Uninstalling Vista Premium OS/Clean Installation

I purchased a used laptop with the vista os and I need to do a clean install in order to put Windows 10 on it.

 

I am stuck where it states 'Windows installation cannot be started from the current operating system. To install windows, boot from the installation media, or upgrade from a supported operating system and restart the installation.'

 

I want to do a clean. Please advise...be totally appreciative

 

Hi, Dixon   to Bleeping Computer!

 

You need to back up all your personal data on usb thumb drive, and reformat storage drive, download iso file of windows 10 >> Here 

Edited by ET_Explorer, 12 June 2021 - 09:09 PM.

There are no free upgrades from Vista to 10. Though you can download and install 10 you will need to purchase a license in order to activate it. A Vista era computer may have a hard time running Windows 10. Provide the make and model of the laptop including how much RAM there is on the computer.

There are no free upgrades from Vista to 10. Though you can download and install 10 you will need to purchase a license in order to activate it. A Vista era computer may have a hard time running Windows 10. Provide the make and model of the laptop including how much RAM there is on the computer.

 

Hi DixonJr:

 

Further to John_C21's comment, see Forum Moderator Bill Smithers' 15-May-2021 post in Upgrading from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 10 Help in the MS Answers Vista board.  There are some hints there that might help you determine if your system meets the minimum system requirements to run Win 10 and how to check if your computer manufacturer offers Win 10-compatible drivers for the make and model of your computer.  The section "How to Buy Windows 10" has a link to the official Microsoft store but you might be able to find a reputable authorized reseller that can offer a better price.

Generally speaking, most users I know who had an older Vista machine that met Microsoft's minimum system requirements for Win 10 still found their system performance was so poor after the upgrade to Win 10 that they reverted back to Vista. Performing a clean reinstall of Vista has not been a straightforward task since Microsoft deactivated the Windows Update servers for Win XP and Vista in August 2020 (see the MS support article Windows Update SHA-1 Based Endpoints Discontinued for Older Windows Devices), so be sure you have a system that's powerful enough to run Win 10 before you consider purchasing a new Win 10 license.

I wonder if the seller would let you return the laptop for a refund? If you want to use Windows 10, then buying an extremely old laptop with Vista on it was the wrong move. Most Vista hardware could not even run Windows 8.1, and a lot of Vista hardware was inadequate even for running Vista. If you are stuck with a laptop of the latter sort, then your options are Windows XP or Linux (which is free). If you have one of the better Vista laptops, then Windows 7 is worth considering. Note that upgrading from Windows 7 to 10 was often no bed of roses even though it was free.

Hey Guys

 

Thanks for your input. I never keep files or anything on my system, always external filing. Can't return laptop, Already purchased the Windows, and I downloaded the ISO.

 

Still no success.  And I'm so frustrated at this point. I have done everything, but throw this darn thing in the river. The laptop is totally pristine. I mean clean, scratches, no dings, nothing....looks like it just came out of the box.

Laptop model and/or specifications might be helpful.

Use the windows 10 media creation tool and create a DVD with the downloaded iso. Then boot to the DVD and install it.