Blogger Kurt Shintaku figured out how to install Windows Vista from a USB flash drive, a potentially huge time-saver for anyone needing to deploy the OS on multiple machines.
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You'll need a Windows Vista DVD, of course, and a 4GB flash drive. The latter will set you back a few bucks; the author recommends an Apacer model that sells for a very reasonable $56.99. (And as he points out, it also makes for a great ReadyBoost drive.) Insert the drive, access the command line and type in a handful of partition/format commands. Copy the Vista DVD to the drive and you're all set. Then just boot your PC to the drive and you'll be able to install Vista in 5-10 minutes. Smokin'!
Install Windows Vista UsbSpeed up Windows with a flash drive
How to Install Windows 7 From USB. Create an ISO file from the Windows 7 DVD. If you already know how to create ISO images, fantastic: do it, and then come back here for further. Download Microsoft's Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. Once downloaded, execute the file and follow the installation. Install Windows Vista Directly From Hard Drive – NO DVD or USB Needed!: How to CLEAN Install Windows Vista directly from Hard drive – NO DVD or USB needed!! For example, you have a netbook or desktop that you want to install Windows Vista onto, but can’t use DVD or USB for whatever reason (or don't want to, like me). After you have found the right Microsoft USB device driver, follow these simple instructions to install it. Power off your Microsoft USB device. Disconnect the device from your computer. Reconnect the device and power it on. Double click the driver download to extract it. If a language option is given, select your language. Creation of the USB stick Windows installation: Start Windows 7 USB DVD download tool. Click Browse. Search and select the iso of Windows Vista. Click on Next. Click on USB device if you use an USB stick or DVD of you use a DVD-ROM. Selection you device, then click Begin copying. Windows Vista, 7 and 8 include an option on the install DVD to perform a small number of important repair and recovery functions, but the chances are you didn't get an install DVD with your computer. In this case, you need to create a repair disc in Windows. Then follow this step-by-step guide: 1) Run FlashBoot Free or FlashBoot Pro, click Next. 2) Choose 'OS installer - USB' in the Main Menu. 3) Choose 'Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10 installer. 4) Specify ISO image file (or DVD disc) of Windows setup and click Next. 5) Specify target USB storage.
If you've got a spare USB drive laying around, hold onto it till you start running Windows Vista.…
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HOWTO: Install Windows Vista from a high-speed USB 2.0 Flash Drive [Kurt Shintaku's Blog]
Microsoft is retiring Windows Vista on April 11, which means that if you're using a computer with the decade-old version of the OS, the time has come to upgrade. However, this is not to say that Windows Vista will stop working after its life support cycle ends. After April 11, 2017, your device will no longer receive any more maintenance, including security and performance updates, and Microsoft won't provide any kind of support.
If you want to avoid your computer quickly becoming vulnerable to viruses and other security risks, you should start planning to upgrade. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't provide a direct path to upgrade to Windows 10, but you can still make the jump and leave behind Windows Vista for good. However, it's a process that requires that you do a full backup of your data and perform a clean installation of Windows 10. We've got you covered with all the steps.
In this guide, we walk you through the steps to upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 10 using a clean installation.
Before you begin
If you're still using Windows Vista, it's likely that your computer has low hardware specifications, considering today's standards. Before going through the upgrade process, you have to make sure your device meets the minimum hardware requirements to install Windows 10.
These are the official minimum system requirements to run Windows 10:
Once you know that your device can handle the new OS, you'll need to purchase a genuine copy of Windows 10. You can get a copy of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro at the Microsoft Store.
Additionally, you'll need a USB flash drive with 8GB of storage to create a bootable media.
How to create a full backup on Windows Vista
Upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 10 requires a clean installation, which means that everything on your computer will be erased. As such, it's a good idea to make a full backup of your data and the entire computer.
To make a backup of your personal files, you can simply connect a removable storage and copy the files over. Once you complete backing up your files, make sure you have the installation files and product keys to reinstall any applications you're currently using.
You can also connect an external hard drive with enough free space and use the Windows Vista backup utility to create and restore a system image, which is a form of backup that includes a copy of everything on your computer. If you want to use this tool, do the following:
Once the full backup is complete, disconnect the removable storage, and you can proceed with the upgrade process. In case you need to restore the previous version, remember that you'll need a bootable media with the Windows Vista files to use the recovery option.
How to upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 10
While there is not a direct path to upgrade a decade-old OS, it's possible to upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 7, and then to Windows 10. But that's not an ideal approach, as you'll be wasting time and additional licenses.
The best way to upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 10 is to start fresh with a clean installation, which you can do with the following steps:
Once you complete these steps, the setup will take over and finish installing Windows 10 on your Windows Vista machine. After the installation, simply follow the on-screen directions to complete the out-of-box-experience (OOBE) with the settings you want.
During the OOBE, you'll be asked to set up an account with a Microsoft account. As such, you should make sure to have this information handy. Alternatively, you could use a local account, but you'll miss out on many advanced features, including the ability to sync settings between devices.
After you finish configuring Windows 10, you'll be presented with the new experience, and the only thing left to do is to restore your files from backup, and reinstall any app you were using on Windows Vista.
It's also recommended to go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button to make sure your device has the latest security and performance updates.
Additionally, you may want to use Device Manager to double-check that all your hardware and peripherals are correctly installed on your machine. If something didn't install correctly, make sure to use your manufacturer's support website to download and install the latest drivers.
If you can't find a driver compatible with Windows 10, sometimes drivers designed for the previous version of the OS will still work. But only try this as a last resort.
More Windows 10 resources
For more help articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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