Get the Right Vista Software Step1
Buy the Vista upgrade if you are going from Windows XP Home Edition to
the Basic, Premium, Business or Ultimate Vista system. If you have XP
Professional, upgrade with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate.
Step2
Purchase the full version of Windows Vista 64-bit product for current
XP Home Editions. If you have XP Professional, you will need the full
Vista Home Basic or Vista Home Premium version.
Step3
Choose the full system Vista software for the version of Vista you want
if you currently use the Windows XP Professional x64 edition.
Step4
Upgrade to Vista Business or Ultimate from Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
with the upgrade version. Buy a full version of Vista Home Basic, Home
Premium or 64-bit versions for tablet computers.
Step5
Use upgrade versions of the Vista Home Premium and Ultimate if you
currently have the Media Center 2004 or 2005 edition. Use full versions
of Home Basic, Business or 64-bit Vista for Media Center 2004 or 2005
editions.
Perform a Clean Installation of Windows Vista Step1
Start the computer and insert the full-version disk of the Vista version of your choice.
Step2
Choose the "Install Now" option when the installation menu appears.
Some Vista versions may provide a few instructions before providing the
"Install Now" option.
Step3
Check for updates to the program if your computer has access to the
Internet. You will have the option to "Get Important Updates for
Installation."
Step4
Enter the 25-character activation code from your Vista packaging into the boxes provided onscreen.
Step5
Read the licensing terms for Vista and click the button to accept the terms.
Step6
Select the "Custom" option when prompted with the phrase, "Which Type of Installation Do You Want?"
Step7
Choose the drive on which you will install Vista. It will most likely be the "C" drive.
Step8
Follow the onscreen instruction to go through the installation process,
which will mainly consist of clicking the "Next" button as various
aspects of the program install. You will also choose some personal
options for the look and feel of the program.
Tips & Warnings
- Don't
install Windows Vista on computers running Windows 2002 or older
versions. Your system will not be powerful enough to run Vista and
other programs smoothly.
- Check
your computer and peripherals to make sure they will work with your new
operating system by using Microsoft's "Vista Upgrade Advisor" (see
Resources below). Attach all the peripherals you use to your computer
when you use Microsoft's advisor.
- To
upgrade Vista, slide the Vista disk into the appropriate drive. Follow
the on-screen instructions after selecting the "Standard Installation"
option on the menu. Most of the information on your computer will
transfer into the Vista program. You will need to provide your
activation code, register the software and answer a few questions
during the upgrade.
- You
will lose everything on your hard drive during a "clean installation"
of Windows Vista, so back up your files. You should back up your files
on any upgrade just in case things don't go as planned.