Want the cool new interface and all the cutting-edge features that Windows Vista offers? Well, before you run out and buy the software for your existing PC, you need to ensure your system will support it!
Here's The Steps:
1. Use Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
The first thing to do when thinking about upgrading one of your Windows XP PCs to Windows Vista is to evaluate your PC and its system components to ensure it can be upgraded. Although you can manually review and evaluate your PC against the requirements and recommendations for Vista, as discussed in the next sections, you can make the whole process easier by simply using the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is a blessing for beginners.
If you find that the location of the Upgrade Advisor has changed from the address given, you can visit the Microsoft Windows main website (www.microsoft.com/windows), browse to the Windows Vista section, and find a link to the Upgrade Advisor.
2. Check the System Requirements and Recommendations
In case you can't get the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to work properly on your PC or you want to take a quick look at what it takes to run Windows Vista, this section covers the system requirements and recommendations. In addition, you can refer to the next several sections on how to manually check the specs of the different system components on your PC.
First, you can take a look at the bare-minimum system requirements to install and run Windows Vista:
- 800MHz processor
- 512MB of memory (RAM)
- 20GB hard drive with at least 15GB of available space
- Support for Super VGA graphics
- CD-ROM drive
It's important to keep in mind that you won't experience very good performance and won't be able to use many of the neat new features of Vista if running on a system just meeting the bare-minimum requirements. Therefore, you might want to only install and use Windows Vista on a system exceeding the recommended system requirements.
2. Verify Audio Card
Because Microsoft doesn't offer many up-front details on the requirements for the audio component, you can either wait until you install Windows Vista to see if the audio works or you can check ahead of time on the Microsoft list of supported components at the following website: http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/
Of course, I recommend that you check first so that you know what to expect when you install Vista.
Of course, I recommend that you check first so that you know what to expect when you install Vista.
3. Check PC Peripherals and Accessories
Whether you are upgrading an existing PC or you're planning to purchase a new system preloaded with Vista, you should check that your accessories and/or peripherals (such as printers, scanners, network adapters, and music players) will work with Windows Vista.
First, you can check the Microsoft list of supported components at the following website: http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/
If you can't find your component on the Microsoft list, you can check with the manufacturer/vendor, as some might supply alternative drivers that will work with Windows Vista. Go to the manufacturer's/vendor's website and find the support /download section to search for the device driver.
4. Verify Software Applications Are Vista Compatible
Whether you are upgrading an existing PC or you're planning to purchase a new system preloaded with Vista, you should check that your software applications will be supported with Windows Vista.
You can reference the following lists that Microsoft supplies to see if your applications are supported:
Certified for Windows Vista:
https://winqual.microsoft.com/member/softwarelogo/certifiedlist.aspx
Works with Windows Vista:
https://winqual.microsoft.com/member/softwarelogo/workswithlist.aspx
If the application isn't listed, you can also check the publisher's/vendor's website for information on the product's Windows compatibility before giving up.
5. Move to a New PC Preloaded with Windows Vista
Although buying a new PC system loaded with Windows Vista might have saved you time, you'll probably still need to transfer your files and documents from your old PC to the new one and install your desired software applications.
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