At IU, how do I install Windows 7?

These instructions presume you are at Indiana University, installing Windows 7 Ultimate from the DVD available through the IU/Microsoft Campus Agreement. If you are not an IU user, or you are installing Windows 7 from a different source, you may have to make small adjustments to the directions below.

Warning: Following these steps will permanently delete all data and program files from your computer. Before proceeding, back up all data files and locate the installation media for your software.

For the installation to work, you must have an existing version of Windows already installed on your computer's hard drive. If you do not, or if you format the hard drive before using the Windows 7 DVD, your product key will not work.

By the terms of the IU/Microsoft Campus Agreement, each license key is capable of installing Windows 7 on only one computer. If you need to purchase a second copy, contact your campus Support Center for help.

Note: The following instructions are for a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate. Doing an upgrade install to this version will not work from Windows XP, but will work from any version of Vista (except Starter or Enterprise). It will also work for any other version of Windows 7 except Enterprise. However, UITS recommends doing a clean install to avoid potential software problems. If you do perform a true upgrade, you may need to uninstall Symantec antivirus software first; see After upgrading to Windows 7 or Vista, why has my antivirus client stopped working?

Note: For security reasons, you should install Windows or rebuild your Windows computer offline (i.e., unplug your network cable), and then take certain measures to assure its security before putting it back on the network. For instructions, see In Windows, how do I safely rebuild my computer?

To perform a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate:

1. Insert the Windows 7 Ultimate DVD in your primary DVD drive.
   
   
2. Reboot your computer. You should see a message that says, "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD... ". If you see this message, press any key. If Windows starts normally, refer to On a PC, how do I boot from something other than the hard drive?
   
   
3. Select your language, time and currency, and keyboard preferences from the drop-down lists, and then click Next.
   
   
4. Click Install now.
   
   
5. Check the box to accept the license agreement, and then click Next.
   
   
6. Select the Custom (advanced) installation option.
   
   
7. Warning: The following step deletes all the data on your hard drive. Make sure you've backed up important files and have the installation disks for your software.

   On the next screen that appears, you should see a list of the partitions defined on your hard drive. Click Drive options (advanced) to access the options, and then, one by one, select each partition and click Delete. You will be prompted to confirm each deletion. After deleting all partitions, you should see only "Unallocated Space". Select Unallocated Space, and then click Next to continue the installation.

   Note: Windows 7 will create a new partition and start expanding and installing files to your hard drive. This process will take several minutes. Your computer will restart multiple times during this process, and you will again see the prompt "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD... ". Do not press a key; allow the computer to boot from the hard drive.

8. After Windows 7 has finished installing, you will be prompted to create a user account, computer name, and password. This account is an administrator account, and for security purposes should not be the account you will generally use. Keep this in mind as you choose a username. See On a computer, what are administrators and administrative rights?

   Enter a name for your computer in the box provided. This is the name that will appear on networks to which you connect, including the IU network. Select a desktop background if you wish. Click Next.

9. Type and retype a password in the boxes provided. Enter a password hint and choose a picture if you wish. Click Next.
   
   
10. Enter your product key; this is the 25-character code on the back of the DVD sleeve. Keep the checkbox checked to automatically activate Windows.
    
    
11. Click Use recommended settings.
    
    
12. Select your time zone from the drop-down list, and adjust the time and date as needed. In most of Indiana, the correct setting is (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), not the Indiana setting. Click Next.
    
    
13. If prompted to select your computer's current location, choose the one that is best for your purposes. If you are unsure, select Public network.
    
    
14. If prompted to configure your wireless connection or to create a home group, you can skip these tasks for now.
    
    
15. Click Start to launch Windows 7.

If you are an IU student, faculty member, or staff member, the fee-based Carry-in Consulting service in Bloomington is available to install the operating system for you if you choose. See At IUB, what is Carry-in Consulting?

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