Can Windows delete it's own partition?

I bought a new laptop which after some difficulties I'm returning. I questioned the tech support about wiping the drive to remove my personal info. He responded that "the the best way to remove you data is to delete the partition."I just installed my software on the new machine and began working. I assume windows and the data are on the same partition?

I've created/removed partitions in the past but I seem to remember using and program running on a USB drive. I've also done it more recently from within windows, but that was using Windows to partition a second installed drive. Can Windows remove it's own partition?

CalypsoArt said:

Can Windows remove it's own partition?

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No.

BUT.... you can create Windows 11 install media on a USB stick, and use that to delete the Windows partition.

And usually Disk Management can't delete some of the smaller partitions.

CalypsoArt said:

Can Windows remove it's own partition?

Click to expand...

Not exactly. They were probably referencing the reset option found under Settings > system > recovery > reset this pc, and choose to remove everything.

This will remove your data and reinstall windows. It has an option to prompt if your selling this pc or recycling it, which you can choose which will do more passes to ensure your data is not recoverable.

See this tutorial for more information:

andrew129260 said:

Not exactly. They were probably referencing the reset option found under Settings > system > recovery > reset this pc, and choose to remove everything.

This will remove your data and reinstall windows. It has an option to prompt if your selling this pc or recycling it, which you can choose which will do more passes to ensure your data is not recoverable.

See this tutorial for more information:

Reset Windows 11 PC Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to reset Windows 11 and Remove everything or Keep my files. You can reset Windows 11 when your PC isn’t working well and it’s been a while since you installed an app, driver, or update. Resetting reinstalls Windows 11, but lets you choose whether to keep your...

www.elevenforum.com

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Definitely the easier option. For the super paranoid there is also the use USB boot to completely wipe the partition, ones or zeroes. A bit much I guess unless you're working for the CIA.

CalypsoArt said:

He responded that "the the best way to remove you data is to delete the partition."

Click to expand...

To be honest, that sounds like a trap. What’s to stop them from getting it back and blaming you for damage as a result of wiping the drive. Is there not a factory reset partition?
What’s the laptop make/model?

The tutorial Andrew posted will do it. Don’t delete anything.

Ghot said:

Secret Agent Man

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A freakin classic!

Got this answer from the laptop manufacturer tech-support in response to my question.

"Yes. When the partitions are deleted in a drive, all the files including the OS are wiped.
It is fine to return this computer with no OS installed."

What is the easiest way to do this?

CalypsoArt said:

Got this answer from the laptop manufacturer tech-support in response to my question.

"Yes. When the partitions are deleted in a drive, all the files including the OS are wiped.
It is fine to return this computer with no OS installed."

What is the easiest way to do this?

Click to expand...

You can also just use DBAN... this is probably the easiest way.
Depending on drive size... it could take a while.
So start it when you're about to go to sleep.

CalypsoArt said:

Got this answer from the laptop manufacturer tech-support in response to my question.

"Yes. When the partitions are deleted in a drive, all the files including the OS are wiped.
It is fine to return this computer with no OS installed."

What is the easiest way to do this?

Click to expand...

Just do what I suggested in post 4

andrew129260 said:

Just do what I suggested in post 4

Can Windows delete it's own partition?

I bought a new laptop which after some difficulties I'm returning. I questioned the tech support about wiping the drive to remove my personal info. He responded that "the the best way to remove you data is to delete the partition."I just installed my software on the new machine and began...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

True, the USB options are more for extreme secret agent cases.