How to install Windows Vista

Prepare The Boot Sequence
Windows Vista DVD is bootable. In order to boot from the DVD you need to set the boot sequence. Look for the boot sequence under your BIOS setup and make sure that the first boot device is set to CD-ROM/DVD-ROM.
First, insert the Windows Vista DVD in your dvd drive. Then go to the BIOS by hitting “DEL” or “F12″ when your system in starting up. Then Go to Boot order and make sure cdrom is on the first place. The boot sequence should look like this in your bios :

Step 1 - Starting the installation

Place Windows Vista DVD in your dvd-rom drive and start your PC. Windows Vista will start to boot up and you will get the following progress bar.

Step 2 - Set the language, time and curreny formats, and keyboard or input method

The next screen allows you to setup your language, time and currency format, keyboard or input method. Choose your required settings and click next to continue.

Step 3 - Start the install or repair process

The next screen allows you to install or repair Windows Vista. Since we are doing a fresh install we will click on "install now".

Step 4 - Enter the product key

You can now type the product key that came with your Windows vista.

Step 5 - Choose the Windows Vista Version
 If you do not enter the product key you can still proceed with the installation in which case Windows will ask you which version of Vista you have purchased. Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business etc. Select the version you have purchased and click next.

Please note, although you can select any version of Windows and proceed to next stage. It is not good idea to select a different version to the one you have purchased because you will not be able to activate Windows at a later stage. Windows Vista can detect which version you have purchased once you enter your product key.

Step 6 - Accept the license terms

Click the "I accept the licence terms" box and press next.

Step 7 - Choose the installation type

Choose the type of installation you want to perform. You will notice that upgrade option is disabled as we have booted from the DVD-R. Therefore we can only select Custom (advanced) option which basically installs a clean copy of Windows from scratch.

Step 8 - Choose the location to install

Choose where you would like to install Windows Vista. If you have a new unpartitioned hard drive you would get your hard drive listed as shown on the image below. If have have an old hard drive with data or other partitions it will show up as logical drives. You can select the drive options (advanced) to format, delete, or create new partitions. If your are using a single new hard drive, you will select next to continue. Windows will create a partition and format it using NTFS files system.

Step 9 - Copying Windows Vista files

Windows starts the installation process and starts copying all the necessary files to your hard drive as shown on the image below. It will go through various stages of the setup and will reboot your system few times. When your PC reboots it attempts to boot from CD as its the first boot device. Do not press any key during the boot prompt so Windows Vista will continue with the installation by booting from your hard drive.

Step 10 - Choose a user name, password and picture
After installation copy process is complete you are presented with the Setup Windows dialogue box as show below. At this stage you need to choose a user name, password and a picture for your user account. The account you create here is the Administrator account which is the main account for your Windows Vista that has all the privileges. Click next continue.

Step 11 - Set the computer name and desktop background
Now you need to choose your computer name and desktop background. Click next to continue.

Step 12 - Set the Windows update settings
Choose whether your want to Help protect Windows automatically. Select "Use recommenced settings" to continue.

Step 13 - Set the time zone, time and date

Review your time and date settings. Select your time zone, correct the date and time and click next to continue.

Step 14 - Set the computer's current location
Next screen presents you to select your computers current location. You can choose between home, work, public location. Choose home to continue.

Step 15 -  Installation complete
Now you will get "Thank you" screen which confirms the end of the interactive installation process. This is not the end of the setup process. There are still many after installation configuration to be done. Click "Start" to continue.

Step 16 - Checking your computer's performance

Windows now runs a benchmark type of application which checks the performance of your system. You will see a status bar at bottom which shows the progress. Once the process is complete you will be presented with the logon screen.

Step 17 - Login to Windows Vista

Finally you will get the logon screen. Just type your password and press enter or click on the arrow to logon to Windows Vista for the first time.

Step 18 - Configure your Windows Vista
Once you logon, you will be presented with welcome center. You can use the welcome center to configure, customize, and update Windows vista.