Fresh install of W7 over existing W10

I just bought a S/H Asus laptop on ebay to replace an identical one that is becoming a bit flakey. It was originally sold with W7 installed which I wish to continue using. The problem is that the seller wiped the drive for security reasons (good idea) but instead of reinstating W7 he put W10 on it which I do not want.

Yes, I know W10 has new features, but I don't want them. And it can be tweaked to simulate W7 closely but there is still much I don't like about it and refuse to be bullied into moving into whatever Microsoft wants me to do. So here is my question.

Can someone explain in simple terms how to start a fresh W7 installation from my starting point? I managed to find a CMD prompt and tried Format C to clear the decks but it wouldn't recognise my input. This laptop has a CD/DVD tray so I can use that for the fresh installation.
Thanks in advance.

Hi

have a look at this tutorial
Clean Install Windows 7


1) depending on what install media --- USB/CD
IT MUST BE THE PRIMARY BOOT OPTION in your Bios boot order


2) Do it offline

3) then use either Simplex or Dism to update it
Update your Win 7 installation media

4) It should auto activate, but if not use the product key in the battery compartment

Thanks. I have skimmed through the links and will have a go, once I work out how to access the boot order to make sure it is correct.

- - - Updated - - -

OK. Job done. I have W7 running on the new (S/H) Asus laptop. I never did find a way to wipe the drive but the new installation shoved the old W10 installation into a folder called Windows.old where hopefully it will simply behave itself.

I then tried to make a start at installing software, beginning with an antivirus, etc. but hit a big snag. I can't get access to the internet. The wifi router doesn't show up as an available network to connect to. Further snooping around finds that there are no drivers installed for the networking adapter, and I can't even find the name or type of adapter anywhere to enable a search for suitable drivers. I have another up and running PC I can use to search and download but this is getting perilously near to the limit of my knowledge. Any clues what to do next?

If you have an identical laptop you can clone the one you have to the "new" you bought.
After cloning, you can do a Factory Recover on it (If the old one still has the factory recover partition).

You can use Activation Backup and Restore (ABR) to extract the activation file from the old and apply to a Win 7 clean install on the new.

No secret Amigo. Its an Asus K53E I have just installed W7 Pro 64bit
I5-2410m 2.3ghz
4gb RAM
Samsung SSD 840EVO 250gb

I found the info you suggested and paste it here: Do I just Google the VEN numbers?
System Information report written at: 05/08/23 19:24:51
System Name: XXXXX-PC
[Problem Devices]

Network Controller PCI\
VEN_10EC&DEV_8176&SUBSYS_11391A3B&REV_01\019181FEFF4CE00000
Error Code The drivers for this device are not installed.

Ethernet Controller
PCI\
VEN_1969&DEV_1083&SUBSYS_18511043&REV_C0\FF28491314DAE9FF00
Error Code The drivers for this device are not installed.

SM Bus Controller
PCI\
VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_11471043&REV_05\3&11583659&0&FB
Error Code The drivers for this device are not installed.

Device PNP Device ID
PCI Simple Communications Controller PCI\
VEN_8086&DEV_1C3A&SUBSYS_11471043&REV_04\3&11583659&0&B0
Error Code The drivers for this device are not installed.

I think this is going to take some time. I have (I think) been downloading stuff from this list onto a USB stick and then trying to access it from the "update driver" functions in Device Manager. So far nothing happens. Nothing finds its mark or installs the driver. I have been beating my head against this brick wall all day and need to get some sleep and try again tomorrow.
Many thanks for all your efforts.

Hi

Wifi driver appears somewhat problematic on W7....

Atheros AR9285 Driver Issues & No Wireless | Tom's Hardware Forum