How to Reformat Windows 7

Backing up data makes the Windows reinstallation process go a lot smoother.

If a virus or malware app leaves your Windows installation in shambles, you may not be able to
repair it with clean-up tools. Sometimes, the damage from malware, viruses or just plain old
poorly written software can be so extensive that the only real solution is to reformat and start
over. Windows 7 makes reformatting non-system drives and partitions relatively simple.
However, reformatting the drive with Windows 7 installed is a bit more work and requires
preparation and planning.
Step 1
Back up important data before reformatting and reinstalling. You don't need to back up
applications or programs, as you can reinstall them after you finish with the new Windows 7
installation. However, you should back up any data files and documents created in Windows 7 or
other programs to a USB flash drive or external hard drive. Alternatively, back up the data to a
CD or DVD using the disc burner drive in the PC if it has one.
Step 2
Insert the Windows installation disc into the optical drive and restart the computer. Press the
correct key when the Change Boot Order, Select Boot Drive or other similar prompt displays on
the screen. Depending on the model of your computer, the key needed to select the boot drive
will vary. However, with most PCs, the boot order key is "Esc," "F1," "F10" or "F12." If you
don’t know the key you need to press to display the boot order menu, look for a message on-
screen during startup or refer to the user guide or manual for the system.
Step 3
Select the optical drive device name or "Boot from CD" option from the drive list on the boot
order screen and press "Enter." Note that once you see the boot menu screen, you must select the
optical drive or "Boot from CD" option quickly, or the computer will boot from the hard drive.
Wait a few seconds for the computer to boot from the Windows installation disc and display the
Install Windows page.
Step 4
Leave English as your default language, unless you prefer another, and then select it from the
Language to Install list. Leave the default Time and Currency Format and Keyboard or Input
Method selections as they are, and then click "Next."
Step 5
Click the "Install Now" button and enable the "I Accept the License Terms" option when
prompted. Click the "Next" button.
Step 6
Click the "Custom (Advanced)" icon in the Which Type of Installation Do You Want? window.

Step 7
Select the "Disk 0" entry in the Where Do You Want to Install Windows? list, and then click the
Drive Options (Advanced) link.
Step 8
Select the "Disk 0 Partition 1: System Reserved" entry in the drive list, and then click "Delete."
Highlight "Disk 0 Partition 2," and then click "Delete" again. If any other partitions appear in the
list, delete them as well.
Step 9
Click the "Refresh" link to display the "Disk 0 Unallocated Space" drive option, and then click
"Next." The Windows 7 installation utility creates two new partitions -- Disk 0 Partition 1:
System Reserved and Disk 0 Partition 2: Windows 7 -- automatically, formats the new partitions
and starts copying the needed files to the hard drive. Depending on the size of the hard drive, it
may take a few minutes for the installer to format the drive and start copying files.
Step 10
Click the "Restart Now" button when prompted to do so. Alternatively, just wait a few seconds
and the PC will restart automatically. Do not press a key to boot the computer from the DVD if
prompted to do so. The Windows installer loads from the hard drive this time and continues to
copy needed system files.
Step 11
Click "Restart Now" again when prompted. After the system reboots, the Setup Is Preparing
Your Computer for First Use screen displays on the monitor.
Step 12
Enter an administrator username and descriptive computer name for the PC in the corresponding
fields when prompted, and then click "Next."
Step 13
Enter a password for the administrator account in the "Type a Password (Recommended)" field,
and then type it again in the Retype Your Password field. Enter a hint phrase to help you
remember the password in the Type a Password Hint field. Click the "Next" button.
Step 14
Enter your Windows 7 product key when prompted. Enable the "Automatically Activate
Windows When I'm Online" option, and then click "Next."
Step 15
Click the "Use Recommended Settings" option in the Help Protect Your Computer and Improve
Windows Automatically window.
Step 16
Select your time zone, and use the calendar control to set the system time and date. Click the
"Next" button.
Step 17
Select the appropriate "Home," "Work" or "Public" network option for connecting the Internet.
Wait a few seconds for the Windows installer to configure your computer for use on the network.
After Windows configures the network connection for the PC, the desktop displays on the
screen.
Step 18
Copy saved data from the USB drive or disc back to the hard drive. Install other applications as
needed.
Tip

· If a major manufacturer such as Acer, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, HP, Lenovo or others,
made your computer, the PC may have a recovery partition that has all of the files needed
to reinstall Windows 7 and other original software. With these types of machines, the
manufacturer does not provide a Windows 7 installation disc or recovery disc in most
cases. To reformat the system drive and reinstall Windows 7 on these types of systems,
press the system recovery key during start up and follow the prompts to reformat the
drive and reinstall Windows 7. Although the recovery software on these types of PCs
does not require an installation disc, and the restore utility resides on the hard drive, the
process still erases all data on the system partition.
Warning

· Whether you use an original Windows 7 DVD or a recovery partition to reformat the hard
drive and reinstall the operating system, the process deletes all files you created.
Consequently, it is imperative that you back up as much data as possible before
reformatting the drive and reinstalling Windows 7.