This article will tell you how to temporarily install Windows Vista Ultimate and use all of its advanced features from a Vista Home Basic boot disk.
OfficeMax303-469-0058
10450 Towne Center Drive Suite 500 Westminster, CO OfficeMax 303-469-0058
10450 Towne Center Drive Suite 500
Westminster, CO
Hours M-F 8-9, Sa 9-8, Su 10-6*
OfficeMax303-722-1411
343 South Broadway Denver, CO OfficeMax 303-722-1411
343 South Broadway
Denver, CO
Hours M-F 8-9, Sa 9-8, Su 10-6*
OfficeMax303-371-4119
8564 E 49th Avenue Denver, CO OfficeMax 303-371-4119
8564 E 49th Avenue
Denver, CO
Hours M-F 8-9, Sa 9-8, Su 10-6*
Staples303-841-2651
11236 S Pikes Peak Drive Parker, CO Staples 303-841-2651
11236 S Pikes Peak Drive
Parker, CO
Recycling Services Recycling Desk $3 Ink & Toner Credit Hours Mon-Fri: 8:00am-9:00pm Sat: 9:00am-7:00pm Sun :10:00am-6:00pm
Staples719-598-3214
4520 Centennial Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO Staples 719-598-3214
4520 Centennial Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO
Recycling Services Recycling Desk $3 Ink & Toner Credit Hours Mon-Fri: 8:00am-9:00pm Sat: 9:00am-7:00pm Sun :10:00am-6:00pm
Apple Store Park Meadows(303) 256-1501
8401 Park Meadows Center Dr. Lone Tree, CO Apple Store Park Meadows (303) 256-1501
8401 Park Meadows Center Dr.
Lone Tree, CO
Services Design/Publishing, Video/Multimedia, Web Solutions/Internet, Carry-in Service (Mac Only)
OfficeMax303-758-3767
2730 S. Colorado Boulevard Denver, CO OfficeMax 303-758-3767
2730 S. Colorado Boulevard
Denver, CO
Hours M-F 8-9, Sa 9-8, Su 10-6*
OfficeMax720-733-1942
5650 Allen Way, Suite 110 Castle Rock, CO OfficeMax 720-733-1942
5650 Allen Way, Suite 110
Castle Rock, CO
Hours M-F 8-9, Sa 9-8, Su 10-6*
OfficeMax303-471-7339
9305 S. Dorchester St., Ste 100 Highlands Ranch, CO OfficeMax 303-471-7339
9305 S. Dorchester St., Ste 100
Highlands Ranch, CO
Hours M-F 8-9, Sa 9-8, Su 10-6*
Staples303-776-0747
210 Ken Pratt Blvd Ste 140 Longmont, CO Staples 303-776-0747
210 Ken Pratt Blvd Ste 140
Longmont, CO
Recycling Services Recycling Desk $3 Ink & Toner Credit Hours Mon-Fri: 8:00am-8:00pm Sat: 9:00am-7:00pm Sun :10:00am-6:00pm
|
Steps
- Purchase a Windows Vista Home Basic installation disk (or any other version, but Home Basic is the cheapest).
- Insert the disk into your computer's main CD drive and load it up. (If you're using a laptop, make sure you're running from outlet power, because you can lose data if you run out of battery power while Vista is installing.)
- When the installation window first pops up, click on "Install Windows Vista" You'll have to go through various configuration options afterwards.
- When you are prompted to type in your product/CD key, skip it and click "Next"
- You can then choose which version of Windows Vista you would like to install. (Ultimate would be the best choice.)
- Click "Next"
- Vista should now start to install. This will be very time-consuming, and your computer will restart itself several times, so be prepared to wait.
- When Vista starts up for the first time, you will be prompted to choose a user name, computer name, user picture, and desktop background.
- After you've done all that, you'll be asked to wait a bit longer for Vista to check your computer's performance (or something like that).
- Wait for it to finish.
- You can now run all of the features of Windows Ultimate. Have fun!
Tips
- You can use this version of Windows for a maximum of 120 days without activation. (You have to type "slmgr -rearm" into a command prompt to reset the counter back to 30 days, but you can only do this 3 times.) To activate Windows, you have to purchase a valid product key or hack the activation counter to stop permanently, which is illegal.
Warnings
- After 120 days, when your computer goes into Reduced Functionality Mode, you'll either have to install Windows again, or activate Windows with a valid product key (for the SAME version you installed) to keep using your computer.
Things You'll Need
- A computer capable of running Windows Vista
- A CD/DVD Drive
- A Windows Vista Installation Disk
- Lots of time
- Adequete Memory, RAM and Processor Requirements see the microsoft website for details
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Install Windows Vista Ultimate from a Vista Basic Installation Disk. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.