Datasheet

Preparing to Install Windows Vista

Clean Install or Upgrade?

Once you’ve determined that your hardware meets the minimum requirements, you need to

decide whether you want to do an upgrade or a clean install.

An upgrade allows you to retain your existing operating system’s applications, settings, and

files. If you currently have a computer with Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Pro-

fessional, you are eligible to purchase an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. However, you must

perform a clean install with Windows 2000 Professional.

You can perform an upgrade if the following conditions are true:



You are running Windows XP.



You want to keep your existing applications and preferences.



You want to preserve any local users and groups you’ve created.

You must perform a clean install if any of the following conditions are true:



There is no operating system currently installed.

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You have an operating system installed that does not support an in-place upgrade to

Windows Vista (such as DOS, Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows Me, or Windows

2000 Professional).



You want to start from scratch, without keeping any existing preferences.



You want to be able to dual-boot between Windows Vista and your previous operating

system.

Only certain versions of Windows will allow an in-place upgrade to Windows Vista.

Generally, if the Windows Vista installation would cause your existing installation to lose

functionality, a clean install must occur. Table 1.2 shows the operating systems that can be

upgraded to each edition of Windows Vista.

TABLE 1.2 Windows Vista Upgrade Options

Home Basic

Home

Premium Business Ultimate

Windows 2000 Professional No No No No

Windows XP Home Yes Yes Yes Yes

Windows XP Media Center No Yes No Yes

Windows XP Professional No No Yes Yes

Windows XP Tablet PC No No Yes Yes

Windows XP Professional x64 No No No No

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