OLD PC Windows 7
 

I have an old PC that I use for recording music. It serves no other purpose except an occasional net surf for a particular song.

Lately it has been telling me there is limited hard drive space. I have deleted everything I can off of it to strip it down to just the IS and a browser. It is still saying it.

I only have user access since that is what was on the post it that was stuck to it. There are some programs it says I need specific admin rights for.

Is there a way to back up the OS on to the cloud, reformat the hard drive (it's 500G) and then reload the OS? I do NOT have a product key or install disks.

Thank you

You can run a program to pull the product keys off the computer, it'll give you a print out.
I use Belarc advisor think its called. Then i wack the drive and start over, you can download the iso/installation stuff for windows needed and use a flash drive or burn to a dvd.
I keep copies so if a system burns up and i can't find the original keys i have them all on a printout.

Oh hell. Does BelArc do that? I forgot.

What's the process for getting the OS on to a disk or external drive?

If all you want to do is get an admin account that can be done.

I don't back up shit for programs, just any data i know i want to keep. Pics, music, etc.
If you have your edited data location just back it up and do a clean install.

If I back up and reformat and reload, I'll be in the same place I am now. :island14:

You must have misread... I do not backup the OS, clean install then you're an admin. Load only what you want to, throw in extra drive if needed for space(i keep one just for movies and music). If there is a specific program you need the data from back it up(export /import if needed) first.

Find all the cache folders and delete the contents. Delete the contents of the download folders. Run the defrag utility.

How many partitions?

Run the following:
Clean out the recycling bin
Run CCLEANER (program you may need to download - it's free). Make sure you select all the browsers to clean them out which includes any cache files and cookies. It will state how much space can be recovered.
Run DISK CLEANUP (windows program) - clean up system files. I don't have 7 running, but I think it's under Accessories - System Tools.

Install Linux on it. :yesnod:

Buy a new laptop and be done with problems.

I installed a SSD in an old laptop I use as a media PC connected to my TV. It's just about as fast as a new laptop. All I needed to do was login to MS with my ID to license Windows 10. The laptop came with Win7. I created an installer USB drive to load the OS.

Check out how hard it is to replace the hard drive before you try this. I did the same to my daughters laptop and it was a PITA to replace the hard drive.

It's actually a desktop workstation. I was hoping it was a simple as inserting a USB drive, slide Windows in to it, dump everything, then insert the USB.

That's how easy it SHOULD be.

Is today your first day using Windows? :funnier::funnier::funnier::funnier::funnier: