When you perform a "clean install" of an operating system (whether it is Windows, macOS, or Linux), it effectively erases everything on the target drive. This includes your personal files, installed applications, user settings, and drivers.
Technically, yes—but it is difficult, expensive, and not guaranteed.
Report: Does a Clean Install Erase Everything? A is the process of removing the existing operating system and user data from a computer's hard drive and replacing it with a fresh, "out-of-the-box" version of the OS. The Direct Answer: What Is Erased? does a clean install erase everything
All your custom Windows settings, saved Wi-Fi passwords, and registry entries are wiped.
: Customizations, registry keys, and saved passwords. Drivers : Old or manufacturer-preinstalled drivers. When you perform a "clean install" of an
: All installed software, from web browsers to professional tools like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud.
When the process asks, "Where do you want to install Windows?" (or macOS), selecting the primary drive and clicking "Format" or "Delete" removes the map your computer uses to find data. Once that map is gone, the computer treats the drive as a blank slate. Report: Does a Clean Install Erase Everything
Once the process begins, recovery of erased files is very difficult and often impossible without specialized tools.
If you proceed with a clean install, the following will be permanently deleted:
There is a critical distinction regarding the you are installing onto.