Windows 7 - Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

Most all factory built PCs today come with many programs and applications added by the PC manufacturer that have little or no use in everyday life, they tend to take up space and in some instances cause performance issues and using Windows to uninstall these progs/apps may result in startup and / or shutdown issues; here is a way to get a fresh, clean installation of Windows without all the factory added software; this method also works for Windows Vista.

   Warning

Some of the methods outlined below will completely over-write any and all data on the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive depending on the method you use. Doing a clean install of Windows will over-write the "old" factory installed Windows and may void any factory warranty the PC came with.

You will have to reinstall all the programs/apps that you use as they integrate themselves into the Windows registry and are not moveable from one Windows installation to another so be sure to save the program installers and the product activation keys where applicable.

   Note

It would be a good idea to copy out or make backups of any data you need to save to the external media of your choice before you start this; also be sure to create the set of Factory Restore disks if you haven't already so you have a path back if need be.

You may also choose to create and store externally an image of the entire HDD / SSD so the PC can be restored to factory condition if the need ever arises, have a look at this tutorial.

Imaging with Free Macrium

More than likely your factory built PC didn't come with a Windows 7 installation DVD so you will need to borrow or download installation media of the exact same Windows 7 version the PC shipped with so you can do a clean install using the Windows activation key on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key; the factory COA sticker MS Windows activation key will be similar to this one below, 5 groups of 5 letters / numbers.

G0BUY-TH3S0-FTWAR-3ATM1-CS0FT

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone

If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the information in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows 7 installation media so you are able to install your version using the same activation method posted above.

Windows 7 / Vista is version specific and not bit-rate specific, i.e. a Home Premium COA Windows activation key will activate either the 32-bit or the 64-bit Windows Home Premium Operating System.

Vista users, click here to view important information concerning the Vista process.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

ISO - Disk Image File : Extract to the Desktop

After you have made backups of everything you care to save to external media, the best method forward is to do a complete wipe secure erase of the entire HDD / SSD first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old hardware drivers and installed programs and any and all old personal data, giving you the best possible space to do a clean installation of Windows 7 to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

For those with netbooks and no CD/DVD drive, have a look at this tutorial.

USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post to this same tutorial using the orange "Post Reply" button and someone will be glad to help.

Enjoy!