How to Install Windows 7

Starting October 22nd, many people will start the process of upgrading from previous versions of Windows to Windows 7 RTM. After spending a long while with Windows 7 as my main OS since January 7th, I am excited about this major release that introduces many benefits to daily experiences on the PC at home and work. I want to take a look at installing Windows 7 and I will also be doing an Upgrade Story in a future post, just to get an idea of what its like. Let's get started!
Windows 7 Install window - are you ready?
Depending on how you acquire/receive Windows 7, either by downloading through Microsoft subscription services such as MSDN or TechNet or through a retail purchase on DVD, there are a number of ways you can get it installed on your PC. If you downloaded Windows 7, you can burn the ISO file, which is a replica of a disk image that contains the operating system to a blank DVD or you can install from the image itself by using a free utility such as CloneDrive or Daemon Tools that mounts the ISO file as a virtual disk. My installation was done from a physical DVD since that replicates a real world scenario, in a future post, I'll take a look at burning the ISO file.
Note: Microsoft recently launched a special Student Upgrade program, which allows students with a valid .edu account to purchase Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional Upgrade versions for $30. You have a choice of downloading the operating system or purchasing it on physical DVD for $13. To learn more about the program
Windows 7 Copying Temporary Files and Starting the Install Process.
Beginning Setup
To begin the installation, click the Install Now button on the Install Windows window. If the Install Windows does not appear on screen, click Start > Computer > open the Windows 7 dvd, and double click file Setup.exe then click Install Now. Setup will start copying temporary files that assist the installation of the operating system. If you have installed Windows Vista before, the procedure is pretty much identical. Please note, that I started my installation from within a running installation of Windows Vista SP1. If you are doing a clean install, you could also boot from your Windows 7 disk and proceed with installation just the same. If you are planning on upgrading from Windows Vista SP1, you must launch Windows 7 setup from within a running installation of Windows Vista SP1.
You have the option of obtaining necessary drivers and software patches before installing.
Before Windows 7 starts copying Windows files to disk, you can check Windows Update for any important files and hardware drivers that might make the installation go as smooth as possible. It is always recommended you do so to prevent unexpected problems with incompatible hardware and software. Next you accept the Windows 7 End User License Agreement.
Windows 7 provides multiple options for installing.
Choosing your installation:
You have multiple ways of Installing Windows 7, you can do an upgrade from an existing version/edition of Windows such as Windows Vista SP1. Custom Install features advanced options that allows you to select a partition that you have created to install the OS on. In addition to that you can choose to do a clean install of Windows 7 which will remove any data currently stored on the disk you plan to install Windows. In my case, I have created a dedicated partition to install Windows 7 on. Learn more about Windows 7 upgrade paths here
Phases that the Windows 7 installation goes through.
Installing Windows
Windows will now begin copying files and restart several times during installation. A clean Windows 7 Installation goes through a series of steps which include:
Copying Windows files
Expanding Windows files
Installing Updates
Completing installation
The time it takes will vary depending on certain factors such as the performance of your PC: Processor speed, memory and disk speed. I installed Windows 7 on a system with a Intel Core 2 Quad - 2.5 GHz processor, 2 GBs of RAM. Installation took approximately 14 mins and 30 seconds. During this phase, Windows 7 will restart several times, apply registry settings and test your video hardware performance.
Post installation Task (OOBE)
Out of Box Experience (OOBE)
Once Windows 7 has completed installation, you are taken to the OOBE, which consist of post installation task such as setting up a user account, entering a product key for the edition of Windows 7 you installed, choosing your Time Zone and joining a network. After these quick task have been completed, Windows 7 applies settings and prepares to load the Desktop for the first time.
Startup and Log in Screen
There you have it, you have successfully installed Windows 7. The installation process will of course vary across many systems, but my experience so far installing the OS on two systems has been a smooth one. I have put together a list of things you should take into account before installing or upgrading to Windows 7.
You have two choices, you can either upgrade from Windows Vista SP1 by launching setup from within Windows and choose the upgrade option during the installation wizard; (Windows 7 requires that you have a minimum 16 GB's of free disk space before upgrading). Note: Upgrades are not supported for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition at all; Windows 7 x64 requires a clean installation. Users of Windows Vista SP1 x64 can do in place upgrades to Windows 7 x64.
Get Religion: Backup, Backup, Backup!As Murphy Law states, if it can go wrong, it will. Upgrading is a very complex process and there are often cases of failed upgrades from older versions of Windows. Causes can include, power outage during installation, hardware or application conflict. This is why you should "always back up", it's better to be inconvenienced than having to start all over from scratch.
If you are upgrading/clean install, disable any external or USB based devices you might have attached to the computer. Also, disable any Security software before launching setup and ensure that you meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 7.
- 1 GHz processor (32-bit or 64-bit)
- 1 GB of system memory (2 GBs for 64 bit)
- 16 GBs of disk space (20 GBs for 64 bit) - Windows 7 uses approximately 10.5 GBs of disk space.
- DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of memory (WDDM 1.0 or 1.1 driver) - this is important if you want Windows Aero Glass user experience.
- DVD Drive
- DVD Burner and Internet access (if you do a digital download Windows 7)
- Technical know how to burn an ISO file to make an install DVD.
You cannot uninstall Windows 7, if you need to use XP or Vista, you will have to reinstall it. If you are uncertain about upgrading to Windows 7, it's always best to do a dual boot installation by installing Windows 7 on a logical partition or another hard disk. This option can be done during setup, simply click Custom (Advanced) and select the other partition you created to test Windows 7.
Some of my devices and applications are not working, what should I do?If your Internet connection is working in Windows 7, I suggest you try obtaining the drivers through Windows Update. Click Start > All Programs > Windows Update > Turn on Windows Update. A list of available updates will then be downloaded, you will have the option to view them, do so and check off the appropriate drivers or software patches you need and click Install. You can also check the manufacturer's website for patches, updated drivers or to simply find out about Windows 7 support for the particular product.For software, if you are running Windows 7 x64, certain types of applications will not work; these include Win16 applications and Win32 applications that use Win16 installers. You can also try running the application in Compatibility mode to see if it will work (full 32-bit application applications supported). Right click the programs executable > click Properties > "Compatibility" tab > under "Compatibility Mode" check the Run this application in compatibility mode for: box > click in the list box and choose a suitable version of Windows.
Learn more: Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 Certain applications might encounter problems with the User Account Control security component in Windows 7 because the application was designed to run with Administrative privileges. You can try a work around by, right clicking the applications executable and click "Run as Administrator" on the context menu.

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

When I observe most colleagues and pals operating on their PC's they primarily take advantage of the mouse button as they are unaware inside the potent house windows keyboard shortcuts that will make their lifestyles so a whole whole lot easier. Some males and girls may be conscious inside the keyboard shortcuts, but they are utilized getting operating primarily using the mouse button and aged routines are difficult to allow go.
In this short article I will hold products actions by actions which means you can understand the keyboard shortcuts which could be required to navigate your way near to your house windows operating system.
Let's presume your appliance is starting up and on account of a faulty mouse button or some other associated problems your plan cannot be accessed using the mouse. A person that is not producing utilization of keyboard shortcuts on the traditional foundation will be totally lost. Ok it's pretty affordable to replace the mouse, but what in the celebration you experienced to quickly hold out a process that cannot wait around until a producer new mouse button is obtained or even the problems is fixed?
Navigating the start Menu in house windows XP
I will firstly clarify the right way to begin an ask for without possessing the use inside the mouse button and instead use keyboard shortcuts. right away pursuing plan startup in the celebration you are required to log in, sort out your password and press the key in key. as shortly since the plan have completely initialized you will be introduced using your house windows Desktop. As an illustration we will start Notepad. stick to the actions especially as explained below:
Press Ctrl and Esc to show the start menu or press your house windows Logo key. Now press the Up Arrow until you can see the assortment rectangle switching upwards within your start menu. as shortly since the assortment rectangle enters the start menu press the Left Arrow to proceed toward the left area inside the start menu. Then press the reducing Arrow until "All Programs" is selected. Press the best Arrow to expand the "All Programs" menu. Press the reducing Arrow until "Accessories" is selected. Press the best Arrow to expand the add-ons menu. Now press the reducing Arrow until the Notepad menu product is selected along using the press Enter. this could accomplish take about the Notepad ask for to launch.
Armed with this essential keyboard shortcut know-how you would possess the ability to begin any ask for without possessing the use inside the mouse.
Moving near to the Desktop
Frequently end users area icons for the desktop to quickly entry some application, information or folders they frequently use. What now once the mouse button packs up and make particular you obtain to that file? right here is the right way to create use inside your house windows keyboard shortcuts to acquire that done:
Depending for the newest circumstance totally different actions may be required so preserve in views that you just do not should do every one of the steps.
Press your house windows Logo essential and M simultaneously to lessen all Windows. Press Ctrl and Esc simultaneously after which press Esc again. (Only required below particular situations which means you could only should hold out this actions in the celebration you do not obtain the wanted results within your actions below). Press the Tab essential and launch it. preserve on pressing and releasing it until you see a "focus rectangle" surrounding amid the icons for the desktop. If there are numerous icons for the desktop you could should look very carefully if any receives the concentrate indicated in the concentrate rectangle. Also occasionally take advantage of the arrow keys to create in the celebration you can proceed in between totally different icons if it is difficult to uncover the icon using the concentrate rectangle. ordinarily the concentrate will proceed in between your house windows Taskbar along using the last icon that experienced the concentrate (being selected) for the desktop once the Tab essential is pressed. as shortly when you obtained the "focus rectangle" on any icon for the desktop it is only a subject of switching toward the icon of your option producing utilization of the arrow keys. once the required icon obtained the concentrate or is selected press the key in essential to available the file, folder or start a program.
Working with Windows
Our following actions on this house windows keyboard shortcuts article will be to manipulate house windows within your context of minimizing, maximizing, switching and closing them. To lessen the presently energetic window press Alt and Spacebar. The manage Menu using the window will appear. Now press N to lessen the window.
To maximize or obtain a window to its restored connect when it is minimized toward your house windows Taskbar preserve reducing Alt after which press and launch the Tab essential until the wanted window is selected. once the window of option is selected also launch the Alt essential that will make sure how the window will possibly be maximized or restored based on its earlier state.
If you need to maximize a window from its restored connect press Alt and Spacebar. pursuing the manage Menu appears press X to maximize the window. To restore an maximized window press Alt and Spacebar. once the manage Menu look press R to acquire the window from its maximized to restored state.
To proceed a window press Alt and Spacebar. once the manage Menu look press M. Now take advantage of the arrow keys to proceed the window toward the wanted area and press the key in essential to round of the operation.
When you need to re-size a window press Alt and Spacebar. once the manage Menu look press S. Now press the arrow keys based on which element you need to dimension the window from. best will hold you toward the best borders inside the window for sizing along using the reducing arrow will hold you toward the bottom best corner for sizing purposes. When pressing the left essential earliest you will be getting toward the window left border to hold out sizing from that side. as shortly when you have selected your sizing area by pressing the left or best arrows and up or reducing arrows do the sizing by producing utilization of any inside the arrow keys. When finished press key in to finish this operation. Pressing the Esc essential will leave the genuine dimension inside the window intact.
To near the presently energetic window press Alt and F4 or press Alt and Spacebar, then press C.
General Use house windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Take be aware how your house windows essential will be your house windows Logo essential for the keyboard.
ALT+TAB
Display checklist of available uses and change to following program.
(Press TAB once more to advance toward the pursuing program).
ALT+SHIFT+TAB
Display checklist of available uses and change to earlier program.
(Press TAB once more to uncover the pervious program).
WINDOWS or CTRL+ESC
Displays your house windows start Menu.
WINDOWS+E
Open My Computer.
WINDOWS+D
Toggle in between show Desktop and show available Windows.
WINDOWS+M
Minimize All Windows.
F2
Rename selected folder, document or shortcut.
CTRL+N
Create a producer new document using the energetic application.
CTRL+O
Display the available dialog box inside the energetic application.
CTRL+S
Save the newest document inside the energetic application.
CTRL+P
Print the newest document inside the energetic application.
CTRL+A
Select All content articles inside the newest document.
CTRL+X
Cut the selected word or object.
CTRL+C
Copy the selected word or object.
CTRL+V
Paste contents of clipboard into energetic document.
CTRL+Z
Undo the last operation.
CTRL+Y
Redo the last Undo operation.
CTRL+B
Make selected word bold or remove bold formatting.
CTRL+U
Underline the selected word or remove underline.
CTRL+I
Make selected word italic or remove italic formatting.
CTRL+F
Displays the arrive throughout dialog box.
CTRL+H
Displays the Replace dialog box.
To obtain keyboard shortcut reference and instruction software program with 100's of shortcuts referenced, have a look at [http://www.best-of-computing.com/shortcut-wizard.html]
Paul van Zyl may be considered a programmer and has composed the software program uses accessible at http://www.lifestylesoftware.net. He has also composed Shortcut Wizard accessible at [http://www.best-of-computing.com] and may be also listing best high quality dietary supplements from other developers at this site.

Do you like Windows 7?

Windows 7 is the latest public release version of Microsoft Windows, a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and media center PCs. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time.



How is the UI of Windows 7 like?






The Windows 7 interface has a few noticeable changes. First, the Vista sidebar has gone, but you can still use the clock and other gadgets, and you can position them wherever you like. Second, the Quick Launch area and the TaskBar have been replaced by a sort of combo-pack.



Instead of putting applications in the Quick Launch area, you can now right-click and pin them to the new-style Taskbar, alongside running applications. In Internet Explorer, it shows your recent browsing history; in Windows Media Player, it'll let you play recent videos; and Windows Explorer will give you quick access to pinned and frequently used folders and files.



Here's where we really get into what makes Windows 7's UI really special and so different from past Windows versions—the way you handle and manage windows, and by extension, applications. It'll change your life! Maybe! These UI changes represent a brave move by the company. The new UI takes the concepts that Windows users have been using for the last 13 years and extends them in new and exciting ways.



Windows xp vs Vista vs Windows 7



The first thing you'll notice about Windows 7 is that it looks like Vista. However, it works much better than Vista, and most of Vista's annoyances have either been removed, or (mostly) can be changed, so the system works the way you like. It takes personalisation to extremes.



The most obvious difference is that Windows 7 doesn't keep annoying you with prompts — though it's also true that the latest version of Vista is much less annoying than the original. In fact, you can set the degree of annoyance on a sliding scale, though reducing it increases the risk of security breaches. However, Windows 7 is vastly more secure than XP and, in any case, the threat landscape has changed since XP was trashed by worms such as Blaster and Slammer. Today, the more important security changes are in the Internet Explorer 8 browser which, uniquely, defends against cross-site scripting.



Another obvious difference is that Windows 7 uses fewer resources.



Where Vista really needed 2GB of memory, Windows 7 will run quite happily in 1GB on a slow dual-core Intel processor, though I'd still recommend 2GB or, for preference, 4GB with the speedy 64-bit version of Windows 7.



Tips of Windows 7



How to make the most of Windows 7 in your environment？Here are some tips and tricks to get you there.



1. Pick Your Edition. Most business users do not need the more expensive Ultimate Edition; stick with Professional unless you specifically need BitLocker.







2. Upgrading? Go 64-bit. As the second major Windows release to fully support 64-bit, the x64 architecture has definitely arrived on the desktop. Don't buy new 32-bit hardware unless it's a netbook.







3. Use Windows XP Mode. Yes, it's only an embedded Virtual PC with a full copy of WinXP—but it's an embedded Virtual PC with a full copy of Windows XP! This is the first profoundly intelligent use of desktop virtualization we've seen—and a great way to move to Windows 7 without giving up full Windows XP compatibility.







4. Start Thinking About Windows Server 2008 R2. Some of Windows 7's more compelling features, like BranchCache, work in conjunction with the new server OS. The R2 upgrade path is pretty straightforward, so there's little reason not to take advantage of the synergies if you can afford upgrade licenses.







5. Accept Diversity. Not every organization will be ready to move entirely to Windows 7 right away. That's fine—but that shouldn't mean the entire organization stays on Windows XP, either. The myths of the cost savings of having only one OS have been largely disproven or downplayed, so use Windows 7 where it makes sense to do so.







6. Snap That Aero. The Windows key is great for all your shortcuts. Now you can use it to work with the new AeroSnap feature in Windows 7. Select a window, hit the Windows key and a left or right arrow to snap the window to that half of the screen, or use the up arrow to snap it to the top of the screen.




Windows 7 Security Enhancements







Built upon the security foundations of Windows Vista, Windows 7 introduces the right security enhancements to give users the confidence that Microsoft is helping keep them protected. Businesses will benefit from enhancements that help protect company sensitive information, that provide stronger protections against malware and that help secure anywhere access to corporate resources and data. In this session we will discuss the core security features of Windows 7 and explore their usage scenarios. But such as Administrator password,Windows 7 still using the same encrypt arithmetic as the previous versions of windows. That mean if you need to reset Administrator password, you can just use the similar methods like windows vista password reset or windows xp password reset.