Before you install Windows Vista I would recommend you run Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. Even if you choose to upgrade from Windows XP I would recommend you back up all your important data. You can use Windows Easy Transfer to backup your system. My final recommendation would be to undertake this upgrade when the market is closed, this will give you the opportunity to get your system running efficiently.

My Install Experience
After backing up all my necessary files it is simply a matter of setting up my DVD drive as first boot device and inserting Vista Business Edition DVD. The install process for Vista is extremely streamlined and requires very little user input. It is simply a matter of choosing your locality, entering your serial number and choosing your install location and then go and make a cup of coffee. When windows is installing it tells you the progress of each step and remaining items:

• Copying Windows Files
• Expanding Files
• Installing Features
• Installing Updates
• Completing Installation

Wow the initial install has completed in 12:05. That is much faster then my previous Windows XP clean installs.

The First Boot
As you would expect the first boot takes considerable time as final steps of the installation are now being completed.

After a second restart you are presented with a screen asking you to select a username and password and desktop background. You will next be presented with a window that asks how you wish to protect windows I have just selected ask me later as I wish to define these settings so not to interfere with my trading. Time zone is the final thing to set-up. Windows then begins to check the performance of your computer. All up from start of install to being logged in and set-up has taken 48 minutes. 

After logging in the first thing that I noticed was that my audio driver is not supported out of the box, however as soon as I set-up my Internet connection Windows Update automatically found the driver for me and downloaded it. Problem solved and I did not have to go searching all over the Internet to find my driver and then install it.

I recommend the first thing you do after installing Vista is to run Windows Update, this will make sure all your software is up to date and all the security updates will be applied.

My first impression of the installation experience is very positive. I was surprised however to find that there was no information of estimated time for completion, this feature was present in the Windows XP Professional install. It is clear to see that the install process for Vista has been streamlined to require minimal user input. I believe computer users of all levels will have no difficulty carrying out this upgrade.