Setup

Windows Vista includes a new image-based setup architecture that eases deployment and maintenance tasks and speeds the install process. The interactive setup experience consists of three parts -- Install, Out of the Box Experience, and Windows System Assessment.

Install
Windows Vista provides a simplified installation experience. Select locale info  Enter the Product Key. Accept the EULA. Choose the installation type and location.

New features include the ability to resize partitions, and install storage drivers from various fixed and removable media.

Out of the Box Experience (OOBE)
During the Out of the Box Experience, users choose their user account details, customize their desktop, and set Windows Update, Date/Time, and network security preferences.

 

Windows System Assessment (WinSAT)
During this billboard sequence, Windows Vista performs a series of tests to determine the capabilities of your PC.
A performance rating, called the Windows Experience Index (WEI), is derived from the tests to assist users in purchasing software that matches their PC's performance, and also provide guidance for determining the best solutions that can increase overall system performance.

Typical interactive setup time for a clean installation is approximately 20 - 25 minutes (depending on the system's hardware configuration). Upgrade installs may be significantly longer.

User Experiences