How to Clean Install Windows 7
Microsoft’s Windows 7 is one of the best and most used operating system after Windows XP. It’s suitability for home as well as professional users made it top choice for almost everyone. Besides features, the installation process has also been simplified a lot as compared to Windows XP. You can clean install Windows 7 in very simple steps.
For installing a clean copy of Windows 7 on your PC, you need to create bootable USB or DVD first. After that you will have to setup your PC to boot from respective installation media. So, in this tutorial we are going to explain, how you can install clean copy of Windows 7 on a fresh or New PC.
NOTE: Installing a clean copy of Windows 7 will wipe your HDD (specially C drive) and remove all your programs and documents. We suggest you take backup of your data first.
Windows 7 System Requirements
- Processor (CPU): 1 GHz or faster.
- RAM: 1 GB RAM for 32-bit and 2 GB RAM for 64-bit
- HDD: 16 GB disk space for 32-bit / 20 GB for 64-bit
- Graphics: DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver.
- Windows 7 Installation Media: DVD disc or USB disk.
Clean Install Windows 7 on Your Computer
Step 1: Boot from Installation Media
First of all, you have to setup your PC to boot from the installation media. You can setup your computer to boot from DVD or USB disk if you are using bootable DVD or USB disk respectively.
After setting up your PC to boot from CD/DVD or USB, insert installation media and restart your PC. While starting up, you will see, “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD or USB…“. Press any key to start installation.
Step 2: Windows 7 Setup
After loading startup files, Windows 7 Setup will start. Select Language, Time and currency format and Keyboard input. After selecting appropriate options, click on Next to proceed.
Next, you will see option to install Windows 7. Click on Install Now to install clean copy of Windows 7 on your PC.
Step 3: Select Version, Accept License and Select Installation Type
As soon as you click on Install Now, Windows 7 setup will start. If you are using a multi-version installation disk, you can select the version of Windows 7 you want to install. Then, click on Next to proceed.
Next, you will see license agreement. Check the box next to “I accept the license terms” and click Next.
You are almost ready to start Windows 7 installation process. Click on Custom (advanced) to install clean copy of Windows 7. Upgrade option can only be used when you are running the setup from existing Windows.
Step 4: Create Partition for Clean Install of Windows 7
If you are installing Windows 7 on a new PC, you will have hard disk with un-allocated space. You have to create partitions first, in order to install new copy of Windows 7 on it. Though Windows setup can automatically create partition but it will create only one partition on whole disk. If you wish to create custom partition, click on Drive options (advanced).
You will now see Advanced drive options. First, select unallocated disk space and then, click on New. Enter the size of new partition (in MB) and click Apply.
You will see a message about Windows creating additional partitions, Just click OK.
Now, you have successfully created a partition. Similarly, you can create more partition if you have more disk space. You will see a System Reserved partition. Select newly created partition except “System Reserved” to install clean copy of Windows 7 on it. Click Next to proceed.
Step 5: Windows 7 Installation
After you click on Next after selecting a partition, Windows 7 installation will start. Expanding Windows files takes some time, so you can enjoy a cup of coffee in the meanwhile.
Your computer might reboot multiple times during installation process. After rebooting, setup will update registry settings and complete the rest of the installation process.
After completing the installation, system will restart again and boot into Windows 7 for the first time.
Step 6: Setup User Account on Windows 7
After booting into Windows 7 for the first time, you will now create a user account for your new Windows 7. Enter the username for your PC and click Next.
Next, create password for your newly created user account. Click Next to proceed.
Step 7: Configure Settings for Clean Install of Windows 7
Now you will be asked to enter Product key. Enter the product key for Windows 7. You can also Skip this step to do it later.
Choose Windows update settings for your PC. We recommend to choose “Use recommended settings” option.
Next, configure date and time settings. Select the time zone and click Next to proceed.
If you are connected to a network, you can select which type of network you are on. If you don’t know, just click on Public Network. I you are not connected to any network, you won’t see this prompt.
Step 8: Windows 7 Installation Complete
Windows will prepare your desktop for you to start Windows 7 for first time. You will be taken to Windows 7 desktop. Now, your Windows 7 clean installation is complete. You can now eject installation media and start installing your programs.
Install a Clean Copy of Windows 7 on Your PC
Above tutorial explained how you can install a clean copy of Windows 7 on your PC. If you wish to upgrade your PC, you will have to run Windows setup from within the existing Windows. Well, after you are done with installation process, you can begin installation of necessary programs.
Hope you liked above tutorial. In case you are facing any problem while installing Windows 7, feel free to share them in comments down below. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get latest tutorials directly into your inbox.
SEE ALSO:
1. How to Clean install Windows XP? or
2. How to clean install Windows 10?
3. How to Reset Password for Windows 7/8 or Windows XP?
4. How to create password reset disk for Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1?
