WHat does Win 7 Clean install do to disk?

[FrankP999]

What exactly does the "clean install" do to an existing Vista C: drive? I have a Vista 64 bit laptop and the Windows 7 upgrade disk from the manufacturer. I do not want the default installation - I want a custom clean install so no Vista crap is carried over and am trying to understand the clean install process. (and yes I have full backups of my data and understand that programs will require a re-install)

Does the clean install
1. actually re-format the C drive?
2. Erase all files on the C drive?
3. something else?

Thanks

Frank

 

[theog]

What exactly does the "clean install" do to an existing Vista C: drive? I have a Vista 64 bit laptop and the Windows 7 upgrade disk from the manufacturer. I do not want the default installation - I want a custom clean install so no Vista crap is carried over and am trying to understand the clean install process. (and yes I have full backups of my data and understand that programs will require a re-install)

Does the clean install
1. actually re-format the C drive?
2. Erase all files on the C drive?
3. something else?

Thanks

Frank

Hi FrankP999

1) & 2) YES.

Some good reading below:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html?ltr=C

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

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/34853-common-installation-problems.html

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums.

#1 & #2 yes.

A clean install will give you the option to format the selected partition which will erase all the files.

Have a look at this Seven Forums tutorial: Clean Installation with Windows 7

In step #7 select Drive Options (advanced), then click on the Format option.

If you don't select this option it will install on that partition and give you a folder called windows.old with all your personal files and settings.

A good idea to check for any problems that might occur during the install, run the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

You can also check Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers

 

[richc46]

It is my understanding, and others may correct me if I am wrong. If you chose custom, and do not go into advanced options and format yourself, your files are saved to a file windows.old (which you can acess after installation). Your drive is then formatted and then the new OS, is then installed. There has been discussions, in this forum, concerning the benefit of formating yourself, (using the advanced option, included on the upgrade disc). Some feel that everything may not be removed, unless your format yourself during the installation process. Everyone, agrees, however that clean or custom, is much better than an upgrade.


In this forum some use the terms clean and custom as one in the same. Others say that clean means that you format yourself.

You may note from the time on the above postings, they came in as I was typing my response, please excuse any duplicate information

 

[Dubya]

1. actually re-format the C drive?

> Unless you actually format the drive, simply re-installing Windows does NOT format the drive, but puts the entire content of your Vista installation into a folder called "Windows.old" as mentioned in a previous reply Dave76.

2. Erase all files on the C drive?

> As mentioned above, if you just re-install Windows 7 without formatting, the previous installation's files (including all program files) will go into the "Windows.old" folder.

3. something else?

Well...yes.

 

[FrankP999]

OK Thanks folks

I will backup a couple of ways then do the clean install with format option. I want to remove all traces of previous registry, Vista, etc

Frank

 

[Dave76]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[gregrocker]

There is no format that removes all underlying traces of data except zeroing the drive, which is the old XP long format. Today's quick format just zero the MBR. Many feel this is clean enough.

You can get an full zeroing format using a HDD diagnostic disk like Data Lifeguard, or Dariks's BootnNuke.