I try to come up with comprehensive steps for noobs
Download latest Windows flavoured wallet from here:
https://mega.co.nz/#!E5cjGQBa!C9PV10d7AUBgk1hWoaq3nenRRL24gV8TRk1pk9q15CI
Click Start > Run > %appdata%\sync
Delete everything except wallet.dat (and sync.conf if you already have that saved there)
copy wallet.dat to multiple safe locations as a backup (Wallet.dat holds your coins, you don't want to lose this)
Create a file called Sync.conf (note to windows noobs trying to create a new notepad file, in the explorer window drop down the tool menu, goto Folder Options, goto View Tab, Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" - this is to make sure you don't create a sync.conf.txt file. You want Sync.conf)
Copy and paste below into sync.conf and save (I suggest to change user and pass to something else)
server=1
listen=1
rpcuser=user
rpcpassword=pass
rpcport=24240
addnode=107.170.124.180
addnode=162.243.214.192
addnode=192.241.240.216
addnode=107.170.159.98
addnode=23.226.225.224
Open up TCP port 24240 on your firewall and/or modem/router if you know how and want to be a node (I'm not going to teach you this one)
download the Bootstrap given by CodyF86 from
http://d-h.st/j8FExract the contents into %appdata%\sync
rename the file bootstrap.dat to blk001.dat if you have problems, otherwise keep it as it is.
Launch the wallet
unlock your wallet if you want to stake (or not)
wait for it to sync any extra blocks since block 8266
If it gets stuck, close the wallet, wait 2 minutes then relaunch. Repeat few times if needed.
You can skip downloading the bootstrap and sync from scratch if you wish.
If you have problems syncing from scratch getting stuck after block 8200, try introducing sync.conf only after you reach block 8200.
Let me know if this is incorrect.