Does Reinstalling Windows Wipe All Drives __link__

The table below outlines how common reinstallation methods affect your primary (C:) drive and secondary data drives (D:, E:, etc.). Reddit·r/buildapc

"Reinstalling Windows" never automatically wipes your D: or E: drive unless you manually tell it to during the partition selection screen. does reinstalling windows wipe all drives

The short answer is By default, the process primarily targets the drive where the operating system is installed (usually the C: drive). However, depending on the reinstallation method and options you choose, you can accidentally or intentionally wipe other drives. 1. Windows "Reset this PC" (The Built-In Option) The table below outlines how common reinstallation methods

When booting from a USB drive to perform a fresh installation: However, depending on the reinstallation method and options

During this process, Windows may ask if you want to clean "Only the drive where Windows is installed" or "All drives" . If you select "All drives," any secondary HDDs or SSDs connected to the system will be formatted. 2. "Clean Install" (Using USB/Installation Media)

| Installation Method | Wipes C: Drive? | Wipes D:/E: Drives? | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | ❌ No | ❌ No | | Reset PC (Remove everything) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (unless "Clean drives" is checked) | | Clean Install (Select C: only) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | Clean Install (Delete all partitions) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | | Upgrade Install | ❌ No | ❌ No |