Windows 7 re-instilation after huge mess up

Dunkamp · 09 Mar 2013

So it all started about a year and a half ago when I downloaded the Windows 8 beta. I downloaded and installed it, and being the stupid person that I was, I lost my original Windows 7 boot somewhere. Now I just dealt with it for sometime, but I ended up reverting back to by Ubuntu boot, and just using that, until I torrented a copy of Windows 7 Professional, and I only had Home Premium originally. So now I'm stuck with a torrent of Windows 7 without a back up disk. I could get a new Windows 7 boot disk if that was the only option, I don't really want to spend 100$ for something I already had. So my question is:
A) If I can re-install Windows without buying anything new AND without losing any of my data, how?
or
B) If I have to buy a new Windows disk, how would I go about installing it without losing my current data.

Thank you.

mitchell65 · 10 Mar 2013

Hi Dunkamp and welcome to the Forum.
First of all BACK UP your data to an external Hard drive or DVD's. Ext HD for preference. Then when this is done DON'T download Windows OS disc from a torrent site. That is asking fo trouble. There is no need to buy a disc so long as you have the Licence key for your version of Windows 7. This should be on a sticker on your PC if Win 7 was pre installed. Then do a clean install of Windows using this guide:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Everything you need for a perfect install is there. Read it through twice then before you start if there is anything that is not quite clear to you then ask back here. Don't take a chance on guessing. Ask first, act second!