Move up from Windows XP Home Edition to Vista Home Premium

Upgrade From Windows XP Home Edition to Vista Home Premium

 If you have Windows XP the easiest solution will be for you to make the move to Vista Home Premium Edition. 

  Welcome traveler to our, it only seems endless, hubs on everything Vista.  When we decided to buy a brand new system with Vista Ultimate Preloaded and then Vista Enterprise for my back up computer, it wasn’t to write a series of articles on Vista.  But after reviewing the operating system and all its features and capabilities, we realised the complexity and difference between Microsoft’s previous operating systems and Vista were significant and we could provide users with information on Vista that would certainly save them time.  Ultimately this is why we have decided to write these hubs, and we hope the information provided helps you.  Happy hubbing!

 

  If you currently use Windows XP on your home computer, like my brother, the most rational upgrade route to Windows Vista for you will be via Vista Home Premium Edition.  And, the easiest way to get upgraded is to install the upgraded version of Vista Home Premium over your existing version of Windows XP Home.

 

  The process of upgrading a computer’s operating system to Vista means a little groundwork, but if you take the following steps, your path to Vista heaven should be a painless experience.  Let’s assume your PC will efficiently allow Vista Home Premium to operate without Murphy having too much to say about it (read our previous hubs on Vista for specifics on what you need to allow Vista to operate efficiently).

 

  First, as we stated in previous hubs, you need to do a few things before installing Vista, a reminder is in order we think.  Make sure all your drivers are up to date with the latest Vista compatible versions, and don’t forget to back up all your important files.  Most operating system upgrades go off without many complications, but occasionally a bungled set up results in the loss of someone’s critical files.

 

  If you’re really worried about your prowess with handling the process of transferring your files, we suggest you check out our hub on Windows Easy Transfer wizard.  This tool will help you accomplish the task easily; just make sure to follow our instructions on how to make the transfer carefully.

 

   Ready to start the installation of your new operating system, here we go then.  Begin by inserting your Vista installation DVD into your computer’s DVD drive.  Once the computer recognizes the disc the Install Windows screen will mystically appear for you.

 

  The initial move in the installation routine presents two choices for the user; Check For Compatibility Online or Install Now.  Click Install Now to begin the installation, unless you haven’t checked your system for Vista compatibility yet or wish to check is one more time.

 

  Windows will take a couple minutes to set up your system for the installation, but eventually a screen will appear offering you the opportunity to download the latest updates before beginning the installation by clicking the Go Online To Get The Latest Updates For Installation link.

 

  Don’t forget, however, that once beginning using Vista, if you have set if to automatically download updates from the Microsoft download site (www.microsoft.com/downloads), the latest updates will load onto your system.  Well if you’re ready to install Vista without anymore fan-fair, click the Do Not Get The Latest Updates For Installation link to continue to the installation.

 

  When the next screen appears, just enter the product key found inside your Windows package into the Product Key textbox and a magical genie will appear from the top of the computer in a cloud of smoke…  You also have the choice at this time of not entering the product key, but unless you think somebody has set your computer to explode if you do, it’s best to enter the product key when requested by the prompter.

 

  The installation should present you with a license agreement for Vista, next, just click the I Accept The License Terms checkbox (and you have sold your soul to Microsoft once again…) and then click Next to continue to the next screen.

 

  When the next screen appears the Vista installation program should ask you to choose between an Upgrade installation and a Custom (Advanced, well talk about this in later hubs) installation.  The upgrade install will maintain all your files, settings, and programs and simply upgrades Windows to Vista’s new specifications.

 

  While the Custom installation allows the user to install a fresh copy of Windows by giving them the choice to remove the active partition of data and install Windows to it.  You can also select the partition where you want to install Windows or make changes to your disks and/or current partitions.  If you want to upgrade from Windows XP Home version to Vista without the clean install, just click the handy Upgrade link provided.

 

  The next move generates a Compatibility Report, the final check for potential problems before installation commences.  If concerns are located, the installation program displays a caution advising you of the problem, along with a handy link for more details.  More information can be gained from the report by just clicking the Click Here For More Information link, and Windows will display a list of hardware devices or applications that may not be suitable for Vista system requirements.

 

  If the list of possible hardware devices not up to snuff appears to be long, you might want to consider abandoning the installation at this point.  Resolve the issues, if you need a RAM memory upgrade or video card upgrade read our hubs on how to accomplish this magic, and then come back later and do the installation when updates your system might require are completed.  If the list is small, none existent, or your don’t care about its length, just click the Next button to continue to Vista heaven, to begin installation.

 

  The Vista installation should begin now, but beware during the next part the program often moves at turtle speed.  The next five steps the program will complete are Copying Windows Files, Gathering Files, Expanding Files, Installing Features And Updates, and Completing Upgrade; we suggest getting a coffee during this time.

 

  After the Completing Upgrades step, the system will automatically reboot, time for another coffee.  After this a screen saying, “Please wait a moment while Windows prepares to start for the first time”.  Once the system restarts, you will be returned to the installation program where Vista tells you it is Completing Upgrade.  These steps take time, so be patient and let things finish and the next screen to appear before doing anything.  When it is finished this step Windows will reboot.

 

  The next step in the process request that you create an administrator account for Vista, complete with your choice of available icons to identify your account, click Next to continue.  When the next screen appears you’ll need to enter a name for your computer and choose a background for your Desktop.  Provide a name and then click Next to move to the Help Protect Windows Automatically screen where you are given three doors to choose from.  Use Recommended Settings, Install Important Updates Only, and Ask Me Late.  To fully automate your computer’s security and automatic updates protections, click the Use Recommended Settings button.

 

  The next few screens allow you to choose your time and date settings and select your computer’s location (The choices are Home, Work, or Public Location).  After a millennium, you will come to a Thank You screen, where you click the Start button to launch Vista for your first visit to computing heaven, okay to try out Vista new features and capabilities.  At this time, the install program performs one final system check and launches the login screen.  Just login to your account and a welcome screen will appear, followed by another screen informing you that Windows is preparing your Desktop.  Wait a few minutes, your Desktop will magically appear (be prepared to wait for a few extra minutes to load all your personalized settings).

 

Once the Desktop appears, Windows will briefly download updates and launch the Welcome Center, where you can view details about your system, add new user accounts, learn more about Vista and much more.

 

Getting back to Windows XP Home from Vista Home Premium

 

Returning your Vista system back to Windows XP Home, there aren’t many options available for you, so make sure moving from XP to Vista is what you want, we suggest you read all our hubs on everything Vista first.  But in a nut-shell (per Microsoft Knowledge Base article 933170), returning to Windows XP means backing up all your important files and then doing a clean XP Home installation.  The best way to do this is to boot your system from your Windows XP Home install disc, reformat the partition containing Vista, and then install Windows XP.

 

  Well that’s it for another hub on everything Vista; hopefully this hub helped you complete the move painlessly.  Join us again next time as we will be discussing upgrading Windows XP Media Center Edition to Vista, until then traveler, happy hubbing!

 

 

 

 

~ by warrenhayashi on October 13, 2007.