This document provides general information that you should know before installing Microsoft® Windows Vista™.
These are instructions for:
· Upgrading Windows when you already have a version of Windows on your computer and you want to keep your files, settings, and programs.
· Installing a new version of Windows when:
o You want to replace your current operating system.
o You have an operating system installed on your computer and you want to install Windows on an available, separate partition of your hard disk.
o You have a computer with no operating system installed.
· Check the Windows package to make sure your computer meets the system requirements.
· Have your Windows Vista installation disc (CD or DVD) ready.
· Decide whether to install a 32-bit or 64-bit edition of Windows Vista. For more information, go to windowsvista.com/64-bit.
· Find your 25-character Windows product key on your computer or on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package.
· Update your antivirus program (if needed), run it, and then disable it. After you install Windows, remember to enable the antivirus program, or install new antivirus software that works with Windows Vista.
· Write down the name of your computer if you will be connected to a network. If you’re running Windows XP, here’s how to find your computer’s name: Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties. Your computer's name is displayed on the Computer Name tab.
· Connect to the Internet. Make sure your Internet connection is working so you can get the latest installation updates. If you don’t have an Internet connection, you can still upgrade or install Windows.
· Read “What you should know before installing Windows Vista” located near the end of this document.
Important Before installing Windows, be sure to disable all antivirus software and back up your files to an external hard disk, DVD or CD, USB flash drive, or network folder.
Choose to upgrade if you want to keep your files, settings, and programs and your current version of Windows can be upgraded. If your version of Windows cannot be upgraded, you'll need to install a new, or “clean,” copy of Windows (see below).
Notes
· Windows Vista does not support Serial Key devices. If you are upgrading and you currently use Serial Keys with an alternative input device, you must turn off Serial Keys and install another input option before the upgrade. To turn off Serial Keys in Windows XP, open Accessibility Options in Control Panel. On the General tab, under Serial Key devices, clear the Use Serial Keys check box. For more information, go to the Microsoft Accessibility website (www.microsoft.com/enable).
· You cannot start, or “boot,” your computer from the Windows Vista upgrade disc.
1. Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or CD drive.
2. To see if your computer can run Windows Vista, open Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor by clicking “Check compatibility online.” (This step is optional.)
3. On the Install Windows page, click Install now.
4. On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation and to help protect your computer against security threats. You will need an Internet connection to get these updates.
5. On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly suggest that you type your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
6. On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms.
7. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade.
8. Continue to follow the instructions.
When you install a new, or “clean,” copy of Windows, your existing version of Windows, including all of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced. You can back up your files and settings, but you must manually reinstall your programs when the installation is done.
Install a new or “clean,” copy of Windows if:
· Your current operating system cannot be upgraded to Windows Vista.
· Your computer has no operating system installed.
· You don’t want to keep your existing files, settings, and programs.
· You want to partition your hard disk and install Windows Vista on a specific partition.
1. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or CD drive, and then do one of the following:
· If your computer already has an operating system installed and you don't want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, go to step 2.
· If your computer has no operating system installed, or if you want to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, you need to restart your computer while the installation disc is inserted in the DVD or CD drive. Your computer will then start from the installation disc. If you are asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page is displayed, go to step 2.
· If the Install Windows page is not displayed and you're not asked to press a key to start from DVD or CD, you might have to specify that your computer use its DVD or CD drive as the startup device. This means that you need to set the DVD or CD drive to be the first startup device in the basic input/output system (BIOS). Here's how to do that:
a. Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc, and then restart your computer.
b. Newer computers usually display a startup or "boot” menu. On the startup menu, select "BIOS setup," or "BIOS settings," or something similar, and then press the appropriate key when prompted to display the BIOS setup screen.
Warning Updating the BIOS is an advanced procedure, and if an error occurs, your computer could stop working. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.
Note Procedures for updating the BIOS vary depending on the manufacturer. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer’s website.
c. On the BIOS setup screen, select the option called “Boot order,” or something similar.
d. Select your DVD or CD drive as the first startup device.
e. Restart your computer, and then start Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.
3. On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that appear, and then click Install now.
Note This page will not appear if you start Windows from the installation disc.
7. On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
8. On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, do one of the following:
· If you don't want to install Windows on a specific partition or create partitions on your hard disk, click Next to begin the installation.
· If you want to install Windows on a specific partition and have an existing partition with enough free space, select the partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. (If you do this, be sure to install Windows on a different partition from the one where your current version of Windows is installed.)
· If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, and you started Windows from the installation disc, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and then follow the instructions.
· If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, and you did not start Windows from the installation disc, follow the instructions in the second option of step 1 above, and then follow the instructions.
9. Continue to follow the instructions.
Important Be sure to enable existing, or install new, antivirus software after the installation is complete.
This section lists the issues that you should know about before you install Windows Vista. For information about all other known issues, read the release notes online (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=66576).
This issue applies to you if you are upgrading to Windows Vista from a computer running Windows XP or the RC1 version of Windows Vista and you use Windows Task Scheduler.
If you have changed your computer name, user name, domain, or password, any tasks that you have specified in Windows Task Scheduler will not function properly after you upgrade to Windows Vista. To avoid this problem, before you upgrade, use Task Scheduler to update the tasks with the information, or credentials, you changed. To update a task with this information, use one of the following procedures:
· Windows XP: Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Scheduled Tasks. Right-click the task you want to change, and then click Properties. In the task’s properties window, click the Security tab, and then set the permissions and credentials used to run the task.
· RC1 version of Windows Vista: Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Task Scheduler. Select a task, click Properties, and then, on the General...
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