how to install windows 7 on my hard drive

how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - Printable Version

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how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - jclassic1 - 12-08-2015

My old desktop computer used to run Windows 7 but I have wiped the hard drive and now have only Linux Lite installed.
This is great for me but my wife does not like the Linux system and would like to have the Windows 7 installed as well.
I have no idea about using gparted program to set up the hard drive so I can install windows and need someone to give me step by step instructions on how to do it.
Looking at the Gparted set up is really putting me off of trying in case I ruin what I already have installed.

Please help me as the wife is threatening to buy a new windows computer if I cannot sort it out.

Thanks

John

Re: how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - Valtam - 12-08-2015

In any dual boot situation, Windows must be installed first, then Linux.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Re: how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - firenice03 - 12-08-2015

(12-08-2015, 11:24 AM)Jerry link Wrote: In any dual boot situation, Windows must be installed first, then Linux.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

As Jerry said, wipe out and restore Windows (if the restore partition still exists) or by CD..

OR install Virtualbox and run Windows in a virtual environment (VM).. Will still need CD/.iso and license key...

Another thought - is there a specific application she needs/likes/prefers?
Maybe able to install it in Wine if there isn't Linux specific application replacement...

Some options to think about..

Re: how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - Valtam - 12-08-2015

Nice one firenice03 Smile

Re: how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - firenice03 - 12-08-2015

(12-08-2015, 06:21 PM)Jerry link Wrote: Nice one firenice03

Thank you sir ;D

Re: how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - gold_finger - 12-09-2015

Three main options:

Use GParted to resize/move current Linux partitions to make room for Windows at beginning of disk. Then install Windows to the free space you made at beginning of disk. After that you'll need to use live LL dvd/usb to re-install grub to get booting of LL restored.
Clone your current LL install to external source. Wipe out drive with GParted. Then install Windows to beginning of drive and leave space after it to restore the LL clone to.
Use GParted to wipe drive clean. Then install Windows to beginning of drive. Then install LL to end of drive.

Last option is easiest and will take the least amount of time. Just copy any important data files you have in your home folder to a usb stick for safe keeping and restore them to home after you've re-installed. If you've got your browser and email all set-up and don't want to do that again, copy their hidden folders to the usb stick too. (Eg. Open file manager to your home folder, hit <Ctrl+H> to show hidden files/folders, look for and copy the ".firefox" and ".thunderbird" folders. After re-install and before you start either of those programs for the first time, copy those folders into your new home and they should be used automatically. NOTE: on new install use the same username that you're using now.)

Open GParted while booted with live LL dvd and delete all current partitions on drive. (You'll probably need to right-click the Swap partition and choose "Swapoff" before you can delete it and possibly other partitions.) There's a GParted tutorial listed on this page if you need it: https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/tutorials/linux-basics-useful-beginner-information/.

After deleting all partitions, make one new NTFS formatted partition at start of disk and set it to approximate size you want for Windows to use. (Probably best to give it at least 40-50GB.) Leave rest of drive unpartitioned. Install Windows and tell it to use that NTFS partition. Install LL after that and choose the "Along side" Windows option from installer. It should then automatically use the unpartitioned space and make its own partitions for you. (If you prefer to have a separate /home partition, you'll need to use the "Something else" install option and make partitions yourself.)

Re: how to install windows 7 on my hard drive - jclassic1 - 12-09-2015

Thank you all for your advice.
I may not have to bother though as I think she is after a new laptop.

Anyway thank you all

John