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

 

[Brink]

Hello Jay, and welcome to Seven Forums.

In addition to what Gary suggested, you might also look at the tutorial below since this is a preinstalled Windows 7 on your OEM laptop. It can help provide some addition details that may be helpful for this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html
Instead of changing the boot priority order in BIOS, you could press whatever key (ex: F10/F11) to open the boot menu during boot up to be able to select to temporarily boot from the USB flash drive. This way when your PC restarts the first time during installation, it will not continuously start the installation over again by booting from the USB over and over.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Britton30]

This should be the correct iso for your 64 bit w7 Home Premium edition. http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso

 

[stevieray]

May I make a suggestion? Add a note at the appropriate point that reads:
"you may remove the installation disc or thumbdrive at this time"
That way, us family-help-desk "volunteers" will get one less frantic, panicked phone call.
Thanks!

 

[Brink]

Sure thing mate. I added it as step 19.

 

[Vista32toWin7]

When to remove install disk?

"at the appropriate point you may remove the installation disc or thumbdrive at this time" Brink: I added it as step 19.

R. I've read a few Win 7 install tutorials where it says you can remove the disc after the first reboot. I forgot what the reasoning for this was, but does it matter whether the disc is removed after the 1st reboot or at step 19 toward the end of the install? Just looking for the correct procedure.

Thanks, Vista.

 

[Brink]

Hello Vista,

The installation media shouldn't be removed until Windows has completely finished installing and you are sitting at your desktop.

The only reason the installation media should be temporarily removed during the first reboot and connected back afterwards is if say an installation USB was improperly set to be listed first in the boot priority list in BIOS instead of the HDD/SDD and only selecting to temporarily boot from the USB in the boot menu.

 

[Vista32toWin7]

Okay, thanks for that answer Brink.

Vista

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Vista. Please let us know how it went.

 

[UserNam]

Hp Offers options built-in, "clean" image, Factory, AND Minimal. You have to open the hp recovery form in "repair this pc". Just thought to throw that out.

 

[Rustydog]

Hi Shawn
I've had mixed fortunes trying to correct the faults that have arisen in my Windows 7 Home Premium O/S.
I've spent a lot of time fixing the System Restore function which I did with more luck then good management.
But two more faults have come up. The program freezes when installing windows downloaded up-dates,
and the computer frequently hangs in the Shutting Down Window when being switched off, so I have to
resort to using the power button to soft stop it.
I do'nt know if the problems are caused by faults in the hardware (cpu, ram, harddrive etc), or whether it is some debris from a badly a un-installed software program,(my problems have seemed to have come about since I did some tiding up in the computers software applications).
Since I'am more at home with hardware then software I think my best bet is to do a clean install on a new and bigger harddrive.
My installation disc was bought in 2009 and does not have service pack 1 on it nor any of the other updates that have been issued since then.
Is it possible and legal to download the latest Windows 7 iso from Microsoft Windows 7 Direct Download Links.
And use the Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool to create a bootable DVD to do a clean installation with. And whether my original installation DVD's product key will be able to authorize this installation.
Rustydog.

 

[Brink]

Hello Rustydog,

Yes, that's correct. You will be able to activate the downloaded Windows as long as the downloaded ISO is also a 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium version that your product key is for. It doesn't matter that it's more up to date than your old installation media. All that matters is the product key and what it's for.

I hope the clean install goes smoothly for you.

 

[dirtylove]

Everytime I get to step 9 and I am seeing "completing installation" my computer glitches, shows an error message or blue screen for a split second and then shuts down. I've tried installing multiple times, hard drive is brand new. What could the problem be??

 

[Brink]

Hello dirtylove, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Could be a number of things, but I would lean towards the hard drive. Have you tested doing a clean install with a different hard drive to rule that out?

What was the full error message?

 

[dirtylove]

The hard drives I had previously were not even being recognized, I assumed that they had just failed because they're old. The new one shows up, but just won't finish installing windows. The error message flashes too quickly to read before my computer just shuts down. When I turn it back on it tries to go to windows start up services, but then I get an error message that says there was a problem installing windows and I need to restart my computer to finish. Happens every time.

 

[Brink]

What happens when you restart the computer to allow the installation to continue without booting from the installed media?

If it doesn't continue, then boot from your installation media to run a clean (not "clean all") command in a command prompt at boot to wipe the drive to be unallocated space, create a new primary partition on the HDD, then try installing Windows again to see how it goes.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
If it still crashes on you, then double check all your hardware making sure that all cards and RAM is seated properly, and all cables are connected securely. It wouldn't hurt to test your RAM to see if it a stick may be bad, but it will take a long time to finish.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[kemz]

Hi.
Great tutorial...but I have a problem...
When I get to where I'm supposed to select a drive where windows 7 is installed, one shows up...it's 7.5GB(with 4GB free) and marked as system.
When I select it, it says I cant install to a drive connected via usb.
What could be the problem?

I am using an HP envy 6 sleekbook.

 

[Brink]

Hello kemz, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Looking at the specs for that laptop, it show it comes with a 500 GB 5400 rpm hard drive.

Did you have any issues with your hard drive?

For now, you might see if this may help as well.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html

 

[muzo]

One Little Question!

Hey Brink!

nice tutorial you've got here!

i just have 1 little question and that is:

At the moment i run 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium edition and the site you've provided does not have the same version in dutch.
So i can i download a higher version like the professional or even ultimate and use my old product-id key to keep my originality? or do i have to install the exact same version i have now?

if i do then where can i get a legitimate 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium edition in Dutch?

Note: I want to keep my OS legitimate so i want to use the same product-ID key if possible.

 

[Brink]

Hello Muzo, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, no. The ISO will need to be for the same edition that your product key is for.

I suppose other than doing a factory recovery instead, you could order replacement installation media from the computer manufacturer.

 

[Britton30]

Hey Brink!

nice tutorial you've got here!

i just have 1 little question and that is:

At the moment i run 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium edition and the site you've provided does not have the same version in dutch.
So i can i download a higher version like the professional or even ultimate and use my old product-id key to keep my originality? or do i have to install the exact same version i have now?

if i do then where can i get a legitimate 64bit Windows 7 Home Premium edition in Dutch?

Note: I want to keep my OS legitimate so i want to use the same product-ID key if possible.

This may work, download the Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U in Dutch and create a universal installer from it. Use the Stage One method.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html