How-toWindowsWindows 7

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.

  • Updated
  • 40 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows 7

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Reinstall Windows 7 on a PC that already ran it, using your own disc or USB drive and license. The steps come in order.

Windows 7 no longer gets security updates

Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. Paid extended updates, sold only to businesses, ended in January 2023. A fresh install does not change this. Keep the PC offline where you can, avoid banking and email on it, and plan to move to a supported system. See what to do about Windows 10 end of support and ChromeOS Flex on an old PC.

Installing Windows 7 in five stages5 numbered steps, one under the other. The full text follows the picture.Installing Windows 7 in fivestages1Back upCopy your files to an externaldrive2GatherDisc or USB drive, productkey, driver files3StartBoot the PC from the disc orUSB drive4InstallChoose the drive and letSetup finish5CheckConfirm the edition, driversand updates
Do the first two stages before you touch the disc.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Back up: Copy your files to an external drive
  2. Gather: Disc or USB drive, product key, driver files
  3. Start: Boot the PC from the disc or USB drive
  4. Install: Choose the drive and let Setup finish
  5. Check: Confirm the edition, drivers and updates

What you need

Use media and a product key from a copy of Windows 7 that you own. Microsoft no longer sells it, and downloads from unofficial sites are a common way to get malware. The 25-character key is usually on a sticker on the PC or in the box. Never use a key generator.

Windows 7 minimum hardware
Part32-bit64-bit
Processor1 GHz1 GHz
Memory (RAM)1 GB2 GB
Free disk space16 GB20 GB
GraphicsDirectX 9 with a WDDM 1.0 driver

Also collect the network and graphics drivers for your PC from the maker's website, saved on a USB drive. Windows 7 may not recognize your network adapter after Setup. The disc must match your edition and your key. A key for one edition does not work for another.

Stop and back up first

A clean install erases everything on the drive you choose: documents, photos, programs and settings. Copy what matters to an external drive and check the copy opens. See how to back up your files. Continue only when you have done this.

Start the PC from the disc or USB drive

  1. Plug in the charger if this is a laptop. Insert the disc or USB drive.
  2. Restart the PC. Watch the first screen for a hint such as "Press F12 for boot menu". Keys vary by maker; common ones are F12, F8, Esc and F2. Check your PC's manual.
  3. Choose the disc or USB drive, then press Enter.
  4. If you see "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", press a key. You should reach a screen titled Install Windows.
A typical boot menuA monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom. It has 3 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Boot menuInternal driveUSB driveNetworkEnter: select123A typical boot menu
  1. Each line is a drive the PC can start from
  2. A USB drive often shows its brand name or "USB"
  3. A hint bar lists the keys that move and select
Boot menus look different on every PC. This drawing is typical, not exact.
Text version of this diagram

A monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom.

  1. Each line is a drive the PC can start from
  2. A USB drive often shows its brand name or "USB"
  3. A hint bar lists the keys that move and select

Run Setup

  1. Choose your language, time and currency format, and keyboard, then select Next.
  2. Select Install now.
  3. Read and accept the license terms, then select Next.
  4. Choose Custom (advanced) for a clean install. Choose Upgrade only if you started Setup from inside a working Windows 7 or Windows Vista. A PC running Windows XP cannot upgrade, so it needs a clean install.
  5. On Where do you want to install Windows?, select the drive or partition for Windows. Selecting Drive options (advanced) and then Format erases that partition completely. Do this only after your backup is checked.
  6. Select Next and wait. The PC restarts several times. Do not press keys when it restarts unless asked.
Drives shown when choosing where to installA horizontal bar for one disk, divided left to right into four parts: a small EFI system partition, a large Windows partition, a recovery partition and a hatched block of unallocated space. It has 2 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Disk 012Drives shown when choosingwhere to install
  1. The partition that holds Windows and your files
  2. Unallocated space: empty space with nothing on it yet
A typical layout. Names and sizes differ between PCs.
Text version of this diagram

A horizontal bar for one disk, divided left to right into four parts: a small EFI system partition, a large Windows partition, a recovery partition and a hatched block of unallocated space.

  1. The partition that holds Windows and your files
  2. Unallocated space: empty space with nothing on it yet

Choose the right drive

If the PC has more than one drive or partition, check the sizes before you format. Format only the one meant for Windows. Other partitions may hold your backup or recovery files.

First-time setup screens

  1. Type a user name and a computer name, then a password and a hint you will recognize.
  2. Enter your product key when asked. Leave Automatically activate Windows when I'm online ticked if you want activation to start once you are online.
  3. When asked about updates, you may see Use recommended settings, Install important updates only and Ask me later. Windows 7 updates have stopped, so this matters little.
  4. Set the time zone and date, then choose a network location. Choose Public network if you are unsure. It is the most cautious setting.

Check that it worked

  1. Select Start, right-click Computer, then select Properties. Look for the edition, Service Pack 1 and System type (32-bit or 64-bit).
  2. On the same screen, check the line about Windows activation.
  3. Open Start then Control Panel then Hardware and Sound then Device Manager. A yellow mark means a missing driver. See how to install software and drivers on Windows 7.

If Service Pack 1 is missing, it is the one large update worth having. Microsoft's own page for the 2016 convenience rollup (KB3125574) says it needs Service Pack 1 and the April 2015 servicing stack update (KB3020369), and that it is available from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Do not count on Microsoft still activating Windows 7 or serving its updates.

If something goes wrong

Setup says it cannot find a drive

The disc has no driver for your storage controller. Get the storage driver from the PC maker's website, put it on a USB drive and use Load Driver on the drive selection screen.

The keyboard or mouse does not work in Setup

Windows 7 has no built-in driver for USB 3.0 ports on many PCs. Try a USB 2.0 port, or a keyboard and mouse with a PS/2 plug if the PC has those ports.

The PC starts its old system instead

The boot order is wrong. Restart and use the boot menu key again.

Windows will not activate

Check that the key matches the edition. If it still fails, use the activation help on Microsoft's website. Never use cracked activation tools.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upgrade a Windows 7 PC to Windows 10 or 11 instead?

That depends on the hardware. Microsoft's Windows 7 support page says there are no free upgrade paths from unsupported versions of Windows to Windows 10 or 11. Check your PC against the Windows 11 requirements first.

Is Windows 7 safe to use online after installing it?

No. It gets no security updates, so use it offline or only for low-risk tasks.

Should I choose 32-bit or 64-bit?

Use the one that matches your disc and key. A 64-bit edition needs a 64-bit processor and more memory. See which version do I need.

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Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

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