How to perform a new installation of Windows

How to perform a new installation of Windows

A new installation is the installation of Windows on a computer that does not have an existing version of Windows, which usually means that the partition is formatted on your hard disk by Windows Installer before the installation can begin. You can perform a new installation of Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 using installation media, such as a DVD or U disk.

To perform a new installation using a DVD or USB drive

If you have purchased a DVD version of Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, or if you created a DVD or bootable USB drive when you downloaded Windows using the Upgrade Assistant, follow these steps to perform a new installation.

Warning

If you format the partition during installation, any data on that partition will be erased. Make sure that you back up all the data you want to keep before you start the operation.

1. Open your computer so that Windows can start properly, insert a DVD or USB drive, and then turn off the computer.

2. Reboot the computer and press any key to boot from the DVD or U disk.

If you start the current version of Windows after restarting your computer, you may need to open the boot menu or change the boot order in your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings so that your computer can boot from media. To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you typically need to press the key combination immediately after you turn on the computer (such as F2, F12, Delete, ESC, and so on). For instructions on changing the computer boot order, check the accompanying documentation for your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

If you are still starting the current version of Windows, wait until Windows requests you to log on, shut down immediately, and then restart your computer again to try again.

3. On the Install Windows page, enter the language and other preferences, and then click or click Next.

4. Click or click "Install Windows".

5. On the "Enter product key to activate Windows" page, enter your product key.

The product key should be on the box of the Windows 8.1 DVD, or in the purchase confirmation email. It is similar to: PRODUCT key:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx.

6. On the "please read the License Terms" page, if you accept the terms of the license, please click or click "I accept License Terms", and then click or click Next.

7. In "What type of installation do you want?" page, click or click Customize.

8. In "Where do you want to install Windows?" Page, do one of the following:

In Windows 8.1, click or click the partition you want, click or click the formatting option that you want to perform, if necessary, and then follow the instructions.

In Windows 8, click or click Drive Options (Advanced), click or click the section you want to change, click or click the formatting options that you want to perform, if desired, and then follow the instructions.

9. After the format is complete, click or click Next.

10. Please follow the instructions to complete the installation of Windows.