[Step-by-Step Guide] How to Safely Reset Only the C Drive in Windows 10

The primary partition of Windows is the C Drive. So, how can one reset only the C drive in Windows 10?

There was a time when having a floppy disk drive was considered a premium feature on computers. It would typically occupy the A or B drive letter on your system. As a result, the primary partition for installing Windows became known as the C drive.

Since then, the C drive has been the primary partition for Windows installations on millions of computers. However, occasionally, it can encounter some issues.

In this article, we will delve into the necessity of resetting only the C Drive. We will also examine whether resetting the C drive is secure and what precautions you should take prior to performing the action. Let's discover how to reset only the C Drive in Windows 10 or other Microsoft operating systems.

Why Do You Need to Reset the C Drive in Windows 10?

There are instances when Windows 10 or any Windows-based computer encounters numerous issues. These could range from productivity setbacks to gaming-related problems. The main objective of resetting the C Drive is to enhance performance. However, there are various reasons why one might consider resetting their C Drive in Windows 10, which include:

• Unable to install specific software or game.
• Poor performance, stuttering, or slow operation of a game or software.
• The computer has slowed down due to limited storage.
• Computer is slowed down due to insufficient space on the C Drive.
• Intention to free up space to install more programs.
• Resetting Windows settings to resolve underlying issues.
• Improving computer performance without losing settings or data.

Some users might wish to reset only the C Drive in Windows 10. However, it's crucial to comprehend that when you reset your C Drive, your computer is likely to experience certain losses, including:

1. Loss of third-party software, games, or any utilities.
2. Resetting settings or configurations.
3. Lost device drivers and their associated software.
4. Loss of other software-related data.

The only way you might be able to save your information and data is by making a backup.

Preparing for Resetting the C Drive on a Windows PC

Before proceeding to wipe your C Drive of all data, there are a few crucial preparatory steps you should take. Since wiping and resetting your C Drive will erase all vital data, it's essential to create a backup of your C Drive first.

In such cases, it's advisable to create a backup of your C drive before resetting it. For this purpose, you can utilize professional backup software to back up the C drive on your Windows 10 computer. One such reliable tool is Todo Backup, a fantastic disk cloning software available in the market, that can assist you in this process.

Todo Backup Home is an all-encompassing backup software for Windows 11/10/8/7. It enables you to back up your system, disks, partitions, and more. Furthermore, it supports creating automated backups, scheduled backups, and various other backup types. Additionally, it allows you to clone the C drive to an SSD in Windows 10 and store your files on the Cloud, with the added benefit of 250GB of free cloud storage.

You can follow the steps below to perform a disk backup:

Step 1. Begin by selecting the backup content.

Step 2. There are four backup categories: File, Disk, OS, and Mail. Click on Disk.

Step 3. You can choose to back up the entire disk or a specific partition. Select what you need and click OK.

Step 4. Choose the location where you want to save the backup.

Step 5. For disk/partition backup, you can choose to save the backup to a local drive or to a NAS.

Step 6. Once the backup process is finished, your task will be displayed on the left. Right-click on any task to manage your backup, such as recovering it, creating an incremental backup, and more.

#3: Two Methods to Wipe the C Drive on a Windows 10 Computer

In this section, we'll outline two of the most feasible methods to reset your C Drive only. As a reminder, ensure you create a backup beforehand, as these steps will completely erase all your data and any other content on the C Drive.

So, let's get started and discuss the two methods to wipe the C Drive on Windows 10:

Translate into English

Solution 1: Resetting C Drive by Resetting This PC in Windows 10 If you're looking to reset the C drive on your Windows 10 computer, one method is to use the built-in "Reset this PC" feature. Here's how to do it: 1. **Open Settings**: Click on the Start menu, and then select the gear icon to open the Settings app. 2. **Go to Update & Security**: In the Settings window, navigate to the "Update & Security" option. 3. **Choose Recovery**: On the left side of the Update & Security window, click on the "Recovery" tab. 4. **Click on "Get started" under Reset this PC**: You'll see an option titled "Reset this PC." Under that, click on the "Get started" button. 5. **Select your reset option**: You will be presented with two options: - **Keep my files**: This option will remove apps, settings, and updates but keep your personal files. It might be a good choice if you want to start fresh without losing your documents, photos, and music. - **Remove everything**: This option erases everything on your C drive, including personal files, apps, and settings. It's like performing a clean installation, so make sure you have backups before proceeding. 6. **Follow the on-screen instructions**: Choose the option that suits your needs, and then follow the prompts to proceed with the reset process. The system will warn you about the consequences and ask for confirmation. 7. **Wait for the process to complete**: Resetting your PC can take some time, depending on the amount of data and the speed of your computer. Be patient and don't interrupt the process. 8. **Reinstall apps and restore data**: Once the reset is finished, your C drive will be clean, and you can start reinstalling your apps and restoring your backed-up files. Remember that resetting your PC will affect all drives, not just the C drive. If you have important data on other drives, make sure to back it up before proceeding.

The first method is to utilize the built-in reset system in your Windows 10 PC. This is one of the most reliable ways to reset Windows 10, and it will only remove configurations and third-party tools once the process is complete. Here's how you can access it:

· Go to System Settings.

· 进入恢复模式。

· Locate and click on the "Reset this PC" option.

· This will open the Troubleshoot options.

· From there, click on the Reset this PC option once again.

· In the next option, click "Only the drive where Windows is installed."

· In the next option, click on "Just remove my files."

Or you can choose Fully clean the drive.

· Choose the option that suits you best.

· Wait for it to finish.

· Completed.

Your PC will restart one or两次 during this process. It's crucial to understand that selecting the first option will only remove your files. However, choosing the second option will reinstall the entire Windows system and fully reset the C Drive.

Solution 2: Wiping the Only C Drive via Diskpart

This section will guide you on how to wipe the C drive using Diskpart. Please note that this process will erase all data on your C Drive. Hence, it is crucial to have a bootable USB ready and to backup your essential files prior to proceeding.

Here's what you'll do: You will

· Restart your computer.

· Press F8 on your keyboard when the Windows logo appears.

· Head into the Advanced Options and click on Command Prompt. · Go to the Advanced Options and select Command Prompt. · Access the Advanced Options and choose Command Prompt from the list. · Navigate to the Advanced Options and open Command Prompt. · In the Advanced Options,发起点击 on Command Prompt for further actions.

· Type Diskpart and press enter in the command prompt.

· Type List disk and press Enter again.

· Type Disk 2 and press Enter (make sure to replace the number 2 with the drive letter of your C drive).

· Type "Clean all" and press enter.

· Wait for it to finish.

· Completed.

Once again, it's crucial to bear in mind that "Disk 6" refers to the number of drives where the C Drive is located. Hence, you must ensure that you are only cleaning up the drive with the C label and not any others.

A more advisable approach would be to disconnect all other SATA or Hard Disk Drives from your computer before proceeding with this process. It's crucial to keep in mind that this action will erase everything. Hence, ensure you create a backup of your data before proceeding with this method.

Final Thoughts

Here's how you do it, folks. These two primary methods can assist you in wiping only your C Drive and erasing all data. It's crucial to comprehend that proceeding with this operation will delete everything on your C Drive.

Hence, it's crucial to use a tool like Todo Backup to create a C drive backup before moving forward. Additionally, having a bootable USB ready to install a new Windows post the Diskpart method is equally important.

Therefore, ensure that you follow each step carefully and wipe only the C Drive on your Windows 10 PC.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1: Can I reset only the C drive?

Yes, you can. In this article, we discussed two methods that enable you to reset only the C Drive. However, it's crucial to choose the correct option when resetting your PC to ensure that only Windows is reset without losing any data on your C Drive.

2: Does resetting the PC remove partitions? Resetting a PC typically involves restoring it to its original factory state, which can involve removing partitions. When you reset, the operating system is erased and reinstalled, and this process may delete any additional partitions that were created after the initial setup. However, it depends on the specific reset options chosen during the process. If you select a "full" or "clean" reset, it's likely that all partitions will be removed. On the other hand, a "quick" reset might preserve the default partitions while removing user data and settings. It's always advisable to back up important data before resetting your PC.

No, it doesn't. Unless you're using Diskpart to reset, you only remove or wipe the data from your C Drive.

3: Does Windows 11 reset erase all drives?

No, it only erases the C Drive. Following the methods outlined in this article, a Windows 11 user can selectively wipe their C Drive only. However, if the Diskpart method is not executed cautiously, users might inadvertently delete all their drives. Therefore, it is crucial to precisely reset only the C drive partition using the Diskpart utility.

4: Why is my C drive full but I have no files?

It could be a virus or another underlying error. Another issue could be a large hidden file. Either way, wiping your C Drive using the methods outlined in this article can assist you in resolving this issue.