Download Windows Vista

There are a couple of ways to get your hands on Windows Vista.

You could buy a copy.

You could also download the software.

Here are instructions from Microsoft's site.

These instructions will help you determine if Windows Vista is right for you. You might be able to upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to an edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. All upgrades for 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows Vista are available for purchase and download. However, some versions might not work with your PC or current edition of Windows. We currently offer only upgrade editions of Windows Vista for download. Windows Vista full package products are available to buy and ship.

If you are interested in purchasing and downloading a Windows Vista upgrade, the following steps will help you through the process.

1. Find out if your Windows XP-based PC is ready for Windows Vista. Not all PCs or editions of Windows will support a Windows Vista upgrade. Download, install, and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to find which edition of Windows Vista is right for you. If you find that your computer can run Windows Vista, go to step 2.

   Please note: The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor works with 32-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Vista, except Windows Vista Enterprise. It will not work with other versions of Windows including Windows 2000 and Windows 98. The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor does not collect or send any personal, identifiable data to Microsoft Corporation or third parties. See the Upgrade Advisor privacy statement for details. 

2. Choose your preferred upgrade edition of Windows Vista.
   Use the Windows Vista Comparison Showcase to compare the features in each 32-bit edition of Windows Vista. You can also access full product specifications on any of our product detail pages:

   Windows Vista Home Basic upgrade :
   http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3268640

   Windows Vista Home Premium upgrade :
   http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3333198

   Windows Vista Business upgrade :
    http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3268634

   Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade :
    http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3268636

    

3. Choose from the installation options available to you.

   Download, install, and run the Windows Marketplace upgrade options tool : http://images.windowsmarketplace.com/img/EDT/tools/UpgradeOptionsTool.msi to find out if you can upgrade in-place to your preferred edition of Windows Vista.

   An in-place upgrade means you can install Windows Vista and keep your programs, files, and settings from your current version of Windows

   A clean installation means your current version of Windows, including all of your files, settings, and programs, is automatically replaced. You can back up your files and settings, but must manually reinstall your programs when the installation is done.

   The table below shows the upgrade options for the editions of Windows Vista.

   NOTE: This table only represents upgrading to English-US 32-bit editions of Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Ultimate from English-US 32-bit editions of Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows XP Professional x64, and Windows 2000.

For information about 64-bit editions, visit our Windows Vista 64-bit Showcase. If you are currently running Windows XP, you can install SP2 for more in-place installation options if you have not already done so. If you are currently running Windows 2000, you must install SP4 to upgrade to Windows Vista.

IMPORTANT: We highly recommend that you back up your files before upgrading or performing a clean installation.

4. Update your anti-virus program (if necessary), run it, and then disable it.

5. If your computer is or will be on a network, write down the name of your computer.

   You will need it when you reconnect to the network. To find out the name of your computer:

   1) Open the "System Properties" window.

   • If your Start menu is the Windows default Start menu, click the Start button, then right-click the My Computer icon in your Start menu, and click Properties.
   • If your Start menu is configured for Classic Start menu, right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, and click Properties.
   • Click the Computer Name tab. Your computer name is listed next to the Full computer name label.  

   OR

Buy & download your upgrade edition of Windows Vista via the digital locker

1. Click Buy & Download to add your selected upgrade version of Windows Vista to your shopping cart.

2. Click Checkout. You will be asked to sign in at this point. If you have a digital locker account, you can sign in. If you do not have an account, you can create one with your Windows Live ID : http://login.live.com. If you have a hotmail.com or msn.com account, this is your Windows Live ID. If you do not have a Windows Live ID, you can create one here : http://login.live.com. The digital locker manages your personal information like billing, software, purchase details, and communication preferences. The digital locker also provides easy access to support for the products you’ve purchased. For more information about the digital locker, visit our What’s in your Digital Locker? page.

3. From the dropdown on the right side, choose the credit card you have entered into your digital locker that you would like to use for payment and click Complete Purchase to complete the transaction. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided.

4. Click View License and print or write down your license key before beginning your download. Your license key will be in a 5x5 format (ex: 00000-00000-00000-00000-00000).

5. !IMPORTANT: You must print or write down your new 25-character Windows Vista license key before beginning the upgrade or you will not be able to activate Windows Vista.

6. Click Download to begin downloading Windows Vista.

7. Once your download is complete, you can install your upgrade version of Windows Vista.

If you have any questions or encounter any problems during your digital locker purchase and download experience, please contact our Digital River Support Team or call Digital River Customer Support at 1-888-257-2433.