The provided reference gives instructions for removing a "Previous version of Windows" after an upgrade, not for completely removing Windows 7. Completely removing Windows 7 requires more extensive steps. The most common reasons to remove Windows 7 are to dual-boot with another operating system or to install a new, standalone operating system. Removing Windows 7 completely can leave your computer unusable if done incorrectly. Proceed with caution and back up any important data before attempting these steps.
Here are a few scenarios and how to approach them:
Scenario 1: Removing Windows 7 to install a new, single Operating System (like Windows 10 or 11)
This is the most common and straightforward scenario. You don't actually remove Windows 7 first. Instead, you:
- Back up your data: This is critical. Moving to a new OS will likely erase everything on your drive.
- Create installation media: Download the installation media (ISO) for your new operating system (Windows 10/11, Linux, etc.) from the official source. Use a tool like Rufus (rufus.ie) to create a bootable USB drive from the ISO.
- Boot from the USB drive: Insert the USB drive into your computer and restart. You may need to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing DEL, F2, F12, or ESC during startup – check your motherboard manual) to change the boot order and select the USB drive as the boot device.
- Follow the installer: The operating system installer will guide you through the process. When prompted about where to install the OS, you'll typically want to choose the drive where Windows 7 is currently installed and tell the installer to format that drive. Formatting will erase everything on the drive, including Windows 7. The installer will then install the new OS on the formatted drive.
Scenario 2: Removing Windows 7 to dual-boot with another OS (like Linux)
This is more complex and requires understanding partitions and bootloaders. Here's a simplified overview:
- Back up your data! Again, this is paramount.
- Shrink the Windows 7 partition: Boot into Windows 7. Use the Disk Management tool (search for "disk management" in the Start menu) to shrink the Windows 7 partition. This creates free space on the drive for the new OS. Right-click the Windows 7 partition (usually C:) and select "Shrink Volume". Enter the amount of space you want to shrink (at least 20GB, more if you plan to use the other OS extensively).
- Install the other OS: Boot from the installation media for the other OS (e.g., Linux). When prompted, install it in the free space you created. The installer will typically handle setting up a bootloader (like GRUB) that allows you to choose which OS to boot into at startup.
- If you want to completely remove Windows 7 after the other OS is working: Boot into the other OS. Use a disk partitioning tool (like GParted in Linux) to delete the Windows 7 partition. This will erase Windows 7. You can then expand the other OS's partition to fill the newly freed space. Be very careful when deleting partitions, as you can easily erase the wrong ones and make your system unbootable. You might also need to update your bootloader configuration after deleting the Windows 7 partition.
Scenario 3: Removing Windows 7 because it's an "upgrade" (and you want to remove the old installation files)
This is what the reference addresses. After upgrading from Windows 7 to a newer version on the same partition, the old installation files are sometimes left behind. You can remove these using the following steps:
- Open Storage Settings: Press the Windows logo key on your keyboard, then select Settings > System > Storage.
- Open Temporary Files: Under your hard drive information, select Temporary files.
- Remove Previous Version of Windows: Select the "Previous version of Windows" check box, and then select "Remove files".
Important Considerations:
- Backup is crucial: Before making any significant changes to your system, back up all important data.
- Bootloaders: Removing Windows 7 can impact your bootloader configuration, potentially making your computer unbootable. Understanding bootloaders is essential for dual-booting scenarios.
- Partitioning: Incorrect partitioning can lead to data loss. Use disk management tools carefully and double-check your actions before applying changes.
- Drivers: If you install a new operating system, ensure you have the necessary drivers for your hardware.
- UEFI/BIOS: Familiarize yourself with your computer's UEFI/BIOS settings, as you may need to modify them to boot from different devices or change boot orders.
In short, completely removing Windows 7 involves installing a new OS or deleting the partition it resides on. Always back up your data before making any changes.
