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| Wait while Windows 7 starts. |
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| Windows 7 Setup is now preparing your computer for "first use." |
Wait for Windows 7 to Check Your PC's Video Performance
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| Wait while Windows 7 checks the video performance of your computer. |
Windows 7 needs to know how well your video card and related hardware works so it can properly adjust performance options for your computer.
For example, if your video system is too slow, Windows 7 may disable features like Aero Peek, translucent windows, and other graphically intense features of the operating system.
Step 14 - Choose a User Name and a Computer Name
Windows 7 needs to know what use name you'd like to use and how you'd like your computer to be identified on your local network.
In the Type a user name (for example, John): text box, enter your name. You can enter a single name, your first and last name, or any other identifiable text you like. This is the name you'll be identified by in Windows 7.
Note: You're more than welcome to use the same user name that you used in your old operating system installation.
In the Type a computer name: text box, enter the name you'd like your computer to have when being viewed by other computers on your network.
Note: If it makes sense in your specific situation, I recommend using the same computer name you used in the operating system installation you've deleted as part of this clean install, especially if any other computers on your network connect to resources on your PC.
Otherwise, a good computer name might be Office-PC, Windows-7-Test-PC, Bob-Dell, etc. You get the idea. Anything identifiable that makes sense to you will work.
Click Next when you're done entering both the user name and computer name.
Note: Planning on having more than one user on your computer? Don't worry - you can set up more users inside Windows 7 later.
Step 15 - Choose a Password to Access Windows 7
Microsoft recommends that you choose a password that will be required when starting Windows 7 before access to your user account will be allowed.
Don't treat this as a recommendation - consider it a requirement.
In the Type a password (recommended): text box, enter a complicated but easy-for-YOU-to-remember password. Retype the same password in the Retype your password: text box.
Type a hint to give yourself in the Type a password hint (required): text box. This hint will display if you enter the wrong password when logging on to Windows 7.
As you can see in the example above, the hint I entered was What is my favorite food?. The password I entered (which you can't see above) was applesauce.
Step 16 - Enter the Windows 7 Product Key
Enter the product key that came with your retail purchase or legal download of Windows 7. If Windows 7 came as part of your complete computer system, enter the product key you were given as part of that purchase.
Note: If Windows originally came preinstalled on your computer, your product key is probably located on a sticker attached to the side, back, or bottom of your computer's case.
Step 17 - Choose a Windows Update Option
On this Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically screen, Windows 7 is asking you do choose how you want to automatically install updates from Microsoft's Windows Update service.
I recommend that you choose Install important updates only. This option is the safest because it restricts Windows 7 from doing anything with your data or to your computer automatically except when important security and stability updates are available.
You are more than welcome to choose Use recommended settings but I do not recommend that you choose Ask me later.
Note: These settings can easily be changed within Windows 7 after you're done stepping through these configuration questions.
Step 18 - Choose the Correct Time Zone, Date, and Time
On the Review your time and date settings screen, choose the correct Time zone, Date, and Time. The time and date is likely already correct but be sure to verify the time zone and change if necessary.
Step 19 - Choose a Network Location
In the Select your computer's current location window you see now, Windows 7 is asking where your computer is located at so it can setup the proper network security - tighter security for public areas and lighter for private ones like home and work.
Choose Home network or Work network if that applies to you. Most of you reading this will choose Home network.
Choose Public network if you use a mobile computer and you connect to the Internet or other computers away from home. Also, be sure to choose Public network if you access the internet via a mobile broadband network - no matter if you're at home or not.
Wait for Windows 7 to Connect to the Network
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| Windows 7 is now connecting your computer to the network. |
Note: If Windows 7 detects another computer on your network running Windows 7 that also has a homegroup setup, you will be prompted to choose what kinds of files you'd like to share on that homegroup and for the homegroup password. You can enter this information or Skip the setup entirely.
Wait for Windows 7 to Prepare the Desktop
Windows 7 will now put all the "finishing touches" on your clean installation like adding icons to the desktop, prepare the start menu, etc.
Step 20 - Your Windows 7 Clean Install is Complete!
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| This completes the final step of your clean install of Windows 7. Congratulations! |
Enjoy!!! ZoHornbill (Go to Part 1)
