Windows 7: Fresh Install onto Dell laptop

Yes, I saw that. I started the fresh install and saw a 550GB partition. Wasn't sure what it was at the time, so I stopped the install and investigated. Discovered that it was an empty OEM partition. Good to know that I can delete it when doing the install.

There is also a 100MB partition. Is that a boot partition? can I also delete it, and will the installation process recreate it as needed?

Thanks

Daryl

Unless you have a data partition you want to preserve, you should delete ALL partitions till you have one and only one unallocated space. Then hit proceed and the necessary partitions will be created.

If your computer has UEFI BIOS I recommend you to install as UEFI-GPT.

Windows can be installed on a Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT disk.
To install as Legacy-MBR or repair a Legacy-MBR installation you must boot the installation disk as Legacy.
To install as UEFI-GPT or repair a UEFI-GPT installation you must boot the installation disk as UEFI.

Backup your data on an external disk.
Boot the Win 10 USB installation disk (as Legacy or UEFI), go to install - Advanced and DELETE ALL partitions and proceed.
Clean Install Windows 10 | Tutorials

hi rosede.

what kind of Dell laptop do you have? use either HWInfo or Speccy to gather the series & model no. of the Dell laptop.
@Megahertz07: installing Win7 in UEFI + GPT mode will not be possible on old Dell laptops made before mid-2012 (old laptops with Intel Sandy Bridge or older hardware because those laptops usually have traditional BIOS chips)

Hi rosede,

Update System Specifications

Please update your system specifications in your UserCP => Edit System Spec setup. It will help us to help you!

This SevenForums tutorial [Published by Brink and written by CyberZeus] uses an automated tool which makes this task very easy and quick to do. Click here => https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html.

Thanks.

I wrote that you must have UEFI BIOS to install as UEFI-GPT