Full Install

The best way to install Windows 7 and minimize the chance for issues is to perform a clean full install. This will wipe your computer of all installed applications and data but is worth it in the long run. Upgrading from Windows Vista is supported and promoted by the Windows marketing group but just about any support person will tell you always to do a full install. Even a number of Microsoft employees on the support side I talked with recommend sticking with a full install.

Why do all the support guys suggest a full install? Because the upgrade process is not perfect. Along with your applications and data it will also migrate junk and, potentially, issues from your old computer. One of the first questions you will be asked if you contact Microsoft for support is whether you performed a full install or an upgrade. In some situations you may be asked to perform a full install to see if your issue still exists. In my opinion it is best to do it right the first time by choosing to perform a full install and avoid this scenario completely. Additionally, many applications have been updated to work better on Windows 7 and take advantage of the new features, so it is best to update and install new versions, anyway.

Although Microsoft allows users to buy the upgrade version of Windows 7, if you own any previous version of Windows the software only supports upgrading from Windows Vista. If you have Windows XP or older you can only perform a full install with the upgrade media.

Now that you know the benefits of the full install, I will show you how to install Windows 7:

1. Insert the installation DVD or USB flash drive you created into your computer. Then reboot and select the boot menu key for your computer. On mine, I press F12 and then select the device. If you are using a DVD, make sure to hit any key after you see "press any key to boot from CD or DVD" on your screen.
2. You will now see a progress bar on the bottom of the screen followed by the Starting Windows animation. On the next screen, make sure that the language, time and currency format, and keyboard are set properly. Hit Next when ready.
3. On the next screen click Install now.
4. The screen will say Setup is starting, and it will examine your computer to see whether you have a previous version installed. Depending on your installation media, you may be presented with the next screen that allows you to select what version of Windows 7 you want to install. Click the version that you have a product key for, and click Next.
5. Click I accept the license terms and then click Next.
6. On the next screen you can select to Upgrade or Custom install. Don't even think about it; click Custom to perform a clean install.
7. The last manual step of the install is to select the drive to which you want to install. After I copy my data to a backup drive, I like to delete all the partitions on the drive on which I will be installing Windows 7. This can be accomplished by selecting the partition and then clicking Drive Options. Then just click Delete. Repeat for the other partitions on the drive, select the Unallocated Space, and then click Next. This will partition and format the drive automatically, and Windows will begin to install.

Setup is now fully automated. Files will be copied to the destination drive and the computer will reboot a few times. When the install is finished the computer will restart and after booting up will ask you for your username, computer name, password, and product key and other first-run information. Congratulations, Windows 7 is now installed and ready for tweaking.