Format my windows vista laptop

Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Related Articles. Backup all the files you want to keep. Formatting you computer will get rid of everything and reinstall Windows. You will lose anything you don't back up. You can also backup your files using cloud storage, like Dropbox , or Google Drive.

It's the last option that has an icon that has two arrows that form a circle. Click Recovery. It's next to the icon that resembles an arrow drawing a clock in the left column.

Click Get Started. It's below the option that says "Reset this PC". Click Remove Everything. This will remove all files, uninstall all apps, and reinstall Windows. If you click "Keep my files", it will uninstall all apps, and reinstall Windows, but it will keep your files and documents. This is helpful if you want to keep your files, but it may not fix all your computer problems.

If you are giving your computer to someone else, it is recommended that you remove everything. Click Remove files and clean the drive. This will remove all apps and files from your computer. This is recommended if you are giving your computer to someone else.

How to format a hard drive using Windows Vista? There is a number of steps in formatting a hard drive. You first need to prepare your computer for formatting and save all your files that you would like to keep. Then you need to delete your hard drive and then format it.

Have trouble following my instructions, then simply follow the video tutorial at the bottom of this page. The first step in this how to format a hard drive tutorial is to prepare your hard drive for formation.

Remember everything you have on this hard drive will be lost. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Author Info Last Updated: September 16, Method 1. Select the radio button next to the restore point for which you want your computer restored.

You can either choose the restore point recommended by Windows, or choose a different restore point. Method 2. Click on the Start menu, then click on the arrow next to the Lock icon. Click on the name of the operating system you want repaired.

Select the restoration point to which you want your computer restored. Method 3. Power on your Windows Vista computer. Press the F8 key repeatedly as your computer boots up. The Advanced Boot Options menu will display on-screen. If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not display, restart your computer and continue to press F8 repeatedly before the Windows logo displays on-screen. Select your username from the dropdown menu and type your Windows Vista password.

Choose the restoration point to which you want the state of your computer restored. Method 4. Insert your Windows Vista Installation disc into the disc drive of your computer.