Erase all traces of Windows 8

Posted by user1032531 on Super User See other posts from Super User or by user1032531
Published on 2013-06-29T15:34:14Z Indexed on 2013/06/29 16:23 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 427

Filed under:

linux

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windows-8

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uninstall

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reformat

Just bought a new HP pavilion desktop with Windows 8.

I wish to totally remove Windows 8 and all data on the hard drive, remove any windows partitions, delete all data, and then install a fresh Linux.

Problem is I can seem to get to boot from USB or boot from CD.

It appears that Windows 8 added the following two "features":

UEFI which substitutes what we have known as the BIOS
Secure Boot which prevents anything but the installed operating system

How do I completely and totally erase all traces of Windows 8? Is it still possible to reformat the hard drive? I don't want a duel boot, I don't want to go back to Windows 7, I just want anything Windows gone.

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