Windows Vista is amongst one of the best operating systems developed by Microsoft. It is available in five editions namely, Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise. This operating system offers you the facility to restrict access to inappropriate sites with the use of Parental Controls. Its Windows shell is much different from Windows XP, because it offers a new collection of organization, navigation, and search features.

Features

Windows Vista is integrated with many new and exciting features, which are not available in its predecessors. It had introduced a new way of searching called Instant Search, which is considerably faster and in-detail search feature. Further, it offers the facility to schedule periodic backups of files on your computer, with the backup and restore application. Windows Vista has the feature of importing data from digital cameras, tag and rate individual items, adjust colors and exposure, etc.

Usability

Windows Vista offers you the facility to stay connected with your latest calendar, contacts, and music. You can easily perform custom installation of Windows Vista on a Windows XP-based computer with the following steps:

STEP 1: Start the Windows XP-based computer, and insert the Windows Vista DVD into the DVD drive.

STEP 2: Wait for the Setup program to start automatically and click on "Install now".

STEP 3: Click "Go online to get the latest updates for installation", on the Get important updates for installation page.

STEP 4: On the "Type your product key for activation page", enter the product key, and then click Next.

STEP 5: On the "Please read the license terms page", click to select I accept the license terms check box, and then click Next.

STEP 6: Click on Custom on the "Which type of installation do you want" page.

STEP 7: On the "Where do you want to install Windows page", select the partition where Windows XP is installed, and then click Next.

Note: You will receive a message after you click on Next, stating that folders naming, Windows, Documents and Settings, and Program Files are saved in the Windows.old folder.

STEP 8: If you do not want to choose the partition where Windows XP is installed, select another partition, and then click on Next.

STEP 9: Your computerwill restart multiple times to complete the Windows Vista installation.

STEP 10: After the Windows Vista installation is complete, set the options and click on Next.

STEP 11: Type a user name and a password, choose a picture for the user account, and then click Next.

STEP 12: Type a computer name, choose a desktop background, and then click Next.

STEP 13: On the Help protect Windows automatically page, click to select the Use recommended settings check box.

STEP 14: On the Review your time and date settings page, select the time zone, set the date and time, and then click Next.

STEP 15: Set the location where you will use the computer. In case you want to use the computer in a variety of locations, click on Public location.

STEP 16: On the "Thank you" page, click on Start. When the Windows Vista logon screen appears, remove the DVD from the DVD drive to finish the upgrade process.

It is advisable to install only a genuine edition of Windows Vista on your computer to save it from any kind of technical issue.

Limitations

In case, you are not having proper drivers for Vista, its peripherals will not work, like printer, scanner, etc. Sometimes Windows Media Player will stop giving any response. You may face any problem while working with Windows Mail.

Recommendation

You should install Windows Vista on your PC in order to get benefitted because of its new and exciting features like Windows Aero, Instant Search, etc. But before its installation, you should save your files and documents to a different location.

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