Does Windows 7 require a disc to reformat?

[Karizma]

Hi, I just bought a new dell pc running windows 7 which is my first experience with it, however my computer only came with a Drivers and utilities disc. Is 7 not like xp where you use a disc or did my pc just not come with it?

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Generally speaking, Dell will not supply a Windows DVD unless you order and pay a little extra for it at the time you order your new computer.

The first thing you need to do is create a set of recovery discs before you do anything else, as they will get your computer back to its factory state should you need to.

Create your recovery discs as per JDobbsy's link, and then if you want to get rid of Dell's bloatware and clean install Windows 7, you can do so as this link explains.

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

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Hi Karizma, Welcome to Seven Forums.

Most retail PC's/Laptops these days don't come with the OS on a CD but are stored on a recovery partition on your computer.

This link may provide help creating the dell recovery CD - Creating Your System Recovery Discs with Dell DataSafe Local Backup 2.0 | Dell

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[Karizma]

Alright cool, thanks for the help guys

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi, I just bought a new dell pc running windows 7 which is my first experience with it, however my computer only came with a Drivers and utilities disc. Is 7 not like xp where you use a disc or did my pc just not come with it?

It is like xp in that regard. Currently the computer mfr's dont routinely provide an OS dvd as it saves them >50$ per machine.

You can download a Win 7 image and burn it to dvd

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Alright cool, thanks for the help guys

You are very welcome, please feel free to post back if you have any issues and i'm sure people will be more than happy to help.

 

[seavixen32]

Anything you're not sure of just post back.

In terms of a system recovery, the Dell recovery partition is a lot quicker than a restore from recovery discs, but just to repeat, make creating those recovery discs your first task, for which you'll need three blank DVD-R discs.

 

[wanchoo]

One of the sites from where you can download the Windows 7 ISO image is Download Retail Windows 7 ISO from Official Website | Windows7hacker. Just keep a hard copy of the Product Key safely somewhere. Best place would be on the cover of the DVD Jewel Case or written on the DVD that you would make with the ISO.

I think that the advantage of installing the OS from a DVD made with the ISO would be that the OS environment would be free of bloatware included by the manufacturer and/or vendor in the Recovery Partition. Also if the installation and activation takes place smoothly then you can delete the Recovery Partition.

And finally you can perhaps reformat the System Volume Partition (C Drive) using the Recovery Partition and no disk is required. Other partitions if any can be partitioned with the Disk Management Utility in the Windows environment also.

 

[gregrocker]

You can use the Retail (not OEM) Windows Installation DVD for your licensed version to reinstall factory OEM since Vista.

Follow these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7