Formatting Windows 7


  1. Gregrae
    Posts : 3
    Vista 32
       New #1

    Formatting Windows 7


    Can I install Windows 7 over the top of Vista
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  3. Tews
    Posts : 11,840
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
       New #2

    Yes, you can .. afterwards, you will find a windows.old folder in c:/windows which contain your old Vista files .. you can delete these using the disk cleanup tool ... Disk Cleanup - Open and Use
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  4. theog
    Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       New #3

    If you are overinstalling Vista 32bit with Windows 7 64bit. NO.
    You need to clean your HD first.

    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
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  6. Tews
    Posts : 11,840
    64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro
       New #4

    While doing a format/clean install is the desired course of action, it is entirely possible to run the 64bit installer and end up with Windows 7 64bit installed on your system... leaving you with the windows.old folder to deal with... There is however, no option for doing an in place upgrade from a 32bit to 64bit OS... So the answer to the OPs' question is no, a format is not required... just sayin...
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  7. Bare Foot Kid
    Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       New #5

    Hello Gregrae, welcome to Seven Forums!



    Have a look at these tutorials at the links below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed; though it would be foolish to install a new Windows and not do at least a format first.



    How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7

    Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
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  8. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #6

    The installer will scan the HD at bootup to see any other OS allowing use of Upgrade key up front.

    If you wipe the HD first to overwrite all code (because formatting erases nothing) then the installer will see no other OS and reject Upgrade version key during install. You'll need to leave key box blank and then after install do one of the workarounds here to allow activation at Computer>Properties link: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

    You can do it either way but wiping the HD is a cleaner install.
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  10. Gregrae
    Posts : 3
    Vista 32
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    If I do a clean install I will loose all my drivers .
    Can I download all the drivers for my laptop and save them to a disc and reinstall them in the new version of 7.
    How do I go about this.
    I have a full version of Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
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  11. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #8

    The Win7 installer is driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates.

    If there are any missing drivers after install, find them on the Support Downloads webpage for your model.

    This is not XP which needs a bunch of drivers supplied.
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