Clean install question

So, I just got Windows 7 Ultimate, and I am currently running the RC (Which is Windows 7 Ultimate as well, so I figure I don't need to do a clean install). I want to do a clean install though.

What I am wondering is whether or not I can just use an image. I have two hd's, so could I just make an image and save it on the second hd (as well as a program to interpret that image), wipe my first hd to do a clean install, install Win 7 Ultimate, and then just use the image to get all my files back?

And I cannot remember exactly now, but would i still need to reinstall everything if I used an image? I'm guessing I do, in which case it would probably be simpler to do a clean install and use the install disks to put everything back (considering this is a recently-built computer with maybe 50 files, a few hundred pictures, and then like 2 10+ gb programs (those are what I don't want to re-install lol))

I think you might want to try an in-place Upgrade first. It is not recommended by MS, in fact a popular blog post by a Win7 developer warned against it, however quite a few have done it here and are happy with it.

If you aren't happy with performance, you can always go ahead and clean install by booting from the Win7 DVD, selecting Custom install, then using Advanced drive tools to repartiiton as desired and format before install.

In either case, a backup image would not work for you here because you want to transfer programs and files which is the function of an in-place Upgrade. Even transferring files is another process altogether, but can be automated somewhat using Easy Transfer: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...-transfer.aspx

gregrocker said:

I think you might want to try an in-place Upgrade first. It is not recommended by MS, in fact a popular blog post by a Win7 developer warned against it, however quite a few have done it here and are happy with it.

If you aren't happy with performance, you can always go ahead and clean install by booting from the Win7 DVD, selecting Custom install, then using Advanced drive tools to repartiiton as desired and format before install.

In either case, a backup image would not work for you here because you want to transfer programs and files which is the function of an in-place Upgrade. Even transferring files is another process altogether, but can be automated somewhat using Easy Transfer.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...-transfer.aspx

Assuming that my drive is big enough, I could simply partition the drive couldn't I.

Like, I have a 750gb hd right now. I have say about 600gb left. could I just make a 500gb partition and do an in-place install onto that partition, thus leaving what I have now as it is? and if i DID do that, would I be able to access documents b/w partitions, or would I have to boot separately? (sorry, I've never made a partition before.)

Yes, you can create a new partition formatted Primary NTFS in Disk Management.

Then boot from the Win7 DVD, select Custom install and apply one more format to that partition before installing there. Make sure to select the correct partition and do not touch Vista.

Win7 will configure the Boot Menu correctly and your files will be available via explorer.

When you are ready to abandon the dual boot, we can help you remove Vista and the dual boot and recover the MBR and first partition space into your Win7 partition.

gregrocker said:

Yes, you can create a new partition formatted Primary NTFS in Disk Management.

Then boot from the Win7 DVD, select Custom install and apply one more format to that partition before installing there. Make sure to select the correct partition and do not touch Vista.

Win7 will configure the Boot Menu correctly and your files will be available via explorer.

When you are ready to abandon the dual boot, we can help you remove Vista and the dual boot and recover the MBR and first partition space into your Win7 partition.

Ok, that's good. My thing is moreso that I don't want to bother with reinstalling a few hours worth of programs right now, and I want to make sure that everything runs smoothly (because the RC has some bugs here and there)

This is why I suggested trying an in place Upgrade of the RC.

Several months ago I would not have suggested it, but quite a few reported fine performance so it is worth considering.

It saves your programs, files and settings and completely reinstalls the OS so the RC bugs are gone.

Back up your files first as in-place Upgrades can fail.

You can also make a Win7 Backup image of your HD so it can be easily reimaged to start over if you have problems at any point.