If you are a Python user then Install Python 2.6+ or above otherwise this step is not required.
To install Spark on a windows based environment the following prerequisites should be fulfilled first. And finally, I was able to come up with the following brief steps that lead me to a working instantiation of Apache Spark.
I invested two days searching the internet trying to find out how to install and configure it on a windows based environment. But I wanted to get a taste of this technology on my personal computer. However, they are using a pre-configured VM setup specific for the MOOC and for the lab exercises. In order to learn how to work on it currently there is a MOOC conducted by UC Berkley here. Apache Spark is a lightening fast cluster computing engine conducive for big data processing.