The first step is to place your Windows 7 DVD into the DVD tray and boot the machine. Your computer needs to be configured to boot from DVD. This is done via BIOS. On most computers, the BIOS menu can be accessed by pressing either the F2 or Del keys while the machine is booting.

Once you have completed this stage, Windows 7 will start loading. If you see the below image, you're doing well so far.

After a few moments, you will reach the installation menu. Your first step is to choose the language and the keyboard.

You will be now taken to the Install now menu. We have already prepared for the installation, so you can click Install now and proceed.

The next step is to accept the license agreement.

After this, you will have to decide whether you want to Upgrade an existing installation or perform a Custom (advanced) installation, which is basically creating a new copy of Windows.

The next step is to choose where you want to install Windows 7. This is probably the most important part of the entire installation, so you need to be very careful here and make the right choices.

Windows 7 will be installed to your partition. Depending on your hardware, this can take some time.

During the installation, your computer may restart several times. Let it be.

Eventually, you will be asked to provide your username and a computer name.

You will also have to password-protect your account. This is most advisable. You should opt for a strong password.

The next step is to activate your Windows. Grab your key and type it here.

You will be asked to configure your updates. You can choose either setting you like. However, I recommend you configure this choice later, after Windows 7 is installed and running properly.

Configure your time zone:

Your location will determine the firewall settings for your newly installed Windows 7. You have three choices: home, work or public network. Home and work networks are supposed to be trusted, so you should not experience any problems adding other machines to your group or sharing data with them.

However, the public network is meant to be untrusted. So if you have installed Windows 7 in, let's say, Internet cafe, then you should choose the third option.

Congratulations, you have just successfully installed Windows 7.