Content

• Steps
• Advice

On Windows 7, you can reformat the C drive without having to reinstall all the drives or other data partitions on the computer. The Windows 7 installation disc that came with your computer at purchase will allow you to reinstall drive C, erasing all settings, files and programs on that data area. First, you need to back up and save files or programs to a removable hard drive, then use the Windows 7 installation disc to perform a reset C drive.

Steps

1. 

   Backup and store data. Formatting the C drive will cause all files, programs, and information saved in drive C to be deleted, so you need to back up all the necessary data.
   • Save the backup data to an external hard drive, disk or another folder on the local network (if available).

2. 

   
   
   Name the computer (if connected to the network). After formatting the C drive, the installer will ask you for the name of the computer in order to reconnect the computer to the network.
   • Access the "Start" menu on your computer, right-click "Computer", then select "Properties" from the menu. The name of your computer will be shown under "Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings" (Computer name, domain and workgroup settings).

3. 

   
   
   Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the computer. In some cases, if the Windows 7 installation is saved on a USB flash drive, you can still plug it into your computer and install as usual.

4. 

   Turn off the computer. The computer needs to be restarted to run the Windows 7 installation disc.
   • Open the "Start" menu and click "Shut Down."

5. 

   
   
   Open the computer again. When it is reopened, the computer will read the installation disc and begin the formatting process.

6. 

   Reset C drive. After the computer recognizes the installation disc, press any key on the keyboard to continue. Windows Installer will appear on the screen.
   • Select your language on the "Install Windows" page, then click "Next".
   • Read through the license terms of Windows 7. To continue, you must check the box next to "I accept the license terms".
   • Select "Custom" when asked for the type of installation you want to perform.
   • Select "Drive options (advanced)" when asked where you want to install Windows. At this point, you can choose drive C as the only drive you want to format.
   • Click the "C" drive when Windows asks which partition you want to "change" or reinstall. The computer will begin the process of formatting, in other words, erasing all existing data in the C drive. Windows will notify you after the process is complete.

7. 

   Reinstall Windows 7 on C drive. After the C drive has been reformatted, you will need to reinstall Windows 7 on that partition. Click "Next" after Windows reports that the formatting is complete. Windows Installer will continue the rest. You will be asked to enter the computer name (if it is connected to the network) and other information such as the account name.

8. 

   Restore saved files. After Windows completes the installation process, you can connect your external hard drive or disc to your computer to restore data to your C drive. advertisement

Advice

• You should connect your computer to the Internet before restoring backup data on drive C. When connected to the Internet, the computer will promptly notify you to update or download drivers (drivers). applications and programs that you are reinstalling.