To install Windows Me or onto your PC, it will need to meet the following specification:

• PC with 150 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed required;
• 32 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended
• 480MB to 645MB megabytes (MB) of available hard disk space
• Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Systems with this specification (or better) should be capable of running Windows Me successfully. Once installed, it may be necessary to obtain extra software called 'Drivers' from the manufacturers of your hardware to obtain maximum performance from your system. These can usually be downloaded from the appropriate manufacturer's web site.

The procedure for installing Windows Me onto a new PC is as follows:

Switch on the PC and put the Windows Me CD into the CD-ROM. Press the reset button on the PC and allow it to boot.

The PC should boot to the CD-ROM, if not check your motherboard manual to enable 'Boot to CD-ROM' in its BIOS settings.

From the next menu, select Start Windows Me setup from the CD-ROM

The system will load some basic software to enable it to install

At the blue Windows Me Setup screen, press ENTER to continue.

The system will check the HDD to determine if/how it is configured

Select Configure unallocated space (recommended) and press ENTER

The system will 'Partition' the hard disk such that it can prepare it for storing data

If prompted, select Yes, enable large disk support and press ENTER

This enables the system to use the maximum space possible on the hard disk

At the Setup will restart now screen, press ENTER or wait and the system will automatically reboot

Phase One of the installation is complete and the system needs to reboot to continue...

From the menu, select Start Windows Me setup from the CD-ROM again

The system will 'format' the HDD. This is the process of clearing the hard disk and preparing it to store data. This can take some considerable time depending on the size of the HDD

At the Setup will perform a routine check on your system screen, press ENTER

A diagnostic program called Scandisk will run and check the HDD for any errors/damage. Again, this may take some time depending on HDD size. Note: Cancelling this will prevent the installation of Window Me

At the Windows Me Setup screen, click the Next button at the lower right of the screen using the mouse (or if no mouse is installed, press TAB until the Next is highlighted with dotted lines and press ENTER

Windows Me will install its 'wizard' software to guide you through the installation

At the Select the directory where you want to install Windows Me screen, click or TAB to the C:\WINDOWS line such that a black dot appears to the left hand side (this indicates that this option is selected and is known as a 'Radio button'

This will make the system put all its important files into an area on the hard disk labelled 'windows'

The Preparing directory screen will appear

The system will now check the HDD for any existing software and make sure that there is enough space on your HDD

At the Setup Wizard screen, click to select Typical, then click the Next button

By selecting 'Typical', you are asking for a default installation of Windows Me. This should suit most people and other options can be configured later if required.

Select Install the most common components (recommended) and click Next

Again, this indicates that you require a standard installation...

At the Country/Region screen, select your country/location from the list and click Next. This is a long list that cannot be displayed all at once. Use the scroll bar at the right hand side to see more countries if yours is not immediately visible.

Knowing your location helps Windows to configure itself correctly

At the Establishing your time zone screen, select your location's time-zone from the list and click Next.

It is important that the system clock is as accurate as possible.

At the Insert disk screen, follow the instructions to create a startup disk then click OK

It is possible to skip this step, but it can be useful to have a startup disk in case the system will not boot at some point in the future.

Once the disk has been created, click OK to continue setup

Remember to remove the floppy disk from the drive.

At the Ready to begin copying files screen, click Finish to continue setup

The system has all the information it needs and will now install the Windows Me software. This may take some time depending on the overall speed of your system.

Once completed, Remove the Windows Me CD from the CD-ROM and click the Reboot button or wait for the timer

The system reboots.

This time, allow the system to boot to the HDD. A Windows Me logo screen should appear as it loads

The CD is removed to force the system to boot to the HDD. If this produces an error, configure the BIOS settings to boot to the HDD first

A Setting up hardware message box will be displayed

The system is now attempting to configure its software for your particular hardware setup

At the User information screen, type in your name and company name (if appropriate) into the boxes. Place the Windows Me CD back into the CD-ROM. Click Next

The Windows CD is required for further installation tasks and must be ready in the CD-ROM

Read the License Agreement statement and click I accept the agreement then click Next

The software will not allow the install to continue if you do not agree to the statement

Locate your Windows Me Product Key (usually on the back of the CD case) and type it in. Then click Next

Take special care to ensure that the numbers/letters are typed in exactly the same as your Product Key

Click Finish to complete the installation and reboot again to complete the configuration

Rebooting is necessary for the system to amend or update its important files which cannot be changed while they are in use

Windows will finish off its hardware configurations, and may even reboot once more before displaying the Introduction screen

Windows Me is now completely installed on your PC.