I bought a laptop several years ago with Windows Vista installed on it, and opted to buy the upgrade disc to Windows 7 from Dell when it was released. The laptop is still functioning - just - and I would like to clean reinstall Windows 7 on it, restoring it to how it was when it was first installed. Can I do this with an upgrade disc?
I've attached an image of the disc so you can see which one I'm talking about.
Use the latest official installation media from Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
which would be Win7 Home Premium x86 SP1 English Official ISO download
burned to new DVD with the tool also provided. Then follow the tutorial to get and keep a perfect install.
If you've upgraded your RAM beyond 4gb you'd want to switch to 64 bit same version to utilize all RAM.
Full and Upgrade version disks are the same, it is the key which determines which will activate. With reinstall of Upgrade version, when booted the installer will see another OS on the drive to allow use of Upgrade key during install. If a new or wiped hard drive it requires special adjustment after install to Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Does the pc have Vista on it now ?
From the description you give, Vista has to be on the pc, then you would do a clean install using your upgrade disc, Using the tutorial provided by Greg.
Maybe you could elaborate what you mean by "restoring it to how it was when it was first installed"
Restoring it to what ?
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