Product Description

Windows Vista Home Basic is designed to be easy to set up, to help people use their PCs securely and reliably, to help people stay better connected, and, like all of the editions of Windows Vista, to be compatible with the widest range of software, devices, and services that people use and trust. For those who simply want to use their PC for tasks such as surfing the Internet, corresponding with friends and family using email, or performing basic document creation and editing tasks, Windows Vista Home Basic delivers a safer, more reliable, and more effective computing environment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #385 in Software
• Color: 1-user
• Brand: Microsoft
• Model: 66G-00003
• Released on: 2007-01-30
• Platforms: Windows XP, Windows 2000
• Format: DVD-ROM
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 8.00" h x 2.00" w x 6.00" l, .30 pounds

Features

• User-friendly software features search and organize innovations as well as improved networking opportunities
• Designed for users with the most basic computer needs
• Helps people use their PCs securely and reliably, makes it simple to stay better connected, and is compatible with the widest range of software, devices, and services that people use and trust every day
• Rich new interface, innovative ways to organize and find the information stored on your PC, and a multitude of entertainment options with live and recorded TV on your PC
• Upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 (including Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows 2000)

Amazon.com
The Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade DVD-ROM offers search and organize innovations as well as improved networking opportunities. Windows Vista Home Basic is the edition of Windows Vista for users with the most basic computing needs. The features in this user-friendly software also form the foundation of all of the other editions of Windows Vista, including Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.

Windows Sidebar gives you quick access to gadgets like picture slide shows, Windows Media Player controls, or news headlines. You pick the gadgets you want to see in Windows Sidebar. View larger.

Use Instant Search to quickly find the information you need. View larger.

Compare Windows Vista editions.

Windows Photo Gallery gives you a whole new way to manage, find, and view your digital photos. View larger.

Manage your schedule, sync up with other calendars, and make sure you never miss another appointment using Windows Calendar. View larger.

Windows Mail includes features that help you minimize the annoyances and risks associated with using e-mail while enjoying the benefits of staying in touch with others. View larger.

Update Eligibility
You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 (including Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows 2000) to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing this upgrade copy of Windows Vista. Depending on which edition of Windows you are running and the edition of Windows Vista you would like to install, you have two options for the installation process: You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows or you can do a clean install. If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required. For versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000, upgrade copies are not available. These earlier versions of Windows require you to install a full copy of Windows Vista.

Breakthrough Windows Vista Experience
Designed to help you feel confident in your ability to view, find, and organize information and to control your computing experience, all editions of Windows Vista introduce a breakthrough user experience. The visual sophistication of Windows Vista helps streamline your computing experience by refining common window elements so you can better focus on the content on the screen rather than on how to access it. The desktop experience is more informative, intuitive, and helpful. And new tools bring better clarity to the information on your computer, so you can see what your files contain without opening them, find applications and files instantly, navigate efficiently among open windows, and use wizards and dialog boxes more confidently.

Secure and Effective
Windows Vista Home Basic helps people use their PCs securely and reliably, makes it simple to stay better connected, and, like all of the editions of Windows Vista, is compatible with the widest range of software, devices, and services that people use and trust every day. For those who simply want to use their PC to surf the Internet, correspond with friends and family using email, or perform basic document creation and editing tasks, Windows Vista Home Basic delivers a safer, more reliable, and more effective computing environment.

More Productivity
Windows Vista Home Basic helps encourage better personal productivity while providing digital entertainment on your PC through its improved reliability, security, and performance. It also helps you to accomplish tasks faster, with a rich new interface and innovative ways to organize and find the information stored on your PC.

Safer and More Reliable
Specifically designed to be the safest operating system Microsoft has ever delivered, Windows Vista Home Basic frees you from worry about the safety and security of your time on the computer. In fact, 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. In addition, Windows Vista Home Basic includes innovative tools that warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. Additionally, this system comes equipped with up-to-date parental control features that 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.

Easy Set-Up and Operation
As with all of other editions of Windows Vista, Windows Vista Home Basic makes your PC significantly easier to use thanks to helpful tools that let 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. 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 this software, you will benefit from a better computing experience and more peace of mind.

From the Manufacturer
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.

Note: This is a Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade DVD-Rom.

Easily Search and Find Everything on Your PC and the Internet
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.

Better Protection for Your PC and Your Family than with any Previous Version of Windows
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.

Simplified Setup and Maintenance
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.

Features in Windows Vista Home Basic

Easier

• Instant Search--integrated throughout Windows Vista.
• Internet Explorer 7--includes web searching right from the browser and tabbed browsing.
• Windows Sidebar and gadgets--bring real-time information directly to your desktop.
• Flexible organization features--view your files any way you want.
• Windows Photo Gallery--Download, organize, edit, view, and share your digital photos.

• Windows Defender--helps safeguard your PC against pop-ups and security threats.
• Dynamic security protection--helps you browse the web more securely.
• Anti-phishing technology--helps protect you from fraudulent websites that attempt to steal your personal information.
• Internet Explorer protected mode--helps prevent unwanted malicious software downloads.
• Parental Controls--manage the rules for your children's computer use including web access and games.

Customer Reviews

Research very carefully before buying......
I was considering making the jump to Windows Vista Home from XP Media Edition until I looked more closely at what features it really had. Want Media Center for Vista Home because you have it on your XP machine? Well, that is found only on the Premium version. How about burning DVD's? That too is found only on the Premium version. Want the 3D aero environment highly touted for Vista? Vista Premium only. How about a Scheduled Backup for your files? Vista Premium. How about Windows Meeting Space to collaborate and share documents? You guessed it, that's found on Vista Premium too.

What Vista Home actually has (2 of 14 features) per Microsoft's website:

Most secure Windows ever
with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall (XP already has a built in firewall.....nothing new here)

Quickly find what you need
with Instant Search and Windows Internet Explorer 7 (you can download IE 7 for free)

If this comes pre-installed on a PC, great, but if you are considering buying this as an upgrade consider what are you really getting for your upgrade money?

If you have everything working with XP, stick with it.
I got a hold of a Windows Vista Ultimate disk. It gave the choice to install Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate. I installed Vista Home Basic, because I only have 512 MB of RAM.

Likes:
I like the new wallpapers and the way it looks. My Documents and My Music folder remind me of iTunes.

Dislikes:
Don't like that my less than 6 month old HP printer doesn't work with Vista and my USB net link cable doesn't work with Vista. When you install something screen slowly fades out and then a window comes up asking you if you want to run the program and trust it. It's a little annoying because it forces you to stop what your doing and answer the question before you can continue.

Verdict:
I like it, but the incompatibility issues are enough for me to want to stick with XP. I wouldn't buy Home Basic. If you really want Vista, buy a new computer with Vista preinstalled or install a trial version of Vista to make sure everything works. I'm going back to XP, until HP releases Vista drivers for my printer.

I'll write reviews on Home Premium, Business, and/or Ultimate if I ever get more RAM.

My Computer
2.8 GHz Pentium D
512 MB RAM
128 MB Video Card

XP Professional Cannot be Upgraded with Vista Home Basic
Please note that the notes under "Product Features" are incorrect. You cannot "upgrade" from XP Professional to Vista Home Basic with this DVD. You will be prompted early in the upgrade process that XP Pro can only be upgraded to Vista Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate. You are however given the option to do a "clean install" of Vista Home Basic, thus wiping out all your software and files.

Not good Microsoft -- people want to know the details before they order!