Using the Custom installation option and formatting the hard disk

Using the Custom installation option and formatting the hard disk

Formatting your hard disk during a custom installation of Windows 7 permanently erases everything on the partition that you are formatting, including your files, settings, and programs.

Back up any files and settings you want to keep so that you can restore them after the installation is complete. You'll need to reinstall your programs, so make sure you have the installation discs and product keys for the programs you want to use in Windows 7, or setup files for any programs you downloaded from the Internet.

Notes

• If you're using an upgrade version of Windows 7, don't use a program from another software manufacturer to reformat your hard disk before installing Windows 7. Instead, follow the instructions in this section.
• Some programs such as Windows Mail and Outlook Express are no longer included in Windows 7. If you used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program, you'll need to install a new e‑mail program after you finish installing Windows 7 to read your messages or to send and receive e‑mail. For more information about programs you can use, go to Looking for Windows Mail? on the Windows website.
• If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows and plan to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7, programs that were designed to run only on a 64-bit operating system might not work. Check the software manufacturer's website for more information, or go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center webpage to search for hardware and software tested to be compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.

To install Windows 7 using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk

To format your hard disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.

1. Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, and then shut down your computer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Press any key when prompted, and then follow the instructions that appear.
4. On the Install Windows page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
   If the Install Windows page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
5. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
6. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
7. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced).
8. Click the partition that you want to change, click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the instructions.
9. When you've finished formatting, click Next.
10. Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

Notes

• If you're using the upgrade version of Windows 7 on a computer without an operating system installed, you might not be able to activate this type of installation. The upgrade version requires Windows XP or Windows Vista to be installed on the computer to activate Windows 7. During setup, you need to leave the product key box empty. To activate Windows 7, go to the Microsoft Support website. For more information, see Windows 7 activation error: invalid product key and Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061.
• You might need to update drivers after Windows 7 installation is complete. To do so, click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Update . If Windows Update doesn't have the driver you need, see Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly, or go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center webpage.