Formatting your laptop or desktop can give it a fresh start, remove malware, or prepare it for a new operating system. Using a USB pendrive is one of the most efficient ways to do this. Follow these steps to format your device successfully.
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Before you start, make sure to back up any important data. Formatting will erase everything on your hard drive.
External Hard Drive: Copy files to an external hard drive.
Cloud Storage: Upload important files to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Pendrive
To format your laptop/desktop, you’ll need a bootable USB pendrive with the operating system of your choice.
For Windows:
Download Windows ISO: Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows Media Creation Tool.
Run the Tool: Follow the instructions to download the Windows ISO file.
Create Bootable USB: Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB pendrive.
Insert the USB pendrive.
Open Rufus and select the USB device.
Choose the downloaded Windows ISO file.
Click “Start” to create the bootable USB.
For macOS:
Download macOS Installer: Download the macOS installer from the App Store.
Create Bootable USB:
Insert the USB pendrive.
Open Terminal and type the following command: shell Copy code sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Your_Version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume
Replace [Your_Version] with the name of the downloaded macOS version and MyVolume with the name of your USB pendrive.
Press Enter and provide your password when prompted.
Step 3: Boot from the USB Pendrive
Insert the USB Pendrive: Connect the bootable USB to your laptop/desktop.
Restart Your Computer: While it’s restarting, access the boot menu. This typically involves pressing a key like F2, F12, ESC, or DEL during startup (the specific key depends on your computer’s manufacturer).
Select USB Drive: From the boot menu, select your USB drive to boot from it.
Step 4: Install the Operating System
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system from the bootable USB pendrive.
For Windows:
Select Language and Preferences: Choose your language, time, and keyboard preferences.
Install Now: Click “Install Now” and enter your product key if prompted.
Custom Installation: Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” for a clean installation.
Delete Partitions: Delete existing partitions (this will erase all data) and select the unallocated space to install Windows.
Follow Prompts: Continue with the installation by following the prompts.
For macOS:
Disk Utility: Open Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities window.
Erase Disk: Select your startup disk and click “Erase.” Choose the format as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Install macOS: After erasing, close Disk Utility and select “Install macOS.” Follow the instructions to complete the installation.
Step 5: Complete Setup
Once the installation is complete, your computer will restart. Follow the setup prompts to configure your operating system.
Set Up Preferences: Configure your language, keyboard, and other preferences.
Create User Account: Set up a user account and password.
Restore Data: If you backed up data, restore it from your external hard drive or cloud storage.
Conclusion
Formatting your laptop or desktop using a USB pendrive can give it a fresh start and improve performance. By following these steps, you can successfully format your device and install a new operating system. Remember to always back up your data before formatting to prevent data loss. Happy computing!
This guide covers the essential steps needed to format a laptop or desktop using a USB pendrive. Feel free to customize it based on specific needs or preferences.
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