How to Install Microsoft Vista Operating System

Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest operating system software available on the internet since Microsoft XP and the many variations of the program. It is much the same with Vista. Microsoft Vista offers approximately five different versions yet all will install exactly the same way.

It is important to run the Microsoft Vista Advisor prior to installation to ensure your computer hardware and software will be able to handle the system requirements. The Advisor program also informs the possible consumer if there is something that does not work well with Vista, it may have a fix or a work-around that will allow you to use the program anyhow with a bit of tweaking or a simple firmware upgrade.

Once you run the Vista Advisor and it says your computer is compatible to install the program, it is time to begin backing up your files. Anything can go wrong with an upgrade installation or a full installation. It is always best to provide a full installation to avoid any conflicts with previous software operating systems and the build of the programs. Back up your files using floppy drives, CD-burners, or even DVD-burners but back it up because once it is gone, it is gone.

Once everything you need is put away somewhere safe, it is time to begin your new adventure into the world of MS Vista. Place the installation disk into the CD/DVD drive. It is important to have a drive that can read DVD since Vista comes on a DVD disk. The program should start automatically. It will go through a various set of stages of checking your computer again for any problems although if you ran the advisor program correctly, it will not find anything to give any concerns.

The installation will take approximately an hour, give or take. This depends on the speed of your hard drive(s), processor, and ram. The program will ask if you wish to upgrade or do a full install. Again, it is my recommendation to do a full install. Since you have backups of all your work, this should be a safe bet; however, keep in mind if you purchase an OEM full install Vista software, it is required that you do a full install. The same is true of an upgrade except with upgrades you will need a copy of your previous licensed operating system such as Windows XP Home, XP Media, or XP Pro in order to do a full install.

Since we will be going with a full install, let the program run until it asks if you wish to do a full install or upgrade. Choose full install. The computer program will remind you that with a full install, it will completely wipe the hard drive clean. This means there will be no data on the hard drive including drivers. Tell the program yes and let it continue. A short while into the installation process, the program will ask for the installation key located on the back of your disk. Enter the key into the provided area and allow the program to continue. Normally, the process can complete without any input from the user so it is safe to walk away and allow the program to run until it completes.

Once you have a full copy of Microsoft Vista installed on your fresh hard drive, it is time to begin learning the program, what it can and cannot do, how to work the various controls, and realize the differences between your previous operating system and this one. The differences are major in some areas yet minor in others. The interface graphics are new as is the ability to install or uninstall software. One must give the computer permission each time to set new hardware drivers. Most will pop in automatically but if one happens to have a problem with drivers, go to the control panel as you did before to the hardware devices to upgrade the drivers. In order to find a control panel that appears much like that of XP, you will need to switch the view from the Vista version to Classic. Classic view is not exactly as it was in XP but it is as close as one can get. Find your system hardware, locate any hardware with problems, and allow it to update drivers. This should be possible immediately and directly from the internet since Vista appears to configure to the network automatically. My copy of installation did and it was a full version.

As soon as everything is running smoothly and you figured out where everything is and how it works, begin installing your software but only as long as the Vista Advisor program claimed it was compatible. If it is not compatible, then you need to check into the manufacturer's website to find out if there are upgrades or workarounds. Nero's program burning software offers an enhanced upgrade for Vista users at no charge. Perhaps other companies will provide similar adaptations.

As soon as your other software programs and document files are back on the computer and completely running smoothly, you can sit back and relax as you work out the new sidebar toys and other additions available to new Vista users.

One downside I found was the fact one has to verify everything through committee before it will install, uninstall, or access specific areas of the program. The second odd thing is that it appears as if it takes Vista forever to shut down and restart. I feel as if I am waiting forever for the program to come back up again. This is a bit annoying. I hope to find a service pack, update, or perhaps another way of streamlining this process because it drives me up the wall. One other bit of news, make sure to find an anti-virus program that will work with Vista. The software will nag you to death until you find something resembling an anti-virus program. Vista Ultimate includes a malware/spyware program built into the program as well as the firewall similar to what is available in the XP series. The anti-virus requirement can tend to make you believe the program is a bit anal about installation. It wants the install right now without waiting for you to find what you might like, purchase it, and then install it without the program bickering like an old lady.

That is the spin on installing Microsoft Vista. Well, it is the spin on my personal experiences installing Microsoft Vista Ultimate. As finicky as this program can be, again, I highly recommend a full install if at all possible. It helps to clean out a computer's hard drive ever so often anyhow and reinstall the operating system fresh from scratch. The longer an operating system runs without major techie experience, the slower the program tends to run and the more space it tends to take over that the user could have available for other things.