The Windows 7 Pre Release Candidate is finally here and you can now install it. The installation process is simple as we can see a lot of people have already installed it on their systems. The Windows 7 RC provides you a chance to see what’s coming up in the new Windows and also helps Microsoft to make the final fixes in the product before its commercial release. Do follow the three step process as outlined by Microsoft to install it.
Before installing Windows 7 RC, please remember the following points:
1) Install on a Test PC
2) Create a backup seprately
3) Keep your Restoration Disk at Hand
4) Update your Anti Virus System
5) Keep an active internet connection
You need the following to install the Windows 7 RC:
- A blank DVD
- A PC with a DVD burner
- A PC for testing that meets these minimum system requirements (specific to Windows 7 RC and subject to change in the final version of Windows 7):
- 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Three Step Microsoft Installation Guide
Step 1: Get the Download
1.Visit the Windows 7 RC download page.
2.Choose your language.
3.Choose a 32-bit or 64-bit version of the RC. To see if your computer can run a 64-bit version of Windows, in Performance Information and Tools (Start>Control Panel>Performance Information and Tools) click View and print details and then look under 64-bit capable.
4.Get a Windows 7 RC product key. (You can use the RC for 30 days without a product key, then you’ll need it for activation.)
5.Download the Windows 7 RC.
Step 2: How to Create an Installation DVD
The RC download is an ISO file, which you’ll need to burn onto a blank disc before you can install it. To do that, you’ll need to use software designed for burning ISO files.
In addition to commercial ISO burning software, there are free programs such as ISOBuster and Active ISO Burner. To find ISO Buster, click here or Tucows and search for “ISO,” “DVD,” and “burn”. Follow the instructions that came with your program to create a Windows 7 RC installation disc.
Update on Burning DVD/CD for Windows 7: I monitor the site search items and i realized that some of TN visitors are looking for some easy ways to Burn the DVD so here is another way to get around with it. First of all remember the fact that you will need to burn the ISO files on a DVD as its a must to do step for Windows 7 RC installation. Get a blank DVD and download the freely available software called ImgBurn (click here to download ImgBurn). Once that is done Insert the Disk into the your drive and launch the ImgBurn software and through the software burn the ISO image file to the blank disk in your drive. This results in a disk/DVD that can be used just like any other installation CD/DVD. The disk can be labelled Windows 7 RC Installation Cd/DVD. Now go ahead and start following the next steps
. In case any further questions, please feel free to drop your comments.
Step 3: Install the Windows 7 RC
You’ll need to do a “clean installation.” That means you can’t upgrade an existing PC to Windows 7 RC. So if you’re using an existing PC and want to keep the information on it, you’ll need to back it up before you start.
1.Turn on your computer, insert the Windows 7 RC installation disc you created in step 2 into the computer’s DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following:
* If you want to replace your computer’s existing operating system with the Windows 7 RC, and you don’t need to adjust your disk partitions, go to step 2.
* If your computer doesn’t have an operating system installed, or you want to install the RC on another disk partition, restart your computer with the installation disc inserted in your CD or DVD drive. If you’re asked to press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page appears, go to step 2.
If the Install Windows page doesn’t appear and you’re not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer uses its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. See Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you select your DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.
2. On the Install Windows page, follow the instructions, and then click Install now.
3. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and protect your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection to get updates.
4. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms. (You must accept to continue the installation.)
5. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
6. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:
* If you don’t want to specify a specific partition to install Windows on, or create partitions on your hard disk, click Next to begin the installation.
* If you already have another existing partition with enough free space and want to install the Windows 7 RC on that partition to create a multiboot configuration, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. (Be sure to install the RC on a different partition from where your current version of Windows is installed.)
* If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. (If the Drive options (advanced) option is disabled, you need to start your computer using the installation disc.)
7. Follow the instructions.
Update: According to Microsoft there are some Malware infected Microsoft Windows 7 version on the internet so kindly refrain from getting infected. Read TechNama story on the Malware infected Windows 7
Update2: Now you can also install Windows 7 from USB.
I have found a much easier way to install Windows 7 from a USB Flash drive. Unlike other methods where you have to write complicated commands, this method can be completed even by those who have very little computer background.
The whole process takes only two steps, run UNetbootin, load the Windows 7 ISO file, and finally restart your computer.
Before you begin, you will require the following:
* USB Flash Drive (4GB minimum)
* Windows 7 ISO Image file
* UNetbootin
Now insert the USB drive, run UNetbootin, and select Disk Image as ISO. Browse your local drive for Windows 7 ISO that you downloaded and click Open. Now Select Type as USB and choose the drive. Once done, it will look like a bit similar to the screenshot shown below.

Click OK and it will begin extracting all installation files to the USB drive. The whole process will take some time(10-15 minutes), so have patience.
Once the installation is complete, reboot your computer. Now while your system is starting up press the appropriate button(usually F1, F2, F12, ESC, Backspace, or Escape) to bring up Bios Boot Menu. Change the startup order to boot USB by default, usually you will have to press F6 to move the selected USB device on top. Once done, save changes and restart the system.
[via Addictive Tips]
To Download Windows 7 Wallpapers Click here
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