Questions about clean Windows 7 OEM install

mibaup · 25 Jan 2013

Hello,
I need to reinstall my Win 7 32 bit OEM and I didn't receive any media with it, so I found this tutorial:
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
and I am having some issues:
-The download size is 2.4 GB but everytime the download finishes, the file size is changing and is less than 2.4 GB, sometimes it finishes at 1.5 GB , sometimes at 2 GB etc, I cant get it to 2.4 GB !

-My Windows is installed in a language that is not on the list in DELL website, can I still use the English version instead?

-Is DELL website the only place I can get the official Windows 7 ISO? will that leave DELL logo on my pc(if yes, can I remove it)?

-Also, in the tutorial, it is said to use "Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool", but can I use ImgBurn for example to burn the ISO to dvd?

Thanks everyone

**Pauly** · 25 Jan 2013

As far as i know install is universal, you can add any language pack you wish
Dell download is not linked to dell i think it points to digital river download links (the MS official download that we are not allowed to link directly)
No it will not give you dell splashscreen

Maguscreed · 25 Jan 2013

Actually with many dell computers the dell splash screen is part of the bios and will be there no matter what you do.

AddRAM · 25 Jan 2013

If you`re burning to a dvd then yes, use Imgburn. If you`re burning to a flash drive, you can use this.

WiNToBootic - the ultimate Windows 7/8 USB Boot Disk Maker

There will be no logos.

Testing English 32 Bit download now, 2.38 GB started at 1:51 PM EST

Download done completely at 2:15 PM , no issues.

gregrocker · 25 Jan 2013

Try using another browser for download. The tool is provided to write stick to flash or burn to DVD.

These are the official Win7 installers, not Dell reinstallation DVD's. They're only hosted by Dell.

You should be able to reinstall in English and use another language's Product Key in most cases. Try it. If it fails to activate, confirm key is inputted correctly which is the issue in 90% of failures. If so then How To Activate Windows 7 by Phone Step-by-Step Guide.

Let us know how it goes to help others. Please also fill in your System Specs in the bottom left corner of post, at least the brand of PC, language and version of OS. Is this retail or Factory preinstalled OEM?

mibaup · 26 Jan 2013

Thanks everyone for your fast replies and great support!
gregrocker, I used another browser and it worked! thanks!!!
*You guys said Microsoft won't let us use this download directly, does that mean it's illegal?
my pc is a preinstalled OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit

Maguscreed · 26 Jan 2013

As long as you are using a proper key that is only in use on one computer, you are technically legal to download the disc image.

There's some grey area with what the image can be used for and piracy and all that noise, and well basically the site admins here have decided to be on the cautionary side of things since it is something that can conceivably be abused.

I personally feel that if someone can find it with a half decently worded google search it shouldn't really be an issue.

All the same we all agreed to the site conditions when we joined. So it is what it is.

mibaup · 26 Jan 2013

Thanks again , I burned the digital river ISO but also I went to the store and they gave me an installation dvd :)
I installed Windows, but now I have a problem : the installation left a huge folder of Windows.old in C:,
was I supposed to delete the C: partition and the System reserved partition under the installation screen before installation? is there a way to remove this folder, or I must reinstall Windows again and before installing I need to delete the old partition?
*edit : I found a tutorial to delete the Windows.old using Disk Cleanup :
Windows.old Folder - Delete
Will it be the same as wiping the partition completely before installation, or it will make my hard drive more fragmented and thus slowing the pc? ( everytime I delete files I think my hard drive is becoming slower and more fragmented - is it true or just a nonsense?)

**Pauly** · 26 Jan 2013

To be left with a windows.old folder you have installed from within windows and not booted from install media and performed a Clean Install Windows 7 or Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 have a read through the tutorials, its up to you but IMO clean install is the best way

gregrocker · 26 Jan 2013

How could you miss the step to boot the DVD to install Win7?

Were you following the tutorial to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, or did you want some other kind of install?

I would do it over correctly. This time follow the steps closely and you will have a perfect install. Then to keep a perfect install stick with only the tools and methods given in the tutorial.