{"id":481,"date":"2015-08-31T09:14:06","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T09:14:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kb2.host.dbj.systems\/?post_type=jetpack-portfolio&p=481"},"modified":"2015-08-31T09:14:06","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T09:14:06","slug":"how-to-clean-install-windows-7","status":"publish","type":"jetpack-portfolio","link":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/portfolio\/how-to-clean-install-windows-7\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Clean Install Windows 7"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Very detailed instructions. Please pay specail attention on how to wipe the disk clean, during installation.<\/h1>\n

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Original text and author<\/a><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 1 of 34.<\/h2>\n
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A Windows 7<\/a> clean install simply means an installation of Windows 7 on an unused partition<\/a> on your hard drive. In most cases, though, a clean install of Windows 7 means to remove an existing operating system<\/a> (Windows XP, Linux, Windows 7, Windows 8, … doesn’t matter) and to replace it with a fresh installation of Windows 7.<\/p>\n

After serious Windows 7 problems or during a new Windows 7 installation with an older operating system installed that you’d like to replace, it’s best to wipe your primary hard drive<\/a> partition clean and reinstall Windows 7 from scratch – a procedure referred to as a “clean install” or sometimes as a “custom install”.<\/p>\n

This guide is broken into 3 parts for a total of 34 steps and will walk you through every part of the Windows 7 clean install process.<\/p>\n

Backup & Locate Your Product Key<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most important thing to realize before performing a clean install of Windows 7 is that all of the information<\/em> on the drive that your current operating system is installed on (probably your C: drive) will be destroyed during this process. That means that if there’s anything you want to keep you should back it up to a disc or another drive prior<\/em> to beginning this process.<\/p>\n

You should also locate the Windows 7 product key<\/a>, a 25-digit alphanumeric code unique to your copy of Windows 7. If you can’t locate it, there is a fairly easy way to find the Windows 7 product key code<\/a> from your existing Windows 7 installation, but this must be done before<\/em> you reinstall Windows 7.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> If Windows originally came preinstalled on your computer (i.e. you did not install it yourself), your product key is probably located on a sticker attached to the side, back, or bottom of your computer’s case<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is the product key you should use when installing Windows 7.<\/p>\n

Start the Windows 7 Clean Install Process<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you’re absolutely sure<\/em> sure that everything from your computer that you want to keep is backed up, proceed to the next step. Keep in mind that once you delete all of the information from this drive (as we’ll do in a future step), the action is not reversible<\/em>!<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> The steps and screen shots shown in these 34 steps refer specifically to Windows 7 Ultimate edition but will also serve perfectly well as a guide to reinstalling any Windows 7 edition you may have including Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Home Premium.<\/p>\n

Performing a Clean Install of an OS Other Than Windows 7?<\/h3>\n

See How Do I Perform a Clean Installation of Windows?<\/a> for specific instructions for your version of Windows.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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Boot From the Windows 7 DVD or USB Device<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 2 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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To begin the Windows 7<\/a> clean install process, you’ll need to boot from the Windows 7 DVD<\/a> if you’re using a Windows 7 DVD, or boot from a USB device<\/a> if your Windows 7 installation files are located on a flash drive<\/a> or other externalUSB<\/a> drive.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> See the How To Change From One Windows 7 Installation Media To Another<\/em>section at the bottom of the page if you have a Windows 7 ISO image<\/a> that you need on a flash drive or disc, or a Windows 7 DVD you need on a flash drive.<\/p>\n

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  1. Restart your computer with the Windows 7 DVD in your optical drive<\/a>, or with the properly configured Windows 7 USB flash drive plugged in.<\/li>\n
  2. Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…<\/em> message similar to the one shown in the screenshot above. If you’re booting from a flash drive, the message may be phrased differently, like Press any key to boot from external device…<\/em>.<\/li>\n
  3. Press a key<\/strong> to force the computer to boot<\/a> from the Windows 7 DVD or USB storage device. If you do not press a key, your PC will attempt to boot to the next device in the boot order<\/a>, which is probably your hard drive<\/a>. If this happens, chances are your current operating system<\/a> will boot.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Note:<\/strong> If you existing Windows installation begins to boot or you see a “No Operating System Found” or “NTLDR is Missing” error here instead of the screen above, the most probable reason is that your PC is not setup to boot first from the correct source. To correct this problem, you’ll need to change the boot order in BIOS<\/a> to list the CD\/DVD\/BD drive, or External Device, first.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> It’s perfectly fine if, instead of the screen above, the Windows 7 setup process begins automatically (see the next step<\/a>). If this happens, consider this step complete and move on.<\/p>\n

    How To Change From One Windows 7 Installation Media To Another<\/h3>\n

    With both ISO and DVD options available when purchasing Windows 7, as well as the growing number of smaller computers without optical drives, you may find that, in order to start your clean install, you need to get your Windows 7 installation files from whatever format or media they’re on now onto another.<\/p>\n

    Here are some common problems that I see people in when planning to clean install Windows 7, plus easy to follow solutions:<\/p>\n

    “I have a Windows 7 DVD but don’t have an optical drive, so I need to be able to install Windows 7 from a flash drive.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This is the most common problem I see. The solution involves properlyformatting<\/a> a flash drive, or any USB storage device, and then correctly copying the Windows 7 installation files from the DVD disc to the flash drive.<\/p>\n

    See How To Install Windows 7 From USB<\/a> for a complete walkthrough of that process, then come back here to continue with the clean install.<\/p>\n

    “I downloaded a Windows 7 ISO file but I need to install Windows 7 from a USB drive.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Similarly to the last question, your final goal is to get the Windows 7 installation files, which are stored in that ISO file you have, to a flash drive or other external drive.<\/p>\n

    You get to use the same How To Install Windows 7 From USB<\/a> tutorial as in the last question, only you get to skip a step.<\/p>\n

    “I have a Windows 7 ISO file but I need to install Windows 7 from a DVD.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This problem is easy to solve, as there’s a very straightforward way of properly burning ISO images to discs, like CDs, DVDs, and BDs.<\/p>\n

    See How To Burn an ISO File to a Disc<\/a> for help and then head back here for the rest of the Windows 7 clean install tutorial.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> You can’t just burn an ISO file to a disc like you would with other data. If you’ve never burned an ISO image before, be sure to check out the tutorial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Installation Files to Load<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 3 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    You don’t need to do anything at this point but wait for Windows 7<\/a> to finishing loading files<\/a> in preparation for the setup process.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> No changes are being made to your computer at this time. Windows 7 is just temporarily “loading files” into memory<\/a> for the setup process. You’ll be removing everything on your computer as part of the Windows 7 clean install in a future step.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Finish Loading<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 4 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    After the Windows 7<\/a> install files are loaded into memory<\/a>, you’ll see the Windows 7 splash screen, indicating that the setup process is about to begin.<\/p>\n

    You don’t need to do anything at this point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Choose Language and Other Preferences<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 5 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Choose the Language to install<\/em>, Time and currency format<\/em>, and Keyboard or input method<\/em> that you’d like to use in your new Windows 7<\/a> installation.<\/p>\n

    Click Next.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Click the Install Now Button<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 6 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Click on the Install now<\/strong> button in the center of the screen, under the Windows 7<\/a> logo.<\/p>\n

    This will officially begin the Windows 7 clean install process.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> Do not click the Repair your computer<\/em> link at the bottom of the window even if you’re completing this clean install of Windows 7 as part of some larger repair project for your computer.<\/p>\n

    The Repair your computer<\/em> link is used to start a Windows 7 Startup Repair<\/a> or perform another recovery or repair task from System Recovery Options<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> If you’re performing a clean install of Windows 7 as a solution to a major problem but have not yet tried a Startup Repair, do that first. It could save you the trouble of completing this clean install process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Begin<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 7 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    The Windows 7<\/a> setup process is now beginning.<\/p>\n

    No need to press any keys here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Accept the Windows 7 License Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 8 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    The next screen that appears is a textbox containing the Windows 7<\/a> Software License.<\/p>\n

    Read through the agreement, check the I accept the license terms<\/em> checkbox under the agreement text and then click Next<\/strong> to confirm that you agree with the terms.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> You should always read “small print” especially when it comes tooperating systems<\/a> and other software. Most programs, Windows 7 included, have legally binding limits on how many computers the application can be installed on, among other limitations.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> You are not breaking any laws or contracts by reinstalling Windows 7 via this clean install. As long as this particular copy of Windows 7 is only being operated on one computer, you’re OK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Choose the Type of Windows 7 Installation to Complete<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 9 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    In the Which type of installation do you want?<\/em> window that appears next, you’re offered the choice of Upgrade<\/strong> and Custom (advanced)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Click on the Custom (advanced)<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> Even if you are upgrading from a previous operating system<\/a> toWindows 7<\/a>, I highly recommend that you do not follow the Upgrade<\/em> installation. You’ll get better performance with less chance of issues if you follow these clean install steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/a>Show the Windows 7 Advanced Drive Options<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 10 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    In this screen, you’ll see each partition<\/a> that Windows 7<\/a> recognizes.<\/p>\n

    The main difference in a Windows 7 clean install verses other kinds of Windows 7 installation methods is that a clean install involves the removal of alloperating system<\/a> related partitions.<\/p>\n

    Windows 7 setup considers partition management as an advanced task so you’ll need to click the Drive options (advanced)<\/strong> link to make those options available.<\/p>\n

    In the next few steps you’ll delete the partitions containing the operating system you’re replacing with Windows 7, be it Windows Vista, Windows XP, a previous installation of Windows 7, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Delete the Partition Windows is Installed On<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 11 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Now that all available drive options are listed, you can delete any operating system<\/a> related partitions<\/a> from your existing hard drive(s)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> Before continuing, be aware that deleting a partition will permanently erase all data from that drive. By all data I mean the operating system installed, all programs, all data saved by those programs, all music, all video, all documents, etc. that might be on that particular drive.<\/p>\n

    Highlight the partition you want to delete and then click the Delete<\/strong> link.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> Your list of partitions may differ considerably from mine shown above. On my computer, I am performing a clean install of Windows 7<\/a> on a computer with a single 30GB hard drive that has previously had Windows 7 installed.<\/p>\n

    If you have multiple hard drives and\/or multiple partitions on those drive(s), take great care in confirming that you’re deleting the correct partition(s). 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Confirm the Partition Deletion<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 12 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    After deleting the partition<\/a>, Windows 7<\/a> setup will prompt you to confirm the deletion.<\/p>\n

    The message says “The partition might contain recovery files, system files, or important software from your computer manufacturer. If you delete this partition, any data stored on it will be lost.”<\/em><\/p>\n

    Click the OK<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> As I spelled out in the last step, please be aware that all the data stored on that drive will be lost.<\/p>\n

    If you have not backed up everything you want to keep, click Cancel<\/em>, end the Windows 7 clean install process, restart your computer to boot back into whatever operating system<\/a> you have installed, and backup everything you want to keep.<\/p>\n

    To be clear: This is the point of no return!<\/strong> There’s no reason to be scared, I just want it to be very clear that you can’t undo the deletion of the drive you selected after you click this OK button.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Delete Other Operating System Related Partitions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 13 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    If there are any other partitions<\/a> that need to be deleted, you can do so at this time.<\/p>\n

    For example, the Windows 7<\/a> installation I had on my PC previously created this special 100MB (very small) partition to store system data in. This is most definitely related to the operating system<\/a> that I’m trying to completely remove from my computer so I’ll delete this as well.<\/p>\n

    Highlight the partition and click the Delete<\/strong> link.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> As you can see, the partition we deleted in the last step is gone. It may appear like it’s still there but if you look closely, you’ll see that that same 29.9GB space is now described as Unallocated Space<\/em>, not as a partition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Confirm Additional Partition Deletions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 14 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Just as in Step 12<\/a>, Windows 7<\/a> setup will prompt you to confirm the deletion of this partition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Click the OK<\/strong> button to confirm.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> Just as before, please be aware that all the data stored on this particular drive will be lost.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Choose a Physical Location to Install Windows 7 On<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 15 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    As you can now see, all the space on the installed hard drive<\/a> is unallocated. Nopartitions<\/a> exist on this computer.Note:<\/strong> The number of partitions displayed and whether those partitions are unallocated portions of a hard drive, previously partitioned spaces, or previously formatted and blank partitions will depend on your specific system and which partitions you deleted in the last several steps.If you’re installing Windows 7<\/a> on a computer with a single hard drive on which you’ve just deleted all the partitions from, your screen should look like the one above, aside from your hard drive being a different size.Choose the appropriate unallocated space to install Windows 7 on and then clickNext<\/strong>.Note:<\/strong> You do not need to manually create a new partition nor are you required to manually format a new partition. Windows 7 Setup will do this automatically.This completes Part 1 of 3!<\/strong><\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    How To Clean Install Windows 7 (Part 2 of 3)<\/h1>\n
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    Wait While Windows 7 is Installed<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Clean Install Windows 7 – Step 16 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    This is the beginning of Part 2 of 3. If you need to, you can go back to the previous step located at the end of Part 1<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Windows 7 Setup will now install a clean copy of Windows 7<\/a> to the location you chose in the previous step<\/a>. You don’t need to do anything here but wait.<\/p>\n

    This is the most time consuming of any of the 34 steps. Depending on the speed of your computer, this process could take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Restart Your Computer<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 17 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Now that the Windows 7<\/a> clean install process is nearly complete, you need to restart your computer.<\/p>\n

    If you do nothing, your computer will reset automatically after 10 seconds or so. If you’d rather not wait, you can click the Restart now<\/strong> button at the bottom of the Windows needs to restart to continue<\/em> screen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Begin Again<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 18 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    The Windows 7<\/a> clean install is now continuing.<\/p>\n

    You don’t need to do anything here. There are a few more automatic Windows 7 setup steps to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Update Registry Settings<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 19 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7<\/a> Setup is now updating registry<\/a> settings in preparation for the final stages of the operating system<\/a> clean install.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Start Services<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 20 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Wait while Windows 7<\/a> Setup starts various necessary services<\/a>. This starting of services will occur during every Windows 7 boot<\/a> as well but you won’t see it like this again. Services start in the background during a normal Windows 7 startup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 Setup to Complete<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 21 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    This last Windows 7<\/a> Setup screen says “Completing installation” and may take several minutes. All you need to do is wait – everything is automatic.<\/p>\n

    If the Windows 7 Setup process is complete, why are we only on step 21 of 34?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The remainder of the steps in this clean install process include several easy but important configurations that need to take place before you can use Windows 7.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Your PC to Automatically Restart<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 22 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Wait while the Windows 7<\/a> setup process automatically restarts your computer.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> Do not restart your computer manually at this point. Windows 7 Setup will restart your PC for you. If you interrupt the setup process by restarting manually, the clean install process may fail. You may then need tostart the Windows 7 setup over again<\/a> from the beginning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 to Start<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 23 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Wait while Windows 7<\/a> starts.<\/p>\n

    No user intervention is required here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
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    Wait for Windows 7 to Prepare Your PC for First Use<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 24 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7<\/a> Setup is now preparing your computer for “first use.”<\/p>\n

    Windows 7 is now loading drivers<\/a>, checking to make sure everything has been setup properly, removing temporary files, etc.<\/p>\n

    You don’t need to do anything here.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> Remember, this clean install of Windows 7 has completely removed your old operating system<\/a>. Windows 7 is being installed and configured just as it would on a brand new computer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Wait for Windows 7 to Check Your PC’s Video Performance<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 25 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Wait while Windows 7<\/a> checks the video performance of your computer.<\/p>\n

    Windows 7 needs to know how well your video card<\/a> and related hardware<\/a> works so it can properly adjust performance options for your computer.<\/p>\n

    For example, if your video system is too slow, Windows 7 may disable features like Aero Peek, translucent windows, and other graphically intense features of the operating system<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
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    Choose a User Name and a Computer Name<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 26 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Windows 7<\/a> needs to know what use name you’d like to use and how you’d like your computer to be identified on your local network.<\/p>\n

    In the Type a user name (for example, John):<\/em> text box, enter your name. You can enter a single name, your first and last name, or any other identifiable text you like. This is the name you’ll be identified by in Windows 7.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> You’re more than welcome to use the same user name that you used in your old operating system<\/a> installation.<\/p>\n

    In the Type a computer name:<\/em> text box, enter the name you’d like your computer to have when being viewed by other computers on your network.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> If it makes sense in your specific situation, I recommend using the same computer name you used in the operating system installation you’ve deleted as part of this clean install, especially if any other computers on your network connect to resources on your PC.<\/p>\n

    Otherwise, a good computer name might be Office-PC<\/em>, Windows-7-Test-PC<\/em>, Bob-Dell<\/em>, etc. You get the idea. Anything identifiable that makes sense to you will work.<\/p>\n

    Click Next<\/strong> when you’re done entering both the user name and computer name.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> Planning on having more than one user on your computer? Don’t worry – you can set up more users inside Windows 7 later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
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    Choose a Password to Access Windows 7<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 27 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Microsoft recommends<\/em> that you choose a password that will be required when starting Windows 7<\/a> before access to your user account will be allowed.<\/p>\n

    Don’t treat this as a recommendation – consider it a requirement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    In the Type a password (recommended):<\/em> text box, enter a complicated but easy-for-YOU-to-remember password. Retype the same password in the Retype your password:<\/em> text box.<\/p>\n

    Type a hint to give yourself in the Type a password hint (required):<\/em> text box.<\/p>\n

    This hint will display if you enter the wrong password when logging on to Windows 7.<\/p>\n

    As you can see in the example above, the hint I entered was What is my favorite food?<\/em>. The password I entered (which you can’t see above) was applesauce<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> Feel free to use the same password as you used in the operating system<\/a>you’ve just removed from your computer as part of this Windows 7 clean install. However, this is as good a time as any to choose a stronger password than you might have used before.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Enter the Windows 7 Product Key<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 28 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Enter the product key<\/a> that came with your retail purchase or legal download ofWindows 7<\/a>. If Windows 7 came as part of your complete computer system, enter the product key you were given as part of that purchase.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> If Windows originally came preinstalled on your computer, your product key is probably located on a sticker attached to the side, back, or bottom of your computer’s case<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Important:<\/strong> You may be able to avoid entering a product key at this point but you will eventually need to do so in order to continue using Windows 7.<\/p>\n

    I highly advise that you enter your product key here and choose to Automatically activate Windows when I’m online<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Choose a Windows Update Option<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 29 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    On this Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically<\/em> screen,Windows 7<\/a> is asking you do choose how you want to automatically install updates from Microsoft’s Windows Update<\/a> service.<\/p>\n

    I recommend that you choose Install important updates only<\/strong>. This option is the safest because it restricts Windows 7 from doing anything with your data or to your computer automatically except when important security and stability updates are available.<\/p>\n

    You are more than welcome to choose Use recommended settings<\/strong> but I do not recommend that you choose Ask me later<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> These settings can easily be changed within Windows 7 after you’re done stepping through these configuration questions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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    Choose the Correct Time Zone, Date, and Time<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 30 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    On the Review your time and date settings<\/em> screen, choose the correct Time zone<\/strong>,Date<\/strong>, and Time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    The time and date is likely already correct but be sure to verify the time zone and change if necessary.<\/p>\n

    If your area observes Daylight Saving Time be sure to check that box here.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> If the date and\/or time of Daylight Saving Time changes, Microsoft will issue an update via Windows Update<\/a> to change the automatic time change so don’t avoid checking this box assuming that DST changes won’t occur correctly.<\/p>\n

    This completes Part 2 of 3!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/p>\n

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    How to Reinstall Windows 7 From Scratch (Part 3)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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    Choose a Network Location<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    \"Screenshot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
    Windows 7 Clean Install – Step 31 of 34.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    This is the beginning of Part 3 of 3. If you need to, you can go back to the previous step located at the end of Part 2<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

    In the Select your computer’s current location<\/em> window you see now, Windows 7<\/a> is asking where your computer is located at so it can setup the proper network security – tighter security for public areas and lighter for private ones like home and work.<\/p>\n

    Choose Home network<\/strong> or Work network<\/strong> if that applies to you.<\/p>\n

    Most of you reading this will choose Home network<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    Choose Public network<\/strong> if you use a mobile computer and you connect to the Internet or other computers away from home. Also, be sure to choose Public network<\/em> if you access the internet via a mobile broadband network – no matter if you’re at home or not.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    The End (believe it or not \ud83d\ude42 )<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Very detailed instructions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"jetpack-portfolio-type":[120],"jetpack-portfolio-tag":[101,127],"class_list":["post-481","jetpack-portfolio","type-jetpack-portfolio","status-publish","format-standard","jetpack-portfolio-type-support","jetpack-portfolio-tag-install","jetpack-portfolio-tag-windows-7","czr-hentry"],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio\/481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/jetpack-portfolio"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=481"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio\/481\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"jetpack-portfolio-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio-type?post=481"},{"taxonomy":"jetpack-portfolio-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbj.systems\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio-tag?post=481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}