How To Clean Install Windows 7.docx

8/9/2019 How To Clean Install Windows 7.docx

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How To Clean Install Windows 7 (Part 1 of 3)

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Plan Your Windows 7 Clean Install

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step 1 of 34

A Windows 7 clean install simply means an installation of Windows 7 on an unused partition on your hard dri e! Inmost cases" thou#h" a clean install of Windows 7 means to remo e an e$istin# operatin# system %Windows &P" 'inu$"Windows 7!!! doesn(t matter) and to replace it with a fresh installation of Windows 7!

After serious Windows 7 pro*lems or durin# a new Windows 7 installation with an older operatin# system installedthat you(d li+e to replace" it(s *est to wipe your primary hard dri e partition clean and install Windows 7 from scratch- a procedure referred to as a ,clean install, or sometimes as a ,custom install,!

his #uide is *ro+en into 3 parts for a total of 34 steps and will wal+ you throu#h e ery part of the Windows 7 cleaninstall process!

Backup & ocate !our Product "e#

he most important thin# to reali.e *efore performin# a clean install of Windows 7 is that all of the information on thedri e that your current operatin# system is installed on %pro*a*ly your C/ dri e) will *e destroyed durin# this process!

hat means that if there(s anythin# you want to +eep you should *ac+ it up to a disc or another dri e prior to*e#innin# this process!

You should also locate the Windows 7 product +ey " a 0 -di#it alphanumeric code uni2ue to your copy of Windows 7! If you can(t locate it" there is a fairly easy way to find the Windows 7 product +ey code from your e$istin# Windows 7installation" *ut this must *e done before you reinstall Windows 7!

$ote% If Windows ori#inally came preinstalled on your computer %i!e! you did not install it yourself)" your product +eyis pro*a*ly located on a stic+er attached to the side" *ac+" or *ottom of your computer(s case ! his is the product +eyyou should use when installin# Windows 7!

tart t'e Windows 7 Clean Install Process

When you(re absolutely sure sure that e erythin# from your computer that you want to +eep is *ac+ed up" proceed tothe ne$t step! eep in mind that once you delete all of the information from this dri e %as we(ll do in a future step)"the action is not reversible

$ote% he steps and screen shots shown in these 34 steps refer specifically to Windows 7 5ltimate edition *ut willalso ser e perfectly well as a #uide to reinstallin# any Windows 7 edition you may ha e includin# Windows 7Professional or Windows 7 6ome Premium!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsns/g/productkey.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsns/g/productkey.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/ht/windows-7-key.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/ht/windows-7-key.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_case.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsns/g/productkey.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/ht/windows-7-key.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_case.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htm


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oot 8rom the Windows 7 9:9 or 5S 9e ice


o *e#in the Windows 7 clean install process" you(ll need to *oot from the Windows 7 9:9 if you(re usin# a Windows 79:9" or *oot from a 5S de ice if your Windows 7 installation files are located on a flash dri e or other e$ternal 5S dri e!

Tip% See the How To Change From One Windows 7 Installation Media To nother section at the *ottom of the pa#e ifyou ha e a Windows 7 IS; ima#e that you need on a flash dri e or disc" or a Windows 7 9:9 you need on a flash

dri e!

1!


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Wait for Windows 7 Installation 8iles to 'oad


You don(t need to do anythin# at this point *ut wait for Windows 7 to finishin# loadin# files in preparation for the

setup process!

$ote% =o chan#es are *ein# made to your computer at this time! Windows 7 is ust temporarily ,loadin# files, intomemory for the setup process! You(ll *e remo in# e erythin# on your computer as part of the Windows 7 clean installin a future step!

……………………………………………………………………………………..Wait for Windows 7 Setup to 8inish 'oadin#


After the Windows 7 install files are loaded into memory " you(ll see the Windows 7 splash screen" indicatin# that thesetup process is a*out to *e#in!

You don(t need to do anythin# at this point!

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Choose 'an#ua#e and ;ther Preferences

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step of 34

Choose the 'anguage to install " Time and currency format " and (eyboard or input method that you(d li+e to use in

your new Windows 7 installation!

Clic+ $e t

Clic+ the Install =ow utton

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step B of 34

Clic+ on the Install now *utton in the center of the screen" under the Windows 7 lo#o!

his will officially *e#in the Windows 7 clean install process!

$ote% 9o not clic+ the )epair your computer lin+ at the *ottom of the window e en if you(re completin# this cleaninstall of Windows 7 as part of some lar#er repair pro ect for your computer!

he )epair your computer lin+ is used to start a Windows 7 Startup


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Wait for Windows 7 Setup to e#in


he Windows 7 setup process is now *e#innin#! =o need to press any +eys here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Accept the Windows 7 'icense erms

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step of 34

he ne$t screen that appears is a te$t*o$ containin# the Windows 7 Software 'icense!


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Show the Windows 7 Ad anced 9ri e ;ptions

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step 1E of 34

In this screen" you(ll see each partition that Windows 7 reco#ni.es!

he main difference in a Windows 7 clean install erses other +inds of Windows 7 installation methods is that a cleaninstall in ol es the remo al of all operatin# system related partitions!

Windows 7 setup considers partition mana#ement as an ad anced tas+ so you(ll need to clic+ the .ri-e options(ad-anced) lin+ to ma+e those options a aila*le!

In the ne$t few steps you(ll delete the partitions containin# the operatin# system you(re replacin# with Windows 7" *eit Windows :ista" Windows &P" a pre ious installation of Windows 7" etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9elete the Partition Windows is Installed ;n


=ow that all a aila*le dri e options are listed" you can delete any operatin# system related partitions from youre$istin# hard dri e%s) !

I*portant% efore continuin#" *e aware that deletin# a partition will permanently erase all data from that dri e! yall data I mean the operatin# system installed" all pro#rams" all data sa ed *y those pro#rams" all music" all ideo" alldocuments" etc! that mi#ht *e on that particular dri e!

6i#hli#ht the partition you want to delete and then clic+ the .elete lin+!

$ote% Your list of partitions may differ considera*ly from mine shown a*o e! ;n my computer" I am performin# aclean install of Windows 7 on a computer with a sin#le 3EF hard dri e that has pre iously had Windows 7 installed!

If you ha e multiple hard dri es and?or multiple partitions on those dri e%s)" ta+e #reat care in confirmin# that you(redeletin# the correct partition%s)! >any people" for e$ample" ha e second hard dri es or partitions that act as *ac+updri es! hat(s certainly not a dri e you want to *e deletin#!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htm


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Confirm the Partition 9eletion


After deletin# the partition " Windows 7 setup will prompt you to confirm the deletion!

he messa#e says ,The partition might contain recovery files- system files- or important software from your computer

manufacturer% If you delete this partition- any data stored on it will be lost%,

Clic+ the /" *utton!

I*portant% As I spelled out in the last step" please *e aware that all the data stored on that dri e will *e lost! If youha e not *ac+ed up e erythin# you want to +eep" clic+ Cancel " end the Windows 7 clean install process" restart yourcomputer to *oot *ac+ into whate er operatin# system you ha e installed" and *ac+up e erythin# you want to +eep!

o *e clear/ T'is is t'e point of no return0 here(s no reason to *e scared" I ust want it to *e ery clear that youcan(t undo the deletion of the dri e you selected after you clic+ this ; *utton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9elete ;ther ;peratin# System % ery small) partitionto store system data in! his is most definitely related to the operatin# system that I(m tryin# to completely remo efrom my computer so I(ll delete this as well!

6i#hli#ht the partition and clic+ the .elete lin+!

$ote% As you can see" the partition we deleted in the last step is #one! It may appear li+e it(s still there *ut if youloo+ closely" you(ll see that that same 0D!DF space is now descri*ed as +nallocated .pace " not as a partition!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/term_os.htm


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Confirm Additional Partition 9eletions


Gust as in Step 10 " Windows 7 setup will prompt you to confirm the deletion of this partition !

Clic+ the /" *utton to confirm!

I*portant% Gust as *efore" please *e aware that all the data stored on this particular dri e will *e lost!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Choose a Physical 'ocation to Install Windows 7 ;n


As you can now see" all the space on the installed hard dri e is unallocated! =o partitions e$ist on this computer!

$ote% he num*er of partitions displayed and whether those partitions are unallocated portions of a hard dri e"pre iously partitioned spaces" or pre iously formatted and *lan+ partitions will depend on your specific system andwhich partitions you deleted in the last se eral steps!

If you(re installin# Windows 7 on a computer with a sin#le hard dri e on which you( e ust deleted all the partitionsfrom" your screen should loo+ li+e the one a*o e" aside from your hard dri e *ein# a different si.e!

Choose the appropriate unallocated space to install Windows 7 on and then clic+ $e t !

$ote% You do not need to manually create a new partition nor are you re2uired to manually format a new partition!Windows 7 Setup will do this automatically!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1_12.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1_12.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_hdd.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/termsp/g/partition.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htm


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Wait While Windows 7 is Installed

Clean Install Windows 7 - Step 1B of 34

Windows 7 Setup will now install a clean copy of Windows 7 to the location you chose in the pre ious step ! You don(tneed to do anythin# here *ut wait!

his is the most time consumin# of any of the 34 steps! 9ependin# on the speed of your computer" this process couldta+e anywhere from to 3E minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Wait for Windows 7 Setup to 5pdate


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Wait for Your PC to Automatically


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Wait for Windows 7 to Chec+ Your PC(s :ideo Performance


Wait while Windows 7 chec+s the ideo performance of your computer!

Windows 7 needs to +now how well your ideo card and related hardware wor+s so it can properly ad ust performanceoptions for your computer!

8or e$ample" if your ideo system is too slow" Windows 7 may disa*le features li+e Aero Pee+" translucent windows"and other #raphically intense features of the operatin# system !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Choose a 5ser =ame and a Computer =ame

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step 0B of 34

Windows 7 needs to +now what use name you(d li+e to use and how you(d li+e your computer to *e identified on yourlocal networ+!

In the Type a user name /for e&ample- 0ohn12 te$t *o$" enter your name! You can enter a sin#le name" your first andlast name" or any other identifia*le te$t you li+e! his is the name you(ll *e identified *y in Windows 7!

$ote% You(re more than welcome to use the same user name that you used in your old operatin# system installation!

In the Type a computer name2 te$t *o$" enter the name you(d li+e your computer to ha e when *ein# iewed *yother computers on your networ+! $ote% If it ma+es sense in your specific situation" I recommend usin# the samecomputer name you used in the operatin# system installation you( e deleted as part of this clean install" especially ifany other computers on your networ+ connect to resources on your PC!

;therwise" a #ood computer name mi#ht *e Office3!C " Windows373Test3!C " 4ob3#ell " etc! You #et the idea! Anythin#

identifia*le that ma+es sense to you will wor+!

Clic+ $e t when you(re done enterin# *oth the user name and computer name!

$ote% Plannin# on ha in# more than one user on your computerH 9on(t worry - you can set up more users insideWindows 7 later!

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Choose a Windows 5pdate ;ption

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step 0D of 34

;n this Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically screen" Windows 7 is as+in# you do choose

how you want to automatically install updates from >icrosoft(s Windows 5pdate ser ice!

I recommend that you choose Install i*portant updates onl# ! his option is the safest *ecause it restrictsWindows 7 from doin# anythin# with your data or to your computer automatically e$cept when important security andsta*ility updates are a aila*le!

You are more than welcome to choose +se reco**ended settin,s *ut I do not recommend that you choose 9sk*e later !

$ote% hese settin#s can easily *e chan#ed within Windows 7 after you(re done steppin# throu#h these confi#uration2uestions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Choose the Correct ime one" 9ate" and ime

Windows 7 Clean Install - Step 3E of 34

;n the )eview your time and date settings screen" choose the correct Ti*e :one " .ate " and Ti*e !

he time and date is li+ely already correct *ut *e sure to erify the time .one and chan#e if necessary!

If your area o*ser es 9ayli#ht Sa in# ime *e sure to chec+ that *o$ here!

$ote% If the date and?or time of 9ayli#ht Sa in# ime chan#es" >icrosoft will issue an update ia Windows 5pdate tochan#e the automatic time chan#e so don(t a oid chec+in# this *o$ assumin# that 9S chan#es won(t occur correctly!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/keepingupwithupdates/p/windows-update.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/keepingupwithupdates/p/windows-update.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/keepingupwithupdates/p/windows-update.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/keepingupwithupdates/p/windows-update.htm


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Choose a =etwor+ 'ocation


This is the beginning of !art of % If you need to- you can go bac" to the previous step located at the end of !art 8 %

In the .elect your computer6s current location window you see now" Windows 7 is as+in# where your computer islocated at so it can setup the proper networ+ security - ti#hter security for pu*lic areas and li#hter for pri ate onesli+e home and wor+!

Choose Ho*e network or Work network if that applies to you! >ost of you readin# this will choose Home networ" !

Choose Pu;lic network if you use a mo*ile computer and you connect to the Internet or other computers away fromhome! Also" *e sure to choose !ublic networ" if you access the internet ia a mo*ile *road*and networ+ - no matter if you(re at home or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait for Windows 7 to Connect to the =etwor+


Windows 7 is now connectin# your computer to the networ+!

You don(t need to do anythin# here! @ erythin# is automatic!

$ote% If Windows 7 detects another computer on your networ+ runnin# Windows 7 that also has a home#roup setup"you will *e prompted to choose what +inds of files you(d li+e to share on that home#roup and for the home#rouppassword! You can enter this information or kip the setup entirely!

I do not show this additional screen in this #uide!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-2_15.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-2_15.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htmhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/a/windows-7.htm


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How To Clean Install Windows 7.docx