One of the most important steps in assembling a computer or notebook is installing the operating system. This is software that allows you to interact with your computer's hardware and run programs and applications. Here, we will focus on installing the Windows operating system, which is one of the most popular and widely used operating systems.
Before you begin, you'll need a Windows installation disc or a bootable USB. If you don't have a disc, you can create a bootable USB using the Windows Media Creation Tool, which you can download for free from the Microsoft website.
Step 1: Configure the BIOS
Before installing Windows, you need to configure your computer's BIOS to boot from the installation disc or USB. To do this, restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS during boot. This key varies depending on your computer manufacturer, but is usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC.
Once in the BIOS, look for the boot or boot order option and set it to boot from the device containing the Windows installer. Save the settings and exit the BIOS. The computer should restart and boot from disk or USB.
Step 2: Launch the Windows Installer
After the computer boots from disk or USB, you will see the Windows installation screen. Select the language, time and currency format and keyboard input method, and click "Next". On the next screen, click "Install Now".
Step 3: Accept the license terms
Read the software license terms and, if you agree with them, check the "I accept the license terms" box and click "Next".
Step 4: Choose the type of installation
On the next screen, you will be given the option to do an upgrade or a custom install. Since we are installing Windows on a new computer, choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.
Step 5: Select the installation drive
On the next screen, you will see a list of all disk drives on your computer. Select the drive where you want to install Windows. If you have multiple units and aren't sure which one to choose, it's generally safe to go with the largest one. After selecting the drive, click "Next".
Step 6: Install Windows
The Windows installer will now begin copying files to disk and installing Windows. This process can take some time, so be patient. The computer may restart several times during the installation.
Step 7: Configure Windows
After installation, you will need to configure Windows. Follow the onscreen instructions to choose your region and language settings, connect to your Wi-Fi network, set up a user account, and choose your privacy settings.
Once setup is complete, you will be taken to the Windows desktop. Congratulations, you have successfully installed the operating system on your new computer!
Remember, installing the operating system is only one part of building a computer. You will also need to install drivers for your hardware and software for your computing needs.
