How do I completely reset everything and install windows?

[3bbb7]

Ok well I'm not in this situation, but im ready to install linux. typing this from Linux mint 14 mate right now and I want to install it.

I currently have windows 8, if I just install it over it from the mint installer will everything work good?

Theres one thing I want to know tho, how would i completely delete EVERYTHING and start from scratch with just a windows iso?

I'l be using windows 7 if I ever decide to go back to Windows just because its better than windows 8 I think.

But how do I do it? Delete EVERYTHING linux related, and start from scratch installing windows 7. from step 1

I have blank cds and a usb stick I can use.

 

[Maxternal]

If your windows ISO is a full installation and not just an upgrade disk all you have to do is burn it to a disk, pop it in and restart the computer and if you're computer's set to boot from a CD/DVD drive first (if not you can change the setting in the BIOS) it will either go right into the Windows setup program or will briefly show a message like "press any key to install windows"

The Windows setup process will wipe the disk clean (format it) and install Windows from scratch.
(I assume it's a similar process to how you would have installed Linux in the first place.)

 

[3bbb7]

What program do you recommend to burn a iso to a cd? I can use it on either windows or linux. I have another computer thats running windows 7. This is why I finally made my choice to install linux on this one.

 

[The Riolu]

ImgBurn is my personal favorite, but I presume its Windows-only.

Try Brasero, that might work.

 

[Arras]

Word of warning: Make sure you have a Windows 7 key that works if you want to reinstall it. It might also complain about calling to Microsoft to reactivate it. (unless you have a pirated version?)
Yes, you can just install over everything using the Mint disk and it should work. You will lose all of our data, though. Same goes for reinstall Windows 7 using a disk.

 

[3bbb7]

Ok thanks and also I tried minecraft on the linux live iso and it's only getting about 40 fps with optifine installed too. Yet on windows I can get above 100fps like 140-150 or so.
Is it because its a live installation or something or because I didnt update my drivers? Or does it always run slower on linux?

Also i dont plan on using it to play many games, just Minecraft and other linux compatible games.

 

[3bbb7]

Word of warning: Make sure you have a Windows 7 key that works if you want to reinstall it. It might also complain about calling to Microsoft to reactivate it. (unless you have a pirated version?)
Yes, you can just install over everything using the Mint disk and it should work. You will lose all of our data, though. Same goes for reinstall Windows 7 using a disk.

Yea i'll back up everything important

 

[The Riolu]

It's the Live install. It reads off of the CD.

Also, Windows 7 will automatically de-activate when you uninstall it. You might just need to call microsoft and enter in the confirmation ID.

Went Linux; Never went back.

 

[3bbb7]

It's the Live install. It reads off of the CD.

Also, Windows 7 will automatically de-activate when you uninstall it. You might just need to call microsoft and enter in the confirmation ID.

Went Linux; Never went back.

Well i will be using an iso I get from other sources.
Anyway I think the major reason I am not installing it already is because I have never installed windows before if I dont end up liking linux

Also how long does mint take to install? I installed it on another laptop before but I left it on overnight so I dont know how long it took
Would be cool if I could install it today

Also sorry for so many things in one post, but have u ever tried kdenlive? Is it good? it looks like the only decent linux alternative to sony vegas

 

[Originality]

I can't give any Linux based advice, but if you're installing Windows from ISO (or installer), then it's usually best to look into setting it up on a USB drive to install from there. It's faster and safer than burning a DVD.

 

[Arras]

It's the Live install. It reads off of the CD.

Also, Windows 7 will automatically de-activate when you uninstall it. You might just need to call microsoft and enter in the confirmation ID.

Went Linux; Never went back.

Heh, I would if it weren't for the Windows-only programs I need for my study and the games.

 

[The Riolu]

Heh, I would if it weren't for the Windows-only programs I need for my study and the games.

Well the game problem can be solved easily. PlayOnLinux fixed issues with Steam and now I can run Windows-only games on CinnArch (The distro I'm running, combo of Arch Linux and Cinnamon Desktop Environment).

 

[Yepi69]

Get a Windows DVD (depends if you want XP, Vista or 7) and delete EVERY partition, after that install Windows only on 1 partition and it will ask you to format, choose format NTFS and select a full format, not a quick one, the full one is safer and better (repairs the hard disk if bad sectors are found) while Quick format only erases everything (Bypasses repairs and anything that might occur, kinda like erasing with a rubber with only one scrub)

After that just let it copy the Windows files, after that put the drivers of your hardware and you are good to go

 

[3bbb7]

thanks for the info. Also to be 100% sure if I install it, will my game performance go up? obviously I wont be gaming much since its Linux but i play minecraft and only get 50 fps on the live distro thing. (get 150ish on windows)

 

[The Riolu]

thanks for the info. Also to be 100% sure if I install it, will my game performance go up? obviously I wont be gaming much since its Linux but i play minecraft and only get 50 fps on the live distro thing. (get 150ish on windows)

You might see a noticeable difference because most linux distributions use less RAM than Windows.
The live distro is showing a less amount of FPS because its not installed on your system yet.

 

[Rydian]

Live distros tend to use old/minimal video drivers, an installed distro should work a lot easier.

Don't use live distros for tests of speed, they're always way worse than an install.

 

[3bbb7]

I might use dual boot after all just until I get used to mint.

If I am ready to uninstall windows can I just install this on mint: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OS-Uninstaller
and uninstll windows 8 w/ it? Does it completely remove everything and format my partition to whole size for mint?


if I decide I dont want mint anymroe what program do I use on windows to uninstall mint and is it as easy as OS UNinstaller?

 

[3bbb7]

I installed easeus partition manager.

Spoiler

If I install mint alongside windows is it going to make a DISK 2 on partition manager?

For uninstalling my steps would be this:
1. Instal EasyBCD on windows
2. Go to EasyBCD and restore MBR
3. Reboot copmuter make sure that Windows boots up and doesnt give me an option to linux mint
4. Open EASEUS partition manager and delete Disk 2 (or whatever mint is)
Then Mint is gone 100% nothing is left.

Is this right? did I do anything wrong? I always want to know how to remove something before i install it

 

[The Riolu]

Yes. What you've listed as to uninstall Linux is correct. Just make sure you don't screw around with GRUB unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

 

[Minox]

Also, Windows 7 will automatically de-activate when you uninstall it. You might just need to call microsoft and enter in the confirmation ID.

That is not really true. In the event of an "uninstall" Windows would not have the opportunity to properly communicate the fact that it's being removed to Microsoft since the removal usually happens outside of Windows.

What usually happens is that when you activate a new Windows install with your previous serial the older activation should get invalidated.