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When you install the new version of Windows, you can keep an older version of Windows on
your computer. This is often called a multiboot or dual-boot configuration.

Before you begin: Make sure that your hard disk has a separate partition for each operating
system that you want to install, or that your computer has multiple hard disks. Otherwise, you
will either have to reformat and repartition your hard disk or install the new operating system on
a separate hard disk. Also, make sure that the partition or disk where you plan to install the new
version of Windows is formatted with the NTFS file system. To create and format a partition, see
Create and format a hard disk partition.

  

Reformatting and repartitioning your hard disk deletes all information on that disk. If you are
running a previous version of Windows and want to partition your hard disk without reformatting
it, use disk partitioning software, which is available from various manufacturers. Some disk
partitioning software allows you to keep your information. If you¶re already running the most
recent version of Windows and want to partition your hard disk, see Can I repartition my hard
disk? Before installing Windows, be sure to disable all antivirus software and back up your files
to an external hard disk, a CD or DVD, a USB flash drive, or a network folder.

1.Y Turn on the computer running your current edition of Windows, and then insert the
installation disc into the computer's CD or DVD drive.
2.Y On the Install Windows menu, click Install now.
3.Y 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 must be connected to the Internet to receive installation updates.
This page might not appear if your computer is not connected to the Internet.
4.Y On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type
your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
5.Y On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept
the license terms.
6.Y On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
7.Y On the Where do you want to install Windows page, select the partition or disk where
you want to install the new Windows operating system.
8.Y Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
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aY To set up a multiboot configuration on a computer that does not yet have an operating
system, partition the hard disk so each operating system you want to install has a partition,
and begin by installing the oldest operating system first.
aY Any programs and drivers that you want to use must be installed on each operating
system that you want to use them in.

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In this article you will find instructions for:

aY 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.
aY Installing a new, or clean, version of Windows when:
?Y You want to replace your current operating system.
?Y 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.
?Y You have a computer with no operating system installed.
aY 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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For more information about whether you should upgrade or perform a clean installation, go to
Upgrade paths from previous versions of Windows on the Microsoft website.

During the installation process, you will need:

aY Your Windows installation disc (DVD or CD).

aY Your Windows product key (25 characters). You can find your product key on your
computer or on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package. A product key
sticker looks similar to this:

Windows product key sticker

Go online to see other stickers.

 aY The name of your computer. You will need to provide this if your computer is currently
connected to a network. If you're using Windows XP, here's how to find your computer
name:
?Y Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

The computer name is displayed on the Computer Name tab.

You will also need to decide whether to install a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows Vista. For
help deciding, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.

For more information about installing and upgrading 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, go
to Installation choices for Windows Vista (32-bit) or Installation choices for Windows Vista (64-
bit) online.

  

Before installing Windows, be sure to disable all antivirus software and back up your files to an
external hard disk, a DVD or CD, a USB flash drive, or a network folder.

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When you upgrade to Windows Vista, you keep your files, settings, and programs from your
current version of Windows.

Important: Use the following procedure only when upgrading from a 32-bit version of
Windows XP to a 32-bit version of Windows Vista.

Before you upgrade:

aY Check your hardware compatibility. Go to the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor on the
Microsoft website. Alternatively, you can run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
during the upgrade by clicking Check compatibility online on the Install Windows page.
aY Make sure you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed before you upgrade a
computer running Windows XP to Windows Vista. If you're using Windows XP, here's
how to see if your computer is running Windows XP Service Pack 2:
?Y Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

On the General tab, verify that Service Pack 2 appears in the System area.

aY If Windows XP Service Pack 2 is not installed, you must install it before you upgrade to
Windows Vista. To get Windows XP Service Pack 2, go to Windows Update online.
  

If you have an upgrade copy of the 32-bit version of Windows Vista, you must start Windows
installation while running your existing version of Windows.

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aY If you are using a fingerprint reader or other biometric device to log on to your computer,
make sure you write down your password before upgrading. You must log on by typing
your user name and password the first time that you use Windows after upgrading.
aY For detailed information about upgrading from language versions of Windows XP to
Windows Vista, go to You cannot upgrade certain language versions of Windows XP to
Windows Vista online.

1.Y Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer's DVD or CD drive. You must
start Windows installation while running your existing version of Windows.
2.Y On the Install Windows page, click Install now.

Install Windows page

3.Y 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 installation updates.
4.Y On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type
your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
5.Y On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept
the license terms.
 6.Y On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade to begin the upgrade.
You might see a compatibility report.

Which type of
installation do you want? page

7.Y Follow the instructions.

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After installing Windows, don't forget to enable existing, or install new, antivirus software.

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You can use the following procedure when performing a clean installation of a 32-bit or 64-bit
version of Windows Vista.

When you perform a clean installation, 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 and restore backed-up files when the installation
is done. For information about how to restore your files after a clean installation, go to How to
restore your personal files after you perform a custom installation online.

Perform a clean installation if your computer has no operating system installed, or you want to
delete your current operating system and replace it with Windows Vista, or you want to partition
your hard disk and install Windows Vista on a specific partition.
Before you install Windows, check your hardware compatibility. Go to the Windows Vista
Upgrade Advisor on the Microsoft website. Alternatively, you can run the Windows Vista
Upgrade Advisor during installation by clicking Check compatibility online on the Install
Windows page. If you start the installation from the installation disc, this link to the
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor does not appear on the Install Windows page.

= 

You cannot install an upgrade copy of Windows Vista on a partition unless a copy of
Windows 2000 or Windows XP is already installed on that partition. Depending on which
version if Windows you are upgrading to and from, you might have to perform a clean
installation.

1.Y Turn on your computer, insert the Windows installation disc into the computer's DVD or
CD drive, and then do one of the following:
?Y If your computer already has an operating system installed, and if you do not want
to create, extend, delete, or format partitions, go to step 2.
?Y If your computer does not have an operating system installed or if you want to
create, extend, delete, or format partitions, you need to restart your computer with
the installation disc inserted in your CD or DVD drive. This will cause your
computer to start (or "boot") from the installation CD or DVD. If you are asked to
press a key to boot from DVD or CD, press any key. If the Install Windows page
appears, go to step 2.

If the Install Windows page does not appear 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). To
learn how to do this, see Start Windows from a CD or DVD. After you select your
DVD or CD drive as the startup device, restart your computer, and then start
Windows from the installation DVD or CD as previously described.

2.Y On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that are displayed, and then click
Install now.
3.Y 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 installation updates.
4.Y On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type
your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.

= 
 If you have an upgrade copy of a 32-bit version of Windows Vista, you will see a
message telling you to restart your computer and start Windows installation from within
your existing operating system.

5.Y On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept
the license terms.
6.Y On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.

= 

After you click Custom, if you have an upgrade copy of a 64-bit version of
Windows Vista and do not have a version of Windows that can be upgraded, the
installation cannot continue. You will need to install a copy of Windows 2000 or
Windows XP to proceed with this installation method.

7.Y On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select where you want to install
Windows.
?Y If you don't partition your hard disk, click Next. The installation will start
automatically. You might see a compatibility report that lists which programs and
software drivers won't work after the installation. You can resolve any issues after
the installation is complete.
?Y If you have an existing partition and want to have more than one operating system
on the same computer, you can install Windows on a specific partition. (This is
called a dual-boot or multiboot configuration.) If you do this, be sure to install
Windows on a different partition from the partition where your current version of
Windows is installed. To install Windows on an existing partition, select the
partition you want to use, and then click Next to begin the installation. You might
see a compatibility report.
?Y If you want to create, extend, delete, or format a partition, you must start
Windows from the installation DVD or CD. If you did not begin the installation
process this way, follow the instructions for starting Windows from the
installation DVD or CD that appear in the first step of this procedure, and then
follow the instructions on each screen. On the Where do you want to install
Windows? page, click Drive options (advanced), click the option you want, and
then follow the instructions. Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a
compatibility report.
8.Y Follow the instructions.

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Be sure to enable existing, or install new, antivirus software after the installation is complete.
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If you want to reinstall Windows Vista by performing a clean installation²possibly to restore

the default Windows settings²here's how to do it. (If you're having a problem with Windows,
first see What to do if Windows won't start correctly, which explains how to use the Windows
installation disc to fix problems without completely reinstalling Windows.)

  

Back up your files before you begin reinstalling Windows, even if you're reinstalling Windows
on a hard disk partition. A clean installation replaces the current version of Windows and all
personal files.

1.Y Turn on your computer and insert the Windows Vista DVD or CD.
2.Y On the Install Windows page, follow any instructions that might appear, and then click
Install now.
3.Y 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 installation updates.
4.Y On the Type your product key for activation page, we strongly recommend that you type
your 25-character product key to help avoid problems during activation.
5.Y On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept
the license terms.
6.Y Follow the instructions on each page. On the Which type of installation do you want?
page, click Custom.
7.Y On the Where do you want to install Windows? page, select the partition where you want
to install Windows.
8.Y Click Next to begin the installation. You might see a compatibility report.
9.Y Follow the instructions.

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Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes support for new types of hardware and emerging
hardware standards and includes all of the updates that have been released since SP1. For more
information, see What's included in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2).
 


The recommended (and easiest) way to get SP2 is to turn on automatic updating in Windows
Update in Control Panel, and wait for Windows Vista to notify you that SP2 is ready to install.
You just need a few clicks to begin the installation and the rest of the process is automatic.

In order to install SP2, you must first have Windows Vista Service Pack 1 installed. For more
information, see Learn how to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).

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aY Click the Start button , right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

If Service Pack 2 is listed in the Windows edition section, SP2 is already installed on
your computer and you don't need to follow the instructions below.