formatted hard drive. Any information is added by the manufacturer or the user. We can say that formatting is the procedure to prepare the hard drive for use and removes all the content that was stored on it. Formatting prepares the HD to record new information and this mainly implies an empty file system for new data to be recorded later.
Formatting a hard drive/computer can be done easily by a user who knows simple DOS commands or anyone who has an operating system disk. However, it involves deleting all the data that is present on the computer and will leave it empty, which means that every file, software and applications that were previously installed will be removed and the storage system will be built anew.
Therefore, it is important to have a good reason before opting for formatting, which is why we have selected six reasons to format a computer.
1. The Computer Won't Start
In case the system won't start due to registry errors or black screen, instead of trying to repair, sometimes it's easier to format. You should always try the repair option first, but repair is more technical and you may not be able to do it yourself. The Windows registry is a very important component of the computer, it contains all configuration options and operating system settings. The registry also includes definitions for low-level components and also the applications that are running on that platform.
Your computer may not start due to virus attacks or other configuration changes, the system does not boot because the operating system cannot be loaded. In these circumstances, the computer restarts when opening the Windows screen or even refuses to go any further than the DOS screen (black screen). Formatting your hard drive or computer is the only way to make it work.
First of all, you need to analyze whether there are important files on your computer and whether they should be saved. You may need the help of a computer technician to back up your files since your computer won't boot.
Formatting the system removes all files and errors and restores the computer to a blank state. It is almost always followed by the installation of the operating system, which means the user would be able to use a clean and fast system.
It may sound like a scratched record when we say that formatting removes all files, however, many people go ahead and format, and then complain about missing files.
2. The Hard Drive is Full
When the hard drive is filled with a lot of files, after several months or even a few years of working on the same computer, the user may find that the hard drive has no space to add more files. This mainly happens to individuals who are not aware that preventative computer maintenance exists.
Although manual searching is the best option to see all the data and delete those that are not wanted, people still prefer formatting because:
- It's the easiest way to erase all unwanted data and saves you a lot of time.
- Formatting will delete files you didn't even know existed.
- Sometimes your computer may be full of temporary files that are difficult to locate and delete. In this case, formatting the computer may be the easiest route to a usable system.
Before formatting clean your computer and make sure to back up the files you need.
3. Many Errors
If there are a lot of errors and virus problems in the system, this can be considered the main reason for any user to think about formatting their computer. Viruses mostly come from files that are corrupted and can be transferred, attacking risky locations. Downloading files over the internet, using pen drives that have not been checked for viruses or connecting to a public network can all get you in trouble.
These viruses corrupt data and make it difficult for the user to open files or use the system correctly. They also reduce system efficiency because they can use a lot of CPU, which could slow down other applications.
Sometimes it's easier to format your computer then try to find a solution. Correcting an error can take an entire day, and formatting takes just over an hour.
4. To Update your System
Updating your operating system is a great reason to format your computer. You may want to purchase an upgrade version for your Windows operating system, or perhaps purchase a complete, new and improved operating system, such as the latest Windows 10.
It's amazing what computers can do nowadays, however, if you want to keep up to date, you may have to format your computer. It's much better to start with a completely clean computer, with nothing on your hard drive, when you start using the new operating system.
5. Your Computer is Slow
If your system is slow, there may not be any errors being shown, but you feel like your computer is freezing. Hopefully you don't have a hardware problem and formatting can definitely help speed up your computer. In the past, formatting was performed many times as it was the only way to keep your computer running efficiently. These days there is less need for this, as the Windows operating system has improved and can repair many errors automatically.
6. You will sell your computer
Note that this section only applies to computers with mechanical hard drives running Windows 7 or earlier versions of Windows. If you are selling yourself a computer with Windows 7 or any higher version that has a solid disk drive (SSD), you can ignore this reason.
If your notebook or desktop has a traditional magnetic hard drive, it is possible to recover data from the hard drive even after formatting and reinstalling the operating system. This is because reinstalling the operating system will not erase all sectors on the disk.
If you would like to erase all sectors on the disk, you will have to use a tool like DBAN before reinstalling Windows on your computer. Keep in mind that this tool wipes your entire drive and will erase any manufacturer recovery partitions found on it.
Concluding
If formatting is done because of a computer problem or just to update the system, it is important to back up all important data on the computer, otherwise the files will be lost. Taking a backup is very easy and modern operating systems ask users to take a backup even when the computer has just been purchased as it saves time in case of emergencies.
