New Install - Delete partition or Format partition?
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Thread: New Install - Delete partition or Format partition?

  1. #1
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    New Install - Delete partition or Format partition?

    I am taking off Vista and putting on Win 7. In the install set it asks to delete the partitions which I want to do because I want to erase everything. I have three partitions. Should I format the partition that I am installing on afterwards or will deleting it do the formatting? After I delete and it creates a small partition then it starts installing files. I am thinking that I should format the partition that Windows should be on first. Is this a step that I don't need to do?
    Note: My questions may be to help others
    Thanks, JB

  2. #2
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    Basics:

    1) Delete all partitions
    2) Create one partition (can be smaller than the entire drive if you wish)
    3) Format the new partition
    4) Install Windows on the new, formatted partition

  3. #3
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    I just Googled it and it said that a format is not necessary because the DVD will do it. It will not install on a unformatted HD so it will take care of the formatting. Just Delete the partition and hit Next. Thanks for your info.
    Note: My questions may be to help others
    Thanks, JB

  4. #4
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    Now matter how it's done, a partition must still be created and formatted before Windows can be installed. It's been that way for decades.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by SpywareDr View Post
    Now matter how it's done, a partition must still be created and formatted before Windows can be installed. It's been that way for decades.
    Apparently the CD does a quick format then installs files is my understanding. I mean I just did it three times in the last two days. I did not format, I just delete all partitions and then hit Next and I got Windows running. I did not click on format.
    Note: My questions may be to help others
    Thanks, JB

  6. #6
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    The Windows installation routine is smart enough to automatically partition and format when necessary ... and it has been for many years.

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