By With all the hype surrounding Windows 7 and its numerous advantages, not only over its predecessors but also over the competitors, we find it appropriate to offer our readers a quick guide to installing Seven on your computer, along with print-screens taken during one similar process which will help you in the next half hour or so.
1. Before starting off the install itself, you might want to check that you have all the needed materials: a Windows 7 DVD (whichever version suits your needs) and a Windows 7 compatible-PC (you can check this using the Windows Upgrade Advisor Tool on Microsoft’s official website).
2. Insert the Windows 7 DVD in your CD/DVD ROM and wait for the PC to boot off it and load the files necessary for installation.
3. Choose the desired install language and keyboard languages (as usual, the latter can be changed subsequently).
4. Click on Install Now (you may want, however, to read first the “What to know before installing Windows section”), as well as the license terms on the following screen.
5. You are presented with two install options: either to upgrade your current version of Windows to 7, while keeping all of your files, programs and settings or to install a new copy of Windows which will lead to the loss of the above mentioned information – unless you have created a prior back-up. In our case, we have chosen a new install since this was a brand new PC.
6. Choose the partition on which you want to install Windows. In addition, you may make changes to your existing partitions such as formatting, re-organizing or even creating new ones.
7. Most of the ‘hard work’ is done by this point, since all you have to do now is to wait for the installer to copy Windows files, expand them, install features, updates and, finally, complete the installation process.
8. After presenting you with a series of messages such as “Setup is updating registry service” or “Setup is starting services”, the installer will continue after restarting your computer and, afterwards, preparing it for first use.
9. Next, the installer will collect some personal pieces of information for personalization and security purposes.
10. Should you want to protect your account with a password, this is your chance. You can always change it afterwards, remove it or, should you leave it blank at this point, add one.
11. Windows will also require you to choose from three options in the matter of updating the operating system in the future – “use recommended settings” (automatically downloading and installing updates Microsoft considers necessary for the welfare of your system), “install important updates only” or “ask me later”.
12. After reviewing the time and date settings, you will be required to opt for one of three choices regarding your computer’s current location should Windows find that it is connected to a network. More precisely, the three options include “Home network”, “Work network” and “Public network”, the level of security and sharing information varying accordingly.
13. While preparing your desktop, Windows presents you with a Welcome screen and, subsequently, finishes the installer to offer you one of the most complete and technologically advanced experiences.
