How to Upgrade a Toshiba Netbook to Windows 7

Installing Windows with a flash drive allows you to perform a clean install on a netbook that may not have an optical drive.

Toshiba netbooks, being miniature laptop computers, often do not include an optical media drive. This can make installations, including operating system upgrades, a bit difficult. Downloading the installation file and running it from your old OS would work unless you wanted to do a clean install, formatting your drive during the process. If you wish to run a full, clean installation, Microsoft allows you to download your installation file as an ISO. You can copy this file to a flash drive using a utility supplied by Microsoft. This allows you to run the installation from the USB device.

Things You'll Need

• Empty 4 GB flash drive

Instructions

Verify Your Toshiba's System Specifications

1. Download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft.

2. Save the file to your desktop when prompted.

3. Double-click the downloaded .exe file to launch the installation utility.

4. Follow the on-screen prompts and click "Launch Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor." Click "Finish."

5. Click "Start Check" to allow the Upgrade Advisor to scan your Toshiba netbook. The scan will take a couple of minutes to complete.

6. Review the list of issues reported by the Upgrade Advisor to determine whether your software and hardware are compatible with Windows 7. If your Toshiba netbook can handle the upgrade, continue.

Prepare Your USB Drive for Installation

1. Download the Windows 7 upgrade file from the Microsoft Store. Select "Download," and then click "Add to Cart."

2. Click "Checkout." Enter your personal information to complete the sale.

3. Click "Additional Download Options" on the Order Receipt page and select the ISO file you wish to download. Your Toshiba netbook will likely require the 32-bit ISO, though the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will confirm that for you.

4. Save the file to your desktop when prompted.

5. Download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool from the Microsoft Store.

6. Save the file to your desktop when prompted.

7. Double-click the downloaded .exe file to run the installation.

8. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. Launch the application before clicking "Finish."

9. Click "Browse" and select the downloaded ISO from your desktop. Click "Next."

10. Select your USB flash drive from the drop-down list and click "Begin copying." The ISO will now be copied to your flash drive, and your drive will be formatted to be bootable. Make sure that your drive is empty. Back your files up to your computer because they will be deleted during the format and installation procedure done by the Download Tool.

Install Windows 7

1. Insert your flash drive into your Toshiba netbook's USB port.

2. Restart the computer.

3. When the Toshiba screen is displayed at the beginning of the boot process, press a key to enter the setup or BIOS utility. Your Toshiba netbook will likely require an "F2." Consult your netbook's documentation to verify this for your model.

4. Locate the boot order menu and follow the on-screen instructions to place USB device at the top of the list.

5. Press "Esc" to exit the BIOS, and elect to save your changes.

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation on your Toshiba netbook.

References

• Microsoft: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
• Microsoft Store: Windows 7 for Netbooks
• Microsoft: Installing Windows 7 on a Netbook

Resources

• Microsoft Download Center: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
• Microsoft Store: Windows 7 Home Premium
• Microsoft Store: Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool