Getting rid of dual boot and fresh install of Win7


  1. Posts : 757
    Win10 Pro 64-bit
       #1

    Getting rid of dual boot and fresh install of Win7


    At present, I am dual-booting Win XP Home SP3 and Win 7 Pro 32-bit.
    XP is in the 50GB partition in the beginning, Win 7 is in the second 100GB partition.
    I had partitioned the drives when I was using XP, so that's why there's no 100MB System Reserved partition.

    Because I'm getting a new motherboard, I'm pretty sure that I need to start from scratch. I'd like to install Win 7 in the 50GB partition and use the 100GB partition for data storage, doing away with the boot manager. I will most likely install XP on another hard drive at a future date and boot via hard drive selection in my BIOS boot options. After a full year of use, my Win7 install only uses 25GB of space, so 50GB is more than enough. And if I did need more room, I can use EaseUS Partition Manager at some point.

    Would all I have to do is erase the data in each partition, and then install Win 7 in the 50GB partition? It surely can't be that simple!

    I haven't seen any specific guidelines on how to do what I need. Would someone be so kind as to point me where I need to go? I'd appreciate it.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Getting rid of dual boot and fresh install of Win7-diskman.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Here ya go.

    Clean Install Windows 7

    50 gigs is not enough, make your C partition at least 100 gigs.

    In fact. just use the entire 149 GBs for C.

    Unplug all the other hard drives when you do the install.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 757
    Win10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    1. Thanks much for that link. That doesn't looks so bad... the "Drive Options (Advanced)" is just what I was looking for.

    2. All 149GB for 25GB worth of 7 and my programs?? Okay. I'll just use EaseUS Partition Master to shrink C: and create another partition for data after it when everything's installed.

    Much appreciated.
      My Computer

  4.    #4

    As Brian says, unplug all other HD's during install. Then during booted install, use the Drive Options to delete all partitions to create New as you wish. There's no need for Easeus.

    Later if you want to extend any partition using space from another - even if it's not adjacent - here's How to extend partition easily with Partition Wizard - video help.

    In addition look over these same steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which will help you get and keep a perfect install.
      My Computer


  5. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #5

    Everybody makes the size of the C partition to fit their needs. My obsevation is the following:

    1. If you have games, 100GB may be appropriate.

    2. If you keep your data on C, 60GB is a good number to start with

    3. If you move the user data to a data partition, 30 to 40GB should be enough. My systems never exceeded 30GB and I have a lot of programs installed.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 757
    Win10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Terrific info, guys. I'm very grateful.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 757
    Win10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    What a snap. All I did was launch my Win 7 disc, formatted the 50GB partition, and installed Win 7. Now I can erase the old Win 7 flles on the second partition and use it for storage. Thanks!
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 20:20.
Find Us