Official Lenovo Thinkpad Clean Install Guide

[gamerdan1]

Regarding step 1, "Insert Windows disk and reboot." Where do I get this windows disk? It doesn't come with my t61 right?

[Saneless]

Question, is it really illegal to download and burn the "Upgrade anywhere" DVD from windows? As far as I know it's useless without a legit key, right? I'm still going to look to download it and use the key I legally purchased when I get my machine, but if it's legal someone here can point me in a right direction

[Playmaker]

Regarding step 1, "Insert Windows disk and reboot." Where do I get this windows disk? It doesn't come with my t61 right?

It comes in the form of Windows Anytime Upgrade. If it doesn't, contact Lenovo for one.

Question, is it really illegal to download and burn the "Upgrade anywhere" DVD from windows? As far as I know it's useless without a legit key, right? I'm still going to look to download it and use the key I legally purchased when I get my machine, but if it's legal someone here can point me in a right direction

It is legal.

[gamerdan1]

I'm confused, why do we need to make recovery disks? Doesn't the t61 come with recovery disks?

[Playmaker]

I'm confused, why do we need to make recovery disks? Doesn't the t61 come with recovery disks?

Read the Thinkpad Sticky in my sig to find the answer to that question.

[RJohnson]

This really is an awesome guide. I just tried it on my brand new ThinkPad and it worked wonders. Thanks OP!!!

[Playmaker]

Updated with correct instructions for Base Software Administrator

[Playmaker]

Updated with activation instructions

[pragnanzer]

Thanks for sharing this potentially valuable information/knowledge.

Can those who have successfully followed the procedures report the performance of their machines in terms of:

(1) Using Option A procedure or Option B procedure

(2) Which original Thinkpad software items have been excluded from your clean install?

(3) "Before and after" performance improvement % (guesstimates will be fine, also boot up time, shut down time performance).

Thanks.

[stallen]

There are a lot of option out there you can also look at this guide:
Clean Install Guide (works for 32-bit or 64-bit)