Am I screwing up my windows 7?

[vesh88]

I got the home premium upgrade a few weeks ago and I have been obsessed with trying to free up hard drive space and run registry cleaners to help make it run better.
Seems like it has gotten slower and I'm guessing it's because of the obvious, registry cleaners aren't 100% safe. I run ccleaner, advanced systemcare and wise registry cleaner.
Like I said I'm obsessed, heck I'm addicted I need proffessional help hahahaha (no not really) so I'm thinking of re installing vista then upgrading to 7 again so both are well brand new if that makes sense with alot less files (of course I'll back up important files I have now)
How long does it take to re install vista home premium and what exactly do I do? Do I just insert the disk and it automatically gets rid of 7 and re partitions the hard drive??
If I did a system restore to a few weeks back would it make 7 run as good as what it was when I first upgraded?
Thanks

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try a clean install. Be sure to back up your data first using Easy Transfer.

 

[vesh88]

How do I do clean install? Remembr I have to install vista first then upgrade. The only files I want to back up are pics, docs and music so moving them onto a usb I think should be fine plenty of room for them

 

[Jonathan_King]

Try these links: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[vesh88]

Oh is a clean install a way to install the upgraded version without having to install vista first?

 

[richc46]

Based upon what is known about a clean install. All you need to do is back up what you want, and do an easy transfer. Then insert your W7 disc (full or upgrade). Click on clean install, do not give your key number when asked. When completed, install programs, do easy transfer. The use it for a while, up to 30 (90 with extensions) days. When happy authenticate with your key number. Bottom line to answer your question, full or upgrade version, you do not need vista first.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you have a Windows 7 retail upgrade disc, you can do a clean install without having any operating system on the drive.

There is only a slight chance of any issues and you can get around them through this forum.

Choose custom install when you see that choice.

Back up your data to another drive of some kind first, if you have any you care about.

 

[vesh88]

Sweet ok. So easy transfer can transfer files onto a usb or do I need an external hard drive?? If I did lean install by cutsom install first is there a need to back up any files (besides to be safe) because I can find them on the windows.old folder then delete that folder??

 

[vesh88]

Oh wait do I need Vista if I wanted to do custom install or it doesn't matter? With the normal clean install I don't understand how to boot from the 7 disk by slecting the boot order in BIOS, I got no idea about this BIOS stuff.

Thanks for the help so far!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If you are not familiar with BIOS, then it's probably best not to mess with it.

Your other choice is to start your current operating system and insert the Windows 7 disc into the drive. It may start and give you a choice to reboot from it--if it does, take that choice. If it doesn't you will have to go with whatever choices it presents.

I think you can still do a clean install even though you didn't boot from the disk?

 

[richc46]

If you do not want to mess with bios, which is actually easy, just put the 7 dvd into the puter. When you are asked what kind of install, just press custom. You will not have acess to the advanced portion, which you do not need, unless you want to change partitions or format at this point.

 

[vesh88]

So if I can't boot from the disk can I do this - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/20146-custom-install-windows-7-a.html it says from within vista sp1, does it matter??

 

[vesh88]

Ah this BIOS thing does look easy just googled it. I use to press delete when I was younger at strat up to explore these weird settings I had no idea about haha.

I'll to a normal clean install then but back up some files first of course. Thanks for the help guys REALLY appreciate it and I won't mess around with reg cleaners any more!

 

[vesh88]

If I did it the custom way and just put the disk in when I'm already on the desktop, is doing this and then deleting the windows.old file pretty much the same as installing from boot and have same amount of files and run the same after I delete windows.old?

 

[richc46]

Yes it is the same, you are booting from the HD. You can do everything except the advanced features on the custom/upgrade selection page.

You cannot partion or format>

 

[vesh88]

What does partition and format mean? Think I'll go with the custom install now instead haha can't fit everything onto my usb

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You don't really need to know what partition and format mean if you are going to put the new install of Windows 7 in exactly the same place as your existing operating system or unless you have 2 internal drives.

As far as we know, you don't have 2 drives and you do want to put the new Windows 7 in the exact same place.

 

[vesh88]

haha righteo. thanks again guys, here i go!

 

[vesh88]

Everythings done. Thanks heaps!