 | | Welcome to Windows 7 Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows 7. The Windows 7 forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Windows 7 tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks. | Windows 7 - Custom Install Windows 7 Custom Install Windows 7 How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7
Published by Brink
08-09-2009
| Custom Install Windows 7 How to Do a Custom Installation of Windows 7  Information This will show you how to do custom installation to have a clean install of Windows 7 without formating the current Windows installation to have this previous Windows backed up to the Windows.old folder during the installation of Windows 7.  Note This will replace your currently installed Windows installation with Windows 7.
The C:\Windows.old folder contains folders and files that were used in the earlier version of Microsoft Windows that was previously installed.  Warning Windows 7 Minimum Hardware Requirements: NOTE: See also: Windows 7 system requirements - 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
- 1 GB RAM for 32-bit Windows 7 OR 2 GB RAM for 64-bit Windows 7
- 16 GB available disk space 32-bit Windows 7 OR 20 GB for 64-bit Windows 7
- Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
- DVD-R/W Drive
- Internet access (to download the Beta and get updates)
Here's How:1. To Install from Within Current Windows InstallationA) Place your Windows 7 installation DVD into the DVD drive and click on the Run setup.exe option in the AutoPlay window from within Vista SP1. (See screenshot below) NOTE: If the AutoPlay window does not open, then open the drive folder in Computer and run the setup.exe file. B) Go to step 3 below. 2. To Install from BootA) Boot the computer from your Windows 7 installation DVD. NOTE: Make sure that the CD/DVD drive is selected first in the boot order in the BIOS.
B) When prompted, press any key to boot from the installation DVD. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You will only have about 8 seconds to press this key. If you miss it, you will have to restart the computer. C) Select your language preferences and click on the Next button. (See screeshot below).
3. Click on the Install Now button to start the installation. (See screenshot below) 4. If you did step 1, then uncheck the I want to help make Windows installation better box (unless you want to), and click on the Go online to get the latest updates for installation option. (See screenshot below) 5. If you did step 1, Windows 7 will now check online for and install any available installation updates. (See screenshot below) 6. Check the I accept the license terms box and click on Next. (See screenshot below) 7. Click on the Custom (advanced) option. (See screenshot below) 8. Select the hard drive or partition for the currently installed Windows installation that you want to install Windows 7 on and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: If you have a RAID setup, then connect your USB key with the RAID drivers on it, click on Load Driver, select the folder on the USB key that contains the RAID drivers to install them. Afterwards, your RAID drives will be available to select from to install Windows 7 on. 9. Click on OK. (See screenshot below) 10. The installation of Windows 7 will now begin. (See screenshot below) NOTE: During the installation process, your screen may flash and computer will restart a few times. 11. After the final restart, you will see this screen for a moment. (See screenshot below) 12. Type in any user name that you want for your default administrator account and any computer name, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) 13. Type in a password you want for your default administrator account. Type it in again to confirm it, then type in a hint for your password. Click on the Next button. (See screenshots below) WARNING: The password will be case sensitive. The hint will be seen by all users on the computer, so do not type your password as the hint. NOTE: If you do not want your your user account password protected at this time or do not want to have to type in a hint, then leave this blank and click on the Next button. You can create a password later for your user account in the Control Panel User Accounts after installing Windows 7 without having to type in a hint. 14. Type in your Windows 7 product key number. (See screenshot below step 15) 15. Uncheck the Automatically activate Windows when I'm online box unchecked, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You can activate Windows 7 later after you make sure it is running properly. (See step 23 below) If you chose to automatically activate Windows 7 online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows three days after you log on for the first time. 16. Click on Use recommended settings to allow automatic Windows Updates and proper security settings. (See screenshot below) NOTE: For more information about these recommended settings, click on the Learn more about each option link in this window. 17. Select your time zone and set your time and date settings, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below) 18. Click on your computer's correct network location type location to select it and have the settings for that location automatically applied. (See screenshot below) 19. Windows 7 will now prepare your desktop to startup. (See screenshots below) 20. Install all of your device drivers, then Windows Updates. 21. Refresh your Windows Experience Index (WEI) score. 22. Copy anything from the prevous installation from the C:\Windows.old folder that you want back. (See screenshot below) NOTE: When done, you can delete the Windows.old folder to save hard drive space. 23. When done, all you will need to do is to activate Windows 7. (See screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn |  Published by | | Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 17,035 | |
 Tutorial Tools | | | | | | | | | |
08-20-2009
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#1 | | |
do i need to back up drivers so i can use aero or should i just run a windows update when all is said and done?
| My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq Presario CQ60-215DX OS Windows 7 Home Premium CPU 2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G graphics |
08-21-2009
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#2 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta Texas |
Hello Wii Master,
I would recommend to download and save all of the latest driver installation files for your devices instead. This way you will have them handy to install after the custom Windows 7 installation. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked 1536MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 23" Acer H233H Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 50 GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed up to 20 Mb/s Download and up to 5 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
08-22-2009
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#3 | | |
ok, so what you're saying is to basically back up my current driver installation and have them at hand for when it's time to install? sorry for all the questions, im just easily confused i guess you could say. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq Presario CQ60-215DX OS Windows 7 Home Premium CPU 2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G graphics |
08-22-2009
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#4 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta Texas |
You would want to save the files that you used to install your drivers with. After installing Windows 7, you will need to reinstall your drivers. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked 1536MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 23" Acer H233H Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 50 GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed up to 20 Mb/s Download and up to 5 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
08-30-2009
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#5 | | |
you mean, there's files that install drivers? I didn't know that... I was just gonna use drivermax to reinstall them, then do windows update. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq Presario CQ60-215DX OS Windows 7 Home Premium CPU 2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G graphics |
08-30-2009
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#6 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta Texas |
Yes, every device manufacturer will usually have a set of driver installation downloads on their website for that particular device. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked 1536MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 23" Acer H233H Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 50 GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed up to 20 Mb/s Download and up to 5 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
08-31-2009
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#7 | | |
i was talking about drivers to run aero, my bad! do i need to back THOSE kind of drivers up? i really want to use aero, or else it's just not windows 7. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq Presario CQ60-215DX OS Windows 7 Home Premium CPU 2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G graphics |
08-31-2009
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#8 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta Texas |
Aero is a theme in Windows 7. In order to be able to run a Windows Aero theme, you will need to have your latest graphic card drivers installed and to meet all of the requirements in the red warning box towards the top of the tutorial below. Window Color and Appearance - Change
Hope this helps. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self built custom OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta CPU Intel i7-980X 3.3 Ghz Motherboard ASUS P6X58D Premium Memory 12 GB (2GBx6) DDR3 PC3-16000 2000 MHz Kingston HyperX Graphics Card EVGA GeForce GTX 480 SuperClocked 1536MB Sound Card Realtek HD Audio ALC889 Integrated Chip Monitor(s) Displays 28" Hanns-G HG281DJB and 23" Acer H233H Screen Resolution 28" 1920x1200 and 23" 1920x1080 Keyboard Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution Mouse Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution PSU OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W Case Corsair Obsidian 800D Cooling Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Copper CPU heat sink w/120 MM Hard Drives 50 GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD
** 2 x 1TB Samsung HDD HD154UI SATA Internet Speed up to 20 Mb/s Download and up to 5 Mb/s Upload Other Info Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
** Samsung CLX-3175FW Printer
** D-Link DIR-855 Router
** Motorola SB6120 Cable Modem
** ASRock ION 330 server
** 2x APC Back-UPS XS 1500 |
09-01-2009
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#9 | | |
ok, i have the upgrade advisor beta, and it says my machine can run aero with the drivers currently installed. can i get these drivers (or better ones) through windows update in windows 7? I have nvidia graphics by the way. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq Presario CQ60-215DX OS Windows 7 Home Premium CPU 2 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G graphics All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:18 AM. |  |