Windows 7 Reinstall Guides: A reinstall guide is the replacement of an already present operating system. So if you wish to format your hard drive and put Windows 7 onto this drive then the reinstall guide is for you. Same as a clean install but with the removal all traces of the previous operating system. You can use this guide also for replacing an older Windows with new. Lets say you have XP , and now wish to replace this with Windows 7 using the same hard drive, then these guides are for you. The reinstalling Windows Help on this site is probably why most people come here. This install guide is fully graphical and will take you through each step of the installation. (All images are thumb nail size (CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS GUIDE WITH FULL SIZED IMAGES))

This is a reinstall of windows with format either of Windows 7 or from an older Operating System, it should be trouble free of errors and problems as long as your system fits the minimum specs as laid down by Microsoft and does not have an incompatibility or hardware faults. Time of reinstall will vary from 20 mins to 2/3 hours depending on the speed of your hardware.

Special Notes: Problems reinstalling Windows, or after reinstalling then try upgrading your BIOS to the latest version (BIOS upgrade can be obtained from the PC manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer.) If your hard drive is not seen during the reinstall then you will require SATA/RAID drivers from the PC manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer. See our other guides for "No Hard Drive" reinstalls. Also for missing "New" hard drives make sure they are seen in the BIOS and are fitted correctly.

 

1. Your Windows 7 Home Premium DVD or CD's

2. Windows 7 COA, or serial number.

3. Your computer Plugged into Mains Power

4. Electric supply running to your house.

5. A Computer, with the usual accessories (Mouse, monitor, keyboard etc)

6. CD-ROM/DVD Drive.

To start this Windows install insert the CD/DVD and boot/reboot your computer, it should automatically begin to run. If not then make sure the drive is set to first boot in the BIOS, see this Windows 7 BIOS guide for more info.

 

Special Notes: Problems reinstalling Windows, or after reinstalling then try upgrading your BIOS to the latest version (BIOS upgrade can be obtained from the PC manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer.) Also download the latest SATA/RAID Drivers, as older ones may not work. Check your system is within the minimal hardware requirements as laid down by Microsoft. Click here A common piece of hardware to cause reinstall errors is "Memory", your reinstall CD has "Memory diagnostics", run this from the "7" disk to rule it out or replace as needed.

    

 

Your Computer will post (These screens will vary from manufacturer images to the text shown below).

Now the "Press any key" boot menu. Press a key on your keyboard this will allow you to boot of the Windows Home Premium DVD/CD...

Windows 7 Home Premium DVD/CD will begin to load, this may take sometime.

Windows 7 will now start the reinstall procedure.

First you need to select your language, then Time and currency...

Next set your Keyboard Language. This may have changed correctly when "Time and Currency" option was selected, if not change as needed. Click "Next£ to continue.

Your Keyboard input method will change to the most common used under the "Time and currency" selected, you can change this now if need be.

Once happy with your selection click on "Next" to continue

Now the "Reinstall Windows 7" screen will appear, Click on "reinstall now" to continue and begin the reinstall of Windows.

NOTE: The Repair options on this page are covered in other guides available in the Windows 7 section of www.windowsreinstall.com

Setup will begin...

 

This is were "Part1" of the reinstall officially starts.. You will now see the bar pictured below at the bottom of the screen. It has no relevance to "Time" in general. It moves fast sometimes, slow other times, If you insist on watching it then don't be worried if it stays in any particular spot for long periods of time.

Now the "License agreement".....

....read them click on "I accept the License terms", then click "Next" to continue. If you don't agree then this is as far as you can go :(

Now the "Type of installation". Click on "Custom (Advanced) to continue the reinstall..

Hard drive setup comes next. Select the drive Windows resides on (Usually C: (Or Disk 0 Partition 1)) 

NOTE: If hard drive cannot be seen then return to Windows 7 main page and follow the "No HDD (No hard drive)" instructions

Now click on Drive Options.....

Drive Options Menu: Now click on "Format"

Drive Options Menu: You will get a warning that all data will be lost, as it will, only continue if you are happy with any backup you have done. Click "OK" to continue.

NOTE: Remember Windows 7 needs 16GB of space to operate in.

Drive Options Menu: Windows will now format.

Drive Options Menu: Click "Next" to continue the install on your freshly erased (Formated) Partition (Hard drive)

END OF PART 1

    

Windows will now begin copying files

Once done it will begin expanding the "Quite quickly copied files"

and expand....

Expand a bit more....

Still expanding, so i took another screen shot....

At last the files are "Expanded", now for reinstalling features, this bit was quite quick....

Thankfully no updates down loaded, so on we move :)

A restart, wait 10 seconds or like me click "Restart" to reclaim these precious moments back....

The computer will restart and post again.

Now "Press any key" boot menu. Do not do this as it will only start the reinstall from the beginning again. Wait the 10 seconds that it appears on screen and resist the temptation...

Windows 7 is now "Starting Windows".....

and now Windows sets up the Registry

Now another screen appears, setup is "Starting Windows 7's" services....

Setup now completes the reinstallation....

and once again a "Restart" is needed....

Same as above, do not press a key as reinstallation will begin again, requiring you to reboot to get back to this screen.

"Windows is starting" again......

Setup now prepares the system for "First use"....

The first time I have needed to do anything in almost 45 minutes, Account and computer name is required....

Fill these in and click next to continue....

Next the all important password setting screen, leave bank and click next to continue without one, otherwise....

....fill in the password box, retype to confirm, and leave yourself a hint incase it become forgotten. Click "Next to continue.

You will now need your Windows "Product Key". This will be on the disk packaging provided with your CD's/DVD's, or from Microsoft's website just before downloading. The product key will be 25 digits long and will contain letters and numbers.

Input key (Dashes will be added automatically), "Automatically activate Windows when online" option is selected by default, deselect if you wish, and then click next to continue. 

Now the built in Windows protection modes. We would recommend the top option "Use Recommended settings", this will enable updates to be downloaded and reinstalled, click on your selection too continue. 

Now you must review your time and date settings

Change your time zone to your present location. If all is OK or once done then click on "Next" to continue...

Now your Network configuration, if you want to setup the new "homegroup" network system for easy to configure, password protected configuration, then use this option.

If you want a standard network setup then use "Work Network", allowing you to browse and see other computers

Anywhere that's public, that would be a risk to your files and security, select "Public Network"

Windows 7 setup will now connect to your network , and setup required settings, depending on your choice in the previous memory....

The "Homegroup" option in "Home networking" allows you to select what you want to share, and also provides a password, for others to access. Note this password down as its needed for others to get access to your network.

Users of Media center, Vista Premium (And above), and XBOX 360 will be familiar with this type of setup.

You can of course skip this now and setup later, or make selections, note password and press "Next" to continue.

Windows 7 will now finalize your settings

Windows Welcomes you..

Prepare the desktop

Windows desktop will update

Browser customisations will reinstall

and finally you are there. Windows 7 reinstalled without hitch, any updates will now reinstall. Remember though on next reboot you will be prompted for a password (If you setup one), so don't forget it as I successfully managed to do...

If you are lucky you will have no drivers to reinstall, but chances are the next step will be to reinstall them. Check out device manager for unknown devices, likely items are Network Cards, Sound Cards, Printers, Scanners, Graphics Cards, Digital Cameras, etc. 

Also reinstalling anti-virus software, spyware software and possibly a 3rd party Firewall are a must for any computer.

Windows Update is very successful in finding many drivers, so try running it for a few hours, and after a few boots you may find all items reinstalled and ready for use