Installing Windows 7 from a DVD

From The Tech Sauce

1. Back Up Your PC
Before beginning a new OS installation, it’s crucial that you back up your documents and media.
2. Start the Installer
Note: If you want to install Windows 7 from a USB drive, read the instructions here.

Microsoft has made installing Windows 7 simpler than with any previous version of Windows. You just drop the DVD in the tray, and restart your system. During the boot, you’ll be given the option to “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD...” — do so(If you don’t get this option, go into the BIOS and move the DVD drive ahead of the hard drive in the boot order). Windows will load files from the disk for a moment, then the installer will launch. Select your language preferences, then click Install Now.

From The Tech Sauce

From The Tech Sauce

Accept the Windows license agreement and choose to do a Custom install.

From The Tech Sauce

From The Tech Sauce

If you have only one partition(C: only), it is recommended to create 1 or 2 more partitions. To do so, select C: >> click on "delete" >> now click on "new" and enter the size of new partiton in MBs (e.g. enter 102400 to create a 100 GB partition) >> create more partitions if you feel so(in all, there can be a max. of 4 partitions).

From The Tech Sauce

Now, select the system partition you want to install to. (If you’re installing onto a new drive, you may need to create a partition by pressing the New button). If you’re installing over an old partition, it’s a good idea to format it to remove the remnants of the old OS before you install Win7. WARNING: Formatting removes all data from a drive, so make sure you’ve backed up everything. This is the point of no return. That’s all Windows 7 needs to know, so go make yourself a sandwich while your new OS is installed.