No fluff, just easy steps that my old man can follow. (Actually, I’m writing this specifically for my old man! ) The steps below also work for rooting a Galaxy Nexus, except you should use the Galaxy Nexus version of the TWRP ROM.

What you need

• Nexus 7 (the one you want to root)
• Computer (most of the rooting process will be done from the computer
• USB cable (to connect the Nexus to the computer)

Steps

1. Download and extract drivers and such.zip on to the computer
2. Backup the stuff on your Nexus, that you want to keep and make sure your Nexus is fully charged.
3. Copy CWM-SuperSU-v0.95.zip to your Nexus
4. Boot your Nexus into the boot loader
   1. [Nexus] Turn your Nexus off
   2. [Nexus] Hold down both the volume buttons and while keeping them down press the power button. Keep the buttons held down till you see an Android this its chest open, and at the bottom of the screen it should say in red, “FASTBOOT MODE”
5. Switch your boot loader into S-Off mode – This will allow you to install custom ROMs.
   1. [Computer] Install the Android fastboot drivers on your computer.
      1. In the usb_driver directory, right click on android_winusb.inf, and click Install
      2. Plug your Nexus into your computer. The drivers should install.
   2. [Computer] Open a command prompt in the fastboot directory
   3. [Computer] Type “fastboot-windows oem unlock”
   4. [Nexus] Your Nexus screen should prompt you to wipe your device, choose yes.
6. Install a custom recovery ROM.
   1. [Nexus] When it is done, boot back into the bootloader.
   2. [Computer] Type “fastboot-windows flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.2.1-grouper.img”
7. Install SuperSU (after this step you’re officially rooted)
   1. [Nexus] While in the boot loader press the volume down button till it says “Recovery Mode”, press the power button.
   2. [Nexus] Once TWRP has booted, tap “Wipe” then tap “Dalvik Cache”
   3. [Nexus] Swipe to wipe
   4. [Nexus] Tap back, then tap the back button
   5. [Nexus] Select “CWM-SuperSU-v0.95.zip” (Which you copied over in step 2).
   6. [Nexus] Swipe to confirm flash
   7. [Nexus] Once it is done flashing, reboot