How to wipe out everything on computer for reinstallation of Windows 7

yes i do have that old windows folder. Its about 62gb...

dynamite140 said:

So are you saying at that page with the partition, there is really nothing i could have done as in deleting partition?

I'm very confused at this moment.

No--you could have deleted the partitions I think.

But when the install was done, you would have 3 partitions.

An ordinary retail disk would result in 2 partitions--no "recovery' partition.

But, if you had gone through with it, deleting all partitions, you probably would have got back all of your drive space--just like it was on the day you got it.

Leaving aside the issue of the product key, which may be legit for all I know.

dynamite140 said:

yes i do have that old windows folder. Its about 62gb...

There's your space,

Windows.old Folder - Delete

if you don't want anything in there get rid of it.

derekimo, thats what i asked earlier. I said can't i just delete that folder and everything would be clean? But wouldn't it be more clean as oppose to deleting it this way?

Would you guys recommend me to just install the cd again and then delete all 3 partitions as oppose to just deleting this old windows folder? The thing was the last time i reinstalled windows... i basically just deleted this old windows folder. But i felt like my computer got slower this way and really want a CLEAN INSTALL.

dynamite140 said:

derekimo, thats what i asked earlier. I said can't i just delete that folder and everything would be clean? But wouldn't it be more clean as oppose to deleting it this way?

Would you guys recommend me to just install the cd again and then delete all 3 partitions as oppose to just deleting this old windows folder? The thing was the last time i reinstalled windows... i basically just deleted this old windows folder. But i felt like my computer got slower this way and really want a CLEAN INSTALL.

In your previous installations with this disk, I assume you did not choose to delete any partitions?

If you have a valid product key, you should be able to delete all 3 partitions and start all over---you'd have 3 partitions like you have now.

I don't know that your performance would improve. I can't recall hearing of any issues with that Windows.old folder.

It's kind of your call, considering you are not sure about the product key.

You would need a valid product key to use the ISO download as well.

You need to get to the bottom of the product key thing. As long as there is doubt, don't wipe all partitions.

dynamite140 said:

derekimo, thats what i asked earlier. I said can't i just delete that folder and everything would be clean? But wouldn't it be more clean as oppose to deleting it this way?

Would you guys recommend me to just install the cd again and then delete all 3 partitions as oppose to just deleting this old windows folder? The thing was the last time i reinstalled windows... i basically just deleted this old windows folder. But i felt like my computer got slower this way and really want a CLEAN INSTALL.

You are just going to get the same thing again from those Dell OEM discs.



Do you have a sticker like one of these on your computer?

Everytime i reinstalled windows 7... i did not delete a partition. All i did was select the partition with the most space ... which is number 3. But can i even delete a partition? I don't see the delete thing so i assume i have to highlight it and then delete?

Someone mentioned i could do the disk thing with deleting the disk. But I can't do that either...

Hi. Yes i have that key. Its the sticker on my dell desktop... with the product key. Yes its 25 letters/numbers.



No, i don't have that sticker of the Certificate of Authority though...

dynamite140 said:

Everytime i reinstalled windows 7... i did not delete a partition. All i did was select the partition with the most space ... which is number 3. But can i even delete a partition? I don't see the delete thing so i assume i have to highlight it and then delete?

Someone mentioned i could do the disk thing with deleting the disk. But I can't do that either...

Did it ask you for a product key when you installed before?

derekimo said:

dynamite140 said:

Everytime i reinstalled windows 7... i did not delete a partition. All i did was select the partition with the most space ... which is number 3. But can i even delete a partition? I don't see the delete thing so i assume i have to highlight it and then delete?

Someone mentioned i could do the disk thing with deleting the disk. But I can't do that either...

Did it ask you for a product key when you installed before?

Nope. Never did.