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When you download a fresh version of Windows 7, you'll need to know whether your computer has a bit processor or a bit processor. Find your Windows 7 product key.
This is the character key that you received with your copy of Windows 7. You can usually find it on the bottom of your computer laptops only , or inside of the Windows 7 box. If you registered your copy of Windows 7 online, Microsoft most likely sent to your registered email address a confirmation email with your product key. If you can't find a hard copy of your product key, you can check it on your computer using Command Prompt or software.
Select an installation method. Keep in mind that if you choose a flash drive, it must have a capacity of larger than 4 gigabytes. You can check this by looking for the DVD logo on or near the disc tray.
Open Microsoft's Windows 7 download page. This is the official webpage for Windows 7 software downloads. Scroll down and enter your product key. You'll find the "Enter your product key" text field near the bottom of the page; click this field and type in the character product key that you retrieved earlier.
Click Verify. It's a blue button below the product key text field. Doing so will verify your product key and take you to the language selection page. Select a language. Click the Choose one drop-down box and then click your preferred language in the drop-down menu. Click Confirm. This button is below the language drop-down box. Select a download. Click either bit Download or bit Download in the middle of the page.
The download that you choose here should match your computer's bit number. The file will begin downloading. Depending on your browser's settings, you may first have to select a download location or confirm the download. Wait for the file to finish downloading. The Windows 7 installation file will download in ISO format. After it finishes downloading, you can usually find it in your computer's Downloads folder. Create your installation tool.
Once your installation tool has been created, you can proceed with installing Windows 7. Part 2 of Back up your files. Even though most modern operating systems give you the option of keeping your files when installing the operating system, backing up your files is a safety precaution that you shouldn't skip. Make sure that your installation tool is inserted. Restart your computer. Start pressing your computer's BIOS key.
You'll need to do this as soon as your computer begins to restart. Don't stop pressing the key until the BIOS is open. If you miss the BIOS activation window, you'll need to restart your computer and try again. For a brief moment, you can usually see the key that you need to use listed at the bottom of the screen in a "Press X to enter startup" message.
You can check your computer's manual or product page online to confirm the BIOS key. Find the "Boot Order" section. Select your installation tool's option. Using the arrow keys, select either Removable Storage or something similarly descriptive of a flash drive or CD Drive or something similar.
This will depend on whether you used a flash drive or a DVD to create your installation tool. Move the installation tool to the top of the section. With your installation option at the top of the "Boot Order" list, your computer will be able to find and recognize the Windows 7 installation file. There's normally a key legend that tells you which keys perform which actions in the lower-right side of the BIOS page. Save and exit the BIOS. You may have to confirm this decision by selecting YES and pressing a key.
Part 3 of Press any key when prompted. Doing so will begin the installation process. Check the "I agree" box and click Next. Checking the box indicates that you agree to Microsoft's current terms of use, while clicking Next in the bottom-right corner of the window takes you to the next page. Delete the current Windows 7 installation. Select the hard drive on which Windows 7 is installed, then click Delete below the storage window. Click Yes when prompted.
Doing so will completely erase your old copy of Windows 7 from the hard drive. Select an installation location, then click Next. Click the now-empty hard drive to select it as your installation location. Allow Windows 7 to install. This may take several minutes to an hour, depending on how fast your computer is.
Your computer will restart multiple times during the installation process. Enter your preferred username, then click Next. Type your preferred username into the text field at the top of the window. Create a password, then click Next. Fill out the following fields: Type a password recommended - Type in your preferred password.
Reinstalling Windows wipes out all personal data and causes a loss of functionality in devices for which Windows lacks an adequate built-in driver. Plan on loading the latest device drivers from media you create before reinstalling Windows.
Find your Windows 7 product key: Typically this character alphanumeric string is printed on a sticker affixed to your PC or on documentation included with your PC. Alternatively, you can use a keyfinder program such as Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder to pull your product key from the Registry. You need your product key to reinstall Windows. The above links point to Digital River, a licensed distributor of Microsoft software.
These downloads are each over 3GB, and your product key will work only with your edition of Windows, so make sure to select the right one.
