So you want Windows Vista Ultimate (this is just for example, you can do this trick on any Vista) but you do not want to pay the $400 price tag that is sitting there. Well you could go to NewEgg and spend about half the price for an OEM version, but there are some license issues with the OEM version. Well luckily because you know me, I will hook you up with a discount. A discount that can save you almost half of the price. All you need to do is by the Upgrade version. "But what if I lose my XP disc, I won't be able to use my upgrade disc without a previous version of Windows." And this is a very true statement, but the key words in the sentence was "previous version of Windows." This could mean Windows XP, or in the case of what we will be doing here, a unregistered version of Windows Vista.

So the following directions will allow you to install a full legit copy of any Windows Vista with only the Upgrade disc, which means you save around $150 on the Ultimate Edition. It may take a tad bit longer to install, but if you are like me, it's worth the money you save. So here is how it's done.

1. Boot up your computer with the Window Vista Upgrade disc of your choice.


2. Select "Install Now" but be sure not to type in your product key, just leave the input field empty. Turn off the option to "Automatically activate Windows when I'm online." It will ask you if you are sure that you want to install without entering a product key, say yes.


3. Select the version of Vista that you are installing.


4. Select the "Custom(Advanced)" install, do not select the Upgrade one.


5. Now you need to sit back and wait while Vista installs itself. Basically what it is doing is installing a trial version of Windows Vista.


6. When Vista is done installing, be sure not to activate it yet. Eject the disc, and re-insert it.


7. Click the "Install Now" option and then select the "Do not get the latest updates for installation."


8. It will then ask for your product key, go ahead and enter it.


9. Then choose to do the Upgrade install and let it upgrade your Vista to Vista. When everything is done you can activate your Windows and do all the normal things.

I suggest waiting a little while before getting Windows Vista to allow a chance for Microsoft to iron out some of it's issues and allow software developers to actually start creating software that was designed for Vista. But this is a handy little bit of information for when you do decide to make the plunge into a new operating system.