Reformatting Hard Drives

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jenniferatemple

jenniferatemple

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Oct 2, 2013
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Just wondering: If the shadow copies and back up files on PCs also back up all the millions of bit & bytes that are trash OR do they save only the basic clean files. I have never gotten a straight answer to this one. If it really saves every scrap, what would be the point of formatting from time to time?

I was told the hard drive should be formatted at least once a year, so I've been a good house keeper and done it BUT I have never been sure as to why?
 
I just like to think I am cleaning out all the old bits & bytes of trash. I read, ages ago, now: formatting the PC once a year keeps it in the best running condition. I was just wondering if there is truth to this and if its worth the trouble.

I am preparing to do my annual cleaning, that's why I ask. It may be a waste of time. After all, its not rocket science but it is a royal pain in the butt.
 
If you want to make sure everything is gone, your best option is to perform a zerofill. There's lots of tools to do this, but if you go to the manufacturer of your hard drives site they should have a tool specifically for you drive. Performing a zero fill is much, much better than just a regular format.
 
I am clearly not asking my question correctly. When a hard drive has been fully, (not quick) formatted. Then one proceeds to replace the programs & files with a "system image" / "shadow copy". These "copies, have they also copied all the bits of trash that build up over time. (My PC is a 2007 model)
I figure with all the installs and removals that have been through it there is a lot of mini crap left behind. That's what I'm wanting to clean. BUT if the copy saves all that as well as the main / in tack files, it would be an exercise in futility.

I guess what I am really asking is what does the shadow copy, copy.
 
When I reformatted my computer back to factory settings, I went through all the Windows updates and installed the programs I wanted. Then I used Windows to create a backup and a system image so that if I ran into an issue I could restore an image that was fresh but still had the basic updates/programs.

This was stored on my external hard drive. As long as I do not update my system image or allow Windows to perform automatic backups to my system image, it will remain as fresh and unchanged as the day I created it. So, if you are going to restore a system image that has not been updated periodically throughout the year, I don't see any possible way for the "debris" that has built up to accompany your untouched system image.

Is this what you are asking?
 
If this system image was made before you installed anything and before you gathered junk, then no it won't save all the junk. However if you created a system image recently it will be an image of everything on that system, junk and all.
 
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