Most user-friendly way to return 64-bit system to factory settings

I run a refurbished Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium system on my Dell Inspiron 620 MT. Also, I'm not tech savvy, sorry for dumb questions. I've browsed forums, but can't always tell if my specific situation mimics other stuff I see.

I recently tried to install a couple legacy programs through compatibility mode that are causing some weird glitches and I'm also having a hard time removing them from my computer.

I have all my personal data backed up on a separate external hard drive, so I'm not particularly worried about my data.

I was going to try a system restore point prior to the glitchy program installations, but discovered that my system recovery was set to "off" instead of "on" for the system protection, and so hasn't been setting restore points since I bought the thing less than a year ago. It would have been nice to do a restore that would keep my personal data on the machine, but it's not that big of a deal.

So, as far as I can tell, my next option to get rid of these glitchy programs is to do a "clean install"? I'm not sure what media I should use, or what order to do things in, so maybe someone can give me some tips.

I don't have any physical media discs. I DO have a partition on my computer labelled "Recovery (D:)" with 7.12 G out of 13.6 G free.

Do I need to burn DVDs and recovery media? Do I need to contact the manufacturer for recovery discs? Is using the "Recovery (D:)" drive the same thing as doing a clean install? What is the easiest way to return my system to an earlier setup? Will all options require me to input the windows authentication code thing that's on a sticker on my desktop? Is that the only code I need?

Thanks for any help, and again, sorry for all the noob questions.

You could try downloading and installing a app called Total Uninstaller. It does a very good job of uninstalling unwanted programs. Although it is paid software you can try it out for 30 days, before having to purchase it.

http://www.martau.com/

Little Jay, thanks for the tip. I'm gonna look into that.

But I'd also like to learn the best/easiest way to restore my system. I like the idea of being able to "start fresh."

Thanks!

OK then. Since I am not familiar with Dell computers and their recovery partitions, I will leave that to someone else to advise you on.

Thanks whs! Now, is what you're suggesting the same thing as a "clean install"? Does it require the windows 7 authentication code thing?

cool. Thanks C-11 and whs. You've answered the questions I really needed. Still curious, though, if there's a difference between this and what people call a "clean install", which I assume is another way of saying "re-installing" the OS.

Clean install usually means using the MS installation media - thereby not getting any crapware included.

What you are doing is restoring the factory image - it includes a ton of useless junk, probably.

Dell are better than the others usually, so you maybe fine - also, newer Dells have an option to restore just the o/s - without any junk at all.