Windows Setup

This article is about the process of installing the Windows OS. For the software installer used in the Windows platform, see Windows Installer.

Language select before installation in Windows 11 (before 26 January 2024 update and 24H2)
Expanding files during installation in Windows 11 (before 26 January 2024 update and 24H2)

Windows Setup is an installer that prepares a computer for a Microsoft Windows installation by allowing the user to pick installation settings (modifying partitions if necessary) and copying the files to the drive.

The early versions of Windows required an existing compatible version of DOS operating system in order to be installed. The Windows NT family, from 3.1 through 5.0 featured text-based installation that prompted users to a GUI wizard in the final steps. The 9x family installer was similar to NT despite it being MS-DOS-based. Additionally, it did not need preinstalled DOS as a requirement. With the release of Windows NT 6.0 (which Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are based on), Microsoft introduced a fully graphical setup environment and UEFI support (partial in Windows Vista and 7, full UEFI support on Windows 8 onwards). The new graphical setup environment is based on Windows Preinstallation Environment.