Choose your version
Newest first. Pick the version that is installed on your computer, or the one you want to install.
-
Windows 11
5 guides
-
Windows 10
5 guides
-
Windows 8 and 8.1
3 guides
-
Windows 7
3 guides
-
Windows Vista
3 guides
-
Windows XP
3 guides
-
Windows 2000
2 guides
-
Windows Me
2 guides
-
Windows 98
2 guides
-
Windows 95
2 guides
-
Windows NT (3.1 to 4.0)
2 guides
-
Windows 3.x (3.0, 3.1, 3.11)
2 guides
-
Windows 2.x
2 guides
-
Windows 1.0
2 guides
All Windows guides
Type
Device or system
-
How-to
Windows 1.0: how it was installed and how to run it today
Windows 1.0 was installed from floppy disks on MS-DOS in 1985; this guide walks through running it today in DOSBox-X with a copy you own.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows 1.0: running programs and fixing common problems
What came with Windows 1.0, how to start programs from the MS-DOS Executive, and fixes for mouse, display, memory and slowness problems in an emulator.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows 2.x: installation and setup (2.0 and 2.1x)
Set up Windows 2.x in DOSBox-X from your own copy, and learn how the Windows/286 and Windows/386 editions differ before you begin.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows 2.x: running programs and fixing common problems
Using overlapping windows in Windows 2.x, and fixes for Setup asking for disks, DOS version errors, memory errors, mouse and video problems in an emulator.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows 3.1 and 3.11: how to install and set up
Check the hardware and MS-DOS, protect your files, then install Windows 3.1 or 3.11 from your own disks using Setup, and start it with the WIN command.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows 3.x: install programs and fix common problems
Install a program from Program Manager, remove one safely, and work through Windows 3.1 crashes, low memory and startup trouble from the safest step first.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation: how to install it step by step
Plan the partition and file system, start Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Setup from the CD, and finish the install, using Microsoft's own archived manual.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows NT: installing programs and fixing common problems
Add or remove programs and drivers on Windows NT 4.0, and recover from startup trouble using the Emergency Repair Disk and the Setup disks.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows 95: how to install it from CD or floppy disks
Install Windows 95 from your own CD or floppy disks, with notes on versions, disk limits and safety, after checking hardware and backing up.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows 95: install programs and drivers, fix common problems
Add or remove programs, install a driver, and work through Windows 95 errors such as Windows protection error, from the safest step to the most drastic.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows 98: installation and setup
How to install or upgrade to Windows 98 from your own disc: requirements, the five stages of Setup, the Setup Options, and the Startup Disk Microsoft says to keep.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows 98: programs, drivers and common problems
On Windows 98, catch Windows protection errors and freezes using Safe Mode, ScanDisk and msconfig, and install drivers safely.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows Me: installation and setup
How to install or upgrade to Windows Millennium Edition (Me) from your own disc: what it needs, which Windows it can upgrade, and what to check afterward.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows Me: programs, drivers and common problems
Windows Me owners: add software and drivers, and roll back a bad change with System Restore when startup errors or slowness hit.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows 2000: installation and setup
How to install Windows 2000 Professional from your own disc: what you need, the blue text-mode stage, choosing a partition and file system, and the setup wizard.
Windows 2000 and older
-
Fix
Windows 2000: programs, drivers and common problems
Install and remove programs and drivers on Windows 2000, and work through slow performance, startup errors and a missing NTLDR with the safest fixes first.
Windows 2000 and older
-
How-to
Windows XP: how to install it from a disc
Reinstall Windows XP by booting Setup from your own CD, then pick and format the drive, finish the setup screens and confirm it worked.
Windows XP
-
How-to
Windows XP: how to install software and drivers
Add programs and hardware drivers to Windows XP safely: where to get them, how to run the installer, check Device Manager, and undo a bad change.
Windows XP
-
Fix
Windows XP: common problems and fixes
Troubleshoot a slow or non-starting Windows XP PC, lost Wi-Fi, and sites that will not load or show security errors, with honest limits.
Windows XP
-
How-to
Windows Vista: how to install it from a DVD
Reinstall Windows Vista from your own DVD, with a Custom (advanced) install, then check it worked and what to do if Setup stalls.
Windows Vista
-
How-to
Windows Vista: how to install software and drivers
Install programs and drivers on Windows Vista safely: answer the permission prompt, run as administrator, use compatibility settings, and undo changes.
Windows Vista
-
Fix
Windows Vista: common problems and fixes
Safe fixes for a slow Windows Vista PC or one that broke after a change, plus guidance on when repair is not enough for an unsupported system.
Windows Vista
-
How-to
Windows 7: how to install it and set it up
Reinstall Windows 7 from your own disc and license: back up first, start from the disc, choose the drive, set up and check the result, with a security warning.
Windows 7
-
How-to
Windows 7: how to install software and drivers safely
Install programs and drivers on Windows 7 safely: check your version, download only from the maker, and handle old programs and removals.
Windows 7
-
Fix
Windows 7: common problems and fixes
Fix a slow, unstartable or offline Windows 7 PC, including websites that show security errors, and learn the limits now that updates have ended.
Windows 7
-
How-to
Windows 8 and 8.1: how to install and set it up
Windows 8 or 8.1 setup with your own license: pick the right version, back up, boot the disc or USB drive and finish setup.
Windows 8 / 8.1
-
How-to
Windows 8 and 8.1: how to install apps and desktop software
Windows 8 and 8.1 run two kinds of programs. Learn to get Store apps and desktop software safely, find them on the Start screen, and remove what you no longer use.
Windows 8 / 8.1
-
Fix
Windows 8 and 8.1: common problems and fixes
Slow, stuck or offline Windows 8 or 8.1 PC? Safe fixes for slowness, startup trouble and network problems, with Refresh and Reset explained and honest limits.
Windows 8 / 8.1
-
How-to
Windows 10: how to install or upgrade
Check your PC against Microsoft's requirements, back up your files, then install or update Windows 10 using Microsoft's own download tools.
Windows 10
-
How-to
Windows 10: how to do a clean install from a USB drive
Make a Windows 10 installation USB drive with Microsoft's tool, boot from it and reinstall, with a backup first and the risky screens explained.
Windows 10
-
How-to
Windows 10: how to install software and apps
Install apps on Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, from a maker's own website or with winget, and learn how to check a download first and remove it later.
Windows 10
-
Fix
Windows 10: common problems and fixes
Work through the usual Windows 10 problems in order, from a restart and updates to system file repair and Reset this PC, starting with the safest fixes.
Windows 10
-
Explainer
Windows 10 end of support: what it means and what to do
Windows 10 stopped getting free updates on October 14, 2025. Learn what that means, what Extended Security Updates cover, and the options to keep your PC safe.
Windows 10, Windows 11
-
How-to
Windows 11: how to install or upgrade
Confirm your PC qualifies for Windows 11, back up, then upgrade from Windows 10 or do a clean install with only Microsoft's own tools.
Windows 11, Windows 10
-
How-to
Windows 11: how to do a clean install from a USB drive
Erase a PC and install fresh Windows 11 from a USB drive built with Microsoft's own tool, with every Setup screen explained.
Windows 11
-
How-to
Windows 11: how to install software and apps
On Windows 11, get apps from the Store, a maker's site or winget, then confirm they work and remove those you no longer need.
Windows 11
-
Fix
Windows 11: common problems and fixes
A Windows 11 PC that is slow, stuck, behind on updates or will not start properly: safe fixes in order, from a restart to Safe Mode and Reset this PC.
Windows 11
-
Explainer
Windows 11 system requirements: can your PC upgrade?
What Windows 11 needs from your PC, what TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot mean, how to check your own PC, and the official options if it does not qualify.
Windows 11, Windows 10
No guides match those filters
Choose a different type or device, or clear the filters.