Windows Vista downloads

Downloads for Windows Vista

After five long years, Windows Vista is finally here, but where is the software for it? Get tweaking utilities--and resources for installing and running Vista--in our special collection.

Windows Vista Home Basic upgrade

Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Basic from Windows XP Home.

Windows Vista Home Premium upgrade

Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium from Windows XP Home or Windows XP Media Center edition.

Windows Vista Business upgrade

Upgrade to Windows Vista Business from Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, or Windows XP Tablet PC.

Windows Vista Ultimate upgrade

Upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate from Windows XP Home, XP Pro, XP Media Center, or XP Tablet PC.

TweakVI Basic

Make changes to hundreds of system features within Windows Vista and optimize to improve speed.

Vista Manager

Composed of 25 different tools, this utility suite lets you manage startup items and security settings.

Microangelo Toolset

Create new 256x256 icons with the first icon editor certified for Windows Vista by Microsoft.

CNET rating:

Windows Vista editors' software reviews

Windows Vista Home Basic

Very good

7.0

out of 10

The good: Windows Vista Home Basic does improve some features within Windows XP; fewer system crashes than Windows XP; and Windows Vista offers better built-in support options.

The bad: Windows Vista Home Basic does not put Search on the desktop (it's buried within applications, within the Start Menu); no Aero graphics system in Home Basic; no new software yet written exclusively for Windows Vista; optimized only for the Microsoft Windows ecosystem (for example, RSS feeds from IE7 get preferential treatment); and little reason to leave Windows XP.

The bottom line: Windows Vista Home Basic is essentially warmed-over Windows XP, Windows XP SP3. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.

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Very good

7.4

out of 10

The good: Windows Vista Home Premium does improve some features within Windows XP; fewer system crashes than Windows XP; and Windows Vista offers better built-in support options.

The bad: Windows Vista Home Premium does not put Search on the desktop (it's buried within applications, within the Start Menu); no new software yet written exclusively for Windows Vista; optimized only for the Microsoft Windows ecosystem (for example, RSS feeds from Internet Explorer 7 get preferential treatment); Tablet PC support unnecessary; fax and scan support missing; and there are too many editions of Windows Vista.

The bottom line: Windows Vista Home Premium is essentially warmed-over Windows XP Home Edition. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista Home Premium is stable enough for everyday use.

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Very good

7.4

out of 10

The good: Windows Vista Business does improve some features within Windows XP; fewer system crashes than Windows XP; and Windows Vista offers better built-in support options.

The bad: Windows Vista Business does not put Search on the desktop (it's buried within applications, within the Start Menu); no new software yet written exclusively for Windows Vista; optimized only for the Microsoft Windows ecosystem (for example, RSS feeds from Internet Explorer 7 get preferential treatment); no BitLocker drive encryption; no DVD Maker; and there are too many editions of Windows Vista.

The bottom line: Windows Vista Business is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.

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Very good

7.8

out of 10

The good: Windows Vista Ultimate does improve some features within Windows XP; fewer system crashes than Windows XP; Windows Vista offers better built-in support options.

The bad: Windows Vista Ultimate does not put Search on the desktop (it's buried within applications, within the Start Menu); optimized only for the Microsoft Windows ecosystem (for example, RSS feeds from Internet Explorer 7 get preferential treatment); there's simply too much and not all of it is implemented properly; no new software yet written exclusively for Windows Vista; and there are too many editions of Windows Vista.

The bottom line: Windows Vista is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.

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Windows Vista editors' system reviews

Dell Dimension E521

Very good

7.3

out of 10

The good: Fast dual-core AMD CPU lends bang for the buck; Vista runs with no hitches; roomy 320GB hard drive will please digital media archivists.

The bad: Weak graphics card is fast enough for Vista, but that's about it, and there's no faster option available with this model.

The bottom line: Dell's Dimension E521 doesn't have many bells and whistles, but a powerful dual-core AMD processor lends it unexpected performance and strong bang for the buck. Its speed, Vista Home Premium's Media Center functions, and multiple storage options make this a strong PC for archiving and showing off your digital media.

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Good

6.5

out of 10

The good: Attractive, compact design; better basic Windows Vista performance than we anticipated; more features than the previous model.

The bad: Disappointing overall performance compared to that of similar systems; no HD optical drive option; opening the box voids the warranty, discouraging DIY upgrades (although the interior is tough to navigate).

The bottom line: Shuttle's updated supersmall home theater PC introduces a few new features to bring it inline with similar diminutive living room PCs. It also came to us with Windows Vista Home Premium. If you're in it for the looks (and you don't want HD video), you'll find a system to like here, but we think you'll be able to find more capable PCs on the market soon.

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Very good

7.9

out of 10

The good: Takes advantage of Windows Vista's touch screen capability with useful, easy-to-use software; combines with HP printers to become an at-home photo kiosk; contains all of the features you've come to expect from a modern digital media-oriented home PC.

The bad: Pokey performance for systems in its price range; fixed configuration; no HD optical drive option.

The bottom line: HP's new TouchSmart PC IQ770 is not as fast as Apple's iMac, nor does it have the same clean-lined elegance. It makes up for those problems with intuitive touch screen software you'll actually use and a comprehensive lineup of features. If you're looking for a home PC to organize your family's schedule, or serve up media in a kitchen or another small room, we know of no other system suited so well for the task.

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Very good

7.1

out of 10

The good: Innovative design; unique touchpad; touch screen doesn't require stylus; not expensive.

The bad: Slightly thicker than it should be; glossy screen can be hard to read.

The bottom line: HP's first Vista-based laptop, the Pavilion tx1000us, is an unusual but largely successful hybrid, combining a tablet design with an entertainment-focused laptop.

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Good

6.4

out of 10

The good: Excellent design; secondary OLED display provides useful info when the lid is closed, easy to use EV-DO.

The bad: Disappointing performance and battery life; ridiculously expensive.

The bottom line: If money is no object for you, the Toshiba Portege R400 is an eye-catching, Windows Vista conversation piece, but the rest of us will want more performance from a system this expensive.

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Windows Vista features

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