Microsoft KB Archive/931226

= How to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista by using the upgrade version of Windows Vista =

Article ID: 931226

Article Last Modified on 7/31/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to upgrade from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows Vista by using the upgrade version of Windows Vista.

Note Before you perform the upgrade, we recommend that you prepare for the upgrade by following these steps:
 * Check the status of the Windows XP-based computer.
 * Back up important files.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

931225 How to prepare to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista



MORE INFORMATION
To upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, follow these steps.

Note During the upgrade, you can click the left arrow in the upper-left corner of the Setup program window to go back to the earlier step. If the left arrow is disabled, you cannot go back to the earlier step. If you want to start the upgrade from the beginning, click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the Setup program window to cancel the upgrade.  Start the Windows XP-based computer, and then log on to the computer. Insert the Windows Vista DVD into the DVD drive. Wait a moment for the Setup program to start automatically. When the Setup program starts, click Install now.

Note If the Setup program does not start automatically, follow these steps:  Click Start, click Run, type :\setup.exe, and then click OK.

Note In this step,  specifies the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive. Click Install now.  On the Get important updates for installation page, click Go online to get the latest updates for installation.

Note The computer must be connected to the Internet. You may receive an error message that resembles the following:

Cannot connect to the Internet.

To get updates, your computer must be connected to the Internet.

Do you want to try getting updates again or continue installing without updates?

If you receive this error message, determine whether the computer is connected to the Internet, and then click Try again. Or, click Continue, and then click Do not get the latest updates for installation to continue the upgrade. You can continue the upgrade even if you click Do not get the latest updates for installation. However, we recommend that you run Windows Update after you finish the upgrade.</li> Type the product key, and then click Next.

Note You do not have to type the hyphen character (-) in the product key. Type only the alphanumeric characters. If you click Next without typing the product key, and then you continue the installation, the license may not be validated after you finish the installation. Make sure that you type the product key. If you purchase a package version of Windows Vista, the product key is written on the box inside the package.</li> Read the license terms, click to select the I accept the license terms check box, and then click Next.</li> In the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade.

Note If the Upgrade option is turned off, follow the instructions at the bottom of the Web page.</li> The Setup program automatically runs a compatibility check to determine whether the computer hardware and software will run correctly in Windows Vista. If the Setup program detects hardware or software that is incompatible with Windows Vista, a compatibility report is shown. Click Click here for more information in the report, and then note the hardware or software that is incompatible with Windows Vista. If you do not require the hardware or software that is incompatible with Windows Vista, click Next to continue the upgrade. If you want to use hardware or software that is incompatible with Windows Vista, close the Setup program to cancel the upgrade. Then, upgrade to a Windows XP version that is compatible with Windows Vista.

To determine whether the version of Windows XP on the computer can be upgraded to Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx

Additionally, you can use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to help determine which edition of Windows Vista you can install. For more information about the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

</li> The Setup program automatically copies files from the Windows Vista DVD to the computer hard disk. During this process, the computer restarts several times.</li> When the Help protect Windows automatically page appears, click Use recommended settings to increase computer safety and to make the computer easy to use.</li> Verify that the time zone, the date, and the time on the computer are correct, and then click Next.</li> Click one of the following locations where the computer must be used: <ul> Home</li> Work</li> Public location</li></ul>

If you want to use the computer in a variety of locations, click Public location.</li> Click Start so that the Setup program automatically checks the computer performance. After the computer performance is completed successfully, Windows Vista starts.</li> When the Windows Vista splash screen appears, remove the DVD from the DVD drive to finish the upgrade.</li></ol>

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