Windows Vista Requirements

Aero Vista Requirements | ReadyBoost Requirements

Windows Vista has some what system requirements more than the earlier versions of Windows so one who decided to go for Windows Vista from within the last 5 years, just have to add more RAM. The prominent and effective change in Windows Vista is Windows Vista Aero interface which will require a Aero-capable DirectX 9-class graphics card. This is the field where old systems need to upgrade. so those who want to use Vista without this effect can go for Vista Home Basic and Vista Standard Editions since both of them don't support the new Aero interface.

Users can have any one of the following Windows Vista User Category:

Basic Home User - Windows Vista Home Basic
General Home User - Windows Vista Home Premium
Gamer - Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate
Small Business User - Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate
Corporate IT - Windows Vista Enterprise

If money is not a problem for you then you can surely go for the Windows Vista Ultimate edition, as it includes all the feature from all of the Vista editions.

Upgrading Old windows OS to Windows Vista :

For upgrading older versions, you should have own copy of Windows 2000 or XP and it should be with a valid license. Upgrade versions can not be cleanly installed technically to an empty hard drive, it require the older OS on the hard drive before upgrading. One can go for the option to do a clean install which will format the hard drive before installing Windows Vista.

It is always better habit to go for clean installation of OS. First make sure you have taken all th backup of the data you require. Following is the list given which will describe which versions of windows can be upgraded of Windows XP to certain versions of Windows Vista:

Windows 2000 will require clean Installation of OS
Windows XP Home can upgrade to Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate
Windows XP Pro can upgrade Vista Business or Vista Ultimate
Windows XP MCE can upgrade Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate
Windows XP x64 will require clean Installation of OS

System requirements for different editions of Windows vista are as follows