How to Clean Install Windows 7
Installing Windows 7 is simple, thanks to the installation wizard. The wizard walks you through the entire installation of the operating system.
The first decision you will make is which edition of Windows 7 you want to install.
Microsoft offers six editions of the Windows 7 operating system. This allows an administrator to custom-fit a user’s hardware and job function to the appropriate edition:
You can choose to unlock the one that you want based on the product key that you have.
You can compare Windows 7 editions from at Wikipedia article.
To install Windows 7 successfully, your system must meet or exceed certain hardware requirements.
The first decision you will make is which edition of Windows 7 you want to install.
Microsoft offers six editions of the Windows 7 operating system. This allows an administrator to custom-fit a user’s hardware and job function to the appropriate edition:
- Windows 7 Starter
- Windows 7 Home Basic
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- Windows 7 Professional
- Windows 7 Enterprise
- Windows 7 Ultimate
You can choose to unlock the one that you want based on the product key that you have.
You can compare Windows 7 editions from at Wikipedia article.
To install Windows 7 successfully, your system must meet or exceed certain hardware requirements.
- CPU (processor) 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
- Memory (RAM) 1 GB of system memory
- Hard disk 16 GB of available disk space for 32-bit version of Windows 7 and 20 GB disk space for 64-bit version of Windows 7
- Video adapter Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of memory (to enable the Aero theme)
- Optional drive DVD-R/W drive
- Network device Compatible network interface card
Remember, the better the hardware, the better the performance.
Before you install Windows 7, verify that your computer has the most current BIOS (Basic Input/Output System).
To successfully install Windows 7, you must have the critical device drivers for your computer, check the device manufacturer’s website.
After you have made sure that the hardware for your machine is compatible for Windows 7, the next decision to make is how you’re going to install the operating system.
Clean Install or Upgrade?
When installing Windows 7, you have two choices: you can install a fresh copy of Windows 7 or you can upgrade from Windows Vista. An upgrade allows you to retain your existing operating system’s applications, settings, and files. Bad news is you must always perform a clean install with Windows XP or earlier editions of Windows.
You can, however, use the Windows Easy Transfer utility to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer.
You can either clean install Windows 7 from the bootable installation DVD or you can also launch the setup.exe file from within the booted Windows Vista operating system to upgrade your operating system to Windows 7.
Performing a Clean Install of Windows 7
Perform the following steps for a clean install of Windows 7:
1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD into the computer and start the computer.
2. Configured the BIOS boot device order setting to start from a CD/DVD optical drive.
3. If you are asked to Hit Any Key to start the DVD, press Enter.
4. The first screen asks you to select your language, local time, and keyboard. After filling in these fields, click Next button.
5. At the next screen, click the Install Now button.
6. A message shows you that Setup is starting. The licensing screen will be first. Read and accept the license agreement and then click Next.
7. A screen asking you “Which type of installation do you want?” is next. Click Custom (Advanced).
8. The next screen asks you where you want to install Windows 7. Choose an unformatted free space or a partition (the partition will be erased). You can also click the Drive Options (Advanced) link to create your own partition. After you choose your partition, click Next.
9. After your partition is set, the installation starts. You see the progress of the installation during the entire process. After the installation is complete, the machine reboots.
10. After the installation is complete, the username and computer name screen appears. Type in your username and computer name and click Next.
11. Type and retype in a password, then type in a password hint, then click Next.
12. The next screen asks you to enter your 25-digit product key. Enter your product key and make sure the check box to automatically register your machine when you’re online is selected. Click Next.
13. Settings related to Windows Update and security appear. You can select Use Recommended Settings or Install Important Updates For Windows Only, or have the computer ask you later.
14. You are now able to verify your time and date settings. Configure your time, time zone, and date. Click Next.
15. You then set your computer’s current location. You have the ability to choose from a home, work, or public location. Choose where your computer is located.
15. Windows will finalize your setup and the installation will be complete.
Before you install Windows 7, verify that your computer has the most current BIOS (Basic Input/Output System).
To successfully install Windows 7, you must have the critical device drivers for your computer, check the device manufacturer’s website.
After you have made sure that the hardware for your machine is compatible for Windows 7, the next decision to make is how you’re going to install the operating system.
Clean Install or Upgrade?
When installing Windows 7, you have two choices: you can install a fresh copy of Windows 7 or you can upgrade from Windows Vista. An upgrade allows you to retain your existing operating system’s applications, settings, and files. Bad news is you must always perform a clean install with Windows XP or earlier editions of Windows.
You can, however, use the Windows Easy Transfer utility to migrate files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer.
You can either clean install Windows 7 from the bootable installation DVD or you can also launch the setup.exe file from within the booted Windows Vista operating system to upgrade your operating system to Windows 7.
Performing a Clean Install of Windows 7
Perform the following steps for a clean install of Windows 7:
1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD into the computer and start the computer.
2. Configured the BIOS boot device order setting to start from a CD/DVD optical drive.
3. If you are asked to Hit Any Key to start the DVD, press Enter.
4. The first screen asks you to select your language, local time, and keyboard. After filling in these fields, click Next button.
5. At the next screen, click the Install Now button.
6. A message shows you that Setup is starting. The licensing screen will be first. Read and accept the license agreement and then click Next.
7. A screen asking you “Which type of installation do you want?” is next. Click Custom (Advanced).
8. The next screen asks you where you want to install Windows 7. Choose an unformatted free space or a partition (the partition will be erased). You can also click the Drive Options (Advanced) link to create your own partition. After you choose your partition, click Next.
9. After your partition is set, the installation starts. You see the progress of the installation during the entire process. After the installation is complete, the machine reboots.
10. After the installation is complete, the username and computer name screen appears. Type in your username and computer name and click Next.
11. Type and retype in a password, then type in a password hint, then click Next.
12. The next screen asks you to enter your 25-digit product key. Enter your product key and make sure the check box to automatically register your machine when you’re online is selected. Click Next.
13. Settings related to Windows Update and security appear. You can select Use Recommended Settings or Install Important Updates For Windows Only, or have the computer ask you later.
14. You are now able to verify your time and date settings. Configure your time, time zone, and date. Click Next.
15. You then set your computer’s current location. You have the ability to choose from a home, work, or public location. Choose where your computer is located.
15. Windows will finalize your setup and the installation will be complete.