USING THE CUSTOM INSTALLATION

Using the Custom installation option without formatting the hard disk

The Custom option installs a new copy of Windows 7 on the partition you choose. This erases your files, programs, and settings.

Back up any files and settings you want to keep so that you can restore them after the installation is complete. You'll need to reinstall your programs, so make sure you have the installation discs and product keys for the programs you want to use in Windows 7, or setup files for any programs you downloaded from the Internet.

Notes

• Some programs such as Windows Mail and Outlook Express are no longer included in Windows 7. If you used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program, you'll need to install a new e‑mail program after you finish installing Windows 7 to read your messages or to send and receive e‑mail. For more information about programs you can use, go to Looking for Windows Mail? on the Windows website.
• If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows and plan to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7, programs that were designed to run only on a 64-bit operating system might not work. Check the software manufacturer's website for more information, or go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center webpage to search for hardware and software tested to be compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.
• If you don't format your hard disk during installation, data files are saved to a Windows.old folder on the partition you installed Windows 7 on. However, you should still back up your files. If you have data files that are encrypted, you might not be able to access them after installing Windows 7. If you've backed up your data files and then restored them after installing Windows 7, you can delete the Windows.old folder.

To install Windows 7 using the Custom option without formatting the hard disk

1. Turn on your computer so that Windows starts normally, then do one of the following:
   • If you downloaded Windows 7, browse to the installation file you downloaded, and then double-click it.
   • If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button , click Computer, double-click your DVD drive to open the Windows 7 installation disc, and then double-click setup.exe.
   • If you've downloaded Windows 7 installation files onto a USB flash drive, insert the drive into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button , click Computer, double-click the drive, and then double-click setup.exe.
2. On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that are displayed, 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 to help protect your computer against security threats. You need an Internet connection to get installation updates.
4. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
5. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
6. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, choose the partition containing your previous version of Windows (this is often the computer's C: drive), and then click Next.
7. In the Windows.old dialog box, click OK.
8. Follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, which include naming your computer and setting up an initial user account.

Note

• You might need to update drivers after Windows 7 installation is complete. To do so, click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Windows Update . If Windows Update doesn't have the driver you need, see Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly, or go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center webpage.