A typical clean installation (on a blank hard disk) step-by-step procedure is as follows:

1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD into your computer’s DVD-ROM drive, and restart the computer. Windows 7 Setup should start automatically.  If Setup does not start automatically, ensure that your computer is configured to boot from the DVD drive.

2. You are asked to select regional options for the Windows 7 installation. Make your selections and click Next to continue.

3. In the next dialog box, you are prompted to start the installation. Click Install Now to begin the installation. This produces a screen that tells you that Setup is starting.

4. In the Software License Terms dialog box, ensure that you read and understand the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA). When you’re ready, select the I Accept the License Terms option and click Next to continue.

5. In the Which Type of Installation Do You Want? dialog box  you can select only the Custom (Advanced) option because you’re performing a new installation on a blank hard disk. Click Custom (Advanced) to continue.

6. In the Where Do You Want to Install Windows? dialog box select the partition onto which you’ll install Windows 7. When you’re ready to proceed, click Next. If you need to provide a RAID or SCSI driver, now is the time to do it.

7. The Installing Windows dialog box appears and gives you an updated status of the upgrade process.

8. After some time, your computer restarts and the newly installed Windows 7 loads. Windows 7 resumes the installation process. Before the restart, a warning appears.

9. After the restart, you’ll see a notification telling you that Windows 7 is preparing the new installation. Windows 7 moves back into a graphical display after a few minutes and tells you it’s updating Registry settings and starting services, after which it lets you know it’s completing the installation.

10. After completing the installation, Windows 7 asks you to provide a username and a computer Name. After providing this information, click Next to continue.

11. In the next dialog box you are asked to supply a password for your user account (which you must reenter as a double-check) and a password hint to help you remember that string. After making your selections, click Next to continue.

12. In the Type Your Windows Product Key dialog box enter the product key that came with your Windows 7 DVD. I recommend that you leave the Automatically Activate Windows When I’m Online option checked to take care of Windows Product Activation within the three days after the Windows 7 installation. After entering this information, click Next to continue.

13. In the Help Protect Your Computer and Improve Windows Automatically dialog box you configure the base security for Windows 7. In most cases, you should select Use Recommended Settings. To make your selection, click it.

14. In the Review Your Time and Date Settings dialog box select your time zone, daylight savings option, and current date options. Click Finish to complete the upgrade process.

15. In the Select Your Computer’s Current Location dialog box tell Windows where you’ll be using your computer. As with Windows Vista, Windows 7 configures your network adapters for DHCP and does not ask you what to do.

16. Windows prompts you one last time—after you click Start, you’re finished with the installation.

17. After a few more minutes, you are finally presented with your brand new Windows 7 login Screen.