Windows 7: Reinstall Windows 7?

I just installed Windows 7 today (not an upgrade, full version) from XP. I thought it would format the C: drive automatically but didn't. I would now like to reinstall Windows 7 with a quick format of my C: drive, but it doesn't seem possible at this point (since Windows 7 is already installed). I boot from the Windows 7 disc but it never gives the option to format the drive (advanced options... I should have selected this initially but didn't realize it). I read that you can't uninstall Windows 7.

My question: what do I do? lol Should I just leave it as is, or is it possible to do a true clean install with Windows 7?

Many thanks in advance!!

Hi mistermike, you already have the right way, under the bit where it asks you to select a drive, hit advanced options, highlight C and click Format, that will "uninstall" windows, (well actually it will wipe the drive... but thats what we're shooting for) and then go ahead and install on the now formatted drive

Thanks for the reply Martin, but here is the situation: It no longer gives me the Advance Options choice (it was there when I first installed, but didn't select it).

This is so frustrating!!

how odd.... well in that case, i would say it is time to pull the Linux card, get yourself a copy of Ubuntu: Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu and burn it to DVD, load Ubuntu from the DVD, from and run Gparted from it, that should be able to reformat the drive into NTFS,

failing that, if it seems like too much hassle, then you could always just delete C:\Windows.old which is where all your old XP stuff would have been dumped

edit: just had a thought, you did select C:\ before trying to click advanced options right? its easily overlooked, and will result in the option not appearing

If your HDD came with install/cloning boot disc you should be able to reformat from it.

Monk

Hi Martin - yes, I selected C: but did not choose advanced options (I assumed the next screen would ask me if I prefer to overwrite, quick format, or full format).

You suggest using Ubuntu? Wow, why did Microsoft make it so difficult to do a new install? Back in the day I would format and reinstall the OS and programs once every year or two. Now that seems impossible to do.

Monk - I will check for that, not sure if it came with a disk or not.

haha, to be honest, I have never come across this before, the option always appears for me, even on subsequent installs, Im going to go ahead and assume that you've tried it at least twice, to make sure it wasn't a glitch,

I basically suggested Ubuntu because i thought it was probably the quickest way to get around the issue, rather than trying to figure out yet another of window's quirks

Boot Windows 7 DVD/Repair CD, press Shift F10, open Command Line, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (for Windows 7 disk)
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
assign letter=c:
active
format
exit

Now choose Install Now and use Custom Install to install Windows 7.

Greg - what do you mean by boot Windows 7 repair CD? Do you mean the install DVD? I tried that, could not get Shift F10 to be recognized.