T510 clean install ?

I have a T510 and things are getting slower on this machine.

I would like to have a clean install. I am looking for the steps for this. I already did product recovery backup before. Is this the only approach I can use?
How about a non-Lenovo approach? By non-:enovo approach, I mean downloading Win7 Pro 64-bit sp1 somewhere (where?) and reuse the Win7 pro 64-bit product key that came with my T510 a year ago. Can I reuse this key?

Any links and info will be greatly appreciated.

Regards.

 

Yes you can reuse the key, or use ABR Backup and Restore to later restore the activation status on your new Clean Install.

You can get your Windows 7 SP1 discs from this thread here. Obtain at least your graphics drivers, network (wireless/ethernet) drivers from here and store them on a USB stick for later use. Thinkvantage System Update can also save time finding the missing drivers too. In some ways you can also use my T420 Clean Install guide for the T510 as the basic principles are the same for all ThinkPad systems that come with Windows 7 preinstalled.

 

Herst, thanks for all the help!

All the best.