If you decide to install Windows Vista Beta 2, the first question will be how to install it. Will you choose for a 'new' installation or upgrade? You'd be in the best position it you have a spare computer where you could install the Vista Beta on. The next best option would be if you have a spare hard drive (or hard drive partition) in your current computer. You can then install Vista in a dual-boot with your current operating system. If you need to re-partition your current hard drive to make room for an extra partition, you'll need to get some hard disk partitioning software. Windows Vista Beta 2 requires at minimum a 15GB partition, and after installation will occupy around 6.5GB.

The setup routine for Windows Vista has improved a great deal compared to Windows XP, and is now completely GUI based. On starting, you'll first be prompted for your installation language, time, currency format and keyboard layout. Next, setup will prompt you for the Windows product key. After entering your product key you are presented with the End User License Agreement (EULA); after accepting the EULA you choose the installation type (Custom or Upgrade), and you can choose the drive/partition on which to install. If you want to format the hard drive, or load additional drivers (for example drivers for a RAID controller) this can all be done from within the setup routine.

After completing these steps, Windows Vista installs, rebooting two times in the process.

Installation took approx 40 minutes on a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 system (1.5GB RAM), and around 55 minutes on a 2.0 GHz Mobile Pentium 4 system (768 MB RAM). I attribute a large part of the longer installation time on the laptop to the speed of the hard disk: the laptop drive spins at 5,400 RPM, while the desktop system's Western Digital hard drive spins at 7,200 RPM and has a hefty 8MB cache. Microsoft believes they can reduce the time it will take to install Windows Vista to around 20 minutes in the final release.

When Windows Setup completes, it will run the first boot experience, where you'll first be prompted for your Country or region & Keyboard layout (and - depending on the choice made for Country or region - time & currency format) (Figure). Next you'll be prompted to enter a user name plus (optional) password, and you can choose a picture for your user account (Figure). Next you'll be prompted to enter a computer name, and choose a picture for your desktop (Figure).

After completing these steps, setup will prompt you to get the latest updates & check Windows update for (missing) drivers (Figure). Lastly setup will prompt you to review your time and date settings (you can change the settings including the time zone*) (Figure), and on completion announce that you are "Ready To Start"(Figure), and presents you with the new logon screen.

*) Here you'll (most likely) encounter your first bug in Windows Vista: If you change the default selected time-zone (GMT -08:00 - Pacific Time), Vista will be so friendly as to change your time accordingly; i.e. if you select GMT, your clock will be brought forward by eight (8) hours. Microsoft is aware of this bug, but it did require some extra pressure from beta testers to get Microsoft engineers to agree it should be fixed.

Upgrade?

Windows Vista Beta 2 supports upgrading from Windows XP SP2. If you are tempted to try this, I suggest you make a drive image of your C drive (assuming Windows XP is installed on your C drive). If something goes wrong, it's the most convenient way to "roll back" your system.

Installation screens in Build 5384:

64-bit or 32-bit?

I would recommend that even if you have 64-bit hardware you test the 32-bit version of Windows Vista. The 32-bit version offers far more compatibility with hardware and software than the 64-bit version does.

Another reason is that (if you choose to download the beta from Microsoft) the ISO for the 64-bit version is larger than 4.7GB, so you'll either need a dual-layer capable DVD burner & media, or use some 3rd party tools to mount the ISO and install from the hard disk.

Configuration

When you log into Windows Vista the first time, you may encounter a Windows Networking dialog that wants to know whether you trust the local network (Figure), and it is also possible Windows will attempt to install additional drivers for your hardware. To make it easier for you to configure your system, Microsoft is introducing a new "Welcome Center" in Windows Vista (Figure).

The Welcome Center shows some useful information about your system (Windows Edition, Processor Make/Type/Speed, amount of memory, Video Adapter information, Computer Name/Model/Manufacturer and Windows Activation Status), and displays a number of icons that let you get started with configuring your system.