I recently purchased windows 7 Home Edition. I downloaded the installation files from Microsoft's website. Recently my computer crashed completely due to a virus. I bought a new hard drive and I want to install windows on the new hard drive but I don't know how without the installation CD which I don't have since I downloaded the install files. Thanks in advance.
I assume the file you downloaded has an iso extension?
If so, you need to burn it to a DVD---the resulting DVD should be bootable and good for installation. You will need a Product Key to activate the new install.
How do I burn the iso to a CD? Does the program I use matter? Are there any special settings so that its bootable?
You must use a DVD, not a CD.
Any decent burning program will work. I use ImgBurn, but others are usually OK.
Use a slow burning speed---4x to 12x.
If it burns, it should be bootable by default. If you fail, try again on another disk.
Burn ISO to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed, or write to flash stick using Universal USB Installer
with Win7 in dropdown menu.
Boot the DVD or stick to clean install following these illustrated steps: Clean Install Windows 7
How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD
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