How do I install Windows Vista?

Warning: Following these steps will permanently delete all data and program files from your computer. Back up all data files and locate the installation disks for your programs before proceeding.

These instructions presume that you are at Indiana University and are installing Vista Ultimate from the DVD available through the IU/Microsoft Campus Agreement. If you are not an IU user, or you are installing Vista from a different source, you may have to make small adjustments to the directions below.

Note: The following instructions are for a clean install of Windows Vista. If you instead perform an upgrade install, you may need to uninstall Symantec antivirus software first; see Why has my antivirus client stopped working after I did an upgrade install of Windows Vista?

Note: For security reasons, you should install Windows or rebuild your Windows computer offline (i.e., unplug your network cable), and then take certain measures to assure its security before putting it back on the network. For instructions, see In Windows, how do I safely rebuild my computer after a system-level compromise?

To do a clean install of Windows Vista Ultimate:

Insert the Windows Vista Ultimate DVD in your primary DVD drive.
Note: The initial run of these DVDs has printed on them the phrase "For Upgrade Use Only". This is in error; these DVDs contain the full version of Vista Ultimate.
Reboot the computer. You should see a message that says "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD... ". If you see this message, press any key. If Windows starts normally, refer to On a PC, how do I boot from something other than the hard drive?
Select your language, time and currency, and keyboard preferences from the drop-down menus. Click Next.
Click Install now.
Enter your product key; this is the 25-character code on the back of the DVD sleeve. Leave the checkbox to automatically activate Windows checked, and click Next.
Check the box to accept the license agreement, and click Next.
Click the Custom (advanced) installation option.
Warning: The step that follows deletes all the data on your hard drive. Make sure you've backed up important files and have the installation disks for your programs.
On the next screen that appears, you should see a list of the partitions defined on your hard drive. Click Drive options (advanced) to access the options, and then, one by one, select each partition and click Delete. You will be prompted to confirm each deletion. After deleting all partitions, you should see only Unallocated Space. With Unallocated Space selected, click Next to continue the installation.
Vista will create a new partition and start expanding and installing files to your hard drive. This process will take several minutes. Your computer will restart multiple times during this process, and you will again see the prompt "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD... ". Do not press a key; allow the computer to boot from the hard drive.
After Vista has finished installing, you will be prompted to create a user account and password. This account is an administrator account, and, for security purposes, should not be the account you will generally use; keep this in mind as you choose a username. See On a computer, what are administrators and administrative rights?
Type and retype a password in the boxes provided, and enter a password hint and choose a picture if you wish. Click Next.
Enter a name for your computer in the box provided. This is the name by which your computer will be known on networks, including the IU network. Select a desktop background if you wish. Click Next.
Click Use recommended settings.
Select your time zone from the drop-down menu, and adjust time and date as needed. In most of Indiana, the correct setting is (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), not the Indiana setting. Click Next.
Click Start to launch Windows Vista.

If you are an IU student, faculty member, or staff member, the fee-based Carry-in Consulting service in Bloomington is available to install the operating system for you if you choose. See At IUB, what is Carry-in Consulting?

Also see:

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Last modified on May 29, 2008.

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