How to format a hard drive before installing windows in four different ways - step by step instructions. How to reinstall Windows: step by step instructions How to install Windows without formatting a disk

Reinstalling or updating Windows is performed on top of the installed operating system without formatting. This saves your files and settings, as well as installed programs and their settings.

Update to the latest version of Windows 10 using Update Assistant

Upgrade Assistant is the easiest way to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10. Download and run!

The preparatory process is designed to work in the background - you can work in the system while all the necessary files are downloaded to your PC. The update will automatically start half an hour after the end of preparation. During this period, you can schedule the installation at a convenient time or run it right away.

Reinstall or upgrade to Windows 10 using the installation flash drive

In Windows 10, reinstalling over the top is the easiest, most effective, and fastest way to fix serious problems if the system boots. Together with downloading the installation files, the process takes an hour or two.

The recommendation to use this method only as a last resort for troubleshooting is long outdated. Windows 10 owners go through this process automatically and silently every time a new version is released. once every six months (insiders - much more often).

You must be logged in to reinstall or upgrade using this method. Upgrading from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit and vice versa is basically impossible.

Step 2 - Launch

setup.exe Further.

Step 3 - Installation

Based on the results of the check, it is determined what can be transferred. If transferring programs and settings is not available, use the installation flash drive in accordance with the system language or change it - instructions in my Telegram channel and VK group.

When reinstalling Windows 10, the process is completely automated, right down to signing in to your account. When upgrading to Windows 10 from previous operating systems, you must go through the user settings step.

The ability to roll back to the previous version remains for 10 days. Until it is spent, you can increase the period (TG | VK).

Reinstalling Windows 7 or 8.1 using an installation flash drive

In Windows 8.1, the GUI is different, but the process is basically the same.

Step 1 - Create an installation flash drive

Step 2 - Starting the Reinstallation

Insert the installation flash drive and run setup.exe, and then in the window that opens, click the button Install.

Step 3 - Installing Updates

Windows will prompt you to download the latest updates - it is logical to install an updated system. Of course, an Internet connection is required.

If you choose to download updates, the download progress will be displayed in the next window.

Step 4 — Selecting the type of installation

After the updates are downloaded, the system will reboot and the installation process will begin. After accepting the license agreement, you can choose its type.

Update is an installation on top of an existing system. Wherein persist your settings and data, as well as installed programs. All system settings (for example, the configuration of services) are reset - they are brought to the default ones, as with a new installation of Windows.
Full installation- this is a clean installation with formatting the system partition, or installation on another hard disk partition. Wherein are lost all your data and programs.

Details of the reinstallation process

When reinstalling or upgrading to the following OS, the entire work environment is migrated, including:

all your files and folders
programs and their settings
user accounts and settings
network connection settings

All files are saved on the same partition where the operating system is installed. Windows 10 makes extensive use of hard links, which greatly reduces the time. In Windows 7, files are actually moved to temporary folders. The figure below shows how user profiles are migrated to Windows 7.

Then all data is restored to the installed system, and temporary folders are deleted. But before you can see the desktop, you'll have to go through the standard customization process called OOBE (Out of Box Experience) - create an account, set language preferences, and so on.

At the end of the update, you will have a clean Windows, which, however, retains your files, user preferences, programs and their settings. The old system is in the Windows.old folder. In Windows 10, it is cleared automatically, but you can

In the process, you will be formatting the local drive that contains the current version of Windows. Simply put, before installing a new system there, you will have to erase all old data from it. The contents of the remaining disks should remain unchanged. But it is better to play it safe and first copy to the cloud or to physical media absolutely all the data from the computer that you are afraid to lose.

If paid programs are installed on your computer, do not forget to read the rules for working with licenses when reinstalling Windows in their documentation, otherwise you may lose them.

2. Create a boot disk or flash drive

If you want to install/reinstall a licensed version of Windows, make sure you have the appropriate activation key. Even if you are already using an activated system and just want to install the same version again, the old activation key may come in handy again.

If you already have a bootable USB flash drive or disk with the version of Windows that you are going to install, you can proceed to step 3. Otherwise, you need to download the Windows image from the Internet and burn it to any of the listed media according to the instructions below.
Decide on the version of Windows you'll be installing and make sure your computer meets its system requirements. This information can be found on the official Microsoft website or on the disc with the purchased Windows. Do not forget to also check that the computer supports the bitness of the new version: 32 or 64 bits. In order not to miscalculate, you can install a version with the same bitness as your current version of Windows.
To create a bootable USB flash drive with any Windows image found on the Web, you can use the program (with UEFI support) and proceed to step 3.

And below I will tell you how to create a boot disk or USB flash drive with an official system image using Windows 10 as an example.

3. Boot the system from a disk or flash drive

Now that you have the physical media with the desired Windows image, you need to go into the special BIOS software environment and select the disk or USB flash drive as the boot source here.

Perhaps, instead of the classic BIOS, you will see a more modern graphical interface. In addition, even in various older versions of the BIOS, the settings may differ. But in any case, the procedure will be approximately the same: go to the boot menu, select the desired media as the source and save the changes.

After that, the computer should boot from the selected disk or flash drive.

4. Run the installation wizard

If you did everything correctly, the Windows setup wizard will appear on the screen. Further actions do not exceed the complexity of installing an ordinary office program. You just have to follow the prompts of the system and wait until the files are unpacked. Unless you have to select a local drive to install the operating system and format it.

Also, be ready to enter your activation key during the process. But if you are reinstalling Windows 10 already activated on your computer, you can skip the step with the key.

After installation is complete, your computer should boot into normal operating mode.

5. Install drivers

Modern versions of Windows load drivers on their own. But if, after reinstalling the system, you notice that the video card, speakers, or anything else is not working correctly, you can use the driver autoload utility. Suitable, for example, free Driver Booster.

After completing all of the above, you can get to work. The computer must be ready.

With prolonged use of a computer, any user sooner or later is puzzled by the fact that the system is cluttered, residual files do not want to be voluntarily deleted, and the laptop is loaded at the speed of a wounded snail. Also, some viruses, although they can be treated at first glance, still leave their tiny trace. In the future, it grows exponentially and affects the entire system completely. Therefore, the user begins to ask the vital question: "How to reinstall the Windows 7 system?"

Of course, to solve these problems, you can use the services of plugins or start using a new antivirus, but such a solution will be temporary, and in a few weeks the situation will not only repeat itself, but also worsen. In addition, sometimes the computer simply leaves no choice, threateningly welcoming the "blue screen of death" with farewell instructions.

Reinstalling the operating system in a specialized salon costs a lot, so today we will save a couple of thousand and learn how to reinstall the OS ourselves. But before you reinstall your Windows 7 system, there are a few things you need to do.

Preparing and saving data

How to properly reinstall Windows 7? In order to protect yourself from losing important files after reinstalling the system, you should spend a little time and save those documents that you may need in the future to a USB flash drive or disk.

For example, not everyone wants to lose the achieved result in their favorite game. It is enough just to find and save one small file, which is located in the AppData folder of the user. If a folder with this name is not displayed, you need to go to "Computer" - "Local Disk" - "Users" - "your name" and click on "Organize" there, then select folder and search options in the drop-down menu.

And put a marker on "Show hidden folders and files."

How to save favorites and links from the browser

For the Mozilla Firefox browser, you will need to go to "Local Disk" - "Users" - "Username" - "Favorites" and save the entire folder.
To save Google Chrome data, go to "Local Disk" - "Users" - "Username" - "AppData" - "Local" - "Google" - "Chrome" and save the User Data folder.
For Internet Explorer, it is enough to save the Favorites folder located in Local Disk - Users - Username.
When working with Opera, we go in a known way to the AppData folder and then Opera, you only need to save the bookmarks.adr file.

Saving torrent files

To save torrent files, go to AppData, find the uTorrent folder there and copy it completely. After reinstalling the system, the saved folder must be placed in the same location. This also applies to saved games and bookmarks in browsers.

When all the necessary data, photos and other needs have been successfully saved, we start reinstalling the OS to the drum roll.

How to properly reinstall Windows 7

If there is a disk with the operating system available, then we insert it into the drive, after which the automatic reinstallation of the OS should begin, although this does not happen in 60% of cases. What to do in such a situation in order to understand how to reinstall Windows 7? "BIOS" is a mystical word, upon hearing which, many begin to get nervous. In fact, there is nothing wrong with the BIOS, if you do not touch anything extra (and in this case, all parameters can be restored). In order to get to your destination, you need:

restart the computer;
Press the del key 2-3 times before the Windows splash screen appears. If the transition to the BIOS did not happen, just repeat the procedure again.

So, if everything is done correctly, the following image should appear before your eyes:

Next, find the First Boot Device and set the value on the CD-ROM. This means that when the computer starts up, it will automatically load data from the disk first. It is very important after installing the software not to forget to return everything as it was, or the computer will forever install the system (if you also forgot to pull out the disk).

Press f10 to save changes. If all the conditions have been met, then the system will be reinstalled.

The next window prompts us to select the language, date and set the time. We set simple parameters, and feel free to click "next", "install" and accept the license agreement.

type of instalation

Upgrade - only suitable if the system is reinstalled for minor reasons. If the decision was made in connection with the "screen of death" or if malware has clearly settled on the computer, we definitely choose the full installation.
Full installation (custom) - reinstalls the OS literally from scratch, mercilessly destroying everything that can harm it.

Disk configuration

Here you have to choose which disk will appear as a local one, that is, the one on which the software will be installed.

If you think logically, then the volume of the system disk should be within 35 GB, but not less. It should be borne in mind that many of us like to save files on the principle of "throw it on the desktop for now, so as not to forget." All documents, pictures, etc., which are located on the desktop, are stored on the system disk, as well as files from the Downloads folder. Thus, when calculating the volume of a local disk, it is worth being generous.

Click "Next" and go to have a bite, we have at least 45 minutes. During the installation, the computer will restart several times, which you will kindly warn about. It is not worth interfering with this, if unforeseen situations do not occur in the process, after 45-50 minutes the new Windows 7 will be safely installed.

The next step is the username and computer name. If at some point you need to change these settings, then this is done simply: "Start" - right-click on "Computer" - "Properties". We find "Computer name, domain name and workgroup settings" and there we click "Change settings".

It is not necessary to set a password, so you can skip this step by clicking "Next".

You will also need to enter a product key. You can find it on the bottom of the laptop or on a special sticker on the system unit (in the event that you purchased the equipment along with a licensed disk).

If the software was installed from another disk, then the key must be indicated on the box. Well, if the system was installed illegally, you can skip this item and forget about this issue for about a month. After 30 days, the beautiful picture on the desktop will be replaced by a black screen, and some functions and devices may turn off. If this does not bother you, then you can safely work with the system further or be puzzled by finding a suitable key on the Internet.

When choosing the type of update installation, it is best to use the recommended settings. If the system does not automatically update, then sooner or later there may be minor problems with the most commonly used programs. The update fixes minor bugs and optimizes the OS.

How to reinstall Windows 7 without a disc or from a flash drive

Sometimes it happens that there is no disk with Windows, or the CD-ROM is blind and categorically refuses to cooperate. Do not despair, there are no hopeless situations. There are several ways to install the system using other media. For example, you can reinstall Windows 7 from a flash drive.

Reinstalling the system using a flash drive

First, download the OS image to your computer. After that, install the Ultra Iso program or you can use Daemon Tools, the algorithm is approximately the same.

Next, we take a flash drive or memory card, but it’s worth noting right away that the BIOS will not see any of the drives installed via the USB-3 connector, so be careful and use USB-2. Externally, the connectors do not differ; in some devices, USB-3 is marked in blue. If there is no identification mark, then everything is simple. We find in any search engine information about the characteristics of a laptop or computer, and then - information about which side the connectors we need are installed on.

In order to prepare a flash drive for further work, it must be formatted, even if there is nothing on it. Then we perform the following actions:

In UltraIso, open the Windows 7 image that we have already downloaded (“File” - “Open” - select the program image).
We find "Self-upload" in the top menu and select "Burn hard disk image".
In the window that opens, specify the formatted flash drive.
We confirm the check, and set the recording method to USB-HDD +.
Click "Record".
We agree with the fact that all files will be erased from the USB flash drive (although we formatted it, we still set it to “Yes”).
Voila! If we see “Recording completed”, then the job is done, and you can start reinstalling.
We go to the BIOS in a known way, described above, and in the First Boot Device we select the recorded USB flash drive.

Reinstalling Windows 7 using a DVD image

Another way will tell you how to reinstall Windows 7 via CD-ROM without a license disc.

Why DVD? Everything is elementary, a regular CD will not work for the only simple reason - there is not enough volume, and the OS image "weighs" about 3 GB.

If for these purposes you decide to use a DVD disc that already has something on it, then, as in the situation with a flash drive, you need to resort to formatting.

Now we open the already well-known UltraIso program, go to "File" - "Open" and find the downloaded image of "Windows".

Then we go to the "Tools" menu and click "Burn CD image", in the window that appears, check the box for "Check", dutifully agree with the fact that everything on the disk will be destroyed and click "Burn".

That's all, after the message “Recording completed” appears, our disk is ready. We think everyone has already guessed what to do next. That's right: we go to the BIOS and select the recorded disk as the First Boot Device.

How to go back from Windows 7 to XP

Sometimes it is difficult for users to master the new system, so it is easier for some to reinstall Windows 7 on XP. The installation procedure is not much different from that described earlier, with the exception of a few points:

After proceeding to the installation, the system prompts you to choose which partition (that is, on which disk) the OS will be installed. In order to destroy the previously installed Windows 7 with the root, you need to select the appropriate partition. After that, there will be 4 formatting options to choose from, the only correct one of which is "Format the partition in the NTFS system". After that, the computer usually restarts and begins the installation of the system.
If there is an urgent desire to install two operating systems at once on one computer or laptop, then, on the contrary, we select the partition that is not occupied by system files. This is usually the D drive.

Reinstalling Windows 8 to 7

Despite the fact that the majority of users positively evaluated the seventh version of the software from Microsoft, the "eight" collected quite contradictory responses. Since the latest version is fundamentally different from all the previous ones, sometimes there is a desire to replace the OS.

In order to reinstall Windows 8 to 7, you will need to go into the BIOS and set the primary priority on the CD-ROM (how to do this was described earlier).

After that, we save the changes and proceed to boot from the disk or from another medium. The type of installation when changing Windows 8 to 7 can only be “New installation”, since the OS is different, there is no need to talk about any updates.

It is also necessary to delete all sections, including hidden ones. After that, no longer thinking about how to reinstall a Windows 7 computer, we do the rest:

specify the time, date and keyboard layout;
agree to the terms, indicate the username and computer;
enter the key, etc.

After installation (drivers)

As a rule, reinstalling Windows 7 on a laptop or computer is quite easy, but after the OS replacement process, many users have a number of questions. For example:

“Why did the image quality deteriorate after installing a new system?”
“Why does a computer or laptop not see a USB flash drive?”
"Why did the sound get worse?" etc.

All this happens most often when reinstallation was carried out by downloading the OS or buying a disk from hand (you don’t have to think about how to reinstall a Windows 7 computer, but some “jambs” still pop up). In order to solve a number of such problems, it is enough to download the drivers from the official website of the manufacturer. Or pay attention to the drivers before reinstalling the system.

Let's take an example. Suppose, before reinstalling Asus Windows 7, the user was not puzzled by the question of saving data from his laptop, or he simply did not have the opportunity to do so. How to be?

It's simple, just type in the search engine the model (the manufacturer's company is enough) of the device and add the cherished phrase "Download drivers from the official site." Then go to the link of the manufacturer's website and there, in the appropriate form, indicate the full model of the laptop. Next, you have to download all the presented drivers one by one and install them one by one on the laptop. There are no tricks in the installation, since the drivers themselves install themselves where they should.

If, for one reason or another, the drivers went on a rampage and were installed in the wrong place, you can go to the device manager and force them to update.

In order to get into the remote control, you can simply type "Device Manager" in the search bar that pops up when you click "Start". Next, right-click on the driver that is marked with an exclamation mark. And we select "Update drivers", in the new window it remains only to indicate that the required files need to be searched on the computer itself and indicate the place where they were installed.

If all drivers are installed normally in the device manager, the image will improve and the screen resolution will increase to the required level.

Finally

The computer can “fly” at any time, so it is worth considering organizing a backup storage of high-value files before reinstalling Windows 7. This way you can save a lot of time after installing the system, because it is quite possible that even the most elementary programs ( Word, etc.) will have to be searched and installed again.

Reinstalling Windows 7 on a laptop or computer is not difficult; even a novice user can cope with this task. The main thing is to approach the issue responsibly and spend an hour saving all the useful information from the computer even before reinstalling the OS.

If you want to reinstall Windows 7 without losing data, then this article is for you. Also, if you want, then read the article by clicking on the link.

In this method, we will not format the disk, but simply update Windows to its original state, on an already installed system. All files and important documents will remain safe and sound. The method is also suitable if some problems with the operating system cannot be solved.

Now let's start reinstalling with saving data.

Installation

First, insert a boot disk or flash drive with Windows 7. Go to My computer and from there we open our disk or flash drive with Windows. We are looking for a file setup.exe and run it, in the window that appears, click install.

If an error occurs that the current version of the operating system is newer than the one we want to install, then, in this case, the setup.exe file must be run with compatibility.

Now you need to go to Control Panel and select item recovery. Click on advanced recovery methods.

We are offered two recovery points:

Restoring using an image created earlier.
Reinstalling the system using the installation disk.

When launching updates from the panel Backup and restore the system will ask you to make a backup, and then it will reboot, and then the system will boot from the installation disk.

Installing Windows 7 updates

During installation, a window should appear where we will be prompted to install updates for Windows, this requires Internet access. You can not download updates, but still, it is recommended.

Windows 7 installation type

Now you need to select the installation type, there are 2 options:

Update– where all files and settings will be saved, everything else will be reset to the default state.

Full installation- this is a clean slate installation, with a full format of the disk and not saving settings and files. This option does not suit us in this case.

We choose the first option.

In this way, we saved all the data and reinstalled the system. Everything should be saved: music, movies, installed programs, accounts, tabs in your browsers, etc. Transfer can take a long time, the more files on the computer, the longer the transfer.

Also, after all the procedures, you must enter the key from Windows 7 and set the regional data.

Everywhere they write about how to install the system, but few people wrote,. I did it corrected, read.

If you are reinstalling Windows due to problems with the OS, then do not be too lazy to save the most important data on another partition of the disk or on a flash drive so as not to lose them in case of problems.

Due to the choice of parameter "Custom Install" will install a fresh copy of Windows 7 to the section you specified. Installation removes files, programs, and user settings.

Back up any files and settings you need so you can restore them after installation. You will need to reinstall the programs you need, so make sure you have the installation discs and product keys for the programs you will use in Windows 7, or the installation files for programs you downloaded from the Internet.

Note: If you do not format the hard disk when installing, data files are saved in the Windows.old folder on the partition where Windows 7 is installed. However, you still need to back up the . If you have encrypted data files, you may not be able to access them after installing Windows 7. If your data files were restored from backups after installing Windows 7, you can delete the Windows.old folder.

"Custom installation" without formatting the hard drive

Note: After the installation of Windows 7 is complete, you may need to