How To: Installing Windows 7

[IkuTube]

Please download and run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to see if your PC is ready for Windows 7.

The results will show if your PC can run the 32 bit or the 64bit.

The basic system requirements for windows 7:

01. 1 GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor.

02. 1 GB RAM for 32 bit or 2 GB RAM for 64 bit

03. At least 16GB of free hard disk space for 32 bit or 20GB for 64 bit

04. Directx 9 graphic device with WDDM 1.0 or higher

To determine if your system can use 64bit Windows 7:

01. Download System Information for Windows [Freeware].

In the left pane expand the Hardware section and click on CPU Info. In the right pane look at the line Number of CPU(s). At the end of that line you should see "32 bits" or "64 bits". If it is the latter then you can run a 64-bit Windows 7.

02. 2GB of RAM is the minimum for Windows 7 64bit. The more the merrier.

03. Windows 7 overcomes what Vista didn't. Though there are cases where hardware and software lack the 64bit drivers and system, Windows 7 does a very good job. Still, it will be good to check at manufacturer's site for support.

64bit performs better with correct driver and enough memory.

[IkuTube]

Windows 7 full retail comparison chart:

01. Compare Editions

02. Wikipedia Comparison Chart for Windows 7

Installation of Windows 7 based on your current Operating System:

Note for Outlook Express users in Windows XP:

There is no Outlook Express in Windows 7. Back up all your Address Book and Messages. Microsoft has replaced it with Windows Live Mail. To import our Outlook Express data, follow the steps as in this LINK

Some of the New Features in Windows 7:

Iso Burning

No more grappling for shareware utilities. At last, Microsoft recognizes the importance of *.ISO files.

Aero Desktop (improved)

* Aero Peek: A specific open window or all open windows can be made transparent

* Aero Snaps: Open windows can be snapped to screen borders

* Aero Shake: Desktop items can be minimized or maximized by shaking them

* Maximize a window by dragging its border to the top of the screen

* Dragging the bottom border expands the window vertically

* Dragging two windows to opposite sides will resize them to fill half of the screen

Libraries (new)

* Libraries are containers similar to folders, but their content is based on file properties such as file type, pictures by date taken, or music by genre

* There are default libraries (documents, music, pictures, etc.) and one can create personalized libraries

* Libraries can contain files, not network shares, which are indexed by Windows Search

Scenic Ribbon (new)

* Paint and WordPad now have a ribbon similar to the one in Office 2007

* Third-party developers can integrate ribbons into their apps

For complete Features new to Windows 7, refer to Wikipedia

[IkuTube]

Steps for Clean Installation:

Part 1: Before You Install

Part 2: Configuring BIOS

Part 3: Step By Step Windows 7 Installation [Clean Install]

Part 4: Basic Windows 7 Services Configuration

Part 5: Clean-up

Part 6: Windows Update

Part 7: Simple Tweaks

Part 1: Before You Install

01. Back up all your data

02. Download all the necessary drivers for your hardware. Though, Windows Update will automatically install them for you, it is always good to install from the manufacturer.

Quick Link:

- Intel Chipset driver [Optional] - Download Here

- Marvel for Yukon Devices Network Adaptor - Download Here

[IkuTube]

Part 2: Configuring BIOS

Caution: Playing with BIOS is highly sensitive. Do not change any of the default settings other than what is highlighted below. In the event you want to exit the BIOS page, either press ESC or F10. A prompt will appear with a message asking if you want to save before exiting. Pressing YES [some other motherboard, ENTER] saves the changes while exiting. Pressing NO will close the BIOS leaving all settings unchanged.

01. Power up the computer. Press DEL to enter into BIOS. Some motherboard use the Function Keys (F1, F2 etc)

02. Set your boot order as:

1st Boot Device - CD/DVD

2nd Boot Device - Hard drive [where the operating system will be loaded]

03. Exit and Save Changes. System will reboot.

NOTE: You need to change the boot order (below) once you have completed with the Windows 7 Installation to:

1st Boot Device - Hard Drive [Where your operating system was loaded]

2nd Boot Device - CD/DVD

Tips: It is good to disable any 3rd or 4th boot sequence.

[IkuTube]

Part 3: Installing Windows 7

01. Place your Windows 7 DVD in the DVDrom.

02. Reboot your system and press any key to load Windows 7 DVD installation disc. Few initial installation screens will first appear. Once Windows 7 has finished loading files, you will see 'dialogue' screens.

03. Enter (or leave it) as appropriate.

04. Click on "install Now"

05. The Software Licence Terms. Check on 'I accept the licence terms' and click on Next.

[IkuTube]

06. Select on Custom (advanced) option to continue.

07. Select the partition onto which you want to install Windows 7. Note that you need at least 16GB of free hard disk space for 32 bit or 20GB for 64 bit. Windows 7 will automatically reserved 100mb for system files.

It is always good to install Windows 7 on the first partition.

In my case, I partition 50GB for Windows 7 and programs. Having such a size, it will not be impressive should you run Windows 7 Performance Rate. A good size is 80GB for 64bit.

If you need to provide a RAID or SCSI dirver, now is the time to do it.

08. Status of Windows 7 in progress, copying the files and performing feature and update installation.

09. A warning screen that your system will reboot.

[IkuTube]

10. Windows 7 starts services to continue the installation process. After which, the system will reboot again.

11. Enter username and password.

Tips on Password

Should you want to create a password, it is best to create something out from a phrase line like 'I am 40 years old in 2007', which translate to 'IA40YOIN2007

12. Enter your key. All full retail versions of Windows 7 come with 32bit and 64 bit Activation Keys in the same DVD. The product key that you enter determines the actual version of Windows 7.

However, should you are getting the OEM retail version, it comes with either 32bit or 64bit with a single Activation Key.

You can opt to check on 'Automatically activate Windows when I'm online'. In my case, I de-select it temporarily. Once you de-select this option, you need to manually activate it [within 30 days].

13. Select 'Use recommended settings' to allow Windows to install important and recommended updates. You must already have an internet connection.

14. Set your time zone and date.

[IkuTube]

15. Select the appropriate network. For home users, click on 'Home network'. Basically, this is a setting to determine how Windows 7 will set file sharing and network discovery settings.

16. Windows 7 will run for initial booting and tests your system for video performance. This run will only last a few minutes before Windows 7 desktop will appear. You're done!

[IkuTube]

Part 4: Basic Windows 7 Services Configuration

As in other OS, I always prefer to disable certain services for security purposes. Here, in Windows 7, the services that I disabled are:

- Application Management

- BranchCache

- Certificate Propagation

- Distributed Link Tracking Client

- IP Helper

- Microsoft iSCSI Initiator Service

- Netlogon

- Network Acess Protection Agent

- Offline Files

- Remote Procedure CAll (RPC) Locator

- Remote Registry

- SNMP Trap

- Windows Connect Now - Config Registrar

- Windows Media Player Network Sharing Services

To access Windows Services:

Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Run [or with your keyboard, Press Windows + R together]

Type "services.msc" [without the words 'type' and the quotes "] --> Select OK.

To edit a service, double click on the item. Change the "Status type:" accordingly.

[IkuTube]

Part 5: Clean-up

Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> Run. Type "cleanmgr /sageset:50" [without the quotes]. In the next screen, choose your options by checking th boxes. I normally check all execpt the bottom last two. Click OK.

Click Start > Run. Type "cleanmgr /sagerun:50". When Disk cleanup is done, reboot your system.

Part 6: Windows Update

Run Windows Update and keep running it until all critical updates are installed. You may want to choose items for Optional Updates and Updated drivers.

[IkuTube]

Part 7: Simple Tweaks

For more tweaks, just google.

01. Minimise Autorun when Windows 7 starts

With your keyboard, press Windows + R to get to the Run command. Type "msconfig" without the quotes. In the System Configuration window, click on 'Startup'. You can clear most of the Startup Item to make your system faster.

For Advanced Users, you may want to download Autoruns For Windows.

02. Move Your Libraries

Moving your libraries [Documents, Musics, Pictures, Videos, Contacts, etc] to another drive or partition. You will not have to worry losing data when there are issues (crash, virus or hardware failure) affect your C Drive.

02a. Right click on your UserName in the Start Menu and choose 'Open'.

02b. Select the items that you wish to move. Copy / Paste them to the new location.

02c. Go back to the original Library, right click on each folder that you had moved. Click 'Properties' from the menu.

02d. In the Desktop Properties, click on 'Location'. Click on 'Move'. In the next window, click once on the folder you want it moved to and then click 'Select Folder' on the bottom right of the screen.

02e. Repeat 02d for all other libraries that you had copy/paste (02b).

03. User Account Control

Just like Vista, I feel the User Account Control pop-ups can be rather irritating. You can fine-tune its notification to 'Never notify' to stop the pop-ups. In Start, just type 'UAC' in the Search Program box.

04. Quick Launch

If you are one that heavily rely on Quick Launch, you can bring it back with the following steps:

• Right-click the Taskbar, hover over Toolbars, and select New Toolbar.

• In the Folder selection field at the bottom, enter the following string:

%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

• Turn off the “lock the Taskbar” setting, and right-click on the divider. Disable “Show Text” and “Show Title” and set the view option to “Small Icons”.

• Drag the divider to rearrange the toolbar order to put Quick Launch where you want it, and then right-click the Taskbar to lock it again.

[wshcawei]

thank you

[Roger]

Recently I bought a new laptop and am using Windows 7.

I tried to Add the Chinese Simplied PRC language under Control Panel ~ Internet Options ~ Languages. It didn't work.

Then I tried Control Panel ~ Clock, Language, Region. It didn't work either. Please Help.

I did not have this problem with Window XP. The "Add"ing was simple then.

[k999]

Anyone got window 7 CD? I wish to reformat my com but I don have the CD anyone can help me? Thank you

[SoulSG]

Windows 7 is basically Windows Vista R2.

Windows 7 is still base on Vista SP1. If you have notice using 3rd party Task manager tool, Both OS uses the same amount of RAM.

Superfetch on Windows Vista SP2 uses almost the same amount of RAM compare to Windows 7.

Superfetch is made to buffer those application you normally use during startup. It also speed up Windows Booting process. The real reason why Windows Vista RTM (without service pack) is RAM hungry due to Superfetch is not fully smart yet.

Windows Vista SP2 added one features in Windows 7 which helps to speed up booting process is Delayed Automatic Startup of a service. Some Background service which is only use once in a bluemoon will only run when Windows is Idle (not using).

Basically Windows Vista SP2 performance is almost the same as what you would get On Windows 7.

Just Don't waste your bundled license which come with your computer.

Those who are still using Windows Vista, just update to SP2 and cleanup those junks on the computer, performance will be faster.

Support for Windows Vista with SP2 ends around 2017.

[minichub]

i have the Windows 7 Home Premium VLK ...

[minichub]

Recently I bought a new laptop and am using Windows 7.

I tried to Add the Chinese Simplied PRC language under Control Panel ~ Internet Options ~ Languages. It didn't work.

Then I tried Control Panel ~ Clock, Language, Region. It didn't work either. Please Help.

I did not have this problem with Window XP. The "Add"ing was simple then.

If u are installing for keyboard ... yes its not hard at all but if u want it to be emulate native PRC Chinese OS, u need it to buy the languages otherwise a Windows 7 Ultimate will solve ur problem

[Guest arowana]

I encountered this problem, and has been solving for days. I have been googling in the search engine for help on this.

Can somebody help me?

I can bring this PC over to your place. Any time or day should be alright for me.

Please help. "kiu-miia"!

Edited October 28, 2012 by arowana

[subarucap]

http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com

get your windows 8 upgrade for just SGD$18

i bought mine and installed into my iMac via bootcamp, upgraded from win7.

you can upgrade from winxp vista and win7.

so for $18 its really worth it.