How to "start over" with PC. XP updated to 7 Pro - Clean Slate?

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  1. Dumb
    Posts : 5
    32 bit Windows 7 Pro Upgraded from XP
       New #1

    How to "start over" with PC. XP updated to 7 Pro - Clean Slate?


    Forgive me. New to the forum, read some threads, searched... but I do not feel I understand everything I need to know.

    Background:
    Old IBM desktop PC was running XP. Over a year ago I updated to Windows 7 Pro when I was in college... there was a promotion for college students I took advantage of. I was able to download something and upgrade (no install disk or retail image). I should note this was a legit download from an officiate with Microsoft... not some torrent thing. I have old emails from it saved, wonder if I could download it again?? Doubtful.

    I have a lot of important files on my PC of my child. I want to get an external, move EVERYTHING to it (in the best way possible to me is a copy and paste to it).

    Then I would like to completely format my PC and start over with a fresh clean hard drive, no software, nada.....

    but, being my PC was XP and I downloaded the 7 pro upgrade I am really at a loss on how to do this.

    1 - better method to backup evertything to an external?
    2 - how do I completely wipe the pc
    3 - how do I book up a fresh install of windows 7?

    I am a "dumb" and broke recent college grad girl... this is way out of my element. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

    Thank you guys,
    C -
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  3. zigzag3143
    Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       New #2

    You are going to need a win 7 dvd which can be downloaded if you have a valid (legit) key/serial

    1-I would do 2 things. First a backup of your data, and second a full backup/image. My personal choice for this is Acronis.

    2-Boot from the win 7 dvd and when installing do a custom install (and check format drive)

    3- Continue with the win 7 installation

    You will have to re-install all your applications so you should have the applications original installers.

    let us know if we can help
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  4. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #3

    Did you download the Windows 7 ISO & burn to DVD?


    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  6. Dumb
    Posts : 5
    32 bit Windows 7 Pro Upgraded from XP
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    I got the promotion from Digital River something.... it seemed legit/Windows.

    How do I download a Windows DVD... I also do not have a dvd burner, just a cd burner.

    Can one be made from my current setup, or is there somewhere on windows site for putting in info to verify legit copy, then they allow me to dowload something I can burn?

    Sounds like this wont be too bad then if I can figure out how to get the DVD. Thanks for the help hon!!
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  7. Dumb
    Posts : 5
    32 bit Windows 7 Pro Upgraded from XP
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    theog said:
    Did you download the Windows 7 ISO & burn to DVD?


    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

    on my external drive I have a ISO file for windows 7.....may be what I downloaded. Can this reinstall windows?
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  8. rchris
    Posts : 32
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
       New #6

    What you need is your Windows 7 Serial Number/Key, which you can find using a program like Piriform's Speccy or Belarc (both free). Then you could just borrow someone's Windows 7 DVD (same version, e.g., Win7 Pro--whatever you have now), install, and activate with your key.

    As mentioned above, you can also make an image (as a safety factor), but that will just get you back to where you are now. And you can make that system image using Windows 7's built-in backup tools.

    And, yes, if you have that ISO file, you can burn a DVD with a program like Imgburn (or others), but you'll still need the Serial Number/key to activate your new installation. *EDIT: Oops, just noted that you said you had no DVD burner, so that option is out. Maybe someone else can burn it for you.
    Last edited by rchris; 12 Jan 2012 at 17:07.
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  10. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #7

    You can install with a USB Pen Drive.
    USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

    You can download a ISO from here:
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 ISO
    English x86: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso
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  11. Dumb
    Posts : 5
    32 bit Windows 7 Pro Upgraded from XP
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    I feel confident I have an ISO file.... can this be burned to a blank CD as a data disc and used to wipe / install Windows 7 again?

    EDIT

    okay, read closer.... I can use the program to find the product key....

    I can use a 4GB flash drive with the extracted ISO on it to install....

    how do I get my PC to boot from the flash and not like normal??
    Last edited by Dumb; 12 Jan 2012 at 16:45.
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  12. 1Bowtie
    Posts : 1,114
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       New #9

    Dumb said:
    I feel confident I have an ISO file.... can this be burned to a blank CD as a data disc and used to wipe / install Windows 7 again?
    It can but will take multible CD's, if you could find someway to burn to DVD it will only take one. Yes it will wipe the HDD clean and have a fresh install.
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  13. rchris
    Posts : 32
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
       New #10

    Dumb said:
    I can use a 4GB flash drive with the extracted ISO on it to install....

    how do I get my PC to boot from the flash and not like normal??
    Enter the BIOS prior to Windows starting (usually the DEL or F2 key), and change the boot order so that USB is first.
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