Windows 7: Reformatting Hard Drive With Windows 7

Hey Guys,

It's that time of year again, so I'm going to be reformatting my hard drive. However this time around I realized I might have a problem.

I originally purchased my pc with windows vista, but then when windows 7 came out I purchased it and immediately installed it on my computer. Bottom line, the factory image of my drive contains windows vista and my current operating system is windows 7.

So, If i go ahead and reformat my hard drive my system will revert back to windows vista (right?). I still have the windows 7 installation cds and the product key. So, can I just reformat and then just simply reinstall windows 7 with the cds and the product key? Or is it more complicated than that?



Thanks in advance for your help/advise!

Only problem that I could see, is if you purchased the upgrade Ver of 7, you are no longer entitled to use Vista.

The cd does say upgrade on it.

So, what does this mean?

The upgrade version is cheaper than the full version. There are no free lunches. Basically, when you purchased the upgrade you agreed, that you had Vista on your machine and that you would upgrade to 7. If you did not have Vista you had to buy the full version of 7, for about $100more. Once you upgrade, your Vista key is no longer valid, you can no longer use it. In your case, it would be against the EULA, to use Vista but it may not be necessary

What you will have to do is install Window 7, dont give key number. When you are done within 30 days give the number.

What you suggested would probably work, but in my opinion it is contrary to your agreement in the EULA (end users legal agreement) its there somehwhere in small print.

Bottom line, you are not suppose to reinstall Vista.


EDIT After you format, Vista does not just appear, you have to follow your owners manual and follow the procedure.

technically it's possible the second time around, as it has already been tied to your vista key.
please wait for confirmation before doing the following:
reformat your drive using the install disk. install the same version as your key, but as a full install and not an upgrade. DO NOT input your key. from this unactivated install, install the windows 7 again as an upgrade.
this has worked for Vista, and hopefully for 7.

This run around is no longer necessary. We have tutorials that show that you can just install Windows 7 on a clean formatted disc. MS, and I dont know why, but is using the honor system to verify piror qualifying OS.

But I do agree with the above, check it out for yourself before trying.

I dont want to reinstall vista. All I want to do is reformat my hard drive. I'm just concerned that my computer will revert back to windows vista (because its on the factory image) and I wont be able to reinstall windows 7.

Your computer will not just revert back. Format, install 7 and you are good to go. There is a procedure that must be followed for it to revert back. If you want to be sure just format the entire HD, including the recovery oem partition.

When I usually reformat my drive I used the factory image and just reformat to that. So how do I reformat my drive without doing that. Sorry if thats a noob question. I just dont want to jack my computer up.

When you install your Windows 7 DVD, there is an option to format. It is on the screen that says, upgrade, custom or advanced. Go to advanced. Then go to format. When done with format and partitions (all advanced options) select custom install.

When I installed mine, I went to you tube and watched a video first.