Windows 7 repair or complete install

[kingjames603]

I have a Dell Studio laptop that has Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. When I do common tasks like use my browser, use other programs like picture editing software, Photoshop, sql server, visual studio or any other kind of software I get not responding on top of the program window, also when I right click the Windows icon in the left hand corner the spinning circle spins for about 3 minutes until I finally get the options like if I want to go into Windows Explorer. My system tends to run slow from time to time, and I've had my computer for 4 years without doing anything fresh installs. Do I need to do some system maintenance, back up all my information, save a image of the disk, make a system repair disk or recovery disk with all my programs, do a repair install of windows 7 64-bit, and/or wipe my disk and do a fresh install of windows 7 64-bit with all the saved programs? How would I approach this?

 

[digitaldoc]

For a system four years old, I would save all the data externally, and do a fresh install. Despite antivirus and antimalware, there is a lot of internet gunk that gets picked up,and you will be better off with a new clean install.

 

[kingjames603]

Thank you for the advice. Another question I have originally windows 7 64-bit home premium and upgraded to windows 7 64-bit professional. Since microsoft got rid of the downloads of the iso files in February, what would I have to do to get the iso file for professional in order to do the fresh install?

 

[digitaldoc]

http://www.pcsteps.com/45-download-windows-7-iso-legally-free/

Win 7 can still be downloaded.