Installing operating systems (OS) like Windows 7 can present certain challenges.
- Tip 1: Get help from the pros. If you don’t consider yourself a techie person then you may want to call a technician to help you. It’s best to go through the support desk from the manufacturer of your computer or with Microsoft. If you decide to go it alone, then there are a few tips to help you get started.
- Tip 2: Back up all of your programs and files first before beginning the installation process.
Back up using an external hard drive. Depending on how you install a new operating system like Windows 7, it’s possible that all of your previously installed programs or files will be lost or get automatically deleted when installing a new OS. Get an external hard drive so that you can back everything up before changing operating systems.
You may choose to back up your files on the Internet using a company that specializes in protecting your data. Once you have installed the new operating system, you can then retrieve all your data from the Internet. The service we use is Mozy.
- Tip 3 Do you know what version of Windows 7 you will need to install? There is a 32 bit and a 64 bit version and it depends on how your computer is set up as to what version you will need. Not all computers are capable of using 64 bit so you need to find out if your computer has that capability.
To find out what your computer is set up to handle, go to Start -> right click on My Computer->Properties. Here it will display what bit format is necessary for your computer. Most people will find theirs is 32 bit.
- Tip 4: You will need the original Windows 7 operating system discs and the PRODUCT KEY which is located on a sticker, usually on the DVD cover. It might also be in the email you received after purchasing the product. If you don’t have the product key, you won’t be able to complete the installation.
If you are installing Windows 7 yourself then it is likely that you are upgrading either from Windows Vista or XP.
- Tip 5: It is entirely possible that your computer may not be able to handle Windows 7. Microsoft has a great tool called Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It will look at your computer by scanning all of the programs and hardware you have installed to determine whether or not it has the capability of running Windows 7. This is the link for Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
- Tip 6: Windows 7 uses a lot of RAM so it’s important that before you use the Upgrade Advisor that you plugin all of the external devices like your printer, headset, microphone, of anything you use often with your computer in order to get accurate results.
- Tip 7: Locate and write down your computer name. You will need this information after Windows 7 is installed if your computer is part of a network
To locate your computer name click on Start->Control Panel->System and Maintenance->System. All the information you need will be found there.
- Tip 8: If you have an antivirus program installed (and you should), do a scan and then disable it while you install Windows 7. You may choose to download the antivirus software that comes with Windows 7 or continue to use what you already have. Be sure to enable it again after you have finished the installation process.
- Tip 9: You can install Windows 7 while offline but if you are connected to the internet at the time of installation, the program will automatically check for software updates.
Optimize Windows 7
- Tip 10: Review the programs you have set to begin when your computer starts up and remove any unnecessary programs at Start-up
- Tip 11: Clean your Hard Disk
- Tip 12: Defrag your Hard Disk
- Tip13: Uninstall unnecessary programs. These will be the ones you hardly if ever use or ones you forgot you even had
- Tip 14: Use the Performance Troubleshooter, a computer self-check program that identifies and fixes problems that may affect computer performance.
For these and other helpful and beneficial tasks to keep your computer running at it’s optimal best, check out our “Ready to Shoot Your Slow Computerâ€
In summary, when installing Windows 7, if you are unsure how to do this yourself, consider getting the help from an appropriate help desk. If you want to do it yourself, then the tips above will help you with the upgrading and installation of Windows 7.
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