How to install the Microsoft Windows operating system

Each version of Microsoft Windows is installed on a computer using similar steps. While there are steps in the installation process that differ between versions of Windows, the following general steps and guidelines help you install Windows on your computer.

If you are replacing the hard drive in your computer, you need to reinstall Windows again.

If you are replacing the motherboard in your computer, you may need to purchase a new licensed copy of Windows and install it. Microsoft has designed current versions of Windows to be tied to the motherboard in the computer when Windows is installed. So if you change the motherboard, the existing license, or product key, may no longer be valid.

If you want to upgrade to a newer version of Windows on your computer, the steps on this page help you with the upgrade process. The Windows installation process should recognize if you have an older version of Windows already installed on the computer and ask if you want to upgrade or perform a fresh install. The upgrade process installs the newer Windows operating system files over top the old ones and preserve your files.

The steps below are for all recent versions of Windows, including Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. These steps would even work for earlier versions (e.g., Windows 95) as long as you’re using the disc version. The floppy diskette version is similar, but it requires additional steps.

The install guidelines for Windows for a server have additional steps based on the type of server and version of Windows.

Check hardware compatibility

Before installing or upgrading Windows on your computer, check the hardware in the computer to make sure it’s compatible with that version of Windows. Microsoft provides a Windows Compatible Products List for checking if the hardware in your computer is compatible with the chosen version of Windows.

If you find that one or more pieces of hardware in your computer are not compatible with the chosen Windows version, we recommend replacing that hardware with compatible hardware. Having compatible hardware in your computer helps ensure the Windows install or upgrade process is successful.

Genuine Windows CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive

First, you need a genuine copy of the Microsoft Windows operating system installation CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive. A genuine Windows product key is included with the installation disc, which is required to activate Windows after installation. If you have an OEM computer, the Windows product key is often on the back or side of the computer.

If you have an OEM computer (e.g., Acer, Dell, HP, etc.), the computer will not have a genuine Windows CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive. Instead, you would reinstall Windows and all the software using a hidden partition or a set of restore discs. The steps mentioned on this page would still work, but you’d need a copy of Windows. You can borrow a friends Windows disc, as long as its the same version of Windows that came with the computer and have a product key.

With early versions of Windows, you cannot download a copy of Windows to install on a computer. You must purchase a physical copy of Windows. If you are installing Windows 10, you can download the Windows 10 creation tool to create a bootable disc or USB thumb drive.

Microsoft has Windows 10 available for download only from their website. Any other site that claims to have copies of other versions of Windows should not be trusted. These copies of Windows are pirated software and could contain anything including spyware or malware.

Installing or upgrading Windows

To start the Windows install or upgrade process, you need to configure your computer to boot from a CD or DVD before booting to the hard drive. Changing the boot process forces the computer to look for the Windows installation disc before trying to boot from the hard drive.

1. Open the CMOS setup.

• How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup.

1. Change the computer’s boot order. Set the CD, DVD or disc drive as the first boot device if you are trying to boot from a disc. Or, set the first boot device to your USB drive if you’re trying to boot from a USB thumb drive. If the drive is not shown, keep the disc is inserted and reboot the computer. With the disc in the drive, BIOS should recognize and include it in the list.
2. Save the settings change and exit BIOS.

Once you have updated the boot order, you can begin the Windows installation process.

1. Place the Windows disc in the CD/DVD drive or USB thumb drive into the back of the computer.
2. Turn on or restart the computer. As the computer starts up, it should detect the installation disc or drive and show a message similar to Press any key to boot from CD. Press any key on the keyboard to have the computer boot from the Windows disc or drive.
3. After the Windows install begins, there are several prompts that you need to answer. Select either Yes or the appropriate option to install Windows.

Make sure you select the Full Install option and not the Repair or Upgrade option.

If you are upgrading to a newer version of Windows, select the Upgrade option instead of the Full Install option.

1. When asked which partition to install Windows onto, select the main partition, which is usually the C: drive or one labeled «Unallocated partition». If upgrading Windows, select the existing installation of Windows on the hard drive.
2. You may be asked if you want to erase all contents on the hard drive, then install Windows. We recommend you choose this option, as it also formats the hard drive to allow the Windows operating system to be installed.

You can use the erase all contents option to effectively uninstall an existing version of Windows on the hard drive, then install Windows agains.

1. The computer may need to restart several times during the Windows install process. The restarts are normal and if prompted to restart, select the Yes option.
2. When the install process is nearly complete, the Windows configuration option screens are shown. On these screens, you may be asked to select the time zone you live in, your preferred language, and the name of the account you use to access Windows. Select the appropriate options and enter the appropriate information on each configuration screen.

The Windows install process is completed when the computer prompts you to log in or when it loads into Windows.

Final Windows and computer configuration

After Windows is installed on the computer, you need to install the drivers and related software for the hardware in the computer. You can use the installation discs that came with the hardware, or you can download the drivers from the hardware manufacturer’s website.

If you cannot download drivers because your network card is not working after installing Windows, you can download the drivers on another computer. Then, copy them to a USB thumb drive, and move them over to your computer.

It is strongly recommended that you install the latest drivers for each piece of hardware.

To determine which hardware needs drivers to be installed, check the Device Manager and look for exclamation mark «!» next to hardware devices. The exclamation point means drivers are needed for that device.

After installing the necessary hardware device drivers, install any software programs on the computer that you want to use.

Finally, download and install any available Windows updates. Updating Windows improves the performance of the operating system, the hardware in the computer, and software programs you use. It can also improve security by fixing potential security holes and flaws in Windows.

Long-term maintenance of Windows

Microsoft frequently releases new updates for Windows, so we recommend you check for and install available updates. Doing so helps keep Windows running better and keep your computer protected.

Also, periodically check for updated hardware device drivers from manufacturers’ websites. Keeping hardware drivers updated helps the hardware devices in the computer run at peak performance and improves compatibility with other computer hardware and software.

Install Windows (or Other Operating System) Yourself

Introduction: Install Windows (or Other Operating System) Yourself

Every personal computer will, at some point, need the hard drive replaced; they’re mechanical, and mechanical things wear out. You may also want to simply replace your existing drive with a larger one, or a solid-state drive; or you may want to upgrade to a different operating system. This instructable will show you how you can do it yourself. It’s not difficult, it’s not dangerous, and it’s a lot less expensive than paying a professional (like me!) to do it for you.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Before you start, you will need certain materials:

1. A computer (seems obvious but still. ) which needs an OS.
a. Knowledge about your computer’s hardware (see points 3 and 4 below).
b. A bootable CD or DVD drive, or bootable USB port.
2. A boot CD or DVD (or bootable USB thumbstick) of your chosen OS.
3. Drivers for all your hardware. This is especially critical for RAID arrays; if your OS does not «see» the RAID array without a driver, you can’t install the OS on the RAID array.
4. Drivers for *ALL* your hardware. I can’t emphasize this enough. In order of importance, you *MUST* have drivers for:
a. The motherboard chipset, if there is a special driver for it.
b. RAID card or other drive controller card. Some motherboards will have this built-in.
c. Network adapter.
d. Sound card.
e. Video card.
5. A good anti-virus package (yes, even for Linux and Mac). I personally recommend http://avast.com/eng/programs.htmlAvast or http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-editionAVG for Windows users. Both are free for non-commercial use. Avast also makes Linux and Mac editions.
6. A suitable archiver. for Windows, you should consider 7-Zip or AlZip (and RARzilla for later). Linux and OSX will include gzip. You’ll want unrar and unzip later, but they aren’t critical now.

Point 1a is the most critical here; failure to identify your hardware will definitely cause issues, ranging from some things not performing well, to complete failure to install the OS, leaving you with a very expensive doorstop.

Drivers, anti-virus, and archiver(s) should be burned to a disk or disks also (and if they came in an archive package, such as ZIP files, you need to unzip them on the disk(s)).

Step 2: Boot Your New OS

Insert the CD/DVD or USB thumbstick.

Either set up your BIOS to boot from CD/DVD or USB, or use the boot menu (if you have one) to select CD/DVD or USB as your boot device.

Step 3: Install RAID Driver

If you are using a RAID array, you’ll need to install the driver now. Your OS will prompt you to insert the disk.

Step 4: Format and Partition

Now format and partition your hard drive. If you are installing Windows, NTFS is the best choice; use the largest possible size, since Windows likes to install everything on your boot (C:) drive. If you are installing Linux, «guided partitioning» is best if you aren’t sure of your choices. OSX has a similar function, and the name escapes me at the moment, sorry.

Note that the precise method for doing this will vary with the OS you chose; however, the text on the screen will tell you what the installer is doing, and ask you for your decision(s) regarding any options. Read the screen!

Step 5: Sit Back and Relax

There may be several prompts between now and the «who are you» question. As a rule, the default answers will work well, so relax and let your OS copy files and set up things like your keyboard, mouse, etc.

Step 6: Who Are You?

Your OS will ask for a username and password, and possibly your real name at some point. Remember, your password is your last line of defense against computer intrusion, so choose a strong one (a mix of upper- and lower-case, numbers, and punctuation is best). Write it down (yes, I know, you’re never supposed to write it down. Do it anyway. You’ll be glad you did later.) and put it in your wallet or purse. Or underwear. Whatever works for you. Just don’t leave it with the computer.

Step 7: Reboot!

Now it’s time to restart your computer. If you’re installing Windows, you may have already done this several times. You’ll be prompted to remove the boot disk (or thumbstick) when the right time comes.

Step 8: Install Drivers

NOTE: Your computer should not be connected to any network until after you complete anti-virus installation! Average time between connection to the Internet and infection with a virus on an unprotected Windows PC is 15 seconds. Yes, I said seconds! Unplug the network cable for now.

Now it’s time to install hardware drivers. If you have a special driver for your motherboard’s chipset, it should be the first one you install. As a rule, I like to install the video driver second, so I can see everything better for the rest of the installation. Windows will want to reboot after each driver installation. Deal with it.

Step 9: Install Your Anti-Virus

You remember I told you to get a good anti-virus? Install it now. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Step 10: Connect the Network

Now it’s safe to connect to the Internet. Do it.

Step 11: Install Archiver(s)

Now install the archivers if you need them. For Windows, look at your disk(s) from Step 1. For Linux, use your package manager (apt, yum, synaptic, or what-have-you). I’m sorry I don’t know exactly how that’s done in OSX — there’s very little call for installing any Mac OS from scratch. Good hardware and good software together tend to put PC techs on lots of downtime.

Step 12: Update Your Files

Yes, you have to update already! This is particularly critical with a Windows machine, but all operating systems need to be updated because of constant security improvements. Windows will prompt you (or force you, depending on the version) to turn on Automatic Updates. Ubuntu Linux (the distro I use most) will prompt you for new security updates when they are ready. OSX should do likewise.

Anyhow, for Windows, run Windows Update, and apply critical updates. Reboot. Repeat until there are no more critical updates. Incidentally, I would advise *against* using Windows Updates to update hardware drivers. I have had a few events that completely disabled a PC which I was able to trace back to a Windows Update hardware driver update.

For Linux (and OSX, really), use your distro’s updater.

Step 13: Done!

Your operating system is now installed! Good job!

If you installed Linux, you already have a fine repository of free software. Go ahead and install what you want!

If you installed OSX, most of what you want or need is probably already installed, but you’re ready to add other things now.

If you installed Windows, the following links will take you to places to find free software for almost every need:

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11 Comments

This doesn’t really tell you how to do the job, more what the steps are.

e.g. «Now format and partition your hard drive-«
Nothing in the way of how.

Since OS tend to make these steps easy (don’t they?) what are you providing as a professional that we couldn’t manage to work out for ourselves?

Reply 12 years ago on Introduction

What I am providing as a professional is my time. It’s the most valuable thing in the universe, because you only get a fixed amount, you can never get any more, and you don’t know for sure how much you have left. When I do an OS install, if you bring me the computer and all the necessary disks, CD keys, etc. it costs you a flat $100. If I have to go look stuff up and download it for you, it costs you $100 for the work plus $120 per hour (at a 1-hour minimum) spent obtaining all the drivers and so forth (plus the cost of the OS if you don’t bring your own). This instructable is meant to take the fear out of the OS install process. «It’s not difficult, it’s not dangerous,» and as you say, it’s pretty easy if you just pay attention to what the screen says as you proceed. And yes, it might be good to make a different instructable for each OS. Do you have the time? Right now, I don’t.