A wipe/clean start with 7 soft install

Alright, so my computer is slowing down and there is a lot of clutter on it so it feels like time for a complete wipe and clean start. Now, my laptop was originally a vista laptop, but when 7 came out i bought it using a school discount that was available to me, and i got an online download and installation, no cd, all that jazz. Well now i want to completely wipe my computer and start clean, BUT i don't know how, and this seemed like the most appropriate section of the forums to post in. Any and all help would be most appreciated!

If i am not wrong, your downloaded win7 would be an upgrade edition. Go through this tutorial on how to do a clean install with upgrade media.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Also, have you already activated win7 once using this copy? In that case, the product key would have got tied to that particular computer. So there should be no problem reactivating.

I'm sorry, i'm not too smart about some of this stuff. I also cannot seem to find the email that had my code in it >_<. When i upgraded to 7 i believe it activated yes, so what is the most logical method that i should use?

Question: THere is a product key at the bottom of the properties of my computer screen, underneath Windows Activation. Should i use that one? And if so, which cleaning method would be best?

As Jonathan said, you can retrieve your product key with Belarc or with Magical jellybean keyfinder. Note it down and keep it safely.

Did you burn a bootable dvd from your download. If it is the student upgrade version (Digitalriver/ MS), you can make one.

Make bootable iso from student d/l

Since you want everything wiped and clean, do a clean install with the help of the tutorial i linked earlier.

I'm sorry i really feel like I'm missing something. Is there anyway to do this without making a cd? Because i would love to do this right now but I don't have a cd anywhere in easy reach, as in i'd have to go buy one. >.<
I feel like i'm asking stupid questions and i really do apologize.

Yes you need a DVD or flash stick installer both for the cleanest install and for later repairs if Win7 fails to boot.

Burn the ISO to DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed with Verify - it never fails. You can get a 3 pack of Maxell DVD's at Walgreens for $2.

If you have been infected you should use DISKPART from the booted installer to deep clean your HD, otherwise boot the DVD, select Custom install, use Drive Options to delete all partitions , create New one(s) as you wish, then format before installing Win7 to first parttition.

Be sure to back up your files and make your Vista recovery disks from the Recovery partition as it will be disabled during install and can be deleted to recover the HD space.

The installer is nearly driver-complete with newer drivers arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device manager can be found on the Suppport Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Don't change out any drivers given by installer unless performance or video requires it.

Install programs slowly so you can gauge performance after each. Don't let programs write themselves into your Startup list at msconfig as they become freeloaders on your RAM and CPU when not running. I only allow my AV and gadgets in Startup and have 30 second startup/shutdown and instant performance.

After you have it configured as you want, clean and order the HD using freecstate-of-the-art CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and Registry tab, then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers, then save a Win7 backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again - just reimage the HD or a replacement using your DVD or repair CD and the saved image.

So i was able to find a blank cd to use and i'm trying to create it by going through the tutorial that Bill gave me but it's confusing. Where would i go to find those files? Maybe i should just hold this off for another day >.<.