[Stepwise] How to Install The OS and Programs on Windows PCs?

This is an ideal instruction for novices to install Windows OS step-by-step. If you don't know how to install Windows operating system, this step-by-step guide will help you. Besides, we would also like to share how to install programs on Windows. Now, follow the guidance to learn how to install on Windows.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Windows OS for Beginners

Installation Preparation

Before floating into the installation process, the important thing is to get the necessary preparations. Here's what you need to do:

• System Specification Check: Ensure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the version of the Windows operating system you want to install.
• Important Backup: Protect your files by creating a backup to prevent data loss during installation.
• Installation Media Compilation: Receive Windows Installation Disk or create a bootable USB drive with Windows Installer.

After the preparation, the installation will now begin:

How to install Windows OS:

Start with the disks for installation: The installation disk or a bootable USB drive should be put in first. Start up the computer again, and then change the boot order in the BIOS. Make sure that the installation disc is what the system starts up from.

Choose language and menu settings:  When the installation starts, you will be asked to pick the keyboard input method, language, and time. Click "Next" after picking it.

Begin the process: Click on "Instant Install" to begin the installation process. When asked, enter the product code, or choose an option to activate it later.

Accept License Terms: Carefully read the license terms and then agree to the installation if you do not have any other queries or problems.

Pick the type of installation: In all new installations, you can pick between "Upgrade" and "Custom" installations. Afterward, click the "Condition" option and go on

Partitioning the hard drive: In this step, you need to partition the hard drive for the preparations of Windows installation. If you don't know how to do so, please move on to the next part.

Start setting up: Your computer will restart a few times during the process. Wait patiently until the whole processes is finished.

Setting up your user account: When the installation is done, you will be asked to create a user account. You can create the username and password according to your own needs.

Install Device Drivers: After logging in, install the device drivers that your hardware needs to keep working at its best.

Windows Update: Once the driver was installed. Get the most recent Windows update and make sure your system is up to date.

If you want to make Windows OS portable, you can click here to learn how to install Windows 10 from USB with using the Windows To Go Creator function.

Partition a hard drive with AOMEI Partition Assistant

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a free, comprehensive, and user-friendly partition manager. It lets you change the type of disk partitions, make the best use of disk space, and do other things based on disk partitions. It gives you two ways to create a partition. One way is to create a partition with unallocated space, and the other is to split up an existing partition to make a new one. You can pick the method that works best for you.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Way 1. Create partition via unallocated space

Step 1: Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Select the hard drive in your Windows 10/11 system that you want to partition (here is Disk 1). Right click on a drive (here is D: partition) and then choose "Resize/Move Partition" (If there is an unallocated disk space on hard drive, you can start from Step3).

Step 2: Drag the slider bar leftwards to decide the size of unallocated space, and then click "OK".

Step 3: After Step2, you will see there is an unallocated space behind D partition. Then, right click on the unallocated space and choose "Create Partition".

Step 4: You can drag the slider bar to decide the size, change drive letter and file system. Besides, you also can click "Advanced>>" to set other property. Click "OK" to continue.

Step 5: You will preview there is a new drive (F: partition) on the hard drive. If you want to operate, please click "Apply".

Way 2. Create partition via splitting large partition

Step 1: Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Right-click the C partition and select “Split Partition”.

Step 2: In this window, you can specify the size and location of the new partition, and click “OK”.

Step 3: Back to the main interface, click “Apply” and “Proceed” to commit the pending operation.

How to install programs on Windows

From the internet:

You should download and install programs only from trusted publishers and retail websites.

• In your web browser, select the link to the program.

• Select Save or Save as to download the program. Most antivirus programs like Windows Defender will scan the program for viruses during download.

• If you select Save, the program file is saved in your Downloads folder.

• Or, if you select Save as, you can choose where to save it, like your desktop.

From Microsoft Store:

There are two ways to get apps from Microsoft Store:

1. On the Start  menu, select the Microsoft Store  tile.

2. On the taskbar, select the Microsoft Store  icon.

How to install programs on a second hard drive in Windows

The Windows settings allow you to change not only the location of programs that you wish to download but the storage place of other files such as photos, videos, data files you add newly.

Step 1. Enter storage settings.

Press “Windows + I” in the desktop. Click “System” and choose “Storage”.

Step 2. Viste advanced settings.

Select “More storage settings” and go to “Where new content is saved in Settings”.

Step 3. Select the default storage path.

You can select different types of new file storage paths.

Tip: Can you move installed programs to another drive?

Once you set the new storage location, new applications will save there. But what about the programs already installed on your using computer? If you want to free up space or just change the location, can you move them to the another drive without reinstallation?

Yes, you can move them, but not manually. Programs require many files, both visible and hidden, so it's difficult for users to move everything correctly on their own.The best way is that you should use the App Mover function of the downloaded AOMEI Partition Assistant. This tool will scan all necessary files, including hidden ones, and move them with the programs to ensure the installed applications can run successfully. Just follow the guide and learn how to move installed programs to another drive with the powerful software.

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant.

After the download, open AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro, click "Free up" > App Mover.

Step 2. Choose the location of the target apps.

In this window, select the disk where the program you want to transfer is located, and then click “Next”. You can also click "Manage/Restore Apps" to restore the moved programs.

▶ Tip: After the moving, if you wish to move the programs back, you can choose “Restore Apps”.

Step 3. Tick apps and set new storage locations.

Check the applications you want to move; you can select single or multiple selections. Then select the external hard drive to be moved, and click “Move”.

Step 4. Check the warning.

Read the prompts, click "OK" and "Move".

Step 5. Confirm and finish the moving.

Click “Finish” to over the task.

Then you can launch the programs you moved to check if it’s successful.

Conclusion

This passage shares how to install Windows OS and how to install  programs. As you can see, AOMEI Partition Assistant is an user-friendly and versatile tool that can help you solve many computer problems. Besides what we mentioned above, this software can also convert disk styles between MBR and GPT without data loss, clone disk, migrate OS, allocate free space from one partition to another, and so on. If you are a Windows Server user, you can turn to its Server edition. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What are the minimum requirements to install Windows OS? Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the version of Windows you want to install. Check the official Windows website for specific requirements.

• How can I create a backup of my files before installing Windows OS? To protect your data, use an external hard drive or cloud storage service to back up important files before starting the Windows installation process.

• What do I need to start the Windows installation process? You need a Windows installation disk or a bootable USB drive with the Windows installer. Insert it into your computer and adjust the boot order in the BIOS settings to boot from the installation media.

• Can I move already installed programs to a new drive? Yes, but not manually. Use the App Mover function in the AOMEI Partition Assistant. This tool moves all necessary files, including hidden ones, to ensure the programs run successfully from the new location.

• How do I partition a hard drive using AOMEI Partition Assistant? To create a partition, install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. You can either use unallocated space or split an existing partition. Follow the on-screen instructions to resize, create, or move partitions as needed.