How To Reinstall Windows 7

Suppose you lot experience that a consistent lag bogs downwards your Windows vii PC'due south operation. It might be time to reinstall the Bone. From registry issues to malware to beingness overstuffed with large amounts of unnecessary software, a fresh OS installation can clear up several common problems. If your PC came with a restore disk from the factory, it likely features several dissimilar re-install options aimed to get your machine up and running.

Feel gratuitous to bank check out our guide on how to speed upwardly Windows likewise. Additionally, if you come across any issues while using Windows vii, we explain how to gear up familiar Windows vii problems.

Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer offers official support for Windows vii since Jan 14th, 2020, which leaves users with few options if their PCs go belly-up. Equally such, Digital Trends does not recommend that our readers utilize Windows 7 on their devices. If you decide to disregard this communication, please note that we cannot be held responsible for any errors or bug that may occur. Nosotros highly recommend that yous upgrade to Windows x immediately.

Have your Windows 7 CD/Serial key ready

Once you're washed installing Windows 7, the OS volition ask yous to put in its CD/Series central. This primal allows Microsoft to bank check whether you have a legitimate, legal copy of Windows 7, although updates are no longer available. Avoiding constant pop-ups from Windows asking you to validate the install with the key is as well a nice bonus.

Brand sure to have this on hand – If your PC'south restore or Windows 7 deejay came in a newspaper or plastic sleeve, the cardinal would likely exist on that. Given that Windows 7 is no longer being supported, this primal is the only manner to get a legitimate copy of Windows 7 from Microsoft.

How to back upwardly your data

Regardless of which type of Windows installation y'all choose, information technology'south ever a slap-up idea to dorsum upwardly your data before beginning the procedure. Check out our guide on how to support your PC if yous prefer pace-past-footstep guidance or our top picks of the best free backup software if you're looking for several quality options on with which to brand a backup re-create of your data. Having an actress copy of your data for safekeeping is never a bad idea should something become wrong during the installation process.

How to fix upwards your installation media

If you have a copy of the disc that originally came with your estimator or another copy of Windows on a CD or DVD, skip to the adjacent folio to learn about installation types. If not, you'll need to commencement create a Windows 7 reinstall disc either by loading the epitome onto a USB bulldoze or by burning it to a DVD, which we outline below.

How to obtain a copy of Windows 7

If you don't have a Windows installation disc already, you lot tin can download a new copy of Microsoft's operating arrangement. Keep in mind that you'll withal need a legitimate, matching serial key to activate Windows vii.

Once you download the advisable Windows seven, caput to this Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool page and click the download link located below the page'due south Installation section. Then, install the tool and follow the onscreen instructions. With the tool running, yous'll need to select the Windows 7 ISO you downloaded, so tell the Windows vii USB/DVD download tool whether you lot want to burn that file to a USB flash bulldoze or a DVD. Reinstall Step 1: Choosing ISO File

How to select an installation type

Make sure your new Windows installation disc or USB drive is inserted into your PC, and then restart your system. While your PC is booting, you'll get a prompt to hit any key to kick from the deejay or flash bulldoze. Practice so. In one case yous're in the Windows 7 setup plan, click Install. You'll run across one of ii install options — Upgrade and Custom (Advanced).

If y'all select Upgrade, Windows should leave your files and programs intact while replacing the main system files and changing some settings. Opting for Upgrade essentially keeps you from having to reinstall all of your applications and restore your data from a backup, but information technology doesn't give your PC the full spring cleaning treatment. However, if you select Custom, your files and programs won't be saved.

Disk partition destinations for Windows 7

Although in that location may but exist one installation option available for you to cull from depending on the configuration of your system, you'll likely take a modest partition labeled System Reserved in identify if you lot're using Windows Vista or an earlier version of Windows. Get-go by selecting which bulldoze or partition you lot desire to use for your new OS installation. It would help if yous refrained from reformatting or installing Windows on the Organisation Reserved segmentation, though information technology will probable be way too small to accommodate a full Bone install anyway. Doing this will minimize the chances of yous experiencing any related complications. Since reinstalling Windows 7 is already a dull procedure, you won't want to deal with whatever other issues.

Keep clicking through the install programme until the procedure begins. Copying Windows files and expanding setup files may take a while, so feel free to leave your PC alone for about 15-20 minutes. Your calculator will likely restart at to the lowest degree once during the process, just it should immediately kick back into the installation program and selection upwards right where it left off.

Go along navigating through the installation programme until the actual process starts. The copying and setup procedure may take a while, and then feel free to exit your PC to have care of things for a few minutes — fifteen-xx should be enough to get things started. Your PC may restart ane or more times during this process, but it should e'er boot right back into the installation process if it does.

The installer will prompt you to provide information well-nigh the concluding stages of the process. The data y'all give will directly influence all future Windows 7 usage, and then don't ignore directions or provide half-hearted responses to whatever questions it asks.

The questions will include your user preferences and info like your fourth dimension zone, which tin can help to customize your Windows vii experience. Run Windows Update to make sure everything is current when you've got the organisation upward and running.

Reinstalling Windows 7 on your estimator can be a tedious process, merely information technology's worthwhile. An Os with the latest updates and installments volition keep your car running equally fast and efficiently as a brand new PC.

Editors' Recommendations

The best Chrome VPN extensions for 2022
The all-time VPN for Windows in 2022
You can now augment Google Lens photo searches with text
Windows 11 adoption rates may have just taken a plunge
Best VPN Services 2022 — Today'due south Meridian Picks