Installing Windows Vista

A start-to-finish, step-by-step guide to properly installing Windows Vista.

Please read through this entire guide before doing anything.

Before Purchasing Vista

You'll see articles/posts/blogs around the web talking about the minimum requirements to run Vista. Microsoft's minimum req's have always been a joke, the general rule of thumb for Geeks has been take the minimum and double it. Note the word MINIMUM, bottom line is the faster machine you have the better Vista will run.

1 - Check Your Hardware and Software

Download and run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor on the computer you intend to install Vista on. This will give you a general idea on what hardware/software will work and the ones you may have problems with.

2 - Which Edition?

Well, here is the page that compares all the features of each version. My recommendation, use Vista Home Premium. You'll be tempted to get "Ultimate" because of the name. I've got Ultimate because I need to test all the features. Ultimate contains the features of Home Premium + Business. That means that for the folks at home it most likely has features you do not need. This leads to more unneeded things running in the background hogging your system resources.

3 - Do I need an Upgrade or Full version?

If you intend on installing Vista on a machine that already has a Windows operating system, and you intend to upgrade (install over it) then get an upgrade version. Otherwise the license requirement says you need a full version. Yes you can do a clean install using an upgrade disk (instructions below). Please note, the Vista license agreement states that if you use an upgrade version then the OS you installed Vista over is no longer valid. This may or may not be a technicality based on your own set of morals. Example, I recently got a new laptop from Dell which came with XP installed and a free upgrade to Vista when available. Since I wanted to dual-boot (run both OS's) XP and Vista I could not legally use the upgrade disk so I had to buy the full version.

(please do not write to me and whine about how expensive Vista is to justify your using an upgrade disk. Vista is not a "must have". Stick with XP or try Linux, it's free.)

Before Installing Vista

*Note to advanced users. For advanced installation you may wish to try vLite.

1 - Download all your drivers.

To find out all the specifics of your computer and its hardware download SIW and run it.

You can get the drivers from the website of the manufacturer of you computer and/or hardware (Google is your friend).

If you cannot find a specific Vista driver for your hardware then download the latest one for XP (it is possible it may work).

Once you've got them all, burn them to a CD and/or a USB drive.

2 - Backup any and everything you may want that is currently installed on the computer. This means to a location other than the computer that Vista is to be installed on. For a few suggestions on how look here.

3 - Optional, Wipe the target installation drive. No self-respecting Geek would ever do an upgrade install to a new OS. If you insist on doing an upgrade then skip this step. I used an Acronis Disk Director boot disk for this but there are other tools available. Please note, I do not recommend using any method other than the installation disk to repartition the drive. I've heard scattered reports of problems using other methods.

4 - Dual or Multi-booting

If you are dual-booting with XP. Be warned, Vista will modify your boot files (that was a hint to backup XP before continuing). Vista works fine dual-booting but modifying the boot manager is a PITA. Fortunately there is a excellent free tool to help you, VistaBootPRO. You can use this from within XP and/or Vista.

If you want to Multi-boot XP, Vista, and Linux. Install XP, then Vista, then Linux. Use Grub for your boot manager and there will be no issues.

Installing Vista

Installing Vista is almost idiot proof. I won't insult you by showing install screens. Pop in the DVD and let'er rip. The few questions you have to answer are straight forward.

If you wish to partition the drive during install make the partition 20GB if you have the space, 12GB if you don't.

(officially they list 20GB with 15GB of free space)

Clean Install ( I recommend using these steps regardless to whether or not you have a full or upgrade disk)

You cannot do a clean install from an upgrade disk. So here is the workaround (initial source here)

1 - Wipe drive/partition

2 - Install Vista, DO NOT ENTER YOUR KEY

3 - On first boot, run install again from within Vista, choose clean install. This time enter key.

4 - DO NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL YOU HAVE TO and PLEASE BACKUP along the way.

First Boot

Uninstall stuff you aren't going to use.

First go to Bleeping Computer - Windows Vista Feature Guide and print out the page (or at least the list).

Go to Start > Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > Turn Windows Features on or off.

Deselect (uncheck) things you don't want. What is available depends on the edition of Vista you have. If you see something listed here that isn't in yor list don't worry. you don't have it. I choose to uninstall:

-Games (all)

-Print Services (all)

-Remote Differential Compression

-Tablet PC Optional Components

-Windows DFS Replication Service

-Windows Fax and Scan

-Windows Meeting Space

Click OK and then reboot if prompted

Install Drivers

tip #1 - To quickly access Device Manager, hit the Windows + R keys and type devmgmt.msc

tip #2 - In Device Manager, if an item has an exclamation icon then it needs a driver.

The order I use to install drivers is:

Chipset

RAID and/or other drivers involving storage

Graphics

Sound

LAN

First Cleanup

Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup > Files from all users on this computer

Choose the drive Vista is installed (usually C)

Check (enable) everything, hit OK.

tip #1 - If you did an upgrade and need files from the previous OS then do not check the box next to Previous Windows installation(s) as this deletes the Windows.old folder.

Setup Advanced Cleanup

Press the Windows & R keys > type cleanmgr /sageset:50 . Ensure there is a space between cleanmgr and / > click OK. In the resulting screen, choose your options by checking the boxes. I choose all but the bottom two. Click OK.  Press the Windows & R keys > type cleanmgr /sagerun:50. You can now use cleanmgr /sagerun:50 any time you like.

tip - this works in Safe Mode too.

Windows Update

Run it

Disable Automatic Activation

Vista will activate itself after 3 days if you didn't check the don't activate box during installation. To stop it from activating itself:

Open regedit (press the Windows + R keys, in the run window type regedit and hit enter). Navigate to the following key,

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SL\Activation

In the right window pane, change the setting Manual to 1.

Registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SL\Activation]
"Manual"=dword:00000001

Backup - Make An Image

I used an Acronis TI Boot Disk

(please note I did not say install a backup program (yet). Both Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost have the ability to make boot disks)

Install Your Programs

***Very important.

If you intend to disable User Access Control (UAC) as I have then you should do this BEFORE YOU INSTALL ANY PROGRAM. Not doing so can lead to problems later.

To Disable UAC:

-Press the Windows + R keys > type msconfig > open the Tools pane.

-Scroll down to Disable UAC and click once on that line.

-Hit the Launch button.

PAY ATTENTION to what you are installing (in other words, don't keep clicking Next). Don't install more than you need. Decide what apps you want to do what. For instance:

I use Winamp Lite (and I use a very basic install for that) as the Default for playing .wav and .mp3 files because it opens faster and with a smaller footprint than say Windows Media Player or iTunes. Also, I have no application launching when I insert a music CD or DVD either.

Major Applications
I recommend you install the major applications first (i.e. software firewalls, Office, and the applications that come with your hardware). Always use the custom or advanced installation method and pay attention to the options screens. I install all the applications to the same drive as the OS. That is because I use backup program, and use it often! Pick and choose the parts you install carefully. If you don’t need it, don’t install it. Avoid allowing anything that isn’t necessary to “load at startup.” As you install each application, download (if you haven’t already) and install all updates and patches before you move on to the next application. I prefer to load my backup program first and make an image before I go further.

Minor Applications
Next install the minor applications (Sound, graphics, utilities, etc…) Check for the most recent versions first. Before you install them, decide which applications you want to perform what. If you have multiple applications that can do or play the same thing, decide which you prefer. For example; I have Windows Media Player, Winamp, ATI File Player, and iTunes all wanting to be the default player for many of the same files. If not configured properly, they will fight for dominance. Giving each player it’s own default settings doesn’t mean you can’t ever play it in another application. After you install each application, open them and double check configuration settings, some applications don’t play nice!

Use cleanmgr /sagerun:50 again!

Configure Your Email
If your ISP software didn’t do it, configure your email now.

Move Your Documents

Vista really hosed things by replacing the My Documents folder.

Moving this info has two benefits:

1 - These files are safe from any OS problems and are unaffected if you need to restore the OS from backup.

2 - Cuts down on disk fragmentation.

In the Classic Start Menu, Click on your User Name icon or In the new menu style click on your User Name.
For each of the folders you want to replace, Copy and Paste them to the desired new location.
(ensure you do not have a folder there by that name)
Next, for each folder you copied,
Right-click on that folder and choose Properties.
Click on the Location pane and then click the Move... button.
Navigate to corresponding folder in the new loaction
Click Apply, answer Yes in the resulting pop-up (choose Copy and Replace for any other screens).
You can do this for any folder here but I recommend moving:
Contacts
Documents
Downloads
Music
Pictures
Videos

Configure Programs That Start With Vista
Get everything you possibly can out of the System Tray (by the clock in the lower right hand of the screen). The best way to do this is in the applications options. If that fails, use Autoruns.

Autoruns

Download Autoruns.

Extract the folder to your root drive (usually C). Open the Autoruns folder and double-click autoruns.exe. Click on the Logon tab, Uncheck anything you do not want to start with Vista. The fewer things the better. If you don’t know what it is, leave it alone. Advanced users may want to go to the SERVICES tab and make modifications there.

Autoruns

CCleaner

Download and install CCleaner Slim.

Configure it  - Poke around and choose your options (I enable Run CCleaner when the computer starts).

Run it.

Organize Your Start Menu
Here I like to organize my Start Menu.

I prefer the old style start menu. If you wish to switch to this, right-click on the Start button and choose Properties, check Classic Start menu, click Apply.

(click on thumbnails for a larger image)

From the default style start menu:

Add and remove features, right-click On the Start button and choose Properties, click the Customize button.

In the resulting Window (I'll give these to you in order, top to bottom):

-For Computer, Control Panel, and Documents check Display as menu.

-Check the Run box

-under System administrative tools, check Display on the All Programs menu and the Start menu.

-click OK, then Apply.

Organize - Go to START > All PROGRAMS > right click > EXPLORE, repeat and this time right click EXPLORE ALL USERS. Open (double-click) the Programs folder. I create my own folders using names like: Sound, Pix, Video, Office, Apps, etc. To do this right-click in an empty space in the window and choose New > New Folder and name it. Then drag or cut and paste the old folders into the ones you made. I also like to cleanup my desktop by renaming icons to one line names (right click > RENAME), and moving them to where I want them on the screen. If you have created multiple users, it is a good idea to check each one to make sure that they have all your programs. Some programs need to be installed on each user account. (You may want to open all your applications now to make sure they work.) Shut down your computer.
 

From the classic style start menu:

Add and remove features, right-click On the Start button and choose Properties, click the Customize button > I recommend the following boxes be checked, uncheck the rest:
-Display Administrative Tools
-Display Run
-Enable dragging and dropping
-Expand Control Panel
-Expand My Documents
-Expand Network Connections

-click OK, then Apply.

Organize - Go to START > PROGRAMS > right click > EXPLORE, repeat and this time right click EXPLORE ALL USERS. I create my own folders using names like: Sound, Pix, Video, Office, Apps, etc. To do this right-click in an empty space in the window and choose New > New Folder and name it. Then drag or cut and paste the old folders into the ones you made. I also like to cleanup my desktop by renaming icons to one line names (right click > RENAME), and moving them to where I want them on the screen. If you have created multiple users, it is a good idea to check each one to make sure that they have all your programs. Some programs need to be installed on each user account. (You may want to open all your applications now to make sure they work.) Shut down your computer.

Final Cleanup & Defrag
Start up in Safe Mode and use cleanmgr /sagerun:50 again!

Run CCleaner.

Next, go to START > PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > DISK DEFRAGMENTER. Highlight the drive you installed Vista on, click the DEFRAGMENT button. This will take a while. When finished shut down and restart.

(I prefer to use a 3rd party defrag tool called PerfectDisk.)

Backup

Whatever backup method you prefer, make a backup.

You're done!

Tweaking comes next, beta version is here.

Extra Tip

Extend Trial Period Up To 120 Days

This allows you to keep running Vista without a key. Personally I don't know why you would do this if you are running legit software. You'll know whether or not you're gonna keep running Vista before 30 days is up. But, here it is:

The easy way (30 days at a time):

Neowin - Official Way to Use Vista without Activation 120 Days

More complicated way (create a task to autorun the above every 30 days):

ZDNet - Use Vista for four months, free