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Chapter 10: Windows Installation

10.1 Modern Operating Systems

  • Objectives (Chapter 10, Section 1):
    • Explain operating system requirements.
    • Describe the functions of operating systems.
    • Describe operating system software and hardware requirements.
    • Explain the process of upgrading an operating system.
  • Operating System Features (Terms commonly used to describe an OS):
    • Multi-user: Two or more users have individual accounts to work with programs and peripherals concurrently.
    • Multitasking: The ability to run multiple applications at the same time.
    • Multiprocessing: The OS can support two or more CPUs.
    • Multithreading: A program can be broken into smaller parts loaded as needed; different parts of a program can run concurrently.
    • Note: The OS boots the computer and manages the file system; most modern OSes support multiple users, tasks, or CPUs.
  • Basic Functions of an Operating System
    • Manages the interaction between applications and hardware.
    • Creates a file structure on the hard disk drive to store data.
    • Enables the user to interact with software and hardware.
    • Locates an application and loads it into RAM.
  • Windows Operating Systems Overview
    • Windows 7: Upgrade from Windows XP or Vista.
    • Windows 8: Introduced the Metro UI to unify look/feel across desktops, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets.
    • Windows 8.1: Update to improve familiarity for devices using touch and mouse/keyboard interfaces.
    • Windows 10: Update from previous versions; designed for PCs, tablets, embedded devices, and IoT devices.

10.2 Disk Management

  • Storage Device Types
    • Hard disk drives (HDDs) and flash memory-based drives (solid-state drives, USB drives).
    • Installer programs in modern OSes prepare disks to receive the OS; technicians must understand terms and methods involved in disk preparation.
  • Disk Management Concepts
    • Partition schemes: Master Boot Record (MBR) vs GUID Partition Table (GPT).
    • MBR (512 bytes): Contains boot loader; used by BIOS-based firmware; stores partition information and boot logic.
    • GPT: Used with UEFI firmware; supports modern techniques to expand on MBR.
  • Partitions and Logical Drives
    • Primary partition: Contains OS files; usually the first partition.
    • Active partition (MBR): Used to store and boot an OS.
    • Extended partition: If more than 4 partitions are needed on an MBR disk.
    • Logical drive: A section within an extended partition for data storage.
    • Basic disk: Default disk type; supports partitions (primary, extended) and logical drives.
    • Dynamic disk: Can create volumes spanning more than one disk.
    • Formatting: Creates a file system on a partition for data storage.
  • File Systems
    • FAT32: Supports partition sizes up to 2\,\text{TB} = 2{,}048\,\text{GB}; used by Windows XP and earlier.
    • NTFS: Supports partition sizes up to 16\,\text{EB} (theoretical); includes security features and extended attributes.
    • exFAT (FAT64): Addresses limitations of FAT, FAT32, NTFS; supports files larger than 4 GB.
    • CDFS: File system for optical disc media.
    • NFS: Network File System; network-based file access; open standard.

10.3 Install Windows

  • Data Migration / Upgrade Considerations
    • When a new OS is needed, user data must be migrated from old OS to new one.
    • USMT (User State Migration Tool): Command-line utility to simplify user state migration.
    • Windows Easy Transfer: Tool for switching from an old computer to a new one.
    • PCmover Express: Tool for transferring selected files, folders, profiles, and applications from an old Windows PC to a Windows 10 PC.
  • OS Upgrades and Compatibility
    • The OS version determines available upgrade options; e.g., a 32-bit OS cannot be upgraded to a 64-bit OS.
    • Windows 7 and Windows 8 can be upgraded to Windows 10; Windows Vista and Windows XP cannot.
    • To upgrade Windows 7/8 to Windows 10, use the Windows 10 Update Assistant from the Download Windows 10 website; it guides through the setup steps.
    • Computers on Windows XP or Windows Vista do not have an upgrade path to Windows 10 and require a clean installation.
    • Windows 10 installation media can be created using the Create Windows 10 installation media tool.
  • Installation and Boot Sequence Concepts
    • Bootstrap process: After POST, the BIOS/firmware locates and reads CMOS-stored configuration settings and follows boot device priority to locate the bootable partition.
    • MBR boot process: The boot sector references the Volume Boot Record (VBR), which loads the boot manager (bootmgr.exe) for Windows.
    • Supported boot devices can include hard drives, network drives, USB drives, and removable media depending on motherboard capabilities.
  • Data Migration Tools (as above)
  • Windows Installation Accounts & Access
    • Authentication uses Single Sign-On (SSO) to access resources after login.
    • User accounts in Windows 10: Administrator and Standard User.
    • Administrator: Full control; can change global settings and install programs.
    • Standard user: Limited control; can run applications but cannot install programs.
  • Post-Installation Finishing
    • Windows Update: Scans for new software, installs service packs and patches.
    • Device Manager: Verifies hardware installation and installs correct/updated drivers.
  • Custom Installation Options
    • Disk Cloning: Duplicates a base OS install to another disk to simplify deployment.
    • Sysprep: Tool to remove undesirable settings before creating a deployment image.
    • Network Installation (PXE): Unattended/remote installation via network; involves RIS and PXE (Preboot Execution Environment).
    • Image-based Internal Partition Installation: Windows image stored on an internal partition used to restore to factory state.
    • Other custom installations: Windows Advanced Startup Options, Refresh your PC (Windows 8.x), System Restore, Upgrade, Repair installation, Recovery partition, and Refresh/Restore.
    • Remote Network Installation (RIS + PXE): Client boots in a special environment, connects to server to download setup files and begin installation.
    • Unattended Network Installation: Setup.exe uses an answer file; System Image Manager (SIM) creates the answer file; distribute via shared folder; options include unattended batch file (unattended.bat) or boot disk to run over network.
  • Recovery and Upgrades
    • Recovery partition: Hidden partition containing a factory image used to restore original configuration; accessed via special key during boot or via BIOS/Windows options.
    • Upgrade Methods:
    • In-place upgrade: Preserves data, settings, apps, and drivers; can be automated via System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).
    • Clean install: Wipes drive; backups required for data.
  • Windows Boot Sequence (Summary)
    • BIOS/CMOS initializes, boot device priority is checked, boot sector (MBR) is loaded, which identifies the VBR, which loads the boot manager (bootmgr.exe).
    • Boot devices can include hard drives, network drives, USB drives, removable media (depending on motherboard capabilities).
  • Windows Startup Modes (Windows 7)
    • Accessed by pressing F8 during boot to open Windows Advanced Boot Options.
    • Four startup options:
    • Safe Mode: Diagnostics mode with limited drivers.
    • Safe Mode with Networking: Safe Mode plus networking support.
    • Safe Mode with Command Prompt: Boots to a command prompt instead of GUI.
    • Last Known Good Configuration: Loads settings from the last successful startup.
  • Windows 8 and Windows 10 Startup Modes
    • These versions boot too quickly to use F8 directly.
    • Hold Shift and click Restart to access the Choose an Option screen.
    • Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart to display Startup Settings.
    • Use number or F1–F9 keys to select a startup option after restart.

10.4 Chapter Summary

  • Key takeaways:
    • Explain OS requirements and the role of OS software/hardware in supporting applications.
    • Create partitions in Windows via Disk Management and understand partition types (MBR vs GPT, primary/active, extended, logical drives).
    • Install Windows and understand custom installation options, boot sequence, and registry/file system implications.
    • Understand data migration (USMT, Windows Easy Transfer, PCmover) and upgrade paths (in-place vs clean install).
    • Recognize file systems (FAT32, NTFS, exFAT, CDFS, NFS) and their limits, and understand 32-bit vs 64-bit architecture considerations.
    • Be able to perform Disk Management tasks and interpret boot sequences and startup options.

10.4 New Terms and Commands

  • CDFS
  • Cloning
  • Data migration
  • Dynamic Disk
  • exFAT
  • FAT32
  • ISO file
  • Multi-user
  • Multitasking
  • Multiprocessing
  • Multithreading
  • NFS
  • NTFS
  • Partitioning
  • Safe Mode
  • SSO
  • UAC
  • 32-bit processor architecture
  • 64-bit processor architecture

Quick reference formulas and limits

  • FAT32 partition size limit: 2\,\text{TB} = 2{,}048\,\text{GB}
  • NTFS partition size limit (theoretical): 16\,\text{EB}
  • MBR size: 512\text{ bytes}
  • Windows 10 upgrade path: 32-bit OS cannot upgrade to 64-bit OS; Windows 7/8 can upgrade to Windows 10; XP/Vista cannot upgrade to Windows 10 and require clean install.
  • File size limit for FAT32 files: \le 4\,\text{GB} (typical limitation, hence exFAT was developed for larger files).
  • Boot sequence steps (high level): POST → BIOS/CMOS → boot device priority → MBR → VBR/bootmgr.exe → Windows loader.

Connections and practical implications

  • Practical deployment considerations:
    • When upgrading, verify minimum hardware requirements of the target OS before installation to ensure successful deployment.
    • For large-scale deployments, use cloning and Sysprep to create base images and deploy to multiple machines efficiently, while removing undesirable settings with Sysprep.
    • Data migration is essential; plan with USMT, Windows Easy Transfer, or third-party tools (PCmover) to minimize user downtime.
    • Ensure licensing and activation considerations when upgrading across versions and architectures.
  • Ethical and privacy considerations:
    • During data migration, protect user data and verify that only intended profiles/files are migrated.
    • Respect licensing terms when using deployment tools like SCCM, RIS, or third-party migration utilities.
  • Real-world relevance:
    • Knowledge of Disk Management (MBR vs GPT, primary/extended/logical partitions) is critical for dual-boot setups and recovery scenarios.
    • Understanding boot sequences and startup options helps in troubleshooting startup failures and malware recovery.

Equations and numerical references (LaTeX)

  • FAT32 partition size limit: ext{Partition size} \le 2\,\text{TB} = 2{,}048\,\text{GB}
  • NTFS maximum partition size (theoretical): ext{Partition size}_{NTFS} \le 16\,\text{EB}
  • MBR size: \text{MBR size} = 512\text{ bytes}
  • File size considerations: \text{Max FAT32 file size} = 4\,\text{GB}
  • 32-bit vs 64-bit architecture distinction: \text{Architecture} = \begin{cases}32\text{-bit} \64\text{-bit}\end{cases}
  • Windows 7/8 upgrade to Windows 10: \text{Eligible upgrades: Windows 7/8} \rightarrow \text{Windows 10}; XP/Vista cannot upgrade to Windows 10 (clean install required).
  • Boot process summary (variables): \text{POST} \rightarrow \text{BIOS/CMOS} \rightarrow \text{boot device priority} \rightarrow \text{MBR} \rightarrow \text{VBR} \rightarrow \text{bootmgr.exe} \rightarrow \text{Windows loader}.