A novice's guide to a clean install of Windows 7

G'day Guys,
After trying to reinstate a set of recovery dvd's to my ASUS laptop, after installing a new SSD I've drawn a Blank.

I posted a thread in this Forum "Can't recover Windows 7 from ASUS recovery CD's" and got several replies with things to try regarding the recovery, but none have worked. I've also posted a request to ASUS Tech Support but no reply as yet. So I'm now looking at the Clean Windows 7 setup, that has the obvious advantages of no Bloat ware.

However, the people who advised that I go this way have over estimated my ability to do this with the links and info provided. Sorry guys for being not so techno savvy

So if I list what I think is what must be done, to recover a Clean version of Windows 7, could you check this for me and: a) fill in the blanks, and b) put in any missing steps?

Also, is the windows install file generic for all versions of Windows 7? I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. So I'm guessing when it comes time to put in the Product Key, if I have used the incorrect installer, the install will collapse, when the product key is entered. Is this correct?

Also I don't know anyone how has a Windows 7 install disk. All the people I know with windows 7 are in the same boat as me. The have the Product key and maybe their set of recovery disks, (which to me are about as helpful as an ashtray on a motorbike!!) and that's it.

I can't download the install file from Microsoft as they have removed the links, and I won't download from Torrents sites for fear of it being tampered with.

So assuming someone here knows where I can get the validated copy of the install software, this is what I think would be the install procedure.

1. Download Windows 7 install software from http:??????????? to my computer
2. Burn this to a DVD, or copy to a USB 2 portable hard drive. (as I've found USB 3 doesn't work for recoveries)
3. Boot laptop up from a Windows Rescue disk
4. After booting up, Select language and then select the Recovery option
5. Select option to search for recovery file (ie . to CD drive or USB)
6. Select file and commence the install
7. Enter Product Key when Prompted and complete the installation
8. Reboot, and Voila a Clean install of Windows Home Premium is now installed.

I'm sure there are missing steps or incorrect procedures, and I apologise for such a long thread, but maybe there are other people out there who are in the same boat as me. But I would really appreciate some help on this please.

Cheers Ron

see comments in bold

Reggie49 said:

So if I list what I think is what must be done, to recover a Clean version of Windows 7,

I'm not clear on your terminology "to recover a clean version of Windows 7". If you want to do a "clean install of Windows 7", you aren't "recovering" anything. I'll assume you want a clean install unless you say otherwise.

could you check this for me and: a) fill in the blanks, and b) put in any missing steps?

BE SURE to disconnect all peripherals and all drives EXCEPT the one that will receive Windows before starting the install. This is an important step

Also, is the windows install file generic for all versions of Windows 7? I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. So I'm guessing when it comes time to put in the Product Key, if I have used the incorrect installer, the install will collapse, when the product key is entered. Is this correct?

There are various ISOs that can be downloaded and burned to a disk to do the install. Ideally, you'd want to find X17-58997.iso, which corresponds to Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit English. But I think other 64-bit versions will work with your Product Key IF, I say IF, you modify the installer in a certain way. I think that is explained in Greg's tutorial?



I can't download the install file from Microsoft as they have removed the links, and I won't download from Torrents sites for fear of it being tampered with.

You may have to re-consider that "won't" since the authorized sources are defunct. You can compare hashes to find out if the file has been altered. Six months ago, you wouldn't have to rely on unauthorized sources, but now things have changed.

So assuming someone here knows where I can get the validated copy of the install software, this is what I think would be the install procedure.

1. Download Windows 7 install software from http:??????????? to my computer

OK. This will likely be an ISO file of some type.

2. Burn this to a DVD, or copy to a USB 2 portable hard drive. (as I've found USB 3 doesn't work for recoveries)

OK to burn to a DVD, but you can''t simply "copy" to a USB stick. It's more involved than that. You have to make that USB stick bootable. Burning the ISO to a DVD should make that DVD bootable.

3. Boot laptop up from a Windows Rescue disk

No. You boot from the bootable media you created in step 2 (DVD or USB stick).

4. After booting up, Select language and then select the Recovery option

No. The first screen lets you select language and you then proceed to the next step. "Recovery" is not involved. This is a "clean install".

5. Select option to search for recovery file (ie . to CD drive or USB)

No. Recovery is not involved. You proceed with the installer steps toward a clean install.

6. Select file and commence the install

No. You already booted from the installation media in step 3. You "commenced the install" then, in step 3.

As you proceed with the install steps, you will come to a screen that asks you "where do you want to install Windows?". At that point, you would delete all partitions and let Windows then install to the unallocated space that is created when existing partitions are deleted.

You don't explicitly "format" anything. It's done for you.

The default installation will result in a very small "System Reserved" partition and a C partition covering the entire remainder of the drive. Two partitions total.



7. Enter Product Key when Prompted and complete the installation

I can't recall exactly when you are asked for the Product Key.

8. Reboot, and Voila a Clean install of Windows Home Premium is now installed.


The installation will automatically reboot a time or two. When finished, you should first get anti-virus running and then go to Windows Update and get all critical and important updates. In batches, not all at once.

When fully updated, I'd take a look at Windows Disk Management and Device Manager to see if anything looked out of line. Reconnect all of your peripherals and find out if they all work as expected. Some drivers should auto-install when the peripherals are connected.

If all looks OK, then go ahead and start installing your applications, configuring, and importing your backed up data.

That's a general outline.

Make sure you have all of the necessary Product Keys for your applications. If you use any freeware or shareware, you may as well get the newest versions of them.

You might consider putting only Windows and applications on C and putting all data on a D partition. You can make that decision AFTER you've installed Windows.

Did you read through Clean Reinstall Windows 7,
particularly Step 1 about obtaining Win7 install media?

If not why not do that now and then ask back the questions since it covers about everything that has ever come up in such a reinstall.

If you will apply yourself to those steps and work through them with us then I'll loan you my download for Win7 Home premium 64 bit to burn to disk exactly as it says in Step 1.

While you have the old install, check in Disk Management now to see if you have a System Reserved or an EFI System partition so you'll know now if you have an EFI install to answer that question when it comes up.

Then start making the preparations which are detailed in the steps so that nothing is forgotten and left behind.

Meanwhile please use the Thread Tools at the top of this thread to unmark the thread Solved. Making such a knee jerk move is not recommended as you get into the install.

I posted thanks to those who replied, in particular ignatzatsonic, who tidied up my checklist and added some valuable tips. I don't know what happened to that reply though as it didn't seem to make it here.

After doing that I marked the post as solved as my laptop is working well now.

So I'm happy to call this thread closed as I have a successful outcome

Cheers Ron