Upgrading To Microsoft Windows Vista Tips

Upgrading To Microsoft Windows Vista Tipscurrent edition of Windows, you will need to do a
The traditional annual days of giving are at hand.clean install, or install Windows Vista to a new
Some people will want to upgrade (if it can be calledpartition on your PC. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
that) to Windows Vista.Before you being Before you begin
Here are some tips to help keep you out of trouble.Before you run the Upgrade Advisor, be sure to plug
Recommended minimum hardware requirements forin any USB devices or other devices such as printers,
Windows Vista Windows Vista Home Basicexternal hard drives, or scanners that are regularly
• 800-megahertz (MHz) 32-bit (x86)used with the PC you're evaluating.
processor or 800-MHz 64-bit (x64) processorDownload Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Download
• 512 megabytes (MB) of system memoryWindows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Note On system configurations that use systemReady to buy? Check out these special offers from
memory as graphics memory, at least 448 MB ofour partners Ready to upgrade? Check out these
system memory must be available to the operatingspecial offers from Microsoft partners.
system after some memory is allocated for graphics.The Upgrade Advisor works with 32-bit versions of
• DirectX 9-class graphics card • 32Windows XP and Windows Vista. Review the
MB of graphics memory • 20-gigabyte (GB)upgrade options available for earlier versions of
hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk spaceWindows.
• Internal or external DVD drive •Make sure your computer is ready for the edition of
Internet access capability Audio output capabilityWindows Vista you want.
Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows VistaThe Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor will help you to
Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windowsdetermine if your Windows XP-based PC can run
Vista Ultimate 1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86)Windows Vista. You can also use the Upgrade
processor or 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor 1 GB ofAdvisor to determine if your Windows Vista-based
system memory Windows Aero-capable graphicsPC is ready for an upgrade to a more powerful
card Note This includes a DirectX 9-class graphicsedition of Windows Vista.
card that supports the following: • A WDDMThis small software tool will scan your computer and
driver • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardwarecreate an easy-to-understand report of all known
• 32 bits per pixel 128 MB of graphicssystem, device, and program compatibility issues, and
memory (minimum) 40-GB hard disk that has 15 GBrecommend ways to resolve them. Upgrade Advisor
of free hard disk space (the 15GB of free spacecan also help you to choose the edition of Windows
provides room for temporary file storage during theVista that best fits the way you want to use your
install or upgrade.) Internal or external DVD drivecomputer.
Internet access capability Audio output capabilityJust download, install, and run the Windows Vista
• • • • •Upgrade Advisor.
• • •Please Note:
Note A Windows Aero-capable graphics card is a* The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor works with
graphics card that meets the following requirements:32-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista,
• Supports a Windows Display Driver Modelexcept Windows Vista Enterprise edition. It will not
(WDDM) driver • Has a DirectX 9-classwork with other editions of Windows. * The
graphics processor unit (GPU) that supports PixelWindows Vista Upgrade Advisor does not collect or
Shader 2.0 • Supports 32 bits per pixelsend any personal, identifiable data to Microsoft
• Passes the Windows Aero acceptanceCorporation or third parties.
test in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) OperatingUpgrade procedure
system requirements to upgrade to Windows VistaTo upgrade your computer to Windows Vista, follow
The table below outlines the upgrade options mappedthese steps: 1. Start the computer by using the
to the different Windows Vista editions.current operating system. Verify that the Microsoft
Home Basic Home Premium Business UltimateWindows operating system that is currently installed
Windows XP Professional bullet bullet bullet bulleton the computer is eligible for upgrade to Windows
Windows XP Home bullet bullet bullet bullet WindowsVista. 2. Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the
XP Media Center bullet bullet bullet bullet Windows XPcomputer's DVD drive. 3. Use one of the following
Tablet PC bullet bullet bullet bullet Windows XPprocedures, as appropriate: • If Windows
Professional x64 bullet bullet bullet bullet Windowsautomatically detects the DVD, the Install now
2000 bullet bullet bullet bulletscreen appears. Click Install now. • If
Requires clean install. In-place installation optionWindows does not automatically detect the DVD,
available.follow these steps: a. Click Start, click Run, type
Notes:Drive:\setup.exe, and then click OK.
If you are currently using Windows 2000 ProfessionalNote Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD
or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible fordrive. b. Click Install now. 4. When you reach the
an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better editionWhich type of installation to you want? screen, click
of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required.Upgrade to upgrade the current operating system to
Upgrade copies are not available for versions ofWindows Vista. The Upgrade option is unavailable,
Windows earlier than Windows 2000. These earlierand you receive an "Upgrade has been disabled"
versions of Windows require you to install a full copymessage
of Windows Vista.When you try to upgrade to Windows Vista, the
If the edition of Windows Vista that you choose toUpgrade option is unavailable.
install will result in a loss of functionality over your