Installing Windows 7

How to install Windows 7 from start to finish

Microsoft® has made installing the latest version of Windows much easier than previous versions. Before you begin there are a few important things you need to do before you start the installation.

Before you start

  1. Can your computer run Windows 7?

    2. It's important to check that your computer can run Windows 7. Check that your computer meets the minimum requirements, and also run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before you buy the software. To run Windows 7 your computer should have the following hardware as a minimum:

    • 1GHz processor or faster (32 or 64-bit)
    • 1 GB of RAM (32-bit) or 2GB of RAM (64-bit)
    • 16 GB of hard disk space for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit versions of Windows 7
    • DirectX® 9 compatible graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

    We also recommend that you have access to a broadband Internet connection.

    You can download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to ensure that your system is compatible.

  2. Should I use the 32-bit or 64-bit DVD?

    3. In your box you will receive two installation DVDs for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. It's important that you install the correct version. If you have a 64-bit capable computer, it will have a sticker on it saying Intel® 64-bit or AMD® 64-bit processor.

    In Windows Vista® you can double check by:

    1. Click the Start button and right-click 'Computer'.
    2. Select 'Properties' from the menu.
    3. You will see a screen similar to the one below. In the 'System' section look for 'System Type' and it will state either '32-bit Operating System', or '64-bit Operating System'.
    4. This will show you which DVD you should use to install Windows 7.
    System Properties window

  3. Backup your files

    4. Keeping a backup of your important files, photos, emails and address book is something you should do regularly. It's doubly important to do this before you install a new version of Windows as the contents of your hard drive will be deleted during the installation process.

    Copy your files to an external hard drive to keep them safe. You can also use the Backup and Restore tool in Windows Vista® to create a backup of your information to an external hard drive.

  4. Create your recovery DVD

    5. Most modern PCs allow you to create a recovery DVD which allows you to re-install it to an "out of box" state. You should create this just in case you want to return to Windows Vista or Windows XP if you want to in the future.

    Please check your computer's user manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions on how to create a recovery DVD for your computer.

You're ready to go

Once you've done everything listed above you're ready to go. Installation is easy, just follow the steps below.

  1. Insert your Windows 7 DVD and restart your computer.
  2. Look for a message on the screen that asks if you want to boot from CD or DVD. When you see this on your screen press the 'Enter' key.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Choose the 'Upgrade' option to upgrade your previous version of Windows, or 'Custom Installation' to install a clean copy of Windows. We recommend you go for a fresh installation, but make sure you've backed up your files and have the installation CDs for your software.
  4. Enter the product key found on your DVD case when prompted – this is important as it allows you to activate your copy of Windows 7.

The installation process can take around an hour so make a cup of tea and relax while your new operating system installs.

Don't fancy installing Windows 7 yourself?

Here at the TechGuys, we understand that some people might not want the hassle of installing Windows 7 themselves. We've come up with a handy Windows 7 Installation service available in your local PC World store.

You can learn more about it here – or pop in to the TechGuys counter at PC World for more information.

Windows® 7 Installation

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