Install Windows 7 for beginners

Video: How to install Windows 7: Beginner’s Guide

Content

To step
Method 1 of 2: Installation using a disc
Clean installation
Upgrade
Installing Windows Setup on a USB stick or external drive
Clean installation
Upgrade
Method 2 of 2: After the installation
Windows 7 System Requirements
Necessities

Are you installing Windows 7? You don't have to be a professional or go through a confusing manual for this. Just follow the guide below and you'll have Windows 7 installed on that computer in no time!

To step

Method 1 of 2: Installation using a disc

Clean installation

A clean installation is intended for users who want a fresh installation of Windows on their computer (by erasing all data on the hard drive and then installing Windows) or on computers that do not yet have an operating system.

Go to your computer's BIOS. Turn off the computer you want to install Windows on and then turn it on again. When the BIOS screen appears (or you get a message asking you to press a key), press Del, Esc, F2, F10 or F9 (depending on your computer's motherboard) to enter BIOS. The correct key is usually displayed on the screen.
Go to the boot options menu in the BIOS. Your BIOS's boot options menu may differ in name and location from the illustration, but you'll find it eventually if you search carefully.
- If you can't find this menu, search the Internet for the name of your BIOS (usually found in the BIOS menu) for more information.
Select the CD-ROM as the first boot device of your computer.
- Although this may vary from computer to computer, the boot option menu is usually a list of mobile device names where you can specify the CD-ROM as the first boot device. It can also be a list of devices you can set the boot order for. Consult a manual or the internet if you get stuck.
Save your settings. Press the indicated button on the screen or select the save option from the BIOS menu to save your configuration.
Turn off your computer. Turn off your computer using the option to shut down via your current operating system, or press and hold the on / off button until the computer turns off.
Turn on your PC and insert the Windows 7 DVD into the CD / DVD drive.
Start your computer from the disc. Once you have placed the disc in the disc drive, start up your computer. When the computer starts, press a key when asked if you want to boot from the disk. After this choice, the Windows setup will start to load.
- If you are not asked if you want to boot from the disk, then you may have done something wrong. Repeat the previous steps to fix the problem.
Choose your Windows Setup options. When Windows Setup is loading, you will see a window. Select your preferred language, keyboard layout and time / currency, then click Next one.
Press the button Install now.
Accept the license terms. Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, check I accept the license terms and click Next one.
Select the Custom installation.
Decide on which hard drive and partition you want to install Windows. A hard drive is a physical part of your computer for data storage, and partitions "divide" hard drives into separate pieces.
- If the hard drive contains data, delete it or format the disk.
  - Select the hard drive from the list of hard drives.
  - click on Station options (advanced).
  - click on Format in Station options.
- If your computer doesn't have partitions, create them first so you can install Windows on them.
  - Select the hard drive from the list of hard drives.
  - click on Station options (advanced).
  - Select New in Station options.
  - Select the size and click OK.
Install Windows on your preferred hard drive and partition. Once you've decided where to install Windows, select that location and click Next one. Windows will begin the installation.

Upgrade

A Upgradeinstallation updates an older version of Windows on your computer (such as Windows Vista to Windows 7.)

Boot your computer and current operating system as usual.
Check if your computer is suitable for Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your computer whether you are eligible for an upgrade to Windows 7. Download this program here.
Prepare your computer for Windows installation.
- Scan your computer for malware. Malware can prevent Windows from installing properly.
- Deactivate or remove any anti-virus software as it may interfere with the Windows installation.
- Remove unnecessary programs to speed up the upgrade. You can reinstall it after Windows 7 installation is complete.
- Update Windows with Windows Update.
- Delete unnecessary files to speed up the upgrade.
- Back up your hard drive, in case the installation fails and you lose your personal files. (possibly).
Now insert your Windows 7 installation disc into the computer.
Start Windows Setup. After the drive has booted, click Start → Computer. Then double-click the Windows 7 Setup disk drive, and double-click setup.exe on the disc. Start Setup.
click on Install now.
Decide whether to install updates for Windows Setup. The updates are designed to fix problems with Windows Setup, and installing updates will make your installation run smoother and more stable. To get the updates, click on Download the latest installation updates from the Internet (recommended). To skip the updates, click Do not download the latest updates for the installation.
Accept the license terms. Review the Microsoft Software License Terms, check I accept the license terms and click Next one.
Select the Upgradeinstallation.

=== Installing from USB stick or external drive ===

Installing Windows Setup on a USB stick or external drive

You will first need to extract the files from Windows Setup to a disk before you can continue.

Put a storage medium of at least 4 gigabytes in your computer.
Get your personal files from the medium.
Download the Windows 7 Setup ISO. An ISO file is a disk image file. Note: This download may take some time, depending on the speed of your internet connection.
- You can find a list of download links here.
- If the link to the website does not work, click here to download a list of the links.
Download and install the Windows 7 USB / DVD Download Tool through this link.
When the ISO has finished downloading, open the Windows 7 USB / DVD Download Tool.
Select the ISO. In the window Step 1 of 4: Choose ISO file of the Windows 7 USB / DVD Download Tool, select the downloaded ISO file by pressing Leaves and then click Next one to proceed to.
In the window Step 2 of 4:Choose media type you choose USB device.
In the window Step 3 of 4:Insert USB device choose the drive on which you want to place the Setup files, then click Start copying.
- You get an error message with the text Not enough free spacethen click the button Erase USB device, with which you delete all files on the disk.
As the Windows 7 USB / DVD Download Tool has finished extracting the ISO to the USB stick, the stick is ready to install Windows.
- You can now delete the ISO file as you no longer need it.

Clean installation

A clean install is for users who want a completely fresh installation of Windows on their computer (by erasing all data on the hard drive and then installing Windows) or computers without an operating system. (Note: Older computers may not be able to perform a clean install from a USB stick.)

Make sure the disk where Windows 7 Setup was extracted is connected to the computer.
Go to your computer's BIOS. Turn off the computer you want to install Windows on and then turn it on again. When the BIOS screen appears (or you are prompted to press a key), press Del, Esc, F2, F10 or F9 (depending on your computer's motherboard) to enter BIOS. The key you need to use to enter the BIOS is usually shown at the bottom of the screen.
Go to the BIOS boot options menu. Your BIOS's boot options menu may differ in name and location from the illustration, but you'll find it eventually if you search carefully.
- If you can't find this menu, search the Internet for the name of your BIOS (usually found in the BIOS menu) for more information.
Select the USB stick as the first boot device of your computer.
- If your USB stick is not listed as a boot device, it is not supported by your computer.
- Although this method will vary from computer to computer, the boot menu usually consists of a list of devices you can slide around, with your USB stick being the first boot device. It can also be a list of devices that you can individually place in a boot order. Consult the manual or the internet if you can no longer solve it.
Save the new settings. Press the indicated button on the screen or select the save option in the BIOS menu to save your configuration.
Turn off your computer. Shut down the computer using the shutdown option in the current operating system, or press and hold the start button on your computer until it turns off.
Turn your computer back on. Your computer should now boot into Windows Setup.
- Press a key when your computer asks if you want to boot from a CD. Windows Setup will load.
- Important info: If you get the error CD / DVD device driver missing during Setup, click Cancel in the error message, after which you are returned to the Welcome screen. When you are back at the welcome screen, remove the USB stick from the computer and then plug it into another USB port on your computer, after which you can continue with the installation.
Choose your Windows Setup options. When Windows Setup is loading, you will see a window. Select your preferred language, keyboard layout and time / currency, then click Next one.
click on Install now.
Accept the license terms. Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, check I accept the license terms and click Next one.
Select the Custom installation.
Decide on which hard drive and partition you want to install Windows. A hard drive is a physical part of your computer for data storage, and partitions "divide" hard drives into separate pieces.
- If the hard drive still contains data, delete it or format the disk.
  - Select the hard drive from the list of hard drives.
  - click on Station options (advanced).
  - click on Format in Station options.
- If your computer does not yet have partitions, create them to install Windows on it.
  - Select the hard drive from the list of hard drives.
  - click on Station options (advanced).
  - Select New from Station options.
  - Select the size and click OK.
Install Windows on your preferred hard drive and partition. Once you have decided where to install Windows, select that location and click Next one. Windows will be installed.

Upgrade

A Upgradeinstallation updates an older version of Windows on your computer (such as Windows Vista to Windows 7.)

Check if your computer is compatible with Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your computer to determine if you are eligible for an upgrade to Windows 7. Download the program here.
Prepare your computer for Windows installation.
- Scan your computer for malware. Malware can prevent Windows from installing properly.
- Deactivate or remove all anti-virus software as it may interfere with the Windows installation.
- Remove unnecessary programs to speed up the upgrade. You can reinstall it after Windows 7 is ready.
- Update Windows with Windows Update.
- Delete some of the unnecessary files to speed up the upgrade.
- Back up your hard drive in case the installation fails and you lose all your files. (possibly).
Make sure the storage medium on which Windows Setup is installed is in your computer.
Start Windows Setup. Click Start → Computer, double-click the Windows 7 Setup USB stick and double-click setup.exe on the disk or stick. Start Setup.
click on Install now.
Decide whether to install updates for Windows Setup. The updates are designed to fix problems with Windows Setup, and installing updates makes the installation smoother and more stable. To get the updates, click on Download the latest installation updates from the Internet (recommended). To skip updates, click Do not download the latest updates for the installation.
Accept the license terms. Read the license terms of Microsoft Software, check I accept the license terms and click Next one.
Select the Upgradeinstallation.

Method 2 of 2: After the installation

The following steps take place after installing Windows and after your computer has booted into Windows 7.

Enter your username and computer name and click Next one.
Enter your password and click Next one. If you do not want a password, leave the text fields empty and click Next one.
Enter your product code and click Next one. Your product key can be found on the CD case of your Windows 7 CD, if you purchased one. To skip entering the product key, click Next one, after which Windows can be used for 30 days on a trial basis and you will still have to enter the product key after that period.
Choose the Windows Update settings.
- Use the recommended settings automatically sets the update and security settings as recommended by Microsoft.
- Only install important updates ensures that your computer only installs the necessary updates.
- Ask again later disables your security until you make a decision.
Set the time and time zone.
Set the network type.
- If the computer is connected to your own personal network, select Home network.
- If you are connected to a network at work, choose Business network.
- If you are connected to a public network in places such as restaurants and shops, choose Public network.
Your computer is now ready!
When your computer is ready, return your USB stick to its default settings (if you chose the method Install with a USB stick or external drive). You can reset your USB stick to its default settings and restore your files by right-clicking your USB stick in Start → Computer, clicking Format, afterwards Default settings for devices in Format, then click Start to click, which permanently removes all data from the USB stick. After the USB stick has been formatted, you can put the files back on it.
Make sure to reinstall any software you previously removed and reactivate your security software. Also run Windows Update once to improve the security of your computer so that you have the latest security updates.