How to Clean Install Windows 7

Editorial StaffLast Updated: October 29, 2023

Microsoft’s Windows 7 is one of the best and most used operating systems after Windows XP. Its suitability for home as well as professional users made it the top choice for almost everyone. Besides the 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 a bootable USB or DVD first. After that, you will have to set up your PC to boot from the respective installation media. So, in this tutorial, we are going to explain, how you can install a clean copy of Windows 7 on a fresh or New PC.

NOTE: Installing a clean copy of Windows 7 will wipe your HDD (especially C drive) and remove all your programs and documents. We suggest you take a 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

Follow these steps to install Windows 7 on your PC.

Step 1: Boot from Installation Media

First of all, you have to set up your PC to boot from the installation media. After that, you can set up your computer to boot from the DVD or USB disk if you are using the 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 the installation.

Press Any Key To Boot From Cd Dvd Usb Installation Media — Press any key to boot from CD or DVD

Step 2: Start Windows 7 Setup

After loading the startup files, Windows 7 Setup will start. Select Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard input. After selecting the appropriate options, click on Next to proceed.

Windows 7 Setup Select Language Keyboard And Click Next — Select Language, Keyboard, and click **Next**

Next, you will see the option to install Windows 7. Click on Install Now to install a clean copy of Windows 7 on your PC.

Click Install Now To Start Installation Of Windows 7 — Click **Install Now**

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.

Select The Version Of Windows 7 To Install And Click Next — Select the version of Windows 7 and click **Next**

Next, you will see the license agreement. Check the box next to “I accept the license terms” and click Next.

Accept The License Terms And Click On Next — Accept the license terms and click **Next**

You are almost ready to start the Windows 7 installation process. Click on Custom (advanced) to install a clean copy of Windows 7. The Upgrade option can only be used when you are running the setup from existing Windows.

Select Installation Type As Custom Advanced — Select the installation type as **Custom (advanced)**

Step 4: Create Partition for Clean Install of Windows 7

If you are installing Windows 7 on a new PC, you will have a hard disk with unallocated space. You have to create partitions first, in order to install a new copy of Windows 7 on it. Though Windows setup can automatically create partitions, it will create only one partition on the whole disk. So, if you wish to create the custom partitions, click on Drive options (advanced).

Click On Drive Options Advanced To Partition Your Hard Disk Drive — Click on **Drive options (advanced)** to create a custom partition

You will now see Advanced drive options. First, select unallocated disk space and then, click on New. Enter the size of the new partition (in MB) and click Apply.

Click On New Enter Partition Size And Click Apply To Create New Partition — Enter partition size and click **Apply**

You will see a message about Windows creating additional partitions, Just click OK.

You Will See Warning About Additional Partitions Click Ok — Click OK to close the warning

Now, you have successfully created a partition. Similarly, you can create more partitions if you have more disk space. You will see a System Reserved partition. Select the newly created partition except “System Reserved” to install a clean copy of Windows 7 on it. Click Next to proceed.

Select Newly Created Partition And Click Next To Clean Install Windows 7 On It — Select Partition and click **Next**

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 meantime.

Windows 7 Clean Install In Progress — Windows 7 installation in progress

Your computer might reboot multiple times during the installation process. After rebooting, the setup will update registry settings and complete the rest of the installation process.

After completing the installation, the 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.

Choose A Username For Your Account On Windows 7 — Type the **username** and click **Next**

Next, create a password for your newly created user account. Click Next to proceed.

Create Password For Your Windows 7 Account — Create a password for your user account

Step 7: Configure Settings for Clean Install of Windows 7

Now you will be asked to enter the Product key. Enter the product key for Windows 7. You can also skip this step to do it later.

Enter Product Key For Windows 7 Or Click Skip To Do It Later — Enter the Product Key or click **Skip** to do it later

Choose Windows update settings for your PC. We recommend choosing the “Use recommended settings” option.

Select Windows Update Settings For Your Clean Install Of Windows 7

Next, configure date and time settings. Select the time zone and click Next to proceed.

Set Time And Date Settings In Windows 7 — Set Time and Date settings

If you are connected to a network, you can select which type of network you are on. In case you don’t know, just click on Public Network. If 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 the first time. You will be taken to the 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

The 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 the Windows setup from within the existing Windows. Well, after you are done with the installation process, you can begin the installation of the necessary programs.

We hope you liked the above tutorial. In case you are facing any problems while installing Windows 7, feel free to share them in the comments below. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest tutorials directly into your inbox.

How to Clean Install Windows 7

Windows 7 System Requirements