Clean Install Windows 7

How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to do a clean installation with a retail Windows 7. A OEM Windows 7 may have a few different screens than below, but basically the same.

Yes, you can do a clean install from a upgrade Windows 7 version.
NOTE: See this tutorial for how: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

   Note

Do a Clean Installation if:

• Your computer has no operating system installed, or it’s running a version of Windows prior to Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (including Windows XP).
• You do NOT want to preserve your data, programs, or system drivers.
• You want to delete your current operating system and replace it with Windows 7.
• You want to create a multiboot system by installing Windows 7 on a separate hard disk partition.

   Tip

• Sometimes you may have a problem with installing Windows 7 with more than 2 GB of RAM installed on some older motherboards. If you have this problem, then you should install Windows 7 with a maximum of 2GB of RAM installed and add the rest of the RAM after Windows 7 is fully installed. You may need to flash your motherboard BIOS with the latest version to support more RAM like this. (WARNING - DO NOT FLASH THE BIOS if you do not know what you are doing. Please ask for help instead. One mistake can kill your motherboard permanently.)
• Before doing this clean install, you should download and save all of your device drivers to a USB flash drive, DVD, another HDD, or some other media to have them handy to make setting Windows 7 up easier when finished installing Windows 7. For example, having the network driver available in case you cannot connect to the internet until it's installed.

   Warning

Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements:

NOTE: For more information on this, see: Windows 7 system requirements

• 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
• 1 GB RAM for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 2 GB RAM for 64-bit Windows 7
• 16 GB available hard disk space for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7
• Graphics card or chip that supports DirectX 9 with 128 MB memory (to have Aero theme enabled)
• DVD-R/W drive, or bootable USB 2.0 port with Windows 7 USB flash drive
• Internet or phone access to activate Windows 7.

Here's How:1. Boot the computer from your Windows 7 installation DVD/USB.
NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first and your HDD second in the boot priority order in your BIOS settings. Usually it is by default.

   Warning

If you want to install Windows 7 using UEFI instead of BIOS, then see this below first.

How to Install Windows 7 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)

   Note

If you do not have a Windows 7 with SP1 installation DVD/USB, then you can download the latest official Windows 7 with SP1 ISO file at the links below.

:ar: Microsoft Software Recovery

:ar: Microsoft: Windows 7 Direct Download Links

You can use Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the clean install with.

2. If using a DVD, then when prompted, press any key to boot from the installation DVD. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only have about 8 seconds to press this key. If you miss it, you will have to restart the computer.
3. Set up your language preferences, and click on the Next button. (See screeshot below).
4. Click on the Install Now button to start the installation. (See screenshot below)
5. Check the I accept the license terms box, and click on Next. (See screenshot below)
6. Click on the Custom (advanced) option. (See screenshot below)
7. Select the hard drive or partition that you want to install Windows 7 on, and click on the Drive Options (advanced) link. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If the hard drive or partition that you have selected is unallocated, then you can just click on the Next button instead and go to step 9 since it is already empty.
WARNING: You may not have the Drive options (advanced) option unless the installation is done at boot, and not running the installation from within your current OS.
8. Select a hard drive or partition that you want to do a clean install of Windows 7 on, do what Drive options (advanced) you want if any, and click on the Next button when finished. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have your hard drives in a RAID setup, then connect your USB key with the RAID drivers on it, click on Load Driver, select the folder on the USB key that contains the RAID drivers to install them. Afterwards, your RAID drives will be available to select from to install Windows 7 on.

   Tip

Drive options (advanced)

• If you have more than one partition for a disk # (hard drive) and want to get rid of them to make that disk # one partition drive again, then select a partition with that disk # and click on the Delete option for each partition with the same disk # until there is only one "unallocated space" with that disk # left as in the screenshot below.
• To shrink an existing partition to create another partition to install Windows 7 on instead, select the partition you want shrink and click on the Extend option. Type in how much in MB (1 GB = 1024 MB) that you want to shrink it by. Now select the new extended partition.

   Note

The 100 MB System Reserved partition is used for the Boot Manager code, BCD (Boot Configuration Database), System Recovery Options (Windows RE), and start up files for BitLocker (if turned on).

• If you want to have the 100 MB System Reserved partition in addition to the Windows 7 C: partition on a HDD or SSD after installation, then you would need to make sure that all partitions on the drive have been deleted until it is only unallocated space. Next, select the unallocated drive to install Windows 7 on. If there are no partitions on the disk, you will get the 100 MB System Reserved.
• If you do not want to have the 100 MB System Reserved partition and only the Windows 7 C: partition on a HDD or SSD after installation, then select a formatted partition or drive to install Windows 7 on. If there are any partitions on the disk, you won't get the 100 MB System Reserved.

9. The installation of Windows 7 will now begin. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: During the installation process, your screen may flash and computer will restart a few times.
10. After the final restart, you will see this screen for a moment. (See screenshot below)
11. Type in any user name that you want for your default administrator account and any computer name, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
12. Type in a password you want for your default administrator account. Type it in again to confirm it, then type in a hint for your password. Click on the Next button. (See screenshots below)
WARNING: The password will be case sensitive. The hint will be seen by all users on the computer, so do not type your password as the hint.
NOTE: If you do not want your your user account password protected at this time or do not want to have to type in a hint, then leave this blank and click on the Next button. You can create a password later for your user account in the Control Panel User Accounts after installing Windows 7 without having to type in a hint.


13. Type in your Windows 7 product key number. (See screenshot below step 14)

14. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can activate Windows 7 later after you make sure it is running properly. (See step 21 below)
If you chose to automatically activate Windows 7 online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows three days after you log on for the first time.
15. Click on Use recommended settings to allow automatic Windows Updates and proper security settings. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For more information about these recommended settings, click on the Learn more about each option link in this window.
16. Select your time zone and set your time and date settings, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
17. Click on your computer's correct network location type location to select it and have the settings for that location automatically applied. (See screenshot below)
18. Windows 7 will now prepare your desktop to startup. (See screenshots below)


19. When it's finished and you are at your desktop, you can now remove or disconnect your installation DVD/USB from step 1 above.

20. Install all of your device drivers, then Windows Updates.

21. Refresh your Windows Experience Index (WEI) score.

22. When finished, all you will need to do is to activate Windows 7. (See screenshot below)

   Tip

If you are dual booting with another OS (ex: Vista), then that OS partition may not show up in Computer with a driver letter in Windows 7. You will need to add a drive letter to the OS (ex: Vista) partition in Windows 7 Disk Management for it to show up in Computer with a driver letter.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
• How to Use Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
• How to Do a Upgrade Installation with Windows 7
• How to Setup Windows 7 to Boot from a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk)
• How to Create a Windows 7 VHD at Boot to Start with from Boot
• How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7
• How to Activate Windows 7 Online
• How to Extend the Windows 7 Activation Trial Period Up to 120 Days
• How to Change the Default Operating System to Start in Windows 7
• How to Change Time to Display Operating Systems at Boot in Windows 7
• How to Delete an Operating System Listed in Windows Boot Manager
• How to Create a Windows 7 Installation USB Key
• How to Install Windows 7 from USB Pen Drive Using Grub4Dos
• How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Fix Missing Vista Hard Disk Partition Letter in Windows 7
• How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Setup a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP
• How to Install Windows 7 FAST without a DVD or USB Device
• Install Windows 7 Without Using Any External Device
• How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7
• How to Partition the Hard Drive in a Windows 7 Install
• How to Install Windows 7 on Computer with Less than 512MB RAM
• Slipstream Windows 7 SP1 and Updates to Create a Bootable USB, Installation DVD, or ISO File
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 7 from the Windows 7 Desktop
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 7 from the Windows XP Desktop
• How to Install Windows 7 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)
• How to Clean Reinstall a Factory OEM Windows 7
• New Installation: How to Create a General System Image in Audit Mode
• How to Clean Install Windows on a MSATA (SSD) Drive

 

[Techymike]

Yes, it does clear up my question. I will do that but first I will finish doing a back up of the files I currently have with Vista 64, just to have it. I will then do the custom install like you said and then move the files from the windows.old. It may be a windows.old.000 as I already have a windows.old file there. I got the real upgrade off ebay for $80, no tax and free shipping. After reading up on the different versions I decided the home premium is all I will use.

I did not realize that with windows 7 you can actually use the windows.old files because with Vista you could not use them as you would use a back up.

Thanks for the added information.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Mike.

 

[AceGuy78]

Hey Brink thanks for this guide i just installed it yesterday... the only problem i ran into is when the computer restarted during the install... instead of letting it boot to the Hard Drive i booted it to the disk... But i simply restarted the computer again and let it boot to the HD

Thanks again this really helped!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome AceGuy. I'm happy to hear that you got it installed now.

 

[sukh23]

Yes you can, but you must be careful that you format with the Win 7 disc at the time of your re install.
The win installer will see you present legal version and set a flag in RAM. It knows you are entitled to upgrade, and 'remembers' even after you format the partition in preparation for your new clean install.

Re enter your 25 digit Win 7 key when asked, and all should be well.

Note: Go NOT switch off your computer during the process at any time or the validation flag will be lost.

Thanks alot Nosmo my computers way faster now

 

[SEGA]

It really works Thanks Brink ... Just installed with my Upgrade Home Premium, works like a charm

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Sega.

 

[AussieGuy92]

would this solve my problem with windows 7 installing some system files on my second partiton?

 

[BSkiLLs]

would this solve my problem with windows 7 installing some system files on my second partiton?

No i dont think so.. depends really how you have it set up and if that's messed up then no it will not. Plus if it is an upgrade or a full disc you are installing or upgrading.

i also replied back to your email. so check your messages

 

[peterlonz]

Win 7 Install Tutorial

Brink,
You have done a good job in presenting this material.
However your notes do contain a number of exceptions which result in your advice:
Flash Bios, Reset Bios, & a few other not so easy to implement directions.
I do not consider myself a novice or newbie.
But faced with the possibility I might have to follow one or more of these instructions & given that in many circumstances I would be off line until the re-install was completed I can see only problems for any "first timer to this task".
I humbly suggest you consider letting readers know what level of expertise is required if something you mention as "might happen" does happen.
I could of course print your Tutorial but I would also have to hunt down other solutions (how to flash bios Or reset Bios for example). I'm just not going to do that.
Trying to be constructive I hope you see my point.
Pete

 

[Brink]

Brink,
You have done a good job in presenting this material.
However your notes do contain a number of exceptions which result in your advice:
Flash Bios, Reset Bios, & a few other not so easy to implement directions.
I do not consider myself a novice or newbie.
But faced with the possibility I might have to follow one or more of these instructions & given that in many circumstances I would be off line until the re-install was completed I can see only problems for any "first timer to this task".
I humbly suggest you consider letting readers know what level of expertise is required if something you mention as "might happen" does happen.
I could of course print your Tutorial but I would also have to hunt down other solutions (how to flash bios Or reset Bios for example). I'm just not going to do that.
Trying to be constructive I hope you see my point.
Pete

Hello Pete,

Thank you, all suggestions for improvements are welcomed. I'm not sure if that would be possible since each motherboard is usually a bit different on how to perform these tasks. I would prefer to have them ask questions if they do not know how so we can give them specific help for their system.

I have added a warning though to help prevent someone from trying this if they do not know or are unsure of what they are doing though.

 

[Summett]

Brink,

I'm in the process of doing a "clean" install using an Windows 7 Upgrade disc. Thanks for the tutorial. One question though, after the clean install from an upgrade, is it recommended to create a Boot Disc? And if so, would that be all that is needed should something happen and Windows 7 would need to be reinstalled?

Thanks much.

 

[Brink]

Hello Summett, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You could just use your Windows 7 installation disc to reinstall if ever need be.

Instead, if you have the hard drive space for it, create a system image backup of your clean install with all the drivers installled. This way if you lost your Windows 7 installation some how, you could just do a system image recovery to be right back to when it was created.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Dragon41673]

Hello, I have 2 questions and sincerely hope it has not been covered as of yet. I skimmed through all the posts, but I did not see it. If it has been posted, please either link me to that post or just copy it here...I sincerely apologize if this is a repeat in anyway...

This will be the first time I've updated an OS with additional hard drives and wondered...if I do a clean install of Win 7, will I loose my info on my other drives?

My HTPC has a 1tb Primary, 1tb storage (full), and a 500gig storage (full).
My Primary PC has a 750gig primary (roughly 1/3 full)
I also have a 500gig portable (half full)

BEFORE YOU ANSWER...please read...the one I'm concerned about is the HTPC and I don't have enough room in my other computer to back things up. I do have a portable hard drive...but that doesn't have enough room either...even combined with my main PC. I'm tempted to purchase an additional hard drive just to do this...but I'd honestly rather avoid that if possible. If my files were to get erased...yes I'd be pissed...but it would not be THAT big of a loss...but it would be upsetting.

ALSO - I'm a Vista Ultimate user...on 2 PC's...and I have yet to hear back from Microsoft from several emails I have sent them. Are all of us Vista Ultimate users just screwed or what for an upgrade? I was going to jump at the Win 7 Pro versions for 50% off and buy 3 of them as I really don't need Win 7 Ultimate...but back then, Microsoft said a Win 7 Ultimate deal would happen soon and for me it was the most logical upgrade path...but obviously it hasn't materialized and now Microsoft won't reply.

So now that I missed out on the deal for 50% off Win 7 Pro...I may have to just get the Win 7 Premium Family Pack as I have 3 PC's I have to update (2 Vista Ultimate & 1 XP Pro). If Microsoft would just reply back with a REAL answer...or even offer me 3 copies of Win 7 Pro for 50% off due to the misleading they did on their response to my original email...I'd jump on it...but such is life...

Anyone have any answers on both...it would be sincerely appreciated

 

[Brink]

Hello Dragon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Answers in-line:

This will be the first time I've updated an OS with additional hard drives and wondered...if I do a clean install of Win 7, will I loose my info on my other drives?

My HTPC has a 1tb Primary, 1tb storage (full), and a 500gig storage (full).
My Primary PC has a 750gig primary (roughly 1/3 full)
I also have a 500gig portable (half full)

When you do a clean install, you will only lose what drive or partition that you select and format to install Windows 7 on and nothing elses.

To be safe, you can do a custom install instead. This way all of your files from current installation will be placed in a C:\Windows.old folder in the new Windows 7 installation. This way you can easily copy any files back that you may want.

ALSO - I'm a Vista Ultimate user...on 2 PC's...and I have yet to hear back from Microsoft from several emails I have sent them. Are all of us Vista Ultimate users just screwed or what for an upgrade? I was going to jump at the Win 7 Pro versions for 50% off and buy 3 of them as I really don't need Win 7 Ultimate...but back then, Microsoft said a Win 7 Ultimate deal would happen soon and for me it was the most logical upgrade path...but obviously it hasn't materialized and now Microsoft won't reply.

So now that I missed out on the deal for 50% off Win 7 Pro...I may have to just get the Win 7 Premium Family Pack as I have 3 PC's I have to update (2 Vista Ultimate & 1 XP Pro). If Microsoft would just reply back with a REAL answer...or even offer me 3 copies of Win 7 Pro for 50% off due to the misleading they did on their response to my original email...I'd jump on it...but such is life...

The Family pack will save you more money since it comes with one product key number that can be installed and activated on up to 3 computers.


Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Dragon41673]

Hello Shawn,

Thanks for the answer, I was sure I would not lose any info on the other drives being that they are connected at the time of the install, but I wanted to be sure as due to my situation having Vista Ultimate...I have to do a clean install (which I prefer anyways) rather then the upgrade.

As far as the Family Pack...I have been considering that...but as a Vista Ultimate user...I feel so screwed over (would love to use other 4 letter words...but won't) by Microsoft that there is no Win 7 Ultimate offer like the one they had for Premium & Professional. I want Win 7 Pro..but due to me having 3 computers to upgrade...I don't want to put down that much money. The only draw back to Premium is it's limit of 16 gigs of memory...some day I may exceed that. I can't say for sure I would...but it's possible I would with my main computer.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Dragon.

 

[pb13]

Brilliant. Totally despondent after I could not activate my WIN7 Pro upgrade on my laptop. Found this post, ran the reg update and bingo.....thanks alot. Much appreciated
Pete

 

[Brink]

Brilliant. Totally despondent after I could not activate my WIN7 Pro upgrade on my laptop. Found this post, ran the reg update and bingo.....thanks alot. Much appreciated
Pete

You're welcome Pete, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I think you meant for this tutorial below instead though.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[Dragon41673]

Brink...any ideas?

I went ahead and got the Family Pack...2 computers down...but I've run into an issue. The first one I installed windows as a "custom install"...but the vista boot screen...the little green bar that goes from left to right with microsoft corporation logo at the bottom...is still there. My 2nd computer I did has the actual Win 7 flying balls into the glowing Windows logo...what did I do wrong? Is it possible that it did not install properly? It seems to be Win 7 when I log all the way in...but that 1 screen is bothering the hell out of me. I know it's trivial...but I can be a bit of a perfectionist..sorry.