Join date : 1970-01-01
 | Subject: Installing and reinstalling Windows 7  Sat 1 Jan - 8:02 | |
| Installing and reinstalling Windows 7 There are two options to choose from during the Windows 7 installation process:
Upgrade. This option replaces your
current version of Windows with Windows 7, and keeps your files,
settings, and programs in place on your computer.
Custom. This option replaces your
current version of Windows with Windows 7, but doesn't preserve your
files, settings, and programs. It's sometimes referred to as a clean installation for that reason.
In this article you'll find detailed instructions for installing Windows 7 and reinstalling Windows 7. For more information about installing Windows 7, see Installing Windows
7: frequently asked questions and Windows 7
installation problems: frequently asked questions. For more information about upgrade options, go to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] on the Windows website. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] You can buy Windows 7 at retail locations, or you can purchase a computer with Windows 7 already installed. In some countries or regions, you can also purchase Windows 7 online. This is an easy way to install Windows 7 if you have a netbook or other computer that doesn't have a DVD drive. For more information about how to get Windows 7 in your country or region, go to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] webpage.  Notes
In some countries or regions, Windows 7 comes in two versions: upgrade
and full. For more information about which versions are available in
your country or region, go to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] webpage.
If you purchase an upgrade copy of Windows 7, you'll need to install Windows 7 on a computer running Windows XP or Windows Vista.
For more information, go to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
on the Windows website.
The Windows 7 installation
disc package includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. If you download Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store, you'll need to choose
either a 32-bit version or 64-bit version to download. For help deciding
which version to install, see 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows: frequently asked questions.
The table below lists common ways to install Windows 7, and links to more information on the Windows website. If you want to do this Go here for more information
Install Windows 7 on
a computer running Windows XP.
|
Go to
Upgrading from Windows XP
to Windows 7.
|
Install a 32-bit version of Windows 7
on a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows Vista.
|
Go to Upgrading from Windows Vista
to Windows 7.
|
Install a 64-bit version of Windows 7
on a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows Vista.
|
See "Installing a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on a computer running a 32-bit
version of Windows" later in this
topic.
|
Install a 32-bit version of Windows 7
on a computer running a 64-bit version of Windows
Vista (less common).
|
Go to Upgrading from Windows Vista
to Windows 7 (custom installation).
|
Install a 64-bit version of Windows 7
on a computer running a 64-bit version of Windows
Vista.
|
Go to
Upgrading from Windows Vista
to Windows 7.
|
Install Windows 7 on
a computer and format the hard disk during installation.
|
See "Using the Custom installation option and formatting
the hard disk" later in this topic.
|
Install Windows 7 on
a computer without an operating system.
|
See "Using the Custom installation option if no
operating system is installed" later in this topic.
|
Install Windows 7 on
a computer without a DVD drive.
|
For information about downloading Windows 7, and then creating a USB flash
drive to install Windows 7, go to Installing Windows 7
on a netbook and see sections later in this topic.
|
To save time and help avoid problems during installation:
Find your product key.
You can find your product key on your computer or on the installation
disc holder inside the Windows
package—or in a confirmation e‑mail if you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online. A product key sticker
looks similar to this:
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Go to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] website to see examples of
product key stickers.
Write down your computer
name. If your computer is currently connected to a network, you
might need you computer name after Windows 7
installation is complete. For more information, see Find your computer
name.
Back up your files.
You can back up files to an external hard disk, a DVD or CD, or a
network folder. We recommend using Windows
Easy Transfer to back up your files and settings. For more information,
go to the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] webpage.
Download and run the free Windows 7
Upgrade Advisor. It will help find any potential compatibility
issues with your computer's hardware, devices, or programs that might
affect installing Windows 7. For
more information, go to the Windows 7 Upgrade
Advisor webpage.
Decide whether to install
the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7.
The Windows 7 installation disc
package includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. If you download Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store, you'll need to choose
either a 32-bit version or 64-bit version to download. For help deciding
which version to install, see 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows: frequently asked questions.
Update your antivirus
program, run it, and then turn it off. After you install Windows, remember to turn your antivirus
program back on, or install new antivirus software that works with Windows 7.
Connect to the Internet.
Make sure your Internet connection is working so that you can get the
latest installation updates, such as security updates and driver
updates that can help with installation. If you don't have an Internet
connection, you can still install Windows 7.
The Upgrade option keeps your files, settings, and programs from your current version of Windows. To learn more about which versions of Windows can be upgraded to Windows 7, go to [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] on the Windows website. Notes
If you use a fingerprint reader or other biometric device
to log on to your computer, write down your password before upgrading.
You must log on by typing your user name and password the first time
that you use Windows 7 after
upgrading.
Some programs such as Windows
Mail and Outlook Express are no
longer included in Windows 7. If you
used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program,
you'll need to install a new e‑mail program after you finish installing Windows 7 to read your messages or to
send and receive e‑mail. For more information about programs you can
use, go to Looking for Windows
Mail?
on the Windows
website.
To install Windows 7
using the Upgrade option
Turn on your computer so that Windows
starts normally. (To perform an upgrade, you can't start, or boot, your
computer from the Windows 7
installation media.)
After Windows has
started, do one of the following:
If you downloaded Windows 7,
browse to the installation file you downloaded, and then double-click
it.
If you have a Windows 7
installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should
start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start
button  , click Computer, double-click your DVD drive to open the Windows 7 installation disc, and then
double-click setup.exe.
If you've downloaded Windows 7
installation files onto a USB flash drive, insert the drive into your
computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button , click Computer, double-click the drive, and then
double-click setup.exe.
On the
Install Windows
page, click Install now.
On the Get important
updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest
updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect
your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection
to get installation updates.
On the Please read the
license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of
installation do you want? page, click Upgrade
to begin the upgrade. You might see a compatibility report.
 The Which type of installation do you want? page
Follow the instructions to finish installing
Windows 7.
Note You might need to update drivers after Windows 7 installation is complete. To do so, click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Update. If Windows Update doesn't have the driver you need, see Update a driver for
hardware that isn't working properly, or go to the Windows 7
Compatibility Center
webpage. To share
printers If you shared any printers in Windows Vista, you'll need to re-share them by following these steps:
Click the Start
button , and then click Devices and Printers.
Right-click the printer you want to share,
and click Printer properties.
On the Sharing tab,
select the Share this printer check box, and
then click OK.
If other computers still can't access the
printer, delete the printer from the other computers, and then add the
printer again.
The Custom option installs a new copy of Windows 7 on the partition you choose. This erases your files, programs, and settings. Back up any files and settings you want to keep so that you can restore them after the installation is complete. You'll need to reinstall your programs, so make sure you have the installation discs and product keys for the programs you want to use in Windows 7, or setup files for any programs you downloaded from the Internet. Notes
Some programs such as Windows
Mail and Outlook Express are no
longer included in Windows 7. If you
used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program,
you'll need to install a new e‑mail program after you finish installing Windows 7 to read your messages or to
send and receive e‑mail. For more information about programs you can
use, go to Looking for Windows
Mail?
on the Windows
website.
If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows and plan to install a 32-bit
version of Windows 7, programs that
were designed to run only on a 64-bit operating system might not work.
Check the software manufacturer's website for more information, or go to
the Windows 7
Compatibility Center
webpage to search for hardware and software tested
to be compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.
If you don't format your hard disk during
installation, data files are saved to a Windows.old
folder on the partition you installed Windows 7
on. However, you should still back up your files. If you have data
files that are encrypted, you might not be able to access them after
installing Windows 7. If you've
backed up your data files and then restored them after installing Windows 7, you can delete the Windows.old folder.
To install Windows 7
using the Custom option without formatting the hard disk
Turn on your computer so that Windows
starts normally, then do one of the following:
If you downloaded Windows 7,
browse to the installation file you downloaded, and then double-click
it.
If you have a Windows 7
installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should
start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start
button , click Computer, double-click your DVD drive to open the Windows 7 installation disc, and then
double-click setup.exe.
If you've downloaded Windows 7
installation files onto a USB flash drive, insert the drive into your
computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button , click Computer, double-click the drive, and then
double-click setup.exe.
On the
Install Windows
page, follow any instructions that are displayed, and then click Install now.
On the Get important
updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest
updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect
your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection
to get installation updates.
On the Please read the
license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of
installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the
Where do you want to install Windows?
page, choose the partition containing your
previous version of Windows (this is
often the computer's C: drive), and then click Next.
In the Windows.old dialog box, click OK.
Follow the instructions to finish installing
Windows 7, which include naming
your computer and setting up an initial user account.
Note You might need to update drivers after Windows 7 installation is complete. To do so, click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Update. If Windows Update doesn't have the driver you need, see Update a driver for
hardware that isn't working properly, or go to the Windows 7
Compatibility Center webpage. Formatting your hard disk during a custom installation of Windows 7 permanently erases everything on the partition that you are formatting, including your files, settings, and programs. Back up any files and settings you want to keep so that you can restore them after the installation is complete. You'll need to reinstall your programs, so make sure you have the installation discs and product keys for the programs you want to use in Windows 7, or setup files for any programs you downloaded from the Internet. Notes
If you're using an upgrade version of Windows 7, don't use a program from
another software manufacturer to reformat your hard disk before
installing Windows 7. Instead,
follow the instructions in this section.
Some programs such as Windows
Mail and Outlook Express are no
longer included in Windows 7. If you
used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program,
you'll need to install a new e‑mail program after you finish installing Windows 7 to read your messages or to
send and receive e‑mail. For more information about programs you can
use, go to Looking for Windows
Mail?
on the Windows
website.
If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows and plan to install a 32-bit
version of Windows 7, programs that
were designed to run only on a 64-bit operating system might not work.
Check the software manufacturer's website for more information, or go to
the Windows 7
Compatibility Center
webpage to search for hardware and software tested
to be compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.
To install Windows 7
using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk To format your hard disk during Windows 7 installation, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash
drive, and then shut down your computer.
Restart your computer.
Press any key when prompted, and then follow
the instructions that appear.
On the
Install Windows
page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
If the
Install Windows
page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might
need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer
from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
On the Please read the
license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of
installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the
Where do you want to install Windows?
page, click Drive options
(advanced).
Click the partition that you want to change,
click the formatting option you want to perform, and then follow the
instructions.
When you've finished formatting, click Next.
Follow the instructions to finish installing
Windows 7, which include naming
your computer and setting up an initial user account.
Notes The Custom option installs a new copy of Windows 7 on the partition you choose. This erases your files, programs, and settings. If there are any files on the partition, back them up before proceeding.
To install Windows 7 on a
computer without an operating system To do this, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash
drive, and then shut down your computer.
Restart your computer.
Press any key when prompted, and then follow
the instructions that appear.
On the
Install Windows
page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
If the
Install Windows
page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might
need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer
from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
On the Please read the
license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of
installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the
Where do you want to install Windows?
page, choose the partition that you want to
install Windows 7 on, or click Unallocated Space if no partitions are listed, and
then click Next.
If a dialog box appears saying that Windows might create additional partitions
for system files, or that the partition you chose might contain
recovery files or other types of files from your computer manufacturer,
click OK.
Follow the instructions to finish installing
Windows 7, which include naming
your computer and setting up an initial user account.
Notes Before you begin, make sure that your computer can run a 64-bit version of Windows. For more information, see 32-bit and 64-bit
Windows: frequently asked questions. The Custom option installs a new copy of Windows 7 on the partition you choose. This erases your files, programs, and settings. Back up any files and settings you want to keep so that you can restore them after the installation is complete. You'll need to reinstall your programs, so make sure you have the installation discs and product keys for the programs you want to use in Windows 7, or setup files for any programs you downloaded from the Internet. Notes
Some programs such as Windows
Mail and Outlook Express are no
longer included in Windows 7. If you
used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program,
you'll need to install a new e‑mail program after you finish installing Windows 7 to read your messages or to
send and receive e‑mail. For more information about programs you can
use, go to
Looking for Windows
Mail?
on the Windows
website.
If you don't format your hard disk during
installation, data files are saved to a Windows.old
folder on the partition you installed Windows 7
on. However, you should still back up your files. If you have data
files that are encrypted, you might not be able to access them after
installing Windows 7. If you've
backed up your data files and then restored them after installing Windows 7, you can delete the Windows.old folder.
To install a 64-bit version of Windows 7
on a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows To do this, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash
drive, and then shut down your computer.
Restart your computer.
Press any key when prompted, and then follow
the instructions that appear.
On the
Install Windows
page, enter your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
If the
Install Windows
page doesn't appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might
need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer
from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
On the Please read the
license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of
installation do you want? page, click Custom.
On the
Where do you want to install Windows?
page, choose the partition containing your
previous version of Windows (this is
often the computer's C: drive), and then click Next.
In the Windows.old dialog box, click OK.
Follow the instructions to finish installing
Windows 7, which include naming
your computer and setting up an initial user account.
Note You might need to update drivers after Windows 7 installation is complete. To do so, click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Update. If Windows Update doesn't have the driver you need, see Update a driver for
hardware that isn't working properly, or go to the Windows 7
Compatibility Center webpage. You can reinstall Windows 7 using Recovery in Control Panel, under Advanced recovery methods. This method reinstalls Windows 7, either from a recovery image provided by your computer manufacturer, or from your original Windows 7 installation files. You need to reinstall all of the programs that you added, and restore all of your files from a backup. For more information, see Choosing an
advanced recovery method. If Windows 7 doesn't run at all, you can reinstall Windows using your original Windows 7 installation disc. To do this, follow the instructions in "Using the Custom installation option and formatting the hard disk" earlier in this topic. Note Back up your files before you begin reinstalling Windows 7 if possible, even if you're reinstalling Windows 7 on a hard disk partition, and you have personal files on a separate partition. For example, if you have encrypted files, you might not be able to access them after reinstalling Windows. A custom installation replaces the current version of Windows 7 and all personal files. To learn how to activate Windows 7, see Activate Windows 7
on this computer. For more information, see Activating Windows
7: frequently asked questions. | |
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