- 1). Back up any files you want to save to an external hard drive. This includes any drivers you might have. It would be a good idea to download fresh ones from the Dell website before getting started.
- 2). Insert your Windows disc into the drive of your Dell and wait for the installer to appear on your screen. The installer will then ask you if you know you are installing a new version of Windows and make you accept various user agreements. Cycle through these screens and wait for it to reboot.
- 3). Move through the first few screens of the next installer (blue screen, gray text). Again, you will accept various user agreements. Stop when you reach the partition menu.
- 4). Delete the partition you had Windows installed on; this is likely the "C" drive of your Dell. This will wipe out any installed software on the partition, including Windows.
- 5). Create a new partition to install Windows on; call it the C drive and make sure it formats to NTFS if it asks you. NTFS is a type of formatting that does not restrict the amount of space your partition can hold. (The alternative is FAT32, which does restrict the amount of space your partition can hold.) Do the full format; do not do the quick one -- this will ensure a clean slate on your drive. Install Windows to this new partition.
- 6). Cycle through the rest of the blue screen menu and allow the computer to reboot again.
- 7). Windows will ask you for your name, time zone and location in its third installer screen, which appears after your Dell reboots. Answer these questions. Windows will then take 30 to 60 minutes to install. When completed, Windows will reboot for a final time.
- 8). Reinstall all of your drivers from your external hard drive, then move back any files you were saving.
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