If you’re upgrading to Windows Vista from a previous version of Windows, this appendix describes how to prepare and install Windows Vista. The temptation is to insert the Windows Vista install disc and start the installation, but you can avoid problems by making sure your computer is ready for Windows Vista. Before you install Windows Vista, you need to check your computer hardware and software and make several setup decisions that relate to your computer. The Windows Vista Setup Wizard walks you through the installation process.
Microsoft is continually updating and enhancing Windows Vista. Instead of releasing multiple updates individually, periodically Microsoft releases an update, known as a Service Pack (SP), which provides all-in-one access to the most up-to-date drivers, tools, enhancements, and other critical updates (which were formally referred to as hotfixes). Service packs, as well as, individual updates are available free for download and installation over the Internet using Windows Update. If you installed Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, you can also download and install additional programs, services, and premium content from the Web by using Windows Ultimate Extras and Windows Update.
If you purchased a new computer that came with Windows Vista already installed on it, you can use the Transfer Files And Setting Wizard to transfer the files and customized settings from your old computer to your new one.
If you’re always on the go and need to stay informed, connected, and protected, you can take advantage of Microsoft Windows Live (New!), which is a free set of online services and specialized Web tools for Windows Vista.
The Windows Vista Setup Wizard guides you through many of the choices you need to make, but there are some decisions and actions you need to make before you start the wizard. To ensure a successful installation, do the following:
Make sure your hardware components meet the minimum requirements. Your computer hardware needs to meet the following minimum hardware requirements to be Windows Vista PC Capability Ready: A modern processor (at least 800MHz1), 512 MB of system memory, and a graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, your computer hardware needs to meet the following hardware requirements to be Windows Vista PC Premium Ready: 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1; 1 GB of system memory; support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel; 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space; DVD-ROM Drive3, audio output capability; and Internet access capability.
Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware. Beyond the basic requirements, some software and hardware services, such as networking, voice and video conferencing, and sound playback, call for you to meet additional requirements; see Windows Vista documentation for specific details.
Make sure your hardware and software are compatible using the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. If you are running a Windows XP-based computer, you can run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, which scans your computer and creates an easy-to-understand report of all known system, device, and program compatibility issues, and recommends ways to resolve them. Upgrade Advisor can also help you choose the edition of Windows Vista that best fits the way you want to use your computer. The Upgrade Advisor software is available on the Install window and the Microsoft Web site at www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor.
Make sure you have the required product key information. On the back of the Windows Vista DVD packaging is a unique 25-character product key, such as KFEPC-12345-MHORY-12345-IROFE, that you need to enter during the Windows Vista Setup Wizard installation to complete the process. Keep the product key in a safe place, and do not share it with others. The unique product key allows you to activate and use Windows. Product activation and product registration are not the same. Product activation is required and ensures that each Windows product is not installed on more than the limited number of computers allowed in the software’s end user license agreement. Activation is completely anonymous and requires no personal identification information to complete. To complete the activation process, you enter a unique 25-character product key during the Windows Vista Setup Wizard installation process or when using the Activate Windows program located on the Start menu. You have a 30-day grace period in which to activate your Windows product installation. If the grace period expires and you have not completed activation, all features will stop working except the product activation feature. During the activation process, you can also register your copy of Windows Vista. Product registration is not required, but completing the process ensures that you receive product update and support information from Microsoft.
Determine whether you want to perform an in-place upgrade or install a new copy of Windows Vista. After you start the Windows Vista Setup Wizard, you need to decide whether to upgrade your current operating system or to perform an entirely new installation, known as a clean install. A clean install includes completely erasing your hard drive and reformatting it with a new file system, which eliminates incompatibilities and makes your system run better. See Chapter 15, “Maintaining Your Computer,” for more information about file systems. Before you perform a clean install, you need to backup your files and settings on a CD, removable, or network drive before you begin. After a clean install you still need to re-install all of your programs. To perform a clean install, you also need the Full Edition of Windows Vista, which is more expensive than the Upgrade version. You can upgrade from Windows 2000 or XP to Windows Vista. Earlier Windows operating systems are not supported for upgrading, so those users will need to perform a clean install.
Back up your files in case you need to restore your current operating system. If you’re upgrading from an earlier version of Windows or performing a clean install, you should back up your current files so you can correct any problems that might arise during the installation. You can back up files to a removable disk, a DVD-R or DVD-RW drive, a tape drive, or another computer on your network. See Chapter 17, “Backing Up Your Computer,” for more information.
Make sure you have the required network information. If you are connecting to a network, you need the following information from your network administrator: name of your computer, name of the workgroup or domain, and a TCP/IP address if your network doesn’t use a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. If you are not sure whether you are connecting to a workgroup or a domain, select the workgroup option. You can always connect to a domain after you install Windows Vista Business.
The Windows Vista Setup Wizard guides you step-by-step through the process of installing Windows Vista. When the installation is finished, you are ready to log on to Windows Vista. Be aware that your computer restarts several times during the installation process. Depending on the type of installation you need to perform, either upgrade or clean, you start the Windows Vista Setup Wizard in different ways. If you perform an upgrade or clean install on a Windows version, you simply start your computer and insert the Windows Vista installation DVD to start the Windows Vista Setup Wizard. However, if you perform a clean install on a nonsupported operating system or a blank hard disk, you need to start your computer by inserting the Windows Vista installation DVD into the DVD drive, which starts the Windows Vista Setup Wizard. A clean install requires you to select additional options as you step through the wizard, but the steps are basically the same.
Insert the Windows Vista DVD into your DVD drive, and then start your computer, if necessary.
Click Install Now.
Click an option whether to get important updates for installation.
Type the 25-character product key.
Click Next, and then if necessary, click No to continue the installation as a trial.
Select the edition you want to install, and then click Next to continue.
Click the type of installation you want: Upgrade or Custom (advanced).
Click the I accept the license terms check box, and then click Next to continue.
Wait while Setup copies and installs Windows Vista on your computer. Your computer might reboot several times during this process.
As prompted, select the initial options you want. Options vary depending on the installation type.Windows protection. Select Use recommended settings, Install important updates only, or Ask me later.
User accounts. Enter user account names, passwords, and hints to share the computer, and then click Next.
Time zone, date, and time. Select a time zone, date, and time, and then click Next.
Click Start and then wait while Setup configures Windows Vista and prepares your desktop.
Did You Know?
You can clean up your old installation to save space. Click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, click Disk Cleanup, click Files From All Users On This Computer, if requested select a drive and click OK, select the check box next to your old Windows version, and then click OK.
Microsoft is continually updating and enhancing Windows Vista. Instead of releasing multiple updates individually, periodically Microsoft releases an update, known as a Service Pack (SP), which provides all-in-one access to the most up-to-date drivers, tools, enhancements, and other critical updates (which were formally referred to as hotfixes). Service packs as well as individual updates are available free for download and installation over the Internet using the Windows Update web site. With the enhanced Windows Update web site, Microsoft makes it easy to securely download and install this important update over the Internet. After you complete the installation, turn on Automatic Updates to help you keep your computer up-to-date and secure. If you’re experiencing problems with the service pack and need to reinstall it again, you can uninstall (or remove) it from your computer using Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
- Click the Start button, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
Windows connects to the Internet.
- If prompted to install Windows Update software, click Yes.
- If necessary, click Check for updates, and then wait for the update scan to complete.
- If available, select a service pack or any other updates you want to install.
- Click Install Updates.
- Review the End User License Agreement, and then click I accept the license terms option.
Windows Update downloads the updates, and then starts the installation.
- If prompted, follow any additional installation instructions.
While updating your computer, Windows checks your system for compatibility and archives files in case of removal later.
- Wait for the updates to be installed on your computer.
- If prompted, click OK to restart your computer, and then turn on Automatic Updates.
- Click the Close button in your browser as needed.
- Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then double-click the Programs and Features icon in Classic view.
- In the Navigation pane, click View installed updates.
- Select the service pack you want to uninstall.
- Click Uninstall.
- Click Yes to confirm the removal, and then follow the instructions.
- When it’s done, click OK.
- Click the Close button.
Instead of trying to re-create Windows settings manually from an old computer (running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista) on a new Windows Vista computer, you can use Windows Easy Transfer. If you have a removable hard drive, CD or DVD burner drives, a direct connect cable, such as an Easy Transfer Cable (a special USB cable designed for Windows Easy Transfer), or you are connected to a computer over a network, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files or entire folders, such as My Documents and Favorites, and settings (Windows XP and Vista only) for Windows, such as user accounts, folder and taskbar options, desktop and display properties, and Internet Explorer browser and Outlook Express mail setup options. However, it’s not meant for transferring your computer programs.
- Start Windows Easy Transfer on the old computer using one of the following methods:
Windows Vista. Click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Windows Easy Transfer.
Windows XP or 2000. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc, and then click Transfer files and settings from another computer.
- Read the welcome screen, and then click Next to continue.
- Click Start a new transfer.
- Click My old computer.
- Click the option for the way you want to transfer the files and settings, select or specify the related options you want for the transfer method, and then click Next to continue.
- Click an option to specify the way you want to transfer your data, and then click Next to continue.
- Click Transfer.
- On the new Windows Vista computer, click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Windows Easy Transfer.
You can also double-click the Transfer files and settings icon in the Welcome Center window.
- Read the welcome screen, and then click Next to continue.
- Click Continue a transfer in progress.
- Click the option for the way you transferred the files and settings, select or specify the related options you want for the transfer method, and then click Next to continue.
- Click an option to specify the location of the files and settings, and then click Next to continue.
- Click Transfer.
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate provides additional programs, services, and premium content you can download from the Web. You can find out more about the available resources provided by Windows Ultimate Extras and download the extras you want using Windows Update. A section of the Windows Update window provides a list of currently available extras you can download and install on your computer.
- Click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Extras and Upgrades, and then click Windows Ultimate Extras.
The Windows Update window opens.
- If prompted to install Windows Update software, click Yes.
- To find out more about Windows Ultimate Extras, click Learn about Windows Ultimate Extras to access the Microsoft Web site.
- If necessary, click Check for updates, and then wait for the update scan to complete.
- If Ultimate Extras are available, click View available updates.
- Select the check boxes for the Ultimate Extras you want to install.
- Click Install.
- If prompted, follow any additional installation instructions.
- If prompted, click OK to restart your computer, and then turn on Automatic Updates.
- Click the Close button, if necessary.
Microsoft Windows Live (New!) is a set of online services that allows you to stay informed, connected, and protected using specialized Web tools for Windows Vista. Windows Live provides information tools, such as Live Search, Live.com, and Windows Live Toolbar to help you find the information you need, and provide a personalized search portal and easy access toolbar. In addition, Windows Live provides communication tools, such as Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Writer, Windows Live Messenger, and Windows Live Spaces to help you send and receive messages and create your own blogs. If you need help making sure your computer is secure, you can subscribe to Windows Live OneCare and let Microsoft do the job for you.
- Click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Welcome Center.
The Welcome Center window opens.
- Double-click the Go online to learn about Windows Live icon.
Your Web browser opens, displaying the Windows Live Web site.
- Read about Windows Live.
- Click links (Connected, Shared, Protected, or Informed) at the top of the page to find out more about Windows Live.
- To install Windows Live, click Get it now, and follow the online instructions.
- When you’re done, click the Close button.
After you install Microsoft Windows Live (New!), you can access Windows Live Home and the other communications tools, such as Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Writer, Windows Live Messenger, and Windows Live Spaces, from the Start menu. Windows Live Home is a personalized portal to access Windows Live online services, which also displays the Windows Live Toolbar in your Web browser. If Internet safety is important to you as a parent, you can use Family Safety in connection with Windows Live OneCare to control your children’s use.
- Click the Start button, point to All Programs, click Windows Live, and then click Windows Live Home.
Your browser opens, displaying the Windows Live Home Web site.
- Use links on the home page or the Windows Live Toolbar to access the available features; the common buttons include:
Windows Live Home. Displays the Home page or other options.
Windows Live Gallery. Customize Windows and Windows Live with buttons, gadgets and more.
Windows Live Favorites. Manage and synchronize favorites.
Windows Live Writer. Blog pages and make posts.
Windows Live Mail. Use Hotmail with different accounts to send and receive mail.
Windows Live Spaces. Customize your Web space and share information.
Windows Live Toolbar. Changes Toolbar options.
- When you’re done, click the Close button.
