When you perform a clean install using a USB boot drive, you eventually reach a screen asking,
Even though it shouldn't touch other drives, hardware failure or human error can happen. To give you more specific advice, let me know: Are you using Windows or macOS ? Do you have internal or external secondary drives?
No. A standard "Format" during installation usually performs a "Quick Format." It clears the file table (the map of where files are) but leaves the actual data on the disk sectors until it is overwritten later. This means data recovery software can often bring back files even after a clean install, provided new data hasn't been written over them. does clean install wipe all drives exclusive
A "clean install" does automatically wipe all drives; it typically only affects the specific drive or partition you choose during the setup. However, some automated recovery methods, like a "Reset this PC," can be configured to wipe every connected drive. Clean Install vs. Reset
When you are in the Windows Setup environment (the blue screen with the "Next" button), you will reach a screen titled When you perform a clean install using a
If you want to be 100% certain that your secondary drives remain untouched, follow the rule:
Before booting from your USB, physically disconnect the SATA or power cables from your secondary hard drives. If they aren't connected, the installer cannot touch them. A "clean install" does automatically wipe all drives;
You manually choose which drive to format. Other drives are only affected if you deliberately select and format them in the "Custom" installation menu.