Need to reinstall Windows Vista to fix a serious operating system problem? Our tutorial will show you how

Last updated May 27, 2011 12:10PM

In this tutorial, we will take a look at how we can reinstall Windows Vista. The type of installation we will be doing here is called an "upgrade install". There are two reasons for choosing this option, the first is when you want to upgrade from Windows XP. The second is when you want to repair an existing Windows Vista installation without completely reformatting the hard drive. A better name for this option would be "upgrade/repair".

This process can sometimes repair Windows if files are missing or have become corrupt. However, in our experience, it can also make matters worse, especially if the problem is caused by an underlying hardware fault such as a faulty hard disk. Before you get started with this tutorial, it is a good idea to read our guide to reinstalling Windows first. If you cannot start your Windows Vista PC, you should perform a Startup Repair instead.

Not using Windows Vista? Windows XP users should click here for details of how to perform a repair installation, while Windows 7 users should click here.

In order to carry out this procedure, you will need your original Windows Vista installation disc. Certain OEM manufacturers bundle their own operating system recovery discs which may work differently to the standard Windows Vista installation disc, so please check the instructions provided with your computer before you proceed. You may also need to uninstall Windows Vista Service Packs and/or Windows Powershell before proceeding.

Please exercise caution when following this tutorial!

Be sure to follow the instructions in the video carefully. Selecting the wrong option when using the Windows Vista installation DVD can erase all your programs and data.

Please allow for a short delay while the video loads. When loading is complete, press the play button to start the video.

Additional notes

Please be sure that you use the correct Windows Vista installation DVD - It may not be sufficient to borrow a Windows Vista DVD from a friend unless they have the same make and model of computer as you. If you do this, Windows may not be able to complete the reinstallation procedure correctly.

When the procedure is complete, it is advisable to run Windows Update to make sure that the process did not replace any updated files with older versions. You can find out how to access Windows Update by following this tutorial.

What should I do if this procedure fails? - If you are still having serious problems with your PC after completing this process, you may want to contact a PC repair specialist. The next step would be to check for hardware failures and then reinstall your operating system from scratch. See this page for more information about completely reinstalling your operating system.