Clean installation of Windows 7 did not delete my files/programs

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  1. win7masterrace
    Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Professional 32 bit
       New #1

    Clean installation of Windows 7 did not delete my files/programs


    Installation was successful, but I wanted the new install to delete everything in my hard drive and free up space. However I still see remnants of files and folders, and Windows Explorer shows my hard drive to be over half full.

    Does this mean I should manually wipe the hard drive and then reinstall Windows again? If so, how would I go about doing it? Note that I can't access the internet on the 'broken' computer, or use a CD/DVD because my current laptop doesn't have a CD drive so I can't burn one.

    On a slightly related note, I had trouble installing (using a flash drive) a chipset driver and network driver, the chipset one stating that my computer did not meet minimum requirements, and the network one outright failing. Does this have anything to do with the hard drive being too full, or is this a deeper problem that some housecleaning won't fix?

    One last thing - my computer is able to boot to XP, which I don't use. I'm not too interested in keeping it on my computer if there is a simple way of getting rid of it without risk.

    Thanks!
      My Computer
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  3. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #2

    First off you must not of done a Clean Install or nothing but Windows 7 would be on the computer with one drive installed.

    If your computer is working properly now, I would recommend you do not do a Clean Install at this time.

    Read these tutorials by Brink and will explain what is and how to do a Clean Install using USB.

    USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

    Clean Install Windows 7
    Things you must do first before trying a Clean Install.

    1. Make sure you have the proper activation COA key.
    2. Make sure you have the proper copy of the exact Windows 7 that matches the COA key.

    I'm not quite sure what you have done but maybe you tried using the Recovery method offered by the computer manufacture.

    Could you exactly complete this tutorial by Golden so we can see some things.

    Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

    If all you are trying to clean up the crapware and junk from your computer we have guidelines we can recommend.
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  4. win7masterrace
    Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Professional 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Interesting... Those two tutorials you posted are in fact the ones I used. Here is the screencap.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Clean installation of Windows 7 did not delete my files/programs-capture.png  
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  6. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #4

    Then I don't understand how you ended up with a OEM partition before the (C) partition on disk (0).

    **Where and how did you get your copy of Windows 7?

    You state you have XP installed. I don't see it.

    I think what you did was wipe XP on disk (1) and Windows 7 is booting off the (C) partition on disk (0). Which is okay.

    NOW so we don't go off on tangents could you just state
    what problems you are having with your computer?

    Without writing a book what are you trying to do?
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  7. win7masterrace
    Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Professional 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Both Windows 7 and XP came installed on the computer. I just tested it again and I am mysteriously still able to boot to XP.

    I just want to 1. clean out my old leftover junk and 2. get the necessary drivers successfully installed. Thanks.
      My Computer
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  8. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #6

    Windows 7 pretty much come with need drivers. If more are needed Windows 7 Update normally picks them up.

    What drivers do you need?
    We have a member that can hunt down drivers for most anything.
    I doubt that you need drivers. If the ones you have work just leave them along.

    Their are many tools and methods for cleaning your system. Here are a few I found in the forum Tutorial. Like any other cleaning you must be careful and make it done properly.

    By Brink:
    Disk Cleanup - Open and Use


    By gregrocker:
    Clean Up Factory Bloatware

    By Andrew 129260:
    CCleaner - Delete Junk Files
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  10. win7masterrace
    Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Professional 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Thanks for the links! Windows Update can't work its magic yet since I can't connect to the internet, I'm assuming it's because I'm missing a network driver. Dell's website has drivers on it so looking for one is not a problem. I haven't had success running the .exe file from a flash drive (not sure if that's the right way to do it).
      My Computer
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  11. maxie
    Posts : 18,415
    windows 7 home 64bit
       New #8

    Hi ... Can you please Post the Model Number of your Dell Laptop ...
      My Computer
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  12. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #9

    Thanks Maxie for coming to help.
      My Computer
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  13. win7masterrace
    Posts : 11
    Windows 7 Professional 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    Hi, the model is Latitude E6410.
      My Computer
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