Installation choices for consumer versions
This article discusses the installation choices for consumer versions of Windows Vista. This article does not include information about Windows Vista Starter, about Windows Vista Enterprise, or about versions of Windows Vista that you install by using Microsoft Volume Licensing. The method that you use to install Windows Vista depends on the answers to the following questions: Do you have an upgrade license of Windows Vista or a full product license? Does the version of Windows that is installed support an upgrade to the version that you purchased? Do you want to preserve your personal files, settings, and programs? Or do you prefer to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista?

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Installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions
This article discusses the installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista. This article does not include information about Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Enterprise, or versions of Windows Vista that you install by using Microsoft Volume Licensing. The method that you use to install a 64-bit bit version of Windows Vista depends on the answers to the following questions: Is your current operating system 32-bit or 64-bit? See the definition of a 64-bit operating system in the "General information about how to install the 64-bit version of Windows Vista" section for more information. Do you have an upgrade license for Windows Vista or a full product license? This is described on the Retail box cover and on an online sales receipt. Does the version of Windows Vista that you purchased support an upgrade for the version of the operating system that is currently installed? Do you want to preserve your personal files, settings and programs? Or do you prefer to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista?

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Troubleshoot error messages while upgrading
This article contains a list of Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that you can use to help troubleshoot issues that you may experience when you try to upgrade the current version of Windows to Windows Vista. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor scans the computer and creates a report of all known system, device, and program compatibility issues that may exist. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor also lists recommendations about how to resolve any compatibility issues that may exist. Additionally, you can use the report that the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor generates to help select the edition of Windows Vista that best suits the way that you want to use the computer.

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Get Windows Vista: Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor will help you to determine if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista. You can also use the Upgrade Advisor to determine if your Windows Vista-based PC is ready for an upgrade to a more powerful edition of Windows Vista.

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Give Windows a visual makeover
In this video you'll learn about Windows Themes, Aero Glass, and how to restyle your desktop. (If you have Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Starter, not all of these features will be available.)

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Change desktop theme
Windows Vista includes two themes: Windows Vista and Windows Classic, which is similar to the look and feel of earlier versions of Windows. Each person who has an account on the computer can choose his or her own theme .

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Find Windows-compatible programs
To find a list of programs that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo, go online to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center. It contains a list of thousands of programs that work with Windows Vista, as well as compatible hardware.

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You cannot upgrade certain language versions of Windows XP to Windows Vista
This article describes the versions of Microsoft Windows XP that you cannot upgrade to Windows Vista because of language pack issues between the two products. This article also describes how to perform a custom installation of Windows Vista to work around this issue.

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Find out if your hardware is compatible with Windows
To find out if your hardware is compatible with Windows Vista, go to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center website. This website contains a comprehensive list of devices that work with Windows Vista. You'll find thousands of hardware products listed here everything from Bluetooth adapters and camcorders to webcams and wireless network cards.

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Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista
This article discusses the installation choices available to you for upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista. How you upgrade depends on your answers to these three questions:

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Installing and reinstalling Windows
In this article you will find instructions for: Upgrading to Windows Vista when you already have a version of Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional on your computer and you want to keep your files, settings, and programs. Installing a new, or clean, version of Windows when: You want to replace your current operating system. You want to install Windows Vista on a separate partition of your hard disk, and you have an operating system on your computer and an available partition. You have a computer with no operating system installed. Reinstalling Windows Vista when you want to restore default Windows settings or when you are having trouble with Windows and need to reinstall it by performing a clean installation.

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Windows Anytime Upgrade: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Windows Anytime Upgrade. What do I have to buy? How much does each edition of Windows Vista cost? Which editions can I upgrade to? Can I go to a website to compare editions and buy an upgrade? How can I upgrade Windows Vista on a computer other than the one that I use to buy the upgrade? How can I upgrade to a different edition of Windows Vista on more than one computer? If a feature of a particular edition of Windows Vista requires specific hardware, how can I find out whether my computer has the necessary hardware? How can I get help with Windows Anytime Upgrade problems?

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Troubleshoot Windows installation problems
Here are solutions to some common problems with installing Windows. I do not have a product key. I get a message saying there is a problem copying files. My computer won't start from the Windows installation disc. My computer stops responding during installation and displays a blue or black screen or a screen that doesn't change. An error message appeared during installation. A program or a device doesn't work since I upgraded to Windows Vista. I need help installing or upgrading to Windows Vista. My computer loses power during installation. My monitor does not display a clear image, or has no image, since I installed Windows. My computer cannot play sound since I installed Windows. I can't upgrade to Windows Vista from my language version of Windows XP. I can't find the answer to my problem in this topic.

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Set up a TV signal in Windows Media Center
Did you know that it's possible to watch and record live TV on your computer? All you need is Windows Media Center a feature included in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate a TV signal, and a compatible TV tuner device.

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Import messages into Windows Mail from Outlook Express
When you upgrade a computer running Windows XP to Windows Vista, Windows automatically imports any messages and contacts you have in Outlook Express to Windows Mail. (Outlook Express has been replaced in Windows Vista by Windows Mail.) If you are not upgrading but want to transfer your Outlook Express messages to a computer running Windows Vista, then you need to transfer the messages manually or use Windows Easy Transfer. If you are just transferring Outlook Express messages (and not all your other files and settings) from a computer running Windows XP, you may find it easier to use the manual method described here.

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Troubleshoot problems with Windows Aero
Windows Aero is the premium visual experience of Windows Vista. It features a transparent glass design with subtle window animations and new window colors. Which editions of Windows Vista include Aero? I have the right edition of Windows Vista, but I'm still not able to run Aero. What should I do? My computer meets the minimum recommendations, but I'm still not getting Windows Aero. Is there anything else I can do? I installed a new video card that meets the requirements for running Aero, but I'm still not getting Aero. Is there anything I can do? Do I need to update my video card driver to run Aero? I'm running Aero on a laptop and can't consistently get Aero glass. Is there anything I can do? Why does Aero occasionally stop working? Can I turn Aero off? How do I get Aero if I am running Windows Server 2008?

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Upgrading from Windows 2000 to Windows Vista
This article discusses the installation choices available to you for upgrading from Windows 2000 to Windows Vista. Here are some things you should know:

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What should I know before adding TV tuners to use with Windows Media Center?
A TV tuner is a device that makes it possible to connect a TV signal to your computer. With Windows Media Center a feature included in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate and a compatible TV tuner, you can watch live TV shows and movies on your computer, and record programs for future viewings.

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Set up Guide listings for use in Windows Media Center
If you have Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, and you have a TV signal connected to your computer, you can use the Guide to keep track of TV listings in Windows Media Center. The Guide is useful for scheduling programs you want to record in Windows Media Center, and for simply browsing through channels to see what's on TV.

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TV signals that are supported by Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center is a feature included in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate that enables you to watch and record live TV on your computer. The TV signals and programming that you can watch and record depend on the following:

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TV on your computer: Understanding TV signals and TV tuners
With Windows Media Center a feature included in Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate; you can watch and record live TV on your computer. All you need is a TV tuner and a TV signal. The following sections describe the kinds of tuners and signals that are available, and what you'll need to connect a TV signal properly.

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Firewall FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about firewalls. What is a firewall?Why do I need a firewall? How can I tell if my computer already has a firewall? How can I tell which version of Windows I'm running? How do I start using the firewall in Windows Vista or Windows XP? How does Windows Firewall work? What else do I need besides a firewall? Should I use a firewall if I have more than one computer in a home or small office network? Should I turn on Windows Firewall on all computers on my home network? My computer is part of a large business, school, or organizational network should I turn on the firewall? I have Windows Vista. Can I use a firewall other than the built in firewall? Should I use both the built in firewall and a software firewall from a different company? Should I use Windows Firewall on a computer that is also behind a hardware firewall? What does Windows Firewall protect against? What doesn't Windows Firewall protect against? Will a firewall protect my wireless network? Some of my games and other programs seem to have stopped working after I turned on Windows Firewall. Why? I am unable to establish a Remote Assistance connection in Windows XP after turning on Windows Firewall, could this be related? Where can I get more information about the Windows Firewall and firewalls in general?

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Using Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center is a feature of Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate that turns your computer into a multimedia powerhouse. You can use Windows Media Center to watch, record, and pause live TV; listen to your entire music collection; view your family pictures and home movies; play games; burn CDs and DVDs; and listen to Internet and FM radio. And if you have a compatible remote control, you can do all of this from across the room. You can even connect your Media Center PC to your TV so the whole family can enjoy the show.

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Finding drivers
What to do when your hardware won't work with Windows Vista I find few things in life more aggravating than when I buy an expensive video card, scanner, or other hardware device, plug it into my computer, and nothing happens. No drivers are automatically installed, the device doesn't function, nothing. Windows Vista is designed to help take away that aggravation.

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Upgrade to another edition of Windows Vista
If you want more features than you currently have in your existing edition of Windows Vista, you can upgrade to another edition. You can either buy an upgrade disc at a retail store or use Windows Anytime Upgrade to buy the upgrade online. How you upgrade depends on your answers to these three question:

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Services in Windows Vista
This paper provides information about changes to Microsoft Windows services for Microsoft Windows Vista. Included in this white paper:

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Changing the display language in Windows Vista
Learn how to change the display language in Windows Vista.

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Adding Custom Autoplay
In the AutoPlay menu, of Windows Vista there is no option to add custom entries of software of your choice, Windows Vista will select them for you, giving you no option of adding your favorite software, but that will not stop us from using our favorite software.

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Windows Vista Basics
Windows Basics topics are designed to introduce you to personal computing and the Windows operating system. Whether you're a beginning computer user or someone with experience using a previous version of Windows, these topics will help you understand the tasks and tools you need to use your computer successfully.

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Getting started with Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is a feature of Windows Vista that enables you to create home movies and slide shows on your computer, complete with professional looking titles, transitions, effects, music, and even narration. And when youre ready, you can use Windows Movie Maker to publish your movie and share it with your friends and family. If you're new to digital video editing or just new to Windows Movie Maker, keep reading for an introduction to the different tools you'll use in Windows Movie Maker and for links to help you learn more .

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What is Windows Aero?
Windows Aero is the premium visual experience of Windows Vista. It features a translucent glass design with subtle window animations and new window colors.

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Managing recorded TV shows in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
If you have Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, as well as a compatible TV tuner device, you can use Windows Media Center to watch and record live TV on your computer. Here are answers to some common questions about managing TV shows that you record in Windows Media Center. How do I change the default storage settings for my recorded programs? How do I delete my recorded TV programs? Why aren't my programs being recorded? What happens when there is no hard disk space available for recording a TV program? How long does Windows Media Center keep my recordings on the hard disk? What happens to programs that are recorded as part of a TV series? How do I cancel recording a series? How can I change recording settings for future recordings? What is copy protection and how does it affect me?

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Networking home computers running different versions of Windows
If you've previously set up a home network using computers running Windows XP, you'll find that setting up a network with a mix of computers running Windows XP and Windows Vista will be similar. There are a few important differences though, and understanding what's different will help you avoid some common problems. This article also covers the settings needed to set up file and printer sharing on your network.

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Play games in Windows Media Center
Windows Vista, together with its media partners, offer on-demand online games that you can play on your Windows Media Center computer. The additional icons that appear in Online Media on the start screen in Windows Media Center vary by country/region.

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Troubleshoot problems with Windows Mail
If you are having trouble configuring your email accounts with Windows Mail, you might consider using Windows Live Mail instead. All you need to do is enter your email address and Windows Live Mail will automatically enter the correct settings for email servers used by many popular email services, including Windows Live Hotmail, Yahoo!, AOL, and Gmail.Windows Live Mail includes the familiar features of Outlook Express, the mail program included in Windows XP, and Windows Mail, the mail program included in Windows Vista:I don't know how to set up Windows Mail for my email account.Here are solutions to some common issues with Windows Mail.I can't receive email.I can receive, but not send, email messages.I can't view or save an attached file.The links don't work in a message I received.I don't understand the difference between Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail, and Outlook Express.I have messages in my Outbox and I don't know how to send or delete them.I can't check spelling in my messages.When I click an email link in my web browser, it opens another email program instead of Windows Mail .

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Desktop basics
If you want to learn your way around Windows Vista, this demo is a good place to start. You'll discover the basics of using the Start menu, the taskbar, the desktop, and Windows Sidebar. These four areas help you access and interact with your programs, files, and folders.

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How to edit videos with movie maker
This video tutorial describes how to create and edit your own movies using Windows Movie Maker which comes for free with Windows Vista.

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How to Extract Files from the Vista Installation DVD
This will show you how to extract original files from the retail Vista installation DVD. You can then use these extracted files to replace missing or corrupted system files in your current Vista installation.

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What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista?
The System Recovery Options menu in this version of Windows contains several tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. You can perform repairs to the files that Windows uses to start itself, perform a restore operation using System Restore, and restore your entire computer and system files using backups that you have made previously. The System Recovery Options menu is on the Windows installation disc. The menu might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has preinstalled recovery options.

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Windows Search Advanced Query Syntax
Once you have Windows Search for Windows Vista or Windows XP, you might be wondering how you can be even more efficient when it comes to finding files and e-mail on your PC. Advanced Query Syntax (AQS) can help you do just that. Using AQS, you can quickly define and narrow your searches for even more targeted results. You can narrow your searches using a variety of keywords, or search parameters, which can restrict your query to specific locations, specific file types or properties within those types, or specific "file kinds." File kinds are displayed at the top of the Windows Search Explorer, accessible by pressing the Windows Logo key + F.

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