Clean install to replace existing windows 7 install

[The Third Man]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop, seen a few models I like and they all come with windows 7 pre-installed. Problem is they all also come with a dozen or so pre-installed pieces of freeware/shareware/trial software that I have no use for and don't want and I would like to do a clean install of windows 7 when I buy to get rid of all these. How should I go about doing this?

I'll ask the vendors if they could provide me with some sort of recovery CD that will install the operating system and none of the junk but they might say no (I've done a bit of googling and have read they make money off including all these programmes). If they don't give me anything then could I get by with just purchasing an upgrade DVD even though I obviously won't be upgrading anything, just trying to go from bloated windows 7 to non-bloated version.

Thanks for help.

 

[Brink]

Hello Third Man, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You can just uninstall the bloatware software that comes with the computer in "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel just like in Vista below. Otherwise you would have to purchase a separate retail copy of Windows 7 to do a clean install with, then install all of your drivers.

Uninstall or Change a Program - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[The Third Man]

Thanks for reply.

Yeah I could just add/remove all the programmes but I'd like to have a copy of windows 7 on disk anyway in case of problems down the line that require a clean install for whatever reason.

Reading the clean install guide you linked seems to say I could do what I want (format c: and then install on top) with just an upgrade disk, is that correct? If it is then why would anyone buy the full version

I read this article when trying to find out about this stuff earlier, this is the same thing as that guide you linked to right? What are the consequences of invalidating the license?

 

[Brink]

If you do not have a previous qualifying Windows for the upgrade, then it is considered illegal to clean install without one. If you have one, then you're fine.

An aternative:
After you uninstall the bloatware software, you could create a System Image while you have a clean install that you can then use to restore Windows 7 to a clean install with anytime that you needed or wanted to.

 

[gregrocker]

You can always borrow a clean copy of the Win7 version which comes on your machine to do your clean install. This is what I do to overcome the corruption that always occurs when trying to uninstall bloatware like Norton or Office trial.

As long as it's the same version licensed to that machine, it should auto-activate after install or only require a quick robo call to MS which exchanges numbers.

But remember, such a clean install will need a word processor since Works isn't in Win7, the adobes (flash, reader), java runtime (they have a free word processor), and whatever else you like that's included by your manufacturer.

Fortunately, Win7 has most all of the drivers in its installer and via Windows Updates.

 

[aem]

Ask the vendor if the package comes with a recovery DVD/CD. This is not a full version of the OS but it will let you "restore" your system to the OS that was pre-installed at time of purchase. Do not try and use this CD/DVD on a another machine, it won't work.

 

[The Third Man]

Thanks for the help. I'll try and get recovery media but if I can't then doing a system image looks like a good way to go.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome.