It’s the ultimate “reinstall Windows 7” process.
As of January 2020, Microsoft isno longer supporting Windows 7.
We recommendupgrading to Windows 10to continue receiving security updates and technical support.
Lifewire / Luyi Wang
Let’s get started… Microsoft has changed the clean install process for every new Windows release.
One quick way to back up the list of programs you have on your system is with theCCleanertool.
If Windows originally came preinstalled on your machine (i.e.
This is the product key you should use when installing Windows 7.
If this happens, consider this step complete and move on!
No changes are being made to your rig at this time.
Windows 7 is just temporarily “loading files” into memory for the setup process.
You don’t need to do anything at this point either.
This will officially begin the Windows 7 clean install process.
It could save you the trouble of completing this clean install process.
Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Begin
The Windows 7 setup process is now beginning.
No need to press any keys hereeverything is automatic.
You should always read “small print” especially when it comes to operating systems and other software.
You are not breaking any laws or contracts by reinstalling Windows 7 via this clean install.
SelectCustom (advanced).
You’ll get better performance with less chance of issues if you follow these clean install steps.
Before continuing, hey be aware that deleting a partition will permanently erase all data from that drive.
that might be on that particular drive.
Highlight the partition you want to delete and then select theDeletelink.
Your list of partitions may differ considerably from mine shown above.
Many people, for example, have second hard drives or partitions that act as backup drives.
That’s certainly not a drive you want to be deleting.
If you delete this partition, any data stored on it will be lost."
Highlight the partition and select theDeletelink.
As you’re able to see, the partition we deleted in the last step is gone.
No partitions exist on this computer.
Choose the appropriate unallocated space to install Windows 7 on and then selectNext.
You do not need to manually create a new partition nor are you required to manuallyformat a new partition.
Windows 7 Setup will do this automatically.
You don’t need to do anything here but wait.
This is the most time consuming of any of the 34 steps.
Depending on the speed of your gear, this process could take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.
If you do nothing, your gear will reset automatically after 10 seconds or so.
Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Begin Again
The Windows 7 clean install is now continuing.
You don’t need to do anything here.
There are a few more automatic Windows 7 setup steps to come.
Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Start Services
Wait while Windows 7 Setup starts various necessaryservices.
Services start in the background during a normal Windows 7 startup.
All you gotta do is waiteverything is automatic.
If the Windows 7 Setup process is complete, why are we only on step 21 of 34?
Do not cycle your rig manually at this point.
Windows 7 Setup will kickstart your PC for you.
If you interrupt the setup process by restarting manually, the clean install process may fail.
You may then need to start the Windows 7 setup over again from the beginning.
Wait for Windows 7 to Start
Wait while Windows 7 starts.
No user intervention is required here.
You don’t need to do anything here.
Remember, this clean install of Windows 7 has completely removed your old operating system.
Windows 7 is being installed and configured just as it would on a brand new computer.
In theType a user name (for example, John):text box, input your name.
This is the name you’ll be identified by in Windows 7.
Otherwise, a good computer name might beOffice-PC,Windows-7-Test-PC,Bob-Dell, etc.
You get the idea.
Anything identifiable that makes sense to you will work.
SelectNextwhen you’re done entering both the user name and computer name.
Planning on having more than one user on your rig?
Don’t worryyou can set up more users inside Windows 7 later.
Don’t treat this as a recommendationconsider it a requirement.
In theType a password (recommended):text box, enter a complicated but easy-for-YOU-to-remember password.
Retype the same password in theRetype your password:text box.
punch in a hint to give yourself in theType a password hint (required):text box.
This hint will display if you enter the wrong password when logging on to Windows 7.
The password I entered (which you could’t see above) wasapplesauce.
However, this is as good a time as any to choose astronger passwordthan you might have used before.
I recommend that you chooseInstall important updates only.
You are more than welcome to chooseUse recommended settingsbut I do not recommend that you chooseAsk me later.
These settingscan easily be changed within Windows 7after you’re done stepping through these configuration questions.
If your area observes Daylight Saving Time be sure to check that box here.
ChooseHome networkorWork networkif that applies to you.
Most of you reading this will chooseHome data pipe.
ChoosePublic networkif you use a mobile computer and you connect to the internet or other computers away from home.
You don’t need to do anything here.
it’s possible for you to enter this information orSkipthe setup entirely.
I do not show this additional screen in this guide.
You don’t need to do anything here.
All of these changes are done automatically in the background.
Your Windows 7 Clean Install Is Complete!
This completes the final step of your clean install of Windows 7.
If you did enable automatic updates, Windows 7 will prompt you about any important updates needed.
FAQ
Toinstall Windows 11, go to theWindows 11 Download pageand installthen runthe Installation Assistant.
