How do I reformat a computer I can't access?

[Entrepreneur]

I have a computer from a company that closed.  Problem is that it still has the original user login and I would like to just format the hard drive and start from scratch.  It is a Windows 7 machine.  Can it be done or do I need to  log in to do anything?

Thank you

[lubaby]

Ctrl+F11
Should bring you to the built in PC restore feature.

[real-brisker]

Log in via safe mode, and see if there is an unlocked admin account.

[notanonymous]

1.  There is a thread already.
2.  Lubaby has a good suggestion, although it is manufacturer specific.
3.  Brisker has.a good suggestion, although not such a good possibility.
4.  Do you have any windows install disks?
5.  You can reset the pw with numerous softwares, and not much experience.
5.  Take out the hard drive, and put it in an enclosure.

No matter how you access the hd, if your goal is to reinstall Windows, without the disk, you can't (again, unlesa like lubaby said your model came with a restore partition).

[Entrepreneur]

1.  There is a thread already.
2.  Lubaby has a good suggestion, although it is manufacturer specific.
3.  Brisker has.a good suggestion, although not such a good possibility.
4.  Do you have any windows install disks?
5.  You can reset the pw with numerous softwares, and not much experience.
5.  Take out the hard drive, and put it in an enclosure.

No matter how you access the hd, if your goal is to reinstall Windows, without the disk, you can't (again, unlesa like lubaby said your model came with a restore partition).

I don't necessarily want to reinstall windows.  I just want to clear out all the programs (unless that can only be done by reinstalling windows)

[lubaby]

I don't necessarily want to reinstall windows.  I just want to clear out all the programs (unless that can only be done by reinstalling windows)

Just re-install windows. It's the simplest way to ensure the computer is in Like New condition, software/document related.
The only caveat for some is that it completely wipes everything (which is really a good thing for what the partition was meant as).

If you have that option available, just use that and be done with it.
The process should take less then 2 hours and you'll have a freshly cleaned computer.

[dudi]

Log in via safe mode, and see if there is an unlocked admin account.

that option doesn't work in windows 7

[notanonymous]

that option doesn't work in windows 7

Not entirely true.  By default the admin is disabled.  But if someone were to enable it and make a blank password it is possible.  Still, you are basically correct.  Which is why I said that it was unlikey it would work.

[notanonymous]

I don't necessarily want to reinstall windows.  I just want to clear out all the programs (unless that can only be done by reinstalling windows)

Like lubaby said, the best thing is a reinstall.  Do you have the software?  If not, you need to determine if you have a reinstall partition.

What model is the computer?

[dudi]

Not entirely true.  By default the admin is disabled.  But if someone were to enable it and make a blank password it is possible.  Still, you are basically correct.  Which is why I said that it was unlikey it would work.

true that but in my experience I have never seen such a case.
Have you?

[notanonymous]

true that but in my experience I have never seen such a case.
Have you?

Yes, but you can't compare.  I used to be in IT and came across many computers.

But again, your main point is accurate.

[yos9694]

Go to the DOS prompt (before loading windows) and type format c: then install an OS

[AnonymousUser]

Go to the DOS prompt (before loading windows) and type format c: then install an OS

No matter how you access the hd, if your goal is to reinstall Windows, without the disk, you can't (again, unlesa like lubaby said your model came with a restore partition).