Windows 7 system format

[Landwolf]

Howdy, I need some advisement by some people more informed on this subject then I.

I recently build a new PC, and its running fine, however I would like to get my old PC into a state where I can sell it to a friend who has expressed interest in it. The computer have been used for a fair while, 4 years I think, and what I want to do is restore the windows installation to what would effectively be a new installation. The problem I have is that the installation used the upgrade package trick thing to get a full installation of 7, so I'm worried that if I try a reinstall, it will reject the key.

If someone knows it will work, then that can answer my question, but if someone knows of a way I can restore the installation to what will effectively be a new installation without having to actually reinstall, that would be preferable.

I do have a clone of the hard drive the installation is on in an entirely separate disk. The friend bought a new drive for their use, and I have the computer running using the new drive right now. If need be I can format it and clone it again to try from the start, the old drive was a 500gb HDD, and the new drive is a 2TB SSHD, if it matters.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Windows 7 doesn't have reset windows feature like windows 8 or windows 10.
If you don't want to reinstall windows, you will have to
uninstall all the user installed software manually from control panel.
After that - create new user profile and delete old profile and files from old profile.

 

[Landwolf]

Hmm, okay, I can try that. I'll get started on it tonight and report back tomorrow.

 

[combinebasic]

Hi, if I where you to avoid problems in the near future, I recommend to format it for a new installation. Because restoring it maybe there are problems that will cause a permanent failure of that computer. If you want to upgrade it in windows 8 or 10 be sure that computer is maximize in the system requirements of this OS. Its better a new OS without any of your old files and sell it. About the product key you can use it in the same OS package not other OS package.

 

[Landwolf]

If I knew I wouldn't encounter problems I would reinstall, but when setting up my newest PC I did have problems trying to reinstall after a driver broke the install. And if this was an installation done with a normal package I wouldn't hesitate, but I used the upgrade package thing.

The person I am planning on selling this computer to wants 7, so using the free offer is out of the picture.

 

[combinebasic]

If I knew I wouldn't encounter problems I would reinstall, but when setting up my newest PC I did have problems trying to reinstall after a driver broke the install. And if this was an installation done with a normal package I wouldn't hesitate, but I used the upgrade package thing.

The person I am planning on selling this computer to wants 7, so using the free offer is out of the picture.

If you want to upgrade it to windows 10, probably you can't use your old windows 7 key. Try to consult the Microsoft about your product key if you want to upgrade. But sure your OS is original not crack.

 

[combinebasic]

try to read this forum thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/3woive/reuse_windows_7_after_windows_10_upgrade/

 

[Landwolf]

I don't want to upgrade to 10, and as I said, this person doesn't ether.

 

[Landwolf]

I think I may have gotten it figured out, I need to get it fully updated and get the AV working, but it seems to be working. I'll post my solution if it gets going stable and the person in question it satisfied.