Windows 7: How can I wipe clear all data on pre-owned/used PC?

As the title suggests, I would like to wipe clear all the existing user data, however, I would not like to lose the genuine windows 7 that is on there. Is there anyway around this?

I have a zoostorm e6500, I believe it was purchased from ebuyer.

Any help would be much appreciated,

thanks

If the data is on the OS partition, just delete it in the folders. That is the safest way. Any other partitions (other than the OS partition(s) and the recovery partition) you can just delete in Disk Management and allocate your own partitions in the unallocated space you gain. Make sure you do not touch the little 100MB system partition.

There may also be a tools partition from the OEM manufacturer. That can be useful. And a small partition formatted in Fat32 is used by the BIOS. This should stay.

Ok, thanks. Wouldn't it be better to restore it, to get peak performance, as its
About 2years old? Or are there any other programs I can run, to just clean it up nicely?

After 2 years, a reinstallation is highly recommended. Do it from the recovery partition. Then you get rid of the data on the C partition automatically.

You will get a lot of updates because you go wayyyy back, but if you have a halfway decent internet line, that should not be a problem.

Will a reinstallation lose me windows 7 though? And how do I go about this on my machine? As its preowned, I have no disks

If you have a Genuine Windows activation key you can download a Win 7 .iso file, provided you get the same version you have, i.e. Windows 7 Home Premium. Use the .iso to burn an install disk.

There should be a recovery partition. Have a look in Computer or Disk Management because it may be a hidden partition.

I have windows 7 32 bit ultimate. Is t
here an "official" iso I can download, as I don't want a counterfeit.

Also,I'll check if there's a partition..do you know what it would be named?

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


How to use Recovery Partition, make Recovery Disks, order Recovery disks:
Zoostorm: PC Systems, Laptop Computers and Netbooks

Well, I purchased the computed "used" you see, so I have no backups.

I contacted zoostorm, and they said they dont put windows7 "ultimate" on their systems, just "home" and "premium", so Im guessing the guy I purchased off, put "ultimate" edition on himself, via disk or upgrade. Its verified genuine OS, and I'd like to keep it. But just want to do a fresh wipe. What would be best to do?