Uninstall Windows 7 - Here's how

If you want to uninstall Windows 7, this works in different ways. In this article, we will tell you exactly how to proceed and whether it is necessary to remove the operating system.

Uninstall Windows 7 completely - is that necessary?

Windows 7 is your current operating system with which your computer is running. This is the only way you can work with your computer. You cannot have Windows delete it yourself during operation.

• If you want to reinstall Windows or use a different version of Windows, simply insert the CD and start the installation. The old Windows version is automatically deleted and the new one installed. So you don't have to uninstall Windows 7 separately.
• If the new Windows version is available as a DVD or download, try to start the installation directly from Windows. If this does not work, insert the DVD into the computer and start Windows with a changed boot order
• If you only have a downloadable version of Windows, you can also install Windows from a USB stick.

Delete Windows 7 from the PC - how it works

If you want to completely remove Windows 7 from your computer, but do not want to install a new operating system, there are several other ways:

• If you use a desktop computer and not a laptop, you can easily remove the hard drive and connect it to another PC. Here you can format the hard drive like any other. You can find instructions in this practical tip.
• Alternatively, you can boot Windows 7, 8 or 10 from a USB stick for free. How to run Windows on a USB stick and format the hard drive from there. You will also find suitable step-by-step instructions for this.
• If you don't have a large USB stick at hand, the whole thing also works on a DVD. Install the small Linux version "Knoppix" on a CD and boot the operating system. Now the hard drive can also be formatted.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to update Windows 7 to Windows 8.1.