How to Install a Windows Operating System

Step-by-step guides to installing Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP

Installing Windows might sound like a daunting task but it’s really quite easy, especially if you’re installing a more recent operating system like Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7. But no need to take your computer into the local experts for a simple reinstall — you can install Windows all by yourself!

Just find the Windows operating system below that you’re planning to install and then click on for visual, step-by-step guides explaining how to install each OS.

Install Windows 10

Windows 10 is Microsoft’s latest version of Windows and installation of this operating system is probably the easiest of them all.

See our Windows 8 installation guide for help. It works very similarly to installing Windows 10.

If you already have Windows 10 installed and you’re looking to reinstall it, even as a «clean» reinstall, the Reset This PC process is an easier-to-do, and equally effective, way to do this. See How to Reset Your PC in Windows 10 for a full walkthrough.

Install Windows 8

The very best way to install Windows 8 is with a method called a «clean install.»

With a clean install, you’ll get that «new computer» feel with Windows 8, without all the junk software. If you’re replacing a previous version of Windows, clean installing Windows 8 is most certainly what you want to do.

Here’s a complete tutorial of the Windows 8 clean install process, complete with screenshots and detailed advice along the way.

Install Windows 7

Windows 7 is one of the easiest-to-install Windows operating systems. You’re only asked a few important questions during the installation—most of the setup process is completely automatic.

Like with other versions of Windows, the «clean» or «custom» method of installing Windows 7 is the smartest way to go compared to an «upgrade» install or the less common «parallel» install.

This 34-step tutorial will walk you through every individual step of the process.

Install Windows Vista

Like Windows 7, the Windows Vista install process is very easy and straightforward.

In this short walkthrough from TechTarget, you’ll see how to boot from the install DVD and step through the major sections of this process.

Install Windows XP

Installing Windows XP can be a bit frustrating and time-consuming, especially when compared to the installation processes in Microsoft’s newer operating systems.

Don’t worry that you can’t do this one, however. Yes, there are lots of steps, and thank goodness Microsoft solved some of these tedious things in newer versions of Windows, but if you still need Windows XP, and you’re installing it new, or reinstalling it from scratch, this tutorial will help.

If you’re trying to solve a problem and haven’t yet given the repair install process available in Windows XP a try yet, do that first. See How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install for a complete walkthrough.

Thread: Guide: How to install windows 8/8.1/10 The proper way (UEFI based installation)

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ROG Guru: Yellow Belt Array Guitarmageddon888 PC Specs

Guitarmageddon888 PC Specs
Motherboard	Maximus x code bios1704
Memory (part number)	8700k 5.1/4.9avx
Graphics Card #1	MSI 2080 gaming trio
Monitor	HP Omen 27″
Storage #1	Samsung 970 m.2
Storage #2	Samsung 860 evo
CPU Cooler	H150i
Case	Lian li pc011
Power Supply	Evga supernova g3 850w
Keyboard	Corsair k70
OS	Windows 10

Join Date Nov 2018 Reputation 12 Posts 210

when you wrote «windows image utility» you meant the app from MS that downloads the windows installation image which then suppose to help you to create a bootable USB ?

if that’s the issue — you can manually download the ISO, then use 3rd party FREE apps to create such bootable USB ( see RUFUS in the lower part of that guide )
Lastly, please make sure you understand how to UEFI boot and install an OS — read the OP to learn more.

P.S — if you’re getting win10 1809, please download ONLY 177663.107 (NOT *.1) otherwise if making an upgrade from previous windows versions, you’re risking possible files deletion ( with *.1 version that is ).

Oh no I meant the windows image utility that was called something like «backup and restore (windows 7)» not creating a new bootable image for the purposes of installing Windows. Just want to make a backup image of my current system.

problem with format

I have a problem with my bootable USB stick with win10. This USB stick works perfectly on another computer but on my Asus not.
I tried to use RUFUS and with GTP and not working at all. If I try with MBR the logo from windows show but when finish the boot via USB stick the screen is always black.
I tried with Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and not show anything.
I tried with a win7 DVD and the result was the same.
I tried to connect to another screen and is not showing any image.

I «googled» and I found some equal problems in other laptops and the problem is the PCI express video card.

They go to the BIOS and change to the motherboard video card and it works. But the BIOS from ASUS GL552VW not show the same configuration on the video card to disable Nvidia. So, what I make wrong in this process?
I formatted a lot of laptops and desktops and this is the first time this happens to me.

Last edited by usernameregistar; 01-04-2019 at 06:56 PM .

sc delete dmwappushsvc

Hi, following the guide pretty well so far.

When it comes to the privacy options and features, I am unable to run command «sc delete dmwappushsvc» Error: «FAILED 1060 The specified service does not exist as an installed service.»

I have managed to delete diagtrack ok so it is not myself doing it incorrectly and the spelling is 100% correct.

Does this service not exist any more perhaps?

ROG Guru: Blue Belt Array Gps3dx PC Specs

Gps3dx PC Specs
Laptop (Model)	Current: G751JT | Retired: G55VW, G51JX
Motherboard	Inc M.2 slot
Storage #1	Samsungs EVO 850 128GB
Storage #2	1TB HGST Travelstar 7K1000 (HTS721010A9E630)
CPU Cooler	Mother Nature & Thermodynamics laws
Mouse	Logitech MX 518
Headset/Speakers	Logitech T6060
OS	Cleaned installed Windows 10 HOME x64
Accessory #1	Leap Motion

Join Date Feb 2015 Reputation 71 Posts 785

Good Q — I encounter this too after install many different editions of win10 (1703/9 & 1803/9).
I learned this tip from a vary reliable forum dealing with anything MS windows related — Mydigitallife.
Many ppl in that linked thread ( although not in its OP ) report that «sc delete dmwappushservice» is the correct command, since the service was renamed.

G5511jm black screen

I have a problem with my bootable USB stick with win10. This USB stick works perfectly on another computer but on my Asus not.
I tried to use RUFUS and with GTP and not working at all. If I try with MBR the logo from windows show but when finish the boot via USB stick the screen is always black.
I tried with Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and not show anything.
I tried with a win7 DVD and the result was the same.
I tried to connect to another screen and is not showing any image.

I «googled» and I found some equal problems in other laptops and the problem is the PCI express video card.

They go to the BIOS and change to the motherboard video card and it works. But the BIOS from ASUS GL552VW not show the same configuration on the video card to disable Nvidia. So, what I make wrong in this process?
I formatted a lot of laptops and desktops and this is the first time this happens to me.

My story is my brother asking me to install fresh windows 10 on his ROG G551jm laptop because somehow the performance become really bad. The thing is i’m not tech savvy or anything but once successfully fresh install on my old pc just by googling (create a bootable usb using windows 7 usb tool apps, wipe disk and install) and walla its working as intended.

And then i try to recreate it on my brother’s laptop, So what i did, i try to create bootable usb, i dont use windows 7 usb tool but rufus because it is recommended by my quick google search. Open up Rufus, wow, it really difference with what i used before, there uefi, legacy, mbr and many terms that seems not in my vocabulary. Heck, i thought it was going to auto configuration and just cooked it.

And here comes the nightmare. I plugged the usb, restart, got up to installation option, i formatted my primary hd and say to myself «its not that hard» BAM!! comes a popup which i dont remember much but i think it almost say «you imbecile human you chose the wrong setting for bootable usb something something mbr..gpt) **** i screw up.

Try to calm myself up. Laptop restarted. Everything is fine it is still boot up alright and it try troubleshot itself because i wiped the hd but failed. So, i created a new bootable usb with difference setup, plugged in, and then weirdly it ws not detected no matter how much variation of bootable usb i tried.

So, with my 300 iq, i try to mess with the bios (i knew it was risky) carefully wondering to see what went wrong. I try to change the boot order, i put on top priority list is my dvd cd drive and off course that is not too bad right. Saved and restart. I wait anxiously. . . .

The screen show up nothing but only with keyboard light were on and i can hear the hd were running. No text..no bios. Just black screen..

i googled everything but nothing is working and this is really stressing me out because i just broke someone expensive laptop and is not mine. (to put icing on the cake, he just bought it) Help me guys and least give me hope it still can be fix.
o

Thread: Guide: How to install windows 8/8.1/10 The proper way (UEFI based installation)

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ROG Guru: Gold Belt Array Clintlgm PC Specs

Clintlgm PC Specs
Laptop (Model)	Asus G752VY DH72
Motherboard	Asus Z97 Pro WiFi and /Z97 Pro A
Processor	I7 4790K
Storage #1	512 GB M.2 Samsung 960 Pro
Storage #2	1 TB Samsun 850 Pro
Case	Cool Master Haf
OS	Win 8.1 Pro and Win 10 Pro

Join Date Jul 2012 Reputation 111 Posts 4,182

Yes if your 10 is activated MS Activation Server has your MB activated, changing hard drives won’t matter once your activated you can clean install no problem.
Insure you follow directions for installing UEFI for best performance.

G752VY-DH72 Win 10 Pro
512 GB M.2 Samsung 960 Pro
1 TB Samsung 850 pro 2.5 format
980m GTX 4 GB
32GB DDR 4 Standard RAM

Z97 PRO WiFi I7 4790K
Windows 10 Pro
Z97 -A
Windows 10 Pro

ROG Guru: Blue Belt Array Gps3dx PC Specs

Gps3dx PC Specs
Laptop (Model)	Current: G751JT | Retired: G55VW, G51JX
Motherboard	Inc M.2 slot
Storage #1	Samsungs EVO 850 128GB
Storage #2	1TB HGST Travelstar 7K1000 (HTS721010A9E630)
CPU Cooler	Mother Nature & Thermodynamics laws
Mouse	Logitech MX 518
Headset/Speakers	Logitech T6060
OS	Cleaned installed Windows 10 HOME x64
Accessory #1	Leap Motion

Join Date Feb 2015 Reputation 71 Posts 785

sorry. my «mistake» cuz was short in time during writing.
genuine = activated legally => it appears just as in the screenshot you posted.
ppl shouldn’t take me that literally every time 🙂

anywho. I must advise you to wipe the screenshot from here, or at least censor your private info such as «product id» and computer name.

P.S I forgot to mention that i’m also on the G751JT and transferred my retired windows 8.1 from HDD to SSD, then few months later I «upgrade» to a cleaned installed windows 10 using the guide I wrote in this thread — so win 10 OEM license can be used on same laptop ( same motherboard) with different storage device.

Also, here is a bit more details to calm you about windows 10 reinstallation: look here ( one Q before the end ) and also HERE under «Suppose I need to reinstall Windows 10»
Also, when one reinstall windows 10 and connected to the internet, the auto-activation might take a while.
also, here some useful article and here is another, and another from VERY knowledgeable «windows» forum.

@Clintlgm and @Gps3dx — Thank you both for your confirmation. I assumed that «activated» was probably what you meant, but I wanted to be sure. MS support also confirmed for me last night after my post, and they said they’d help if it didn’t automatically activate for some reason. However, your messages definitely put my mind at ease, especially knowing that you’ve done it with the same ASUS model. This new activation approach for Windows is pretty cool.

I’m following the UEFI installation instructions at the beginning of this thread. So far, so good!

UEFI Install Issue

Okay, I ran into my first problem. I’m going to keep trying things out, but I could probably use some help.

I created a Windows 10 bootable USB drive using the «official» way linked to in the original post — downloaded the ISO file and used Rufus to create the USB drive, making sure it was set to «GPT partition scheme for EUFI» and «FAT32 (Default)». It seemed to work, as you can see in the following screen shot:

I then did the diskpart stuff and created an ei.cfg file with the following text:

That seemed to work, as I then simply chose the Windows 10 Home Edition from the drop down prompt and got to the part where it asks which drive/partition I want to install in. Here is where I’m currently stuck. I got the UEFI error message that the original post warned about :

I’m confused. The boot selection menu appears to show that I’ve created a UEFI formatted USB bootable drive, but I’m still getting this error. Any idea why?

Okay, I re-checked the diskpart stuff and realized that I missed a whole block of commands. doh!! You probably could tell from the last screenshot above. Anyways, I did the diskpart commands again, and I’m getting a new error:

Yes, I know «WINDOWS» is in all caps in the screen shot above. I’ve corrected it with proper case («Windows») but still receive the same error message.

I’ve re-done the disk partitioning a few times now with no change in the error. I’m not sure what else to try. A Google search indicated that some people got this error due to issues with too many USB drives plugged in or USB 2.0 vs 3.0. I only have the one flash drive plugged in, but the drive is USB 2.0. I’m going to try recreating the bootable drive on a USB 3.0 to see if that works.

Last edited by jbayko; 12-17-2015 at 09:25 PM .

ROG Guru: Blue Belt Array Gps3dx PC Specs

Gps3dx PC Specs
Laptop (Model)	Current: G751JT | Retired: G55VW, G51JX
Motherboard	Inc M.2 slot
Storage #1	Samsungs EVO 850 128GB
Storage #2	1TB HGST Travelstar 7K1000 (HTS721010A9E630)
CPU Cooler	Mother Nature & Thermodynamics laws
Mouse	Logitech MX 518
Headset/Speakers	Logitech T6060
OS	Cleaned installed Windows 10 HOME x64
Accessory #1	Leap Motion

Join Date Feb 2015 Reputation 71 Posts 785

Glad to hear you don’t give up easily. many do give up, and they end up knowing nothing.
anywho.

about installation asking for product key. I’ve checked my ISOs. they do NOT contain any ei.cfg.
It’s not clear to me till the end. but apparently win10 Images does NOT «work» with ei.cfg files anymore.
nevertheless, if ei.cfg is missing from the «sources» folder, and the image contains more the one «edition» of win10 ( home/pro/enterprise | x32/x64 ) it should ask you by showing you a GUI screen with the option to choose which one you want to install.
neverthless, the safest way to go is to download the appropriate edition for you.
In your «private case» it is HOME x64, in your language — as this is the case of activating from internal laptop’s product key — i.e using the genuine product key that was shipped from asus.
In the same context, PID file isn’t necessary, but note that you can use generic product code for the installation, then after installation, connect to the internet and the internal product key should «kick-in». ( there might be a necessity to wipe the generic key from the system using some commands. that’s why I DO NOT recommend using the PID file / manually input generic product key )
* Please note that HOME edition also named CORE edition.
* I do NOT know if installing SINGLE-LANGUAGE edition ( even english ) will be compatible with the internal product key — never tried it myself.
I only used ( multiple times on multiple laptops ) «64-bit (x64) Windows 10 Home & Windows 10 Pro en-US OEM ISO»
that image doesn’t contains the ei.cfg so you get an edition-selection screen.
* i’m 99% sure that if you install «retail» channel it does NOT matter to the activation process using OEM product key — what’s important is the EDITION of windows installed, and of course that it isn’t VL activated.

about your drive layout. ouch. why do you have 2 «SYSTEM» partitions ? the second one is not necessary !
1st partition -> SYSTEM, formated as fat32 for the boot files.
2nd partition -> MSR, it is a special filesystem.
3rd partition -> your actual «c» drive — the windows main partition. ( NTFS usually )
4rd and more ( if at all ) -> «files/»data» drive formatted as you wish ( NTFS usually )

about «We couldn’t create a new partition or locate an existing one» error.
* Make sure you’ve understod how GPT disk layout of a drive should look like for UEFI installation of windows.
* check you WINDOWS partition alignment offset ( also this method ) ( and this good article )
Any alignment value divisible by 4096 is good.
mis-alignment has implication on SSD performance -> see here a thread about it.
Read a bit more about alignment here
also, Don’t confuse «alignment offset» with «file allocation unit (cluster) size».
Read here more about the difference.
* Try to use insert the usb into different USB slot ( other side of computer ).
* another idea: try to disable «secure boot» in the BIOS.

Last edited by Gps3dx; 12-17-2015 at 10:21 PM .