Do you want to install Windows 7? You don't have to be a pro or read a confusing manual to do this. You can install Windows 7 from a disc or a flash drive. You can also upgrade from an older version of Windows to Windows 7. If you perform a clean install, all data on the computer will be deleted and Windows 7 will be installed as on a new computer. If you upgrade, all data will not be deleted and older versions of Windows will be replaced with Windows 7. You will need a Windows 7 product key, or purchase Windows 7 within 30 days.
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Method 1 of 4: Using the Windows 7 Installation Disc
Step 1. Back up files
This installation process will erase all data on the hard disk (hard drive). Before installing a new operating system, it's a good idea to back up all the files you want to keep. You can back it up to another hard drive, an external hard drive, a flash drive, or a cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive.
Step 2. Restart the computer
Do this by pressing the power button on the computer, then clicking Restart in the power options menu.
Step 3. Press Del key, Esc, F2, F10, or F9 as soon as the computer restarts.
Depending on the make and model of the computer, press one of these keys as soon as the computer boots up to enter the system BIOS.
Some computers will tell you which key to press to enter the BIOS when the computer starts up
Step 4. Locate the boot options menu for the computer BIOS
The boot options menu for the BIOS may have a different location or name than the illustration in this article, but you can be sure to find it by doing a search.
If you can't find the boot options menu, search the internet for the computer's BIOS name (most likely in the BIOS menu) for help
Step 5. Select the optical disk drive as the first boot device on the computer
While this will vary from computer to computer, the boot options menu is usually a menu containing the device name that can be moved in order to set a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc as the first boot device. It can also be a list of devices with a customizable boot order. Check manuals or do an internet search for help if you're having trouble.
Step 6. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the
Press the button on your computer's DVD, CD, or Blu-ray drive. After that, insert the Windows 7 installation disc into the tray, then push the tray to insert it again.
Step 7. Save the changes in settings
Press the button shown on the screen or select Save in the BIOS menu to save your configuration.
Step 8. Turn off the computer
You can do this by selecting the Shut Down option in the current operating system, or pressing and holding the power button until the computer shuts down.
Step 9. Start the computer from the disc
Once the disc is inserted into the drive, turn on the computer. When the computer starts up, press a key when asked if you want to boot from the disc by pressing any key. After choosing to start the computer from the disc, Windows Setup will load.
If there is no prompt to boot from the disc, you may have made a mistake. Try repeating the previous steps and make sure you select the correct drive in the BIOS boot menu
Step 10. Select the Windows Setup option
A window will appear after Windows Setup loads. Use the drop-down menu to select the language, keyboard type, and time/currency format, then click Next in the lower right corner.
Step 11. Click the Install Now button
It's a blue button in the center of the screen.
Step 12. Accept the License Terms
Read the Microsoft Software License Terms. After that, check the box next to I accept the license terms, then click Next in the lower right corner.
Step 13. Choose Custom installation
Selecting this option will allow you to perform a clean install of Windows 7 which will delete all files on the drive used to install Windows.
If you don't want all files to be deleted, select Upgrades. If you select this option, your computer must have an older version of Windows installed. You can only upgrade from one edition of Windows to another. For example, if your computer has Windows Vista Home Edition installed, you can only upgrade to Windows 7 Home Edition. You cannot upgrade to Windows 7 Premium.
Step 14. Select the hard disk and partition you want to use to install Windows
The hard disk is the physical part of the computer for storing data, and partitions "divide" the hard disk into sections. Click the hard disk or partition that you want to use to install Windows 7.
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If there is data on the hard drive, follow the steps below to erase or format the hard drive. Keep in mind that this will permanently delete all the files in it.
- Select the hard disk from the list that appears.
- Click Drive options (advanced).
- Click Delete or Format from the Drive options menu.
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If your computer doesn't already have a partition, create one now as a place to install Windows.
- Select the hard disk from the list that appears.
- Click Drive options (advanced).
- choose New from the Drive options menu.
- Select the size, then click OK.
Step 15. Mount Windows on the desired hard disk and partition
After specifying where to install Windows, select the location, then click Next. The computer will start installing Windows. The computer will start up and restart several times during this installation process.
Method 2 of 4: Upgrading to Windows 7
Step 1. Turn on the computer
Turn on the computer as usual to enter the operating system used at this time.
Step 2. Check if the computer is compatible with Windows 7
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will scan your computer to check if you can upgrade to Windows 7. You can download it here.
To upgrade to Windows 7, you can only do so on the same version of Windows as the current version. For example, if your computer has Windows Vista Home Edition installed, you can only upgrade to Windows 7 Home Edition. You will not be able to upgrade to Windows 7 Premium
Step 3. Prepare the computer for Windows to be installed
Follow the steps below to prepare the computer for Windows to be installed on:
- Backup files. It's a good idea to back up any files you want to keep in case something goes wrong while upgrading. You can back up your files to another hard drive, an external hard drive, a flash drive, or a cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Scan the computer for malware. Malware can prevent Windows from installing properly.
- Disable or remove the antivirus as it may interfere with the installation of Windows.
- Remove unnecessary programs to speed up the upgrade process. You can reinstall it after Windows 7 is installed.
- Update Windows using Windows Update.
- Delete unnecessary files to speed up the upgrade process.
- Back up the hard disk in case the installation fails and causes the files to be lost (optional).
Step 4. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc
Remove the computer's CD/DVD drive tray, then place the Windows installation disc into the, and close the tray.
Step 5. Click the Start menu in Windows
By default, the icon is the Windows logo in the lower-left corner.
Alternatively, you can boot the computer from the disc as described in Method 1, and then select Updates from the installation screen.
Step 6. Click My Computer
All drives on the computer will be displayed.
If you are using a new version of Windows, click Windows Explorer. The icon is a folder with a blue clip. Next, click This PC or computer name.
Step 7. Double-click the drive containing the installation disc
The contents of the disc will be displayed so you can run Setup.
Step 8. Click Setup.exe
Doing so will launch the Windows 7 installation program.
Step 9. Click Install Now
It's a blue button in the center of the screen.
Step 10. Decide if you want to install updates for Windows Setup
This update aims to address known issues with Windows Setup. Updates also make Windows installations smoother and more stable. To download updates, click Go Online to get the latest updates for installation (recommended). If you don't want to get updates, click Don't get the latest updates for installation.
Step 11. Accept the License Terms
Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, then check the box next to " I accept the license terms ", and click Next.
Step 12. Select Upgrade option
This is the first option in the menu. Computer compatibility will be checked and Windows 7 will be installed.
Method 3 of 4: Installing Windows with a Flash Disk or External Drive
Step 1. Connect the flash drive to the computer
Use an unused USB port to connect the flash drive to the computer. You must use a flash drive with at least 4 GB of storage space.
Step 2. Move all the files in the flash drive
Make sure there are no other files on the flash drive before you copy the Windows ISO file.
Step 3. Download the Windows 7 Setup ISO file
An ISO file is raw data extracted from a DVD, CD, or Blu-ray disc. This file is also known as a disk image. Note: Downloading this file may take a long time, depending on internet speed.
- See a list of download links here.
- If the link to the site doesn't work, download a list of links here.
Step 4. Download and install Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool from this link
This is a tool for copying Windows 7 ISO files to a flash drive.
Step 5. Install Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
Double-click the "en-US.exe" file when you are finished downloading. Next, install the program by clicking Install. Follow the instructions on the Installation Wizard screen.
Step 6. Open Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
Once you have finished downloading and installing the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, run this program through the Windows Start menu.
Step 7. Select the Windows 7 ISO file
On the Choose ISO file in the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool screen, click Browse, and navigate to where the Windows 7 ISO file is stored, then select the file by clicking on it. After that, click Next to continue the process.
Step 8. Click USB device
It's a blue button in the lower-right corner of the "Choose Media type:" screen.
Step 9. Select the flash disk and click Begin Copying
Use the drop-down menu on the " Step 3 of 4 " screen to select the flash drive you want to copy the ISO file to, then click the green button that says " Begin Copying ".
If an error message appears that says Not Enough Free Space, click the Erase USB Device button, which will delete all files on the flash drive. Note that this will delete all the files on the flash drive.
Step 10. Restart the computer
Press the power button on the computer, then click Restart in the power options menu.
Step 11. Press Del. key, Esc, F2, F10, or F9 as soon as the computer restarts.
Depending on the make and model of the computer, press one of these keys as soon as the computer boots up to enter the system BIOS.
Some computers will tell you which key to press to enter the BIOS when the computer starts up
Step 12. Locate the boot options menu for your computer's BIOS
The boot options menu for the BIOS may have a different location or name than the illustration in this article, but you can be sure to find it by doing a search.
If you can't find the boot options menu, search the internet for the computer's BIOS name (most likely in the BIOS menu) for help
Step 13. Select "USB Drive" or "Removable drives" as the first boot device on the computer
While this will vary from computer to computer, the boot options menu is usually a menu containing device names that can be reordered to set the flash drive as the first boot device. It can also be a list of devices with a customizable boot order. Check manuals or do an internet search for help if you're having trouble.
Step 14. Turn on the computer from the flash drive
Turn on the computer with the flash drive still plugged in the computer port. When the computer starts up, press a button if you are asked if you want to boot from the flash drive by pressing any key. After you choose to start the computer from the flash drive, Windows Setup will start loading.
Step 15. Select the desired Windows Setup option
After Windows Setup finishes loading, a window will appear. Use the drop-down menu to select the language, keyboard type, and time/currency format, then click Next in the lower right corner.
Step 16. Click Install Now
It's a blue button in the center of the screen.
Step 17. Accept the License Terms
Read the Microsoft Software License Terms, and check the box next to "I accept the license terms". After that, click Next in the lower right corner.
Step 18. Choose Custom installation
Selecting this option will allow you to perform a clean install of Windows 7 which will delete all files on the drive used to install Windows.
If you don't want all files to be deleted, select Upgrades. If you select this option, your computer must have an older version of Windows installed.
Step 19. Select the hard disk and partition you want to use to install Windows
The hard disk is the physical part of the computer for storing data, and a partition "divides" the hard disk into sections.
-
If there is data on the hard disk, delete the file, or format hard disk. Keep in mind that this will permanently delete all the files in it.
- Select the hard disk from the list that appears.
- Click Drive options (advanced).
- Click Format from the Drive options menu.
-
If your computer doesn't already have a partition, create one now as a place to install Windows.
- Select the hard disk from the list that appears.
- Click Drive options (advanced).
- choose New from the Drive options menu.
- Select the size, then click OK.
Step 20. Mount Windows on the desired hard disk and partition
After specifying where to install Windows, select the location, then click Next. The computer will start installing Windows. The computer will turn on and restart several times during this installation process.
Step 21. Unplug the flash drive
After Windows is installed successfully, remove the flash drive from the computer.
Step 22. Restart the computer
Once Windows 7 is installed and the flash drive is unplugged, restart the computer and allow it to boot as usual.
Method 4 of 4: Setting Up Windows after Installation
Step 1. Type in the user name and computer name, then click Next
The first time you turn on your computer after Windows 7 is installed, you'll need to go through the setup process.
Step 2. Type in the password, then click Next
If you don't want to give your computer a password, leave the text box blank, then click Next. This password is required to sign in to Windows using your account.
Step 3. Enter the product key, then click Next
The product key can be found in the Windows 7 disc case if you purchased it physically. If you don't want to enter the product key, click Next. By doing this, Windows will run in a trial version for 30 days. You'll need to enter your product key when your 30-day trial has expired.
Step 4. Select Windows Update settings
You can choose "Use recommended settings", "Install important updates only", or "Ask me later".
- Use recommended settings will automatically manage updates and security settings as recommended by Microsoft.
- Install important updates only will set the computer to install only the updates it needs.
- Ask me later will disable security until you decide to change it.
Step 5. Set the time and time zone
Select a time zone using the drop-down menu, then use the calendar and clock to select the current date and time.
Step 6. Set the network type
If you are already connected to a network, you will need to make settings on the Windows computer.
- Select Home network if the computer is connected to a private network.
- Select Work network if the computer is connected to a network at work.
- Select Public network if the computer is connected to a public network, such as shops and restaurants.
