Wondering about a new Windows 7 install process (no disk)

Hello!
I currently have a HP laptop which originally had Windows Vista installed. When I got the laptop it had a few virus' and wasn't starting correctly but I managed to get it running decently well just by going through forums and troubleshooting each step of the way. Then I decided I would install Windows 7, since I go to school and I can get a free (downloaded) copy I figured why not. It worked much better so it seemed like a good decision. It's been just over year that I've been using it in this condition and it's working fine, but it has seemed to be going a bit slower lately. Also, there is no point in Vista still being installed since it is never used, so is there a way to uninstall the Vista without losing any information on my Windows 7 copy? I came across some info about the boot being partitioned to the Vista copy so I don't want to do anything that is irreversible.

Alternatively, I could download another version of Windows 7 and save it somewhere (a removable hard drive?), then completely reformat my hard drive and install that downloaded copy so that i would be starting new. This option sounds better to me if doable. I could possibly acquire a disk, but i believe that option is not free from my school (which isn't as nice, since i'm a broke student).

I'm not quite sure the route I should take, and also what exactly I should do. So what I am asking for is some suggestions on which route would be better, and then possibly the general steps I would need to do in order to accomplish this. I have taken a couple CS classes so I am somewhat computer literate and think I could do this with a little guidance.

Thanks for reading my wall of text and thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Look over these same steps for doing a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
to see how your Win7 install compares. If you're game we can help you get and keep a perfect install.

And if you'll post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image we can help you remove Vista if it's still on the drive.

Additionally you can reboot and tap the ESC key for BIOS Boot Menu to select Diagnostics to see if they still run from boot. If so then that would be the only partition you'd want to keep for sure if you're ready to reinstall.

Thanks Greg!

here is the image of my disk management.

I tried to get to the BIOS boot menu, but couldn't find any relevant information in the diagnostics (any the options to run memory checks and some tests). I do have the option to select if I want to start Windows 7 or Windows Vista every time I boot the computer (with a 30 second delay which will start Windows 7 if no selection is made before that time).

I cannot understand from your reply if it actually booted, ran and completed HP diagnostics. If so then save the OEM partition whatever you end up doing.

It doesn't appear that Vista is still on the system. You may have a ghost listing to delete: type msconfig in Start Search box, rightclick result to Run As Admin, on Boot tab delete the Vista listing. If it's not there then install EasyBCD (click Download - no Name or Email required) click on its Edit OS Menu tab to delete the Vista listing, uncheck Show Boot Menu.

The HP Recovery partition at 2.96 used space is too small to actually have the full recovery inside it, so it may have been shrunk or had another partition associated with it which was deleted. You can attempt to delete it in Disk Mgmt, or if it won't allow it then delete it using Partition Wizard to extend C into the space: Partition or Volume - Extend

If indeed you still have the bloated HP factory install then I would boot the Win7 installer for your licensed version provided and delete all partitions except OEM tools (if Diagnostics will run and complete) then do the vastly superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 so you can finally enjoy true Win7 performance instead of the worst (HP) install one can have.

Yes, OEM tools houses the Diagnostics you booted to run.

Since you deleted what was left of Recovery you can now Extend C into it: Partition or Volume - Extend

If you have a windows.old folder then it means the install was run from Vista instead of booting the disk to install correctly after deleting all the partitions (except OEM). But at least it wasn't an in-place Upgrade from Vista. How is the overall performance? Are you pleased with it?

Once you're sure you have everything out of Windows.old folder you can delete it using Disk Cleanup since it houses the entire Vista OS in a folder that takes up a lot of space.

Great, thanks so much!
It runs much better than with vista, and is running better now after these changes. I think my main issue is I need to cram some more ram in. Do you think it would increase performance much by doing a clean install?

Depends upon how closely you came to the perfect install compiled in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Read it over to compare.

Since there's a Windows.old folder we know that the cleanest method of booting the installer to delete all unneeded partitions wasn't followed, but it still overwrote Vista so if you are happy with the performance and don't experience any hangs, bogs or other issues which should never happen with a perfect install on adequate hardware, then there's no rush to reinstall.

You can go over your present install with a fine tooth comb using Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

Okay, thanks Greg! You really have been a personal hero to me these last couple of days, I really do appreciate it!

I think I will take your advice and keep my version of Windows 7 for now, and go through the link you provided for troubleshooting and see if I can increase performance a bit more! It's already increased so that's been very nice!

Thanks again!