- Checking the Requirements
- Official Windows 7 requirements here
- Official Windows 7 requirements here
- Backup Your Data
- If you're running Windows Vista Home Basic/Premium, you can use "Control Panel\System and Maintenance\Backup and Restore Center" to backup all your important files, but this will NOT backup your programs. A Full PC Backup is available for Windows Vista Ultimate/Business/Enterprise versions.
- Backup your drives before you move on to defragmenting and/or partitioning. DriveImage XML is a free backup software that offers backing up drives to image files, or even copying directly from drive to drive.
- Defragment Your Drive (Optional)
- You may run into problems when you move on to partitioning and shrinking your current OS drive in Step 3. Therefore, this is an optional and recommended step for those that run into shrinking problems in Step 4. Here's two handy software that you could use for defragmenting your drive:
- Shrinking and Partition Your Drive
- If you're running Vista, "Computer Management"/"compmgmt.msc" may do the job for you. You can also operate it through command line with "diskpart.exe".
- EASEUS Partition Manager 3.0 Home Edition is also a great and easy-to-use partitioning tool. Free, GUI based, and compatible with Vista.
- GParted is a well known partitioning tool from Gnome. You may want to follow the instructions here to avoid problems.
- Download and Burn a Windows 7 Beta DVD
- If you have an MSDN subscription, here's the link
- If you don't have an MSDN subscription, here's the link
- If you're using Vista, and you don't have any DVD burning software, here's a great solution for you.
- You're Ready To Go...!
- Now all you have to do is to put your DVD in and install Windows 7 Beta on your newly partitioned drive!
Disclaimer: This is a reference guide only. Meant for intermediate computer users. No guarantees. Please backup all your data before attempting.
