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:
- Processor: 1GHz or faster processor or SoC.
- Memory: 1GB for 32-bit OS or 2GB for 64-bit OS.
- Storage: 16GB for 32-bit OS 20GB for 64-bit OS.
- Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
- Display: 800 x 600.
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:
- Open Control Panel.
- Under 'System and Maintenance,' click the Back up your computer link.
- Click the Back up computer button.
- If prompted for permission, click the Continue button.
- Select the hard drive you want to use to make the backup, and click Next.
- Click the Start backup button to begin the process.
- Click Close.
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:
- Download the Windows 10 ISO from the Microsoft support site. Note that if you're using an older version of Internet Explorer, you'll probably need to use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to load the download page.
- Under 'Select edition,' choose Windows 10 and click Confirm.
- Select your product language from the drop-down menu and click Confirm.
- Click the 64-bit Download or 32-bit Download button depending on your hardware.
- Quick Tip: Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command, type the msinfo32 command and press Enter. If your system type is x64-based PC and the amount of RAM is higher than 4GB, you can install the 64-bit version of Windows 10. Otherwise, select the 32-bit version.
- In order to burn the ISO file to a USB flash drive, download and install Rufus, which is a free and easy to use utility to create bootable media.
- Launch Rufus.
- Under 'Devices,' select the USB flash drive you want to use.
- Under 'Format Options,' click the disk drive icon next to 'Create a bootable disk using ISO image' option.
- Select the Windows 10 ISO file you want to use, and click Open.
- Click the Start button to continue.
- Click the OK button to confirm that all the data on the flash drive will be erased and to start the process.
- Restart your computer with the newly created bootable media.
- If your device isn't booting from the USB flash drive, you'll need to change your system's BIOS settings to make sure it can boot from USB. Usually, you power up your computer and hit one of the functions or ESC keys to access the BIOS, but make sure to check your manufacturer's support website for more information.
- Click Next on the first screen of the Windows Setup wizard.
- Click the Install Now button.
- Enter the product key for your copy of Windows 10.
- Click Next.
- Select the edition of Windows 10 you want to install (if applicable). This selection must match the edition for which you bought the product key.
- Click Next.
- Accept the licensing agreement.
- Click Next.
- Click on the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option to start a clean installation of Windows 10.
- Select any partition on the hard drive (usually 'Drive 0') and make sure to click the Delete button to remove the partitions.
- Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space).
- Click Next to begin the installation process.
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:
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.
Windows Vista is an operating system developed by Microsoft that is the successor of Windows XP and the predecessor to Windows 7. One of Vista's security features is that it requires a password to enter a specific user's desktop. If you have forgotten your password and are locked out of your Dell computer, there are ways to unlock it.
![Dell Dell](/uploads/1/2/3/7/123713227/388747319.jpg)
Step 1
Turn on the Dell computer by pressing the power button if it is off or clicking 'Start' and selecting Restart on the Windows Vista main menu bar.
Step 2
Press 'F8' once the computer is turned on, right before the Vista logo appears. (Timing this right can be tricky and may take a few tries.) This will open up the main menu options.
Step 3
Click 'Safe Mode' and press 'Enter.' You can then enter as the administrator without needing a password.
Step 4
Click 'Administrator' to log in as the administrator. You can now reset the password.
Dell Laptop With Windows Vista
Step 5
Click 'Start' and select Control Panel followed by User Accounts. Locate your account name and right-click it. Select Remove User Password. Click 'Apply' and then click 'OK' to save this setting.
Reboot the Dell computer. You can now create a new password.
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Nov. 06, 2018 / Updated by Bessie Shaw to Windows Driver Solutions
There is no sound from your Dell computer? The touchpad, monitor or Bluetooth is not working at all? Want Dell XPS 15 drivers, Dell XPS 13 drivers, Dell E7450 drivers, Dell Latitude E6410 drivers, Dell Inspiron N5110 drivers? The faulty Dell driver is one of the main cause of your dell computer problems. Luckily, any of you can fix the problems without much of computer skills, and achieve Dell drivers and downloads easily. Here are the contents.
Part 1. Fix Dell Drivers Problems
Dell drivers are essential software to allow Dell computers to communicate with hardware or devices, such as the monitor, the video card, dell printer, bluetooth keyboard or mouse. If your dell drivers are missing, outdated, corrupted, broken or incompatible, then your computer will go wrong, or the dell devices won't work properly.
The most common problems with Dell drivers are: the sound drivers are missing, audio driver is corrupted, webcam drivers can’t be found, printer drivers are not detected, touchpad driver is not working, video drivers are out-of-date, Dell computer is not working after Windows 10 update etc.
To fix all those driver problems, you need to download the proper or the latest Dell drivers for Windows 10. In fact, you can get Dell computer drivers updates for free. If you are specifically looking for Dell drivers for Windows 10, check to see: How to Quickly Download and Update Dell Drivers for Windows 10.
Part 2. How to Download or Update Dell Drivers for Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista
In most cases the drivers are difficult to locate – you need to search a long time but can't find the compatible drivers in the end. Sometimes the drivers you want are no longer available. For most of you, the easiest way to download and install Dell drivers to fix drivers problems, is to try a Dell driver update utility, like Driver Talent (formerly called DriveTheLife). It is a powerful utility: quickly identify which drivers are causing your Dell computer problems and then automatically download & install proper and the latest drivers. This is much more effective and saves you a lot of time.
Quickly download and install Driver Talent on your Dell laptop, notebook, or desktop PC. It is 100% compatible with 64 bit or 32 bit Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista , and it is safe -- no spyware, no virus, and no spam. Get latest Dell drivers 2016.
Editor's Note: DriveTheLife has been updated to the new version called Driver Talent with a fresh new look.
Steps to Free Download and Update Dell Drivers
With Driver Talent, you can easily download and update the most compatible Dell Drivers for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, or Windows Vista.
1. Launch Driver Talent on your Dell computer. Click 'Scan'. It will start to scan you computer to check drivers problems.
Unlock Dell Laptop Windows Vista
2. Click 'Repair' to fix the missing or broken drivers. Driver Talent will find and download the best-matched drivers for your hardware and devices. You will immediately get Dell all computer desktop or PC drivers download.
3. Click 'Update' to update to the latest Dell drivers. For the peripheral devices (the USB-connected devices), go to the 'Peripheral Drivers' menu to install drivers.
Part 3. How to Tell If the Drivers on Dell Laptop, Notebook or Desktop PC Have Problems
In many cases it’s hard for us to tell whether it is the matter with Dell drivers when there are problems. To identify if some driver is causing problems, you can manually check it with Device manager: go to Control Panel, select System and click on Device Manager. If there is a exclamation point, yellow triangle or question mark icons beside the device, then you will need to download and install updated drivers.
Alternatively, you can use a time-saving utility Driver Talent, the Dell driver download manager which is installed on your Dell computer. It's much more professional to check all driver problems and show you in details.
Part 4. The Most Common Dell Drivers and Downloads
Windows drivers are essential to your computer. According to the hottest forums where you post your Dell problems, the most common Dell drivers and downloads are as below, including Dell drivers for Windows 10, Dell drivers for Windows 8.1, Dell drivers for Windows 8, Dell drivers for Windows 7, Dell drivers for Windows XP, and Dell drivers for Windows Vista.
Dell printer drivers | Dell touchpad driver | Dell v305 driver |
Dell latitude drivers | Dell e6430 drivers | Dell sound drivers |
Dell e7450 drivers | Dell e7470 drivers | Dell c1765nfw drivers |
Dell Inspiron 3521 drivers | Dell Inspiron 3421 drivers | Dell e6420 drivers |
Dell d3100 drivers | Dell e7440 drivers | Dell e7240 drivers |
Dell e6410 drivers | Dell 9020 drivers | Dell e6440 drivers |
Dell inspiron 6000 drivers | Dell b1160 drivers | Dell smo8800 drivers |
Dell Optiplex 3020 drivers | Dell Optiplex 7010 drivers | Dell Optiplex 9020 drivers |
Dell smo8810 drivers | Dell e5430 drivers | Dell e6530 drivers |
Dell audio drivers | Dell monitor drivers | Dell 5100cn driver |
Dell d610 drivers | Dell video drivers | Dell d600 drivers |
Dell Bluetooth drivers | Dell d620 drivers | Dell webcam driver |
Dell 2330dn drivers | Dell 3100cn drivers | Dell network drivers |
Dell 3130cn drivers | Dell inspiron drivers | Dell a920 drivers |
Dell 1110 drivers | Dell 1320c drivers | Dell a940 drivers |
Dell USB drivers | Dell v305w drivers | Dell mouse drivers |
Dell 2400 drivers | Dell 5130cdn drivers | Dell b2360dn drivers |
Dell drivers and downloads for Windows Vista It's normally the first ending players go through while playing Doki Doki Literature Club! In Act 4, after starting a new game, the game appears to be normal, up until Sayori addresses the player at the end of the day, thanking them for deleting Monika. How can the answer be improved? Oct 24, 2017 Doki Doki Literature Club: How To Get the Best Ending ‘Fulfilling’ Walkthrough Step #1: Sayori Scenes. Start a New Game and appeal to Sayori. Step #2: Natsuki Scenes. Start a New Game before Sayori’s death scene, and appeal to Natsuki. Step #3: Yuri Scenes. Again, start a. Good ending doki doki literature club. | Dell drivers for Windows 10 | Windows 10 dell drivers |
Windows 8 sound driver for Dell PC | Dell mouse driver Windows 10 | Dell laptop network driver Windows 10 |
Dell d600 sound card Windows 7 driver download | Dell d600 sound driver windows 7 driver download | Dell drivers desktop 610 download |
Sound driver for Dell d610 for Windows 8 | Dell d620 driver for Vista | Dell graphics driver for Windows 10 |
Dell e6410 video driver download Windows 10 | Window 10 (32bit) touchpad driver | Powerful sound drivers for Windows XP |
Windows 10 Wi-Fi drivers for Dell XPS 13 | Windows 8 audio drivers for Dell | Dell Inspiron laptop drivers |
Dell Latitude d600 drivers for Windows XP | Dell USB mouse latest drivers for Windows 8.1 | Dell XPS 15 drivers |
If you encounter problems when downloading or updating the Dell drivers for your laptop or desktop, please leave a comment below or click the LEFT MENU on this page for more technical support. If you have any other Windows driver-related issues, see Windows Driver Solutions section on this site.
Other Dell-related Posts:
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Windows Vista is an operating system developed by Microsoft that is the successor of Windows XP and the predecessor to Windows 7. One of Vista's security features is that it requires a password to enter a specific user's desktop. If you have forgotten your password and are locked out of your Dell computer, there are ways to unlock it.
Step 1
Turn on the Dell computer by pressing the power button if it is off or clicking 'Start' and selecting Restart on the Windows Vista main menu bar.
Step 2
Press 'F8' once the computer is turned on, right before the Vista logo appears. (Timing this right can be tricky and may take a few tries.) This will open up the main menu options.
Step 3
Click 'Safe Mode' and press 'Enter.' You can then enter as the administrator without needing a password.
Step 4
Click 'Administrator' to log in as the administrator. You can now reset the password.
Step 5
Click 'Start' and select Control Panel followed by User Accounts. Locate your account name and right-click it. Select Remove User Password. Click 'Apply' and then click 'OK' to save this setting.
Reboot the Dell computer. You can now create a new password.
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How to reset your Dell computer to original factory settings if you forgot the administrator password? A forgotten password should not become an obstacle on the way! This guide explains how to perform a factory reset on Windows 10/8/7/Vista Dell laptop, without knowing the admin password.
Note:a factory reset is used to wipe and take your computer back to where it was on the day you opened the box. It will delete everything on your hard drive. Be sure to backup anything you don’t want to lose.
Part 1: Reset Windows 10/8 Dell Laptop to Factory Settings without Admin Password
Locked out of your Dell laptop after forgot the admin password? Don’t worry! Follow these steps and you can factory reset Windows 10 or 8 from the login screen:
- From the login screen, click the Power icon in the lower right corner of the screen. While holding the Shift key, click Restart.
- The computer will restart and take you to the troubleshooting option screen. Click on Troubleshoot.
- Now you’ll see the options to reset or refresh your computer. Click on Reset your PC.
- Click Next. The system will reboot and begin preparing to reset the PC.
- At the Reset your PC screen, click Just remove my files and then Click Reset.
Part 2: Reset Windows 7/Vista Dell Laptop to Factory Settings without Admin Password
Unlike Windows 10/8, Windows 7 and Vista will require you to enter admin password when resetting it to factory state. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can remove the password by booting your Dell lapltop from PCUnlocker Live CD. If you don’t have such as a Live CD, you can create one from another computer you have access to.
Once you’ve successfully removed the admin password (or you could remember your password), let’s proceed with a factory reset on your Windows 7/Vista Dell laptop:
- Turn on the laptop. As soon as the Dell logo appears on the screen, repeatedly press the F8 key until you see the “Advanced Boot Options” menu.
- Select “Repair your computer” and press Enter. The System Recovery Options screen opens.
- Select your keyboard layout, and then click on Next.
- At the next screen it will ask you for the user name and password. Type your Administrator username and password, and then click OK. If you’ve removed the admin password, leave the password field blank.
- When you’re presented with a list of system recovery options, look for an option named “Dell Datasafe Restore and Emergency Backup“, “Dell Factory Image Restore“, or “Dell Backup and Recovery Managers“. Click on it and follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Dell laptop to factory settings.