Windows® Setup is the program that installs Windows or upgrades an existing Windows installation. It is also the basis for the following installation and upgrade methods:
Windows Deployment Services
WindowsВ Setup Installation Types
WindowsВ Setup can perform both clean and upgrade installations. However, it does not perform computer-to-computer migrations. Instead, you must use Windows Easy Transfer, the User State Migration Tool (USMT), or another migration tool to move data from a previous installation to the new operating system.
Custom installations. WindowsВ Setup can perform a custom installation, also known as a clean installation, which saves your previous Windows installation but does not migrate your settings. The previous Windows installation will not boot after a clean installation.
Upgrade installations. WindowsВ Setup can perform an installation that retains your settings and preferences while upgrading your operating system.
WindowsВ Setup Process
The WindowsВ Setup program starts and restarts the computer, gathers information, copies files, and creates or adjusts configuration settings. The following table shows the overall process for WindowsВ Setup:
WindowsВ Setup phase
Setup actions
Downlevel (for custom installations and upgrades)
WindowsВ PE (for booting the Windows DVD or booting a custom WindowsВ PE image)
Specify WindowsВ Setup configurations by using either the WindowsВ Setup dialog boxes (interactive) or an answer file (unattended), or a combination of the two. WindowsВ Setup configurations include adding a product key and configuring a disk.
Apply answer file settings in the windowsPE configuration pass to configure the installation behavior and user experience.
Configure the disk.
Copy the Windows image to the disk.
Prepare boot information.
Process answer file settings in the offlineServicing configuration pass. The settings are applied to the Windows image before that Windows image boots. When the computer first boots, any optional components, drivers, updates, or language packs are processed.
Online configuration
Create specific configurations, making the Windows installation unique.
WindowsВ Welcome
Apply answer file settings in the oobeSystem configuration pass.
Find your Windows product key
A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this:
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Locate your product key for Windows 10
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you’ll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn’t require you to enter a product key. Without one of these, you won’t be able to activate your device.
Where to find your product key depends on how you got your copy of Windows.
Select any of the following to see more information:
The product key is preinstalled on your PC, included with the packaging the PC came in, or included on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC. For more info, contact your hardware manufacturer, and for pictures of authentic product keys and COA labels, see How to tell your hardware is genuine.
The product key is on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. For more info, contact the retailer that sold you Windows 10. How to tell your software is genuine.
Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.
The product key is in the confirmation email you received after buying your digital copy of Windows. Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store. You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history.
If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you should have a digital license instead of a product key.
If you bought Windows 10 Home, Professional, or Upgrade to Pro in the Windows 10 Store app, you’ll receive a digital license instead of a product key. You can use the digital license for activation.
If your product key is scratched, blurred, or otherwise unusable, contact the retailer who sold you the product. If you aren’t able to get help from your retailer or have already tried and couldn’t get a working key, call Microsoft Support.
For more information about digital licenses and product keys in Windows 10, see the “Methods of Activation” section in Activate Windows 10.
Locate your product key for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1
A product key is usually required when uninstalling or reinstalling Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Generally, if you bought a physical copy of Windows, the product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device. If you’ve lost or can’t find the product key, contact the manufacturer. To ensure your product key is genuine, see How to tell your software is genuine and How to tell your hardware is genuine.
Related links
For info about how to tell if your copy of Windows is genuine Microsoft software, see the How to tell page.
For more Windows 10 download info, see Download Windows 10.
If you need installation media to install or reinstall Windows, see Create installation media for Windows to learn how to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD.
If you need more help with activation, see Activate Windows 10.
If you’re getting an activation error, see Get help with Windows activation errors.
If you’re reinstalling Windows 10, you might not need a Windows product key. See Activation in Windows 10 for more info.
If you’re reinstalling Windows 10 due to a motherboard problem or some other hardware issue, see Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.
If you’re looking for product keys for Office, apps, games, and more, see Find your Microsoft downloads and product keys
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.
Can You Install Your Own Windows?
If you’ve received a high estimate from a window company for installing replacement windows, you might consider paring down costs by installing the windows by yourself.
There is no reason why you cannot replace your own windows if you have the right tools and skills, and most importantly, enough motivation. But it’s a big enough project that you should not plunge into it without serious consideration. You may find yourself in over your head, with little recourse other than to hit pause on the project and bring in a contractor to finish the job.
Replacement Window Types
There are two basic categories of windows: new-construction windows and replacement windows.
New-Construction Windows
New-construction windows are complete window units that have nailing flanges or fins on the front that allow the window to be nailed flat to the exterior sheathing of the house. The window unit slips into its opening from outside until the nailing fins are flush against the exterior wall sheathing (not the siding).
Use new-construction windows when you are undertaking major work on your house, such as rebuilding the wall assembly. Outside of major rebuilding, you can use new-construction windows as replacement windows only if the manufacturer allows the nailing flange to be detached.
Replacement Windows
Replacement windows are window units that contain window sashes inside a small frame. They are designed to fit into your existing window frame. You install them from inside the house, though some exterior work may be required.
Replacement windows do not have nailing flanges or fins. The absence of the flange allows the window to fit straight into the window opening from the house interior.
Use replacement windows whenever the wall system remains intact. If rebuilding the wall, do not use replacement windows.
Installing Replacement Windows
With replacement windows, you don’t have to remove or replace the existing interior or exterior window trim. Trim may incidentally become damaged during the project or you may decide that you want new trim. But trim replacement is not required.
With new-construction windows, you have to remove the trim on both sides of the window, and you usually have to customize it or replace it with new trim to fit around the new window. In addition, you have to deal with all of the exterior waterproofing, including installing new flashing above the window, and caulking all of the window and trim joints.
So replacement windows are clearly easier to install, but that still doesn’t translate to easy. Removing the existing window while preserving peripherals such as the trim, sill, and drywall can be a delicate process.
Plus, new-construction windows are not off the table. If the wall is in bad enough shape to warrant rebuilding and if you have basic carpentry skills, new-construction windows are worth considering.
Time Frame
Estimate between four and six hours to install a replacement window by yourself.
If you have to alter the window opening or change the exterior trim, count on a full day for each window, especially a large window. This time estimate does not include painting or staining new trim or drying time for the paint or caulk.
If you are replacing multiple windows, that 4-6 hour installation estimate likely will drop as you become more adept at the process.
Adding new-construction windows will take less time for a fully prepared rough opening: estimate around 1 to 2 hours per window. But wall rebuilding is part of the process, the window installation timeframe is dependent on the rebuilding: from one day to several days.
Determine If Replacements Will Work
If your decision to replace your own windows is based on using insert replacement windows, be aware that not all window openings are suitable for inserts.
For replacement windows to perform as designed, the existing window frame must be close to perfectly square—the diagonal measurements can vary by no more than 1/8-inch.
The frame also must be solid and have no signs of rot or structural damage. If the existing frame has a sloping sill, you’ll probably need some type of sill adapter to cover the gap between the insert frame and the exterior portion of the sill. Adapters are sold separately by window manufacturers.
Before settling on inserts, check with window manufacturers to make sure that their inserts will work for your project and to confirm all installation details for the windows you have your eye on.
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