■■

Chapter 12

Installing Windows

Simplified notes · Real screenshots · Practical examples

CompTIA A+ · IT Technical Support · 10th Edition

This chapter covers everything about installing Windows — from choosing the right version and checking your
hardware, to performing the install, setting up accounts, and managing updates. Real screenshots and practical
examples are included throughout so you can follow along! ■
 SECTION 1

Planning Your Windows Installation

Why Would You Need to Install Windows?

New hard drive
■ You bought or replaced a hard drive — it's empty, nothing on it. You need to install Windows from scratch!

Corrupted Windows
■ Your existing Windows got damaged by malware, bad update, or a crash. Reinstalling fixes it completely.

OS Upgrade
■ You want to move from an older version (e.g. Windows 7) to a newer one (e.g. Windows 10).
■
OEM vs Retail Licence — Which One Do You Buy?
Feature OEM Licence ■ Retail Licence ■

Price Cheaper More expensive

Who is it for? Computer builders & manufacturers End users buying for themselves

Can you move it? NO — tied to one motherboard YES — can transfer to a new PC

Support From PC maker, not Microsoft Direct Microsoft support

New PC only? YES — only on a brand-new PC NO — can reinstall on existing PC

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — OEM vs Retail in real life

You build your own PC from scratch and buy Windows with it → OEM licence is fine and saves money! But if you want
to reuse that Windows key on a different PC in 2 years → you'd need Retail. An IT shop building computers to sell uses
OEM. A student buying their personal Windows uses Retail.

32-bit vs 64-bit — What's the Difference?

Feature 32-bit Windows 64-bit Windows ■

Max RAM supported Only 4 GB Up to 512 GB (or more!)

App speed Slower Faster — runs 64-bit apps

Drivers needed 32-bit drivers only 64-bit drivers required

Recommended today? ■ No ■ Yes — always choose this

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Why 64-bit matters

 Imagine your computer is a truck. 32-bit = a small truck that can only carry 4 bags (4 GB RAM). 64-bit = a huge truck
that can carry hundreds of bags! Modern software — video editing, gaming, running a server — needs LOTS of RAM.
Always install 64-bit Windows unless hardware is very old.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Component 32-bit Windows 64-bit Windows

CPU 1 GHz or faster 1 GHz or faster (must support NX, PAE, SSE2)

RAM 1 GB minimum 2 GB minimum (4–8 GB recommended)

Hard Drive 16 GB free space 20 GB free space

Graphics DirectX 9 capable DirectX 9 capable (WDDM 1.0+ driver)

UEFI recommended (required for GPT drives >

Firmware BIOS or UEFI
2.2 TB)

■■ IMPORTANT: Always check hardware specs BEFORE purchasing Windows. If the PC doesn't meet
minimum requirements, the installation will fail or run poorly!
 SECTION 2

BIOS & UEFI — The Firmware That Starts Everything

Before Windows even loads, the BIOS or UEFI firmware on the motherboard runs first. Think of it like the alarm
clock that wakes the computer up and gets it ready before Windows takes over.

BIOS / UEFI = the alarm clock

It wakes up the hardware, checks everything is working, then hands control over to Windows. Without it, the
■ computer wouldn't even know it has a hard drive!

What Does the BIOS/UEFI Actually Do?

Three jobs of BIOS/UEFI:
→ ■ System BIOS — Runs basic hardware (keyboard, screen, hard drive) before the OS loads

→ ■ Startup BIOS — Searches for a bootable device (USB, SSD, DVD) and hands control to Windows

→ ■■ Setup BIOS — Lets you change settings: boot order, enable/disable ports, set date/time

Legacy BIOS vs Modern UEFI

Feature Legacy BIOS (old) UEFI (modern) ■

MBR only — max 4 partitions, max

Partition support GPT — 128 partitions, disks up to 9 ZB!
2.2 TB disk

Secure Boot — blocks malware at

Security No built-in security
startup

Speed Slower startup Much faster boot times

64-bit support Limited Full 64-bit support

Old/legacy hardware or 32-bit

When to use BIOS? Always use UEFI on modern hardware
Windows

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Secure Boot — why does it matter?

Secure Boot is like a bouncer at a club. When your PC starts, UEFI checks: 'Is this bootloader signed and trusted?' If
malware tries to load before Windows, Secure Boot blocks it. Without Secure Boot (old BIOS), viruses like rootkits
could load BEFORE antivirus software even starts — making them invisible and very dangerous! ■

MBR vs GPT — How is the Hard Drive Divided?

Feature MBR (old) GPT (modern) ■

Max disk size 2.2 TB 9.4 ZB (basically unlimited)

Feature MBR (old) GPT (modern) ■

Max partitions 4 primary 128 partitions

Firmware needed BIOS or UEFI (CSM) UEFI required

Data protection No backup Backup partition table stored at disk end

Required for Old systems / 32-bit Any drive > 2.2 TB, Windows 11

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Which should you use?

Installing Windows 10/11 on a modern PC with a 1 TB SSD? → Use GPT + UEFI. Installing Windows 7 on a very old
machine from 2009? → MBR + Legacy BIOS might be needed. Simple rule: if your PC was made after 2012, always
choose GPT + UEFI! ■■
 SECTION 3

Types of Windows Installation

You have three main ways to install Windows. Choosing the right one depends on your situation.

Clean Install
Wipes EVERYTHING and starts fresh. Like buying a brand new blank notebook! All your old files and apps
■ are gone — but you get a perfectly clean system.

In-Place Upgrade
■ Keeps your files, settings, and apps while upgrading to a newer Windows. Like renovating your house while
■ still living in it!

Dual Boot / Multiboot

Installs TWO operating systems side by side. On startup, you choose which one to use. Like having two
■ separate rooms in the same house!

Install Type Keeps Files? Keeps Apps? Best Used When?

New hard drive, corrupted Windows, major

Clean Install ■ No ■ No
upgrade

Going from Win 8.1 → Win 10 on working

In-Place Upgrade ■ Yes ■ Yes
system

Testing new OS while keeping old one

Dual Boot ■ Yes ■ Yes
safely

■■ IMPORTANT: You CANNOT upgrade a 32-bit Windows to a 64-bit Windows via in-place upgrade. You
MUST do a clean install to switch architectures!

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — When would you choose each?

Scenario 1: Customer's Windows 7 has a bad virus and won't boot → CLEAN INSTALL (fresh start). Scenario 2: Office
wants all PCs moved from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 without losing data → IN-PLACE UPGRADE. Scenario 3:
Developer needs to test software on both Windows 10 and Windows 7 → DUAL BOOT. Scenario 4: You're building a
new PC from scratch → CLEAN INSTALL (no choice, drive is empty!)

Device Drivers — What Are They and Why Do You Need Them?
Device drivers are tiny programs that teach Windows how
to talk to your hardware.
Every piece of hardware — graphics card, webcam, printer,
sound card — needs a driver. Without it, Windows doesn't
know the device exists or how to use it.
■ Key rules about drivers:
• 32-bit Windows needs 32-bit drivers — they are NOT
interchangeable
• 64-bit Windows needs 64-bit drivers
• Get drivers from the manufacturer's website or the CD that
comes in the box
■ A graphics card packaged with its driver CD — the disc
• Windows Update also downloads many drivers teaches Windows how to use the card!
automatically

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Driver problem in real life

You install a brand-new graphics card. Windows boots but the screen looks blurry and low-resolution. Why? Windows
is using a basic 'generic' driver, not the real one. You download the NVIDIA/AMD driver from their website, install it —
instantly the screen looks sharp and games run at full speed. The driver 'unlocked' the card's full potential! ■
 SECTION 4

Performing the Windows Installation

Pre-Installation Checklist — Do This FIRST!

Before you even insert the USB or DVD:
→ ■ Back up all important data — photos, documents, everything! A clean install DELETES everything

→ ■ Have your product key ready — 25-character code: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

→ ■ Have all device drivers downloaded and saved to a USB stick

→ ■ Verify UEFI settings: boot order = USB first, Secure Boot ON, SATA mode = AHCI

→ ■ Charge your laptop to 100% and plug in power — installation takes 20-45 minutes

→ ■ Check hardware meets minimum specs — RAM, disk space, CPU speed

Step-by-Step: In-Place Upgrade (Windows 8.1 → Windows 10)

What is an In-Place Upgrade?
You run the Windows 10 installer from inside your existing
Windows. It upgrades the OS while keeping your files and
apps.
Think of it like a building renovation — the builders work
around your furniture!

■ Real Windows 10 Setup — entering the product key during

upgrade

Sign in as Administrator Log into Windows with an admin account — you need full permissions to upgrade
1
Scan for malware first Run antivirus BEFORE upgrading — malware during install can corrupt the new OS
2
Insert Windows 10 USB/DVD Plug in your installation media, open File Explorer, double-click [Link]
3
Enter product key Type your 25-character key. Windows verifies it's genuine before proceeding
4
Accept licence agreement Read and accept Microsoft's terms (even if nobody reads the full thing ■)
5
 Download updates Setup checks online for the latest updates and downloads them before installing
6
On the 'Ready to Install' screen you have one last choice:
• Keep personal files and apps → true in-place upgrade
• Keep personal files only → upgrades OS, removes apps
• Nothing → performs a clean install (deletes everything!)
This is your last chance to change your mind before Windows
begins overwriting the system files!

■ 'Ready to install' screen — you can still change what to

keep at this point!

Step-by-Step: Clean Install (New Drive or Corrupted System)

Boot from USB/DVD Insert installation media, restart PC, press F12 (or Del) to choose boot device
1
Choose 'Custom (Advanced)' At the 'Which type of install?' screen — choose Custom for clean install
2
Select target partition Choose where to install. If the drive is new, select 'Unallocated Space' and click Next
3
Wait for file copying Windows copies and expands files — the PC will restart several times. Don't panic!
4
Set region & keyboard Choose your country (South Africa ■■) and keyboard layout (English SA)
5
Connect to network Plug in Ethernet or join Wi-Fi — needed to check for updates and activate Windows
6
Create user account Choose a local account or Microsoft account. Set a username and password
7
Configure privacy settings Choose what data Windows can collect — you can turn most of these OFF
8
✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Clean Install vs Upgrade — practical decision

Imagine your friend's laptop is 5 years old, running Windows 7, very slow, full of junk programs. Their hard drive still has
all their holiday photos. Best plan: (1) Back up photos to external drive ■ (2) Do a clean install of Windows 10 ■ (3)
Copy photos back from backup ■ Result: Fast, clean Windows 10 with all their photos — like a brand new laptop! ■
SECTION 5

Dual Boot — Running Two OS Side by Side

Dual Boot means two operating systems installed on the

same computer. When you power on, a menu asks: 'Which
OS do you want to boot today?'
This is how you set it up:
• Install your FIRST OS (e.g. Windows 8.1) on Partition
1, leaving some space free
• Boot from the Windows 10 USB/DVD
• At the partition screen (shown left), select the
UNALLOCATED space
• Windows installs there without touching the first OS
• Next boot, a menu lets you choose which OS to load

■ Real Windows installer showing partitions — the unallocated

space at the bottom is where Windows 10 will be installed
alongside the existing OS

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — When is Dual Boot useful?

A software developer needs to test their app on both Windows 8 and Windows 10. Instead of buying two separate
computers, they set up a dual boot. Another scenario: An IT technician wants to try Linux alongside Windows without
committing to it fully. Dual boot = the perfect testing ground! ■

■■ IMPORTANT: Each OS needs its OWN partition with enough free space — at least 20 GB per OS.
Never install two Windows versions on the same partition!
 SECTION 6

What To Do AFTER Installing Windows

Installation is only half the job! After Windows is installed, follow this order to get everything working properly:

Post-Installation checklist (in this order!):

→ 1■■ Verify network access — can you browse the internet? Can you see other computers?

→ 2■■ Activate Windows — links your licence to this hardware

→ 3■■ Install Windows Updates — patches security holes and adds new features

→ 4■■ Install hardware drivers — GPU, audio, motherboard chipset, printer

→ 5■■ Set up user accounts — create accounts for each person who uses the PC

→ 6■■ Restore user data — copy back files from your backup

→ 7■■ Install applications — Office, browser, antivirus, etc.

→ 8■■ Turn Windows features on or off — disable what you don't need to save resources

Activating Windows
Activation proves to Microsoft that your copy of Windows is
genuine and wasn't used on more PCs than your licence allows.
• If you entered a product key during install → Windows
activates automatically via the internet
• To check: Settings → Update & Security → Activation
• 'Windows is activated with a digital licence' = you're good! ■

■ Windows activated successfully — 'Windows is activated

with a digital licence'

What if activation fails?

The screen on the left shows an activation error. This can
happen when:
• You replaced the motherboard (Windows ties to specific
hardware)
• You're reinstalling after a hardware failure
• Your product key was already used on too many PCs
Fix: Settings → Activation → Troubleshoot, or call Microsoft
support.

■ Windows NOT activated — showing error and options to

fix it
Installing Windows Updates
Why updates matter: Windows updates patch security holes,
fix bugs, and add features. Think of them like vaccines for your
computer ■
How to update: Settings → Update & Security → Windows
Update → Check for updates
Update options:
• Restart now — installs downloaded update immediately
• Schedule restart — update installs tonight at 2am
• Defer updates — delay for up to 7 days (useful when
you're busy)

■ Windows Update showing a pending restart for a security

update

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Why you should NEVER skip updates

In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attacked 200,000 computers worldwide, locking files and demanding bitcoin
ransom. ALL the affected computers had one thing in common: they had not installed a Windows security update
released 2 months earlier. Microsoft had already fixed the hole — but people didn't update. One update could have
saved billions in damage. ■
 SECTION 7

Installing Hardware & Using Device Manager

After installing Windows, not all hardware will automatically work — especially specialist devices like graphics cards,
audio interfaces, or older printers. You need to install their drivers.

Device Manager is Windows' control panel for ALL your

hardware. Every device connected to your computer
appears here.
How to open Device Manager:
• Right-click the Start button → Device Manager
• Or type [Link] in the search box
Look for any device with a yellow ■■ triangle — that
means the driver is missing or broken.
Things you can do in Device Manager:
■ Device Manager showing a camera's driver details (left) and
• Update Driver — install a newer version 'Device is working properly' status (right)
• Roll Back Driver — undo the last driver update (if it
broke something!)
• Uninstall Device — remove it completely so Windows
detects it fresh
• Disable Device — turn it off without uninstalling

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Roll Back Driver — when is this useful?

You update your graphics card driver and suddenly your screen goes black or games crash. Open Device Manager,
right-click the GPU → Properties → Driver tab → Roll Back Driver. Windows reinstalls the PREVIOUS driver that was
working fine. Problem solved in 2 minutes! ■
 SECTION 8

Setting Up User Accounts

Windows supports multiple types of user accounts, each with different levels of access and different scopes.
Understanding the differences is crucial for both security and convenience.

Account Type Where is it stored? What can you access? Best for?

Home users, offline

Local Account Only on this PC Only this computer
use

This PC + OneDrive + Xbox + Personal users

Microsoft Account Microsoft cloud ([Link])
Office 365 who want sync

This PC + network resources + School/company

Network ID Company's Active Directory
servers employees

Local Account vs Microsoft Account:

A local account (like 'JEAN ANDREWS' shown left) is stored
only on your PC. A Microsoft Account links to the cloud.
Benefits of Microsoft Account:
• Settings sync across all your Windows devices
• Access OneDrive (cloud storage) automatically
• Download apps from the Microsoft Store
• Find your device if it's stolen
■ Windows 10 account settings showing how to link a local
Click 'Sign in with a Microsoft account instead' to link them!
account to a Microsoft account

Administrator vs Standard Account

Account Type Can install software? Can change system settings? Best practice?

Use only when needed — risky for

Administrator ■ Yes ■ Yes — full control
daily use

Standard User ■ No Limited — personal settings only Use this for daily tasks — much safer!

User Account Control (UAC) — The Security Popup

UAC is the 'Are you sure?' popup that appears
whenever software tries to make big changes to your
computer.
It's a security feature that stops malware from secretly
installing itself in the background.
Why two different popups?
• (A) If YOU are an admin: just click Yes — Windows
trusts you
• (B) If you're a standard user: you must type the admin ■ UAC prompts: (A) Admin account — just click Yes. (B)
password — this stops random programs installing Standard account — must enter admin password!
without permission
■ Analogy: UAC is like a parent asking 'Did you ask for
permission to buy this?' before spending money!

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Why standard accounts are safer for daily use

A technician sets up a school computer. They give students STANDARD accounts. A student accidentally clicks a fake
antivirus popup — it tries to install malware. UAC pops up and asks for admin password. Student doesn't know it →
malware is BLOCKED! If the student had admin rights, the malware would have installed silently. Rule: Admin rights =
only when needed. Standard account = always for daily use! ■■
 SECTION 9

Installing & Managing Applications

After setting up accounts, the next step is installing the applications users need.

Before installing any application, check:

→ ■ System requirements — does the PC meet the app's minimum hardware specs?

→ ■ OS compatibility — is the app designed for Windows 10? Or only Windows 7?

→ ■ Network impact — will this app use lots of bandwidth or affect other users?

→ ■ Security — is this app from a trusted source? Avoid random websites!

→ ■ Permissions — does this user account have rights to install software?

Where to get apps? Example Pros / Cons

CD / DVD / USB Antivirus box set from a shop ■ Works offline ■ Might be outdated

Downloaded file Download Firefox from [Link] ■ Latest version ■ Need internet

Microsoft Store Download Spotify from Store ■ Safe, auto-updates ■ Limited apps

Company network Install from shared folder on server ■ Fast on LAN ■ Need network access

Uninstalling Applications
Three ways to uninstall in Windows 10:
→ ■■ Control Panel → Programs and Features → Select app → Uninstall

→ ■■ Win+X → Apps and Features → Select app → Uninstall

→ ■ Start Menu tile → Right-click the app's tile → Uninstall (for Store apps)

■■ IMPORTANT: NEVER just delete a program's folder! Always use Uninstall. Deleting the folder leaves
registry entries and leftover files, which can slow the PC down over time.

Turning Windows Features On or Off

Windows comes with many built-in features that are turned
off by default to save resources. You can turn them on or off
here:
Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off
Common things you might turn ON:
• Hyper-V — enables virtual machines (needs Pro/Enterprise
edition)
• Internet Information Services (IIS) — turns your PC into a
web server
• Telnet Client — for old network diagnostics
Turn OFF what you don't need to free up memory and
reduce attack surface!

■ Windows Features panel — check/uncheck to enable or

disable built-in Windows components
 SECTION 10

Virtual Machines — Computers Inside Your Computer!

A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software simulation of a

complete computer. You can run multiple operating
systems simultaneously on one physical machine!
The physical computer is called the host. Each virtual OS
is called a guest.
Why use virtual machines?
• Test software on different OS versions without extra
hardware
• Run an old Windows 7 app on a Windows 10 machine
■ VirtualBox running Ubuntu Linux AND Windows 10 at the same
• IT training — break and rebuild Windows safely without
time on one physical PC!
harming the real PC
• Run Linux and Windows at the same time
• Isolate dangerous/suspicious software in a safe
sandbox

VM Software Cost Who makes it? Best for?

Windows-only VMs, enterprise

Hyper-V Free (built into Win 10 Pro) Microsoft
use

Students, home users,

VirtualBox Free Oracle
cross-platform

VMware Player Free (basic) VMware Professional IT, enterprise

Running old Windows XP/7

Virtual PC Free Microsoft
apps

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — Virtual Machines in a real IT job

An IT technician gets a call: 'We need to run our 2005 accounting software but it only works on Windows XP.' Solution:
Set up a Windows XP virtual machine inside Windows 10 using VirtualBox — FREE. The old software runs in the VM
perfectly. The real PC still runs Windows 10. No need to buy old hardware or risk security by running actual Windows
XP! ■
 SECTION 11

Installing Windows Across a Large Organisation

When a company needs to install Windows on 500 computers, nobody does it one by one! IT teams use special
deployment strategies to roll out Windows at scale automatically.

Technician
Deployment Method How it works Best for?
needed?

Copy a pre-configured Windows to

Standard Image Yes — starts it Mid-size rollouts
each PC from a WIM file

Boot from USB/DVD on each

Local Installation Yes — at each PC Small offices
machine

PC boots from network, image

Network Installation Minimal Large enterprises
deployed from server

Deployment starts remotely — ■ No — fully

Push Automation Very large enterprises
technician never touches the PC automated

What is a WIM File?

WIM file = a perfect clone in a box
A Windows Imaging (WIM) file is a compressed snapshot of an entire Windows installation — OS, settings,

■ apps and all. You deploy it to 500 PCs and they all come out identical. Like printing 500 identical copies of a
document!

USMT — Moving User Data Between Computers

User State Migration Tool (USMT):
→ Used when upgrading a whole office from old PCs to new PCs

→ scanstate — copies user's files and settings FROM the old computer to a safe place

→ loadstate — applies those files and settings TO the new computer

→ usmtutils — encrypts the migrated data for security during the move

✏■ REAL EXAMPLE — USMT in action at a company

A company is replacing 200 staff computers. IT admin runs scanstate on each old PC overnight — it copies everyone's
My Documents, desktop, email settings, and browser bookmarks to a server. New PCs are set up with Windows 10
image. Then loadstate runs and magically each staff member's new PC has ALL their old files and settings — they
barely notice the switch! ■
 ■ CHAPTER 12 QUICK REFERENCE CHEAT SHEET

OEM Licence Cheaper Windows for PC builders — tied to one motherboard, cannot be transferred

Retail Licence More expensive — can be moved to a different PC anytime

32-bit vs 64-bit 64-bit is always better — supports more RAM and runs faster apps

Modern firmware replacing old BIOS — required for Secure Boot, GPT drives, and
UEFI
Windows 11

Secure Boot UEFI feature that blocks malware from loading before Windows starts

MBR Old partition style — max 4 partitions, max 2.2 TB disk size

GPT Modern partition style — 128 partitions, huge disks, required for UEFI

Clean Install Wipes everything and installs fresh Windows — best for new drives or corrupted systems

In-Place Upgrade Upgrades Windows while keeping your files and apps

Dual Boot Two OS on one PC — menu lets you choose which to load at startup

Device Driver Tiny program that teaches Windows how to use a specific piece of hardware

Device Manager Windows tool to manage, update, roll back, or uninstall hardware drivers

Product Key 25-character code (XXXXX-XXXXX-...) that proves your Windows is genuine

Activation Links your Windows licence to your hardware — prevents licence abuse

Windows Update Downloads and installs patches, security fixes, and new features

Local Account User account stored on this PC only — no cloud features

Microsoft Account Email-based account linked to Microsoft cloud — syncs across devices

UAC Security popup — 'Are you sure?' before software makes system changes

Administrator Full control account — use sparingly. Standard account is safer for daily use

Virtual Machine Software computer running inside your real computer — safe testing environment

WIM file Compressed snapshot of a Windows install — used for enterprise mass deployment

USMT Tool to copy user files and settings from old PC to new PC automatically

Hyper-V Microsoft's built-in VM software — part of Windows 10/11 Pro

ISO file Disc image file containing the full Windows installer — mount it like a DVD

■ You've covered all of Chapter 12 — from planning and partitioning to installing,

activating, updating, and deploying Windows at scale. You're ready for the CompTIA A+
exam and real-world IT work! ■