How to format a computer and Reinstall

Microsoft Windows
How to format a computer and Reinstall Windows – Step by step instructions for
Windows XP, Windows Vista & Windows 7
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How to format and Reinstall Windows Vista
Filed in Tutorials on Jul.26, 2009

In this tutorial we will be installing clean version of Windows

Vista.
Usually people format windows vista in try to fix their system, repair some functionality or upgrade from
windows XP.
Recommended: If you are not sure about your computer hardware compatibility with Windows Vista, get
thisUpgrade Advisor and check your system compatibility. Next make sure that you have the Drivers CD
(that came when you’ve purchased your PC), or if you don’t have them, download the latest Vista drivers
for your hardware (you can find them at the support section of your hardware manufacturer, remember to
save them to different partition than “C:” (don’t save them in MyDocuments folder, it will get deleted with
the formatting), safest way is to store them in other partition than C: (ex. D: , E: , removable drive like
USB or burn them on a CD/DVD)
Now after you are sure that your PC is compatible with Vista, and you have all the drivers saved, you can
proceed with Formatting Windows Vista.
Step 1. Insert your Windows Vista DVD. The DVD is bootable so after you restart your PC (with the DVD
inside) the Windows Vista Setup will begin loading ( if the setup doesn’t start automatically, make another
restart and press F2, or F8 after the boot screen and select boot from DVD ).

Step 2. The first screen of the Format Windows Vista sequence will show up. At this point you need to
select your Language and Time and currency format (click the image to enlarge). Press Next.
Step 3. Press Install Now

Step 4. After a min you will be asked for your Product Key.
Scenario 1: If you don’t have your product key, you can skip this step and at the next step you will be
asked to pick Vista Package that you want to install : Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business,
Ultimate. If you install windows vista without providing product key, after 14 days you will have to enter a
valid product key, or if you don’t, you’ll be forced to format windows vista again. This is good if you want
to test which windows vista version is best for you, before your purchase.
Scenario 2: You enter your product key (keep it handy!), and at the next screen your purchased version
will be auto-recognized.

Step 5. Accept the Microsoft Windows User License Terms and press Next

Step 6. Dialog – “Which type of installation do you want ?”

Scenario 1: If you already have another operating system installed (ex. Windows XP) you will have the
Upgrade option enabled. It’s up to you to decide if you prefer “clean” install or upgrading from previous
Windows Installation. Clean install is recommended for improving system performance, and Upgrade
Setup is recommended if you have some files in your C: , My Documents, or Desktop folders that you
don’t want deleted.
Scenario 2: You already have operating system installed but you want to format your drive, deleting the
old system and installing fresh Windows Vista copy. In that case select the C: drive and press Format
( don’t format all drives! only the primary where we are installing Windows Vista – ” C: “. The setup will do
the rest.

Step 7. Select Disk 0 and click Next

Step 8. The copy process will begin. This process can take some time, so relax a bit, make a coffee or
something :D . Your input won’t be required here for some time.

Step 9. After Windows Vista Setup finishes, the computer will reboot.
Step 10. Windows Vista files are copied , and now setup will configure Windows Vista for your PC. This
step will take some really good time.
Step 11. Installing Windows Vista finishes, insert your User Name and Password here.

Step 12. Give your PC a name! and select one of the colorful backgrounds
Step 13. Select your preferred security settings. If this computer is not behind a firewall, the best option is
the ” Use Recommended settings”. If you are using firewall then you can select “Install important updates
only” (Windows Update). If you want to be protected and your Windows Vista to have the latest updates
from Microsoft , select the first option.

Step 14. Select your time zone and location.

Step 15. Network Configuration – Select your computer location. This settings sets your network
permissions.

Step 15. This is self explanatory :) Welcome to your new Windows Vista Operating System
 Step 16. After you press Start, some Windows Vista settings will be upgraded automatically.
Step 17. You now need to install some drivers that the system will not install automatically.
Thats it! You’ve finished installing Windows Vista.

Comments (20)

20 Responses to “How to format and Reinstall Windows Vista”

1. Godfrey Says:
January 13th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
T^hanks so much for the unformation provided.very simple and to the point.i have one question.i recently
upgraded from windows vista to windows 7.after i finished instaling then it says that no audio drivers
installed.so what can i do next?

2. cyb3rs Says:
January 15th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Go to Control Panel –> Windows Update and check for updates. Windows 7 has great driver support

3. Anonymous Says:
February 6th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
 thanks a lot
this really helps :)

4. Anonymous Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 5:56 am
thanks you….

5. James Says:
February 13th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Vista will also save your old files in a file called windows.old, this will contain all of your old files, however,
none of the OS files. This means if you’ve been infected with a virus and you format, you delete the virus and
can still rescue your files. :)

6. haymanot Says:
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Thank you for this detailed and simplified instruction(information).

7. blackheart Says:
March 4th, 2010 at 11:10 am
thanks god bess

8. dandudelol Says:
March 6th, 2010 at 7:36 am
can some one help me i got a virus that makes my pc reboot before i get to the login screen so i can only
accses my xp in safe mode so i tried to install vista (and yes i rielize you cant install vista in safe mode) so i’m
asking if ther is a program or a crack that will allow me to install vista in safe mode

9. cyb3rs Says:
March 7th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Insert Vista boot DVD and start setup from there. You can’t install Microsoft Windows from Safe mode

10. bonehead Says:

March 9th, 2010 at 9:56 am
thank u very much about how to format windows vista….

11. roma Says:

April 18th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
 A friend told me (right click on computer icon then click on properties) so when it open then there is product
key is it true??????????

12. cyb3rs Says:

April 19th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Yes.

13. roma Says:

April 20th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
plzzz help tell me product key number of vista ?????

14. cyb3rs Says:

April 20th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Sorry, warez is not allowed here

15. roma Says:

April 22nd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@cyb3rs
i mean how i know my product key

16. so_and_so Says:

May 5th, 2010 at 4:25 am
it was a great tutorial..thanks a lot..however, if we have 2 partition( C and D)..how we want to format both of
the partition?

17. any Says:

May 5th, 2010 at 5:32 am
@dandudelol
go into safemode w/networking and download hijack this, and follow the instructions and it will help you
completely remove said virus and its free!

18. Romulus Real Says:

June 18th, 2010 at 11:47 am
very good and thanks so much

19. Raslam Says:

November 5th, 2010 at 7:09 am
 i have a windows vista sp2 version in my laptop. i would like to change to ubuntu for the time being as its
related to my workplace. so, im planning to format the system and install ubuntu. will i be able to activate my
vista again when i reformat ubuntu to vista? or should i copy any license file from the current setup?

20. cyb3rs Says:

November 5th, 2010 at 11:04 am
Yes, you will be able to use your key again, no worries :)
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