Windows Vista
Windows Vista was introduced in 2006 as the successor to Windows XP. Compared with the XP installation procedure, Vista installation is much faster, simpler process. Once started, you should have yourself a clean install of Windows Vista in about an hour.
DVD Boot
Purchase a copy of Windows Vista from any licensed retail store. They come in multiple flavors, but this guide will be universal to all Vista versions. Turn your PC on, and when the Bios screen appears, press either F2, F10 or F12 to be brought to the boot options. Insert the Installation DVD into your DVD drive, and press any key to boot from the disc. You will be presented with two different progress bars followed by the screen provided. Choose the appropriate language, time, currency and keyboard formats. Press the "Next" button, followed by the 'Install' button.
Product Key
When asked, enter your Vista product key, which is located in your Vista package that you purchased. Click the "Next" button. Click on the "I accept the license terms" bullet and click "Next" again. On the next screen, select "Custom (advanced)" option to do a clean install, which will erase your hard drive and install a "clean" Vista. You will be presented with the screen provided, which presents your hard drive options. Select which hard drive you want Vista installed onto, and select "Drive Options", circled in red. Select "Format", which will erase and format your hard drive of choice. Click the "Next" button.
Start the Installation
Vista will begin installing, which will take between 15 and 70 minutes depending on your system. Your computer will reboot a number of times, so do not be alarmed. You will eventually be presented with the screen provided. Here you can create your user account and password if you want one. Click the "Next" button. On the next screen you can name your PC followed by a Windows update configuration. Select "Use recommended options". This will install necessary updates when you connect to your network. Click the "Next" button. Here select your time zone, time and date, and click "Next". If you connected to the Internet already, the next screen will ask you if this is a "Home, Work or Public" location. Select the appropriate button. You will be presented with the screen provided where you can select the "Start" button.
Success
Your system will start, but first will judge your computer's performance so it can tweak a few settings automatically. After a few minutes, you will be greeted by a login screen if you created a password. If you did not create a password, you will be presented with the screen provided.
