Installing Windows 7 on a netbook

To make sure your netbook (or any PC) can run all of the features included in Windows 7, go to the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor webpage.

The Upgrade Advisor helps find potential issues with your computer's hardware, devices, or programs that might affect Windows 7 installation, and gives recommendations on what to do. It can also tell you whether your netbook can run more advanced features, such as Peek and Shake, available in certain editions of Windows 7. For more information about your computer's specifications, check the information that came with your computer or go to the computer manufacturer's website.

Note

Windows 7 is designed for monitors that use a minimum screen resolution of 800 × 600 pixels. If your netbook doesn't support this screen resolution, some dialog boxes and text might appear cut off. If this occurs, you might need to connect the netbook to a larger external monitor.

There are two recommended ways to install Windows 7 on a netbook or other PC without an internal DVD drive:

• Purchase and download Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store. It's the simplest way to install Windows 7 on a netbook or other PC that doesn't have an internal DVD drive. After you make your purchase, download the installation package to your netbook's hard disk. When the download is complete, you can begin installing Windows 7. For more information about the options available in your country or region, go to the Microsoft Store.

• Use an external DVD drive. If you already have a Windows 7 installation DVD, you can use an external DVD drive to install Windows 7. Plug the external drive into a USB port on your netbook, insert the installation disc into the DVD drive, and then begin installing Windows 7. If you don't have an external DVD drive, a local computer store might be able to install Windows 7 for you using your installation DVD.

For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.

Note

For step-by-step tutorials on how to upgrade a computer running Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7, see Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 and Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7.

If you receive an error message during Windows 7 installation that says your netbook doesn't have enough free disk space to continue, you might need to format the hard disk.

To do this, you'll need to start, or boot, your computer using the Windows 7 setup files, and then format the hard disk using the Custom option during Windows 7 installation. Formatting a drive during Windows 7 installation permanently deletes all of your programs, settings, and files. For step-by-step instructions on how to do this, see Installing and reinstalling Windows 7.

Note

Don't use a program from another software manufacturer to reformat your hard disk prior to installing Windows 7. Instead, format the hard disk during the Windows 7 installation process.