How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

This procedure will guide you on upgrading your Windows XP machine to Vista without reformatting. Back up your files.

Method 1 of 3:

Picture 1 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Back up your files.
Picture 2 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Run disk clean up and uninstall unnecessary application.
Picture 3 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Uninstall your antivirus, spyware protection, and third-party firewalls.
Picture 4 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Defragment your hard drive.
Picture 5 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Adviser to check if your PC is capable of running Vista.
Picture 6 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Prepare your Windows Vista DVD installer.
Picture 7 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Prepare your license key or the product key.

Method 2 of 3:

Picture 8 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Log in to Windows XP and insert the Windows Vista installer to the DVD drive. Note: Don't boot the Windows Vista DVD to perform an in-place upgrade; it won't work. You have to run the Setup program from within Windows XP.
Picture 9 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

After you insert the DVD, an autorun will pop up. Click on install now. and choose the recommended option which is to go online for the latest updates.
Picture 10 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Enter the license key or the product key.
Picture 11 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Click upgrade,to upgrade your OS and wait while Windows upgrades your computer to Vista.
Picture 12 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

After the installation is complete, Windows will reboot. After the reboot click Use recommended settings.
Picture 13 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Click and choose options on screen.
Picture 14 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

Wait while windows finishes the upgrade.
Picture 15 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

After the reboot,log in to your Vista and enjoy.

Method 3 of 3:

Picture 16 of How to Upgrade Windows XP to Vista

After the upgrade, Windows Vista will display compatibility information for anything that loads on startup that it can't run. It offers to try to run the program or simply stop it. Look for updates for all of your drivers and software that it flags as incompatible. Activate Windows Vista and do all Windows Updates.

Update 04 March 2020

You should read it