Nov 29, 2016 Windows 7, Windows Vista Minimum system requirements for Microsoft Security Essentials Operating System: Windows Vista (Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2).; Windows 7. For Windows Vista and Windows 7, a PC with a CPU clock speed of 1.0 GHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher. VGA display of 800 × 600 or higher.
Technical Level : Intermediate Summary
This article shows you how to install Windows 7 without having to enter the product key during setup.
Details
If you need to diagnose a problem with a computer or facilitate the installation of another version of Windows on a computer, doing what is known as a keyless installation make this possible. The process involves not entering your product key during the Out of Box Experience portion of setup. This is the part where you complete task such as setting up your account name, join a wireless network, password and set your time zone.
The article discusses how to do a keyless installation for Windows 7 by doing a clean install, this also works if you are starting the installation from within a running installation of Windows.
After inserting the Windows 7 disc/USB stick, restart your computer and boot from the DVD.
To learn how to change your BIOS options to boot from the DVD drive, see the following tutorial:
How to boot from a USB stick:
When the computer starts, you will be prompted to boot from the Windows 7 DVD, click any key to do so. Windows 7 will load files on your hard disk to assist with the installation.
We have now arrived at the Setup screen, here you will select your Language if the option is available, time and currency and keyboard. After doing this, click Next.
To begin the installation, click Install Now
Accept the End User License Agreement then click Next
Click the Custom (advanced) option, we will be configuring the hard disk.
Select the partition on which Windows 7 will be installed, then click Drive options (advanced)
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If there is more than one drive listed, it likely means, one is a Recovery partition and the other is the System Partition. Avoid formatting or deleting the Recovery partition, select the system partition where Windows 7 is installed and click Format.
You will be warned that all data on the drive will be destroyed. Again, make sure all your files, settings are backed up. Make sure you have downloaded all necessary drivers, have all application disks near by. If you are unsure, click cancel, and then click Next. This will do is create a Windows.old folder with the previous installation still intact so you can recover any missing files.
Skip entering your Product Key:
This is the message you will receive when you attempt to enter a product key for a Upgrade version of Windows 7. The simple workaround is to skip entering your product key for the time being and click Next. Complete task such as setting up your account name, password, time zone etcetera.
By doing this, you can run Windows 7 normally for 30 days before requiring product activation. This is great for testing and confirming any problems you might experience before committing to the installation full time. If you determine you would like to keep the installation, you can simply update the product key by entering it.
Here is how you do that:
Click Start, right click Computer
Click Properties
Scroll down to Windows activation.
You will notice it displays a time until Activation but be completed. Also the Product ID indicates it is using a default key, this is only for the 30 day grace period allowed until you must activate Windows 7.
Click the link, Change product key
Enter the product key
Proceed to enter the product key and click Next
Wait while Windows attempts to activate.
If all goes well, within a minute, you should see this screen.
You can further confirm Windows 7 is activated by checking the Windows Activation status: