Can I format my "C drive" without wiping out my system files? If so How?

All the programs on my C drive is slowing my laptop down. I want to format it, but I am afraid that I will wipe-out my system files.

Can I format my "C drive" without wiping out my system files? If so How?
The use of the term "format" is to wipe out a disk completely, so no you can't format your C:\ and expect your system files to remain intact.





The previous answer is a good start to tweak your pc to gain some speed. I will suggest also to:





1) Run a spyware, malware, and antivirus software


2) Defrag your disk


3) type "msconfig" at the start%26gt;run and check what programs are been activated and running at startup. Disable all crap you have there that is not needed. Make sure you leave your firewall and antivirus intact, but take out programs that you can manually activate when needed.





Last resort would be to format your hd and install the operating system for a clean install. Get Norton Ghost and make an image of your prestine os and keep it for future times. This will save you time when formatting the hd again in the future.
Reply:Have you tried disc clean-up or de-frag?"


go to ALL PROGRAMS


accessories


system tools


disc clean-up or disc defragmenter


Will help
Reply:nope, its impossible... when you say format it would automatically remove all the files in your drive!





you can try to remove unnecessay programs and documents in your drive in the add/remove programs and then go defragment your drive in START%26gt;ACCESSORIES%26gt;SYSTEM TOOLS%26gt;DEFRAGMENT...





hope this helps you...