Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade

This version will not upgrade from Windows 95/98/ME or earlier versions. It can only be upgraded from Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows XP Media Center or Windows XP Tablet PC. Backup and clean install may be required. See manufacturer's website for more details.

Windows Vista Home Basic is the edition of Windows for basic home computing needs. If you only want to use your PC for tasks like browsing the Internet, using e-mail, or viewing photos, then Windows Vista Home Basic may be the right edition for you. While it won't provide as many benefits as Windows Vista Home Premium, it will help you use your PC more easily and more safely than you could with Windows XP.

The first thing you'll notice about Windows Vista Home Basic is how easy it is to find the programs and files you're looking for. The instant desktop search feature looks across all of your documents, e-mails, photos, and other files, organizing the results in the way that you want to view them. When coupled with the built-in web search of Windows Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista, you'll spend less time looking for the things that you need and more time on the activities that you care about.

With automatic defenses against malicious software and fraudulent websites, Windows Vista Home Basic enables you and your family to use your computer with greater confidence. Plus, parents can use built-in controls to help ensure their children's computer use is protected and appropriate.

Windows Vista Home Basic makes it easier than ever to set up your new PC, with features that easily transfer all of your data and settings from your old PC to your new one. What's more, you can have peace of mind for years to come with technology that keeps your system running quickly and reliably over time.

Simply put, Windows Vista Home Basic provides you with just the essentials you need for home computing.

Safer and more reliable

Windows Vista is designed to be the safest operating system that Microsoft has ever delivered. Every edition of Windows Vista, including Windows Vista Home Basic, provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. Additionally, all Windows Vista editions will include new parental control features that will allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities on your PC that might concern you as a parent. Windows Vista Home Basic is designed so that you and your family can focus on what's most important to you and spend less time worrying about your safety.

Easier to set up and use

As with all of other editions of Windows Vista, Windows Vista Home Basic makes your PC significantly easier to use. Windows Vista Home Basic has new tools to help you painlessly move your personal files and settings from your old PC to your new Windows Vista-based PC. Additionally, Windows Vista Home Basic integrates new search tools throughout the operating system to help you quickly find the precise file or program you need.

Windows Vista Home Basic contains all of the basic features to make your computing experience easier, safer, and more reliable. Even if your existing PC seems to be adequate for basic tasks such as reading e-mail and browsing the web, by upgrading your PC to Windows Vista Home Basic or by purchasing a new PC installed with Windows Vista Home Basic, you will benefit from a better computing experience and more peace of mind.

Note: If your system features a 64-bit processor, you can take advantage of its advanced design in this edition of Windows Vista.

Microsoft Windows Vista: Compare Editions

• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 512 MB of system memory
• 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory
• DVD-ROM drive
• Audio Output
• Internet access (fees may apply)

Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.

• 800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory
• 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
• Support for Super VGA graphics
• CD-ROM drive

Product information is advisory only. Specifications and compatibility should be checked with the manufacturer before order. Images are for illustrative purposes only.