How To Clean Install Windows 8 or 8. Walkthrough. Karlis DambransFlickrCC BY 2. A Windows 8 clean install involves removing the existing operating system installed on a partition a previous Windows 8 installation, Windows XP, Windows 1. Linux, Windows 7. Windows 8 from scratch on that same drive. A clean install is also sometimes referred to as a custom install. In other words, a clean install of Windows 8 is the erase whatever is there and install a new copy of Windows 8 process and is usually the best method of installing or reinstalling Windows 8. I always suggest a clean install over upgrading, say from a previous version of Windows like Windows 7. Look through my Windows Installation FAQ if youre having concerns about this. The walkthrough that follows contains a total of 3. Windows 8 or Windows 8. The process is nearly identical for Windows 8 and Windows 8. Ive called out the differences where appropriate. The most important thing to consider before performing a clean install of Windows 8 is that every bit of information on the drive youre going to installreinstall Windows 8 on will be erased. This means that the entire operating system thats on there now, whatever that may be, will be gone, as will all the programs youve installed, and yes, most importantly, all of your precious data youve saved to that drive. Back Up Your Important Data. So the first thing to do, if you can, is to backup whatever data youd like to keep like your saved documents, downloaded music and videos, etc. Backing up your actual programs isnt usually possible, so locate all the installation media and downloaded installation files that you used to install the programs so theyre available to reinstall once the Windows 8 clean install is done. Be sure also to backup any data files from your programs, assuming they have any, that might not be located with your other saved files. Locate Your Product Key. Your next concern should your product key. Get help, support, and tutorials for Windows productsWindows 10, Windows 8. Windows 7, and Windows 10 Mobile. Prior versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows 8. Intel, AMD. This 2. Windows 8 clean install process. If youve purchased Windows 8 yourself, the product key should be included with the DVD media you received or in the email confirmation you received when you purchased Windows 8 or 8. Traffic Manager Cities Skylines. If Windows 8 came preinstalled on your computer, look for a sticker with the product key somewhere on your desktop, laptop, or tablet device. Note If you cant locate your Windows 8 product key but the following is true a Windows 8 is installed on the computer right now, b its working, and c it was not preinstalled by your computer maker, then you do have the option of extracting the key from your current installation. See How To Find Your Windows 8 or 8. Product Key for help doing that. Disconnect Unnecessary Hardware. Windows 8 should install fine with all of your hardware connected, internal and external, but if you run into trouble, or have had trouble installing Windows on this computer before, removing unnecessary internal components if you have a desktop and disconnecting USB and other external devices should help. Once the Windows 8 clean install is complete, you can connect those devices one at a time. Start the Windows 88. Clean Install. Once you are absolutely positive that everything on the primary hard drive partition youre about to install Windows 8 on, probably your C drive, can be removed e. Please remember that once you delete everything from this drive, which is done in a later step Ill let you know when, you wont be able to get any of that data back. Note The procedure described, and screenshots shown, in these 3. Windows 8 Pro but are equally valid for the standard Windows 8 edition thats also available, as well as both editions of Windows 8. I mentioned earlier. Important If you want to clean install a version of Windows other than Windows 8, see instead my How Do I Perform a Clean Install of Windows tutorial for specific instructions for your version of Windows. Philip Yip. Windows Reinstallation Guide and Related Wikies See here for other wikies such as Customising and Using Windows 8. Dell Wireless Cards and Unofficial. Install Windows 7 in VMware Virtual Machine This is simply a quick and easy tutorial for those unfamiliar with procedures for installing an. How to Uninstall Windows 8, Install Windows 7 on Your PC Drivers, Backup, What You Need Disable UEFI and Enable Legacy Boot Commence Installing Windows 7 If youre. Windows-10-system.png' alt='How To Install Two Operating Systems Windows 7 And 8 Support' title='How To Install Two Operating Systems Windows 7 And 8 Support' />3. Step Follow the instructions on the screen, but dont install Windows 7, instead click on Repair your computer The installer will now search for Windows. IBM does not plan to support IBM i Access for Windows on more recent Windows operating systems than indicated on this web page. Using IBM i Access with Windows. Most of the desktops and laptops today come with Windows Vista preinstalled. But if you are planning to try out the new Windows 7 operating system then VPC. Includes the following version of of the Windows operating system Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 8, 8. Windows server 2012 R2, Windows Server. InformationWeek shares news, analysis and advice on operating systems, from Microsoft Windows 8 to Apple iOS 7.