If you format a pc, does it make it purely clean?

[Mttewndew]

If we are talking about viruses, then formatting the computer will be more than enough.

[peter0425]

If we are talking about viruses, then formatting the computer will be more than enough.

I don't think that is enough read this post

Not really. Formatting a hard drive doesn't actually erase the data from it, but only frees up space for new data by erasing the address tables. Formatting is not the same as wiping.
A computer specialist can recover most data from a formatted disk relatively easily.

This is best answer for OP's question because there are computer experts that can make use of hard drive even if it is formatted already.

[Naida_BR]

Does it? I'm not expert with the viruses...

I am not an expert as well.
After formatting your computer it comes in the state when you bought it at the beginning. The key not to make it lagging again is installing the correct drivers after format in order to make it functioning good.

[Vod]

Twenty years ago I went to a seminar on a new "phone home" laptop software that could not be erased with a standard format.  I would assume formatting your hard drive will not erase everything.

What you need to do is a "low level" format.  Usually done by the disk manufacturer, it sets up the sectors and blocks, etc.   This is what you need to do if you are worried about a persistent issue. 

If you want to erase sensitive data, the best way is to write the drive with random 1s and 0s many times.  Formatting does nothing but erase the index.

https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager-software/low-level-format-tool.html

[Mauser]

Its the best way to get rid of viruses, im pretty sure it would completely clean them aslong as you delete any infected files with it. You also should run a virus scan after you wipe it just to make sure.

I would recommend anybody to make a backup of their PCs at least a few times per year. USB drives are so cheap at the moment that anybody can afford them. It makes it so much easier to setup your PC again with a backup. So in case of a virus you can just format and  reinstall.

[jrrsparkles]

Its the best way to get rid of viruses, im pretty sure it would completely clean them aslong as you delete any infected files with it. You also should run a virus scan after you wipe it just to make sure.

I would recommend anybody to make a backup of their PCs at least a few times per year. USB drives are so cheap at the moment that anybody can afford them. It makes it so much easier to setup your PC again with a backup. So in case of a virus you can just format and  reinstall.

Backup a PC with USB drives?

You need the hard drives which needs to have enough space for storing all the details available or you want to backup and normally it will be in huge size files.

[FatFork]

Backup a PC with USB drives?

You need the hard drives which needs to have enough space for storing all the details available or you want to backup and normally it will be in huge size files.

'USB drives' is a vague term. It can refer to USB flash drives (memory sticks) but can also mean USB disk drives (conventional or SSD). Although, nowadays, there are USB flash drives of relatively large capacity (even 1TB) so I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible to use such devices to back up data from a home computer.

What I recommend is to always use devices from reputable manufacturers for such backup storage purposes. Important data is often lost due to the use of poor quality storage media.

[jrrsparkles]

Backup a PC with USB drives?

You need the hard drives which needs to have enough space for storing all the details available or you want to backup and normally it will be in huge size files.

'USB drives' is a vague term. It can refer to USB flash drives (memory sticks) but can also mean USB disk drives (conventional or SSD). Although, nowadays, there are USB flash drives of relatively large capacity (even 1TB) so I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible to use such devices to back up data from a home computer.

What I recommend is to always use devices from reputable manufacturers for such backup storage purposes. Important data is often lost due to the use of poor quality storage media.

I thought he is talking about the USB memory sticks because the word "Cheap" has been used.If it is about mechanical hard drive or SSD drives then surely it is possible and easier to wipe and reinstall the operating system.

[seoincorporation]

Does it? I'm not expert with the viruses...

It depends... if you format your PC and install cracked windows from any torrent source, then you will not be clean at all, those versions of windows always come with viruses and worms... The most effective way to say goodbye to the virus is by formating to install Linux.

I know some people to format their PC to clean them for malware and after installing Linux they go again to torrent services to get free software... i think this is the biggest mistake we can do but is a common practice nowadays.