Windows 7: Clean install with upgrade version without windows.old file?

Hi is there anyway i can do this? also i dont know how to do it from the bios can you help me?

i also want to make sure there are no traces of vista and all data is gone.

additional informartion:

toshiba satellite a500
4gb ram
500gb hd

Hello Johhny,

Sorry, but no. However, you can just delete the Windows.old folder afterwards to regain the HDD space.

Windows.old Folder - Delete

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Back up your files externally, make your Recovery DIsks or save a backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If you have Upgrade version and wipe the HD, skip inserting the key during install and do one of the workarounds given here for installing to a wiped HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you install to wiped HD, the installer will issue a 100mb System Reserved boot partition which conveniently places the Repair Console (normally only on the DVD or Repair CD) on the F8 Advanced Boot Tools menu. So I would choose Custom Install and then Drive Options to partition as you wish and format: Clean Install Windows 7

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Ethernet/Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online to Update quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...-your-hardware

Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they slow startup, become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Startup Programs - Change

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly.
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

thank you for your reply. if i delete that does that mean there are no traces of vista left? and say if i had to perform a system restore for whatever reason, if i did would it go back to vista meaning i have to install windows 7 again?

thansk for typing all that but i cannot understand it one bit...is there anyway you could explain it in a simpler way?

If this is factory-installed Vista, then make your Recovery Disks so you have a path back to Vista.

You also have the option to keep your Recovery partition (from which the disks are made) which can itself be booted to run to restore to factory condition. If you want to keep the factory Recovery partition, then don't wipe the HD.

However, wiping the HD is the cleanest possible install since it overwrites all the old factory code, corrupt code, even infected code with zeroes so nothing survives. Just deleting partitions and'or formatting erases nothing.

A middle ground would be keeping your Recovery partition but wiping just the C partition for install. This partition-specific wipe can be done using free Partition Wizard bootable CD. See option 3 here: Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

However since you probably won't want to go back to Vista, just having the Recovery disks on hand should be enough to restore factory Vista in case you want to sell the machine but keep your Windows 7 to use elsewhere. And with built-in backup Imaging, you will have a method to reimage your HD with Windows 7 easily in 20 minutes if Windows 7 ever becomes irreparable.

If there is anything specific you don't understand after reading the steps I gave and the links provided, please ask back your questions and I will gladly answer them, if you are interested in learning.

^^^ thiisss

I do that all the time, my recovery disk is windows vista which remains untouched. But I have a physical disk of windows 7 which I use after using a bootable cd to wipe my C