The Redmond Company has launched a service meant to offer Microsoft customers that are running variants of the company's OS guideline advices to ease their upgrade to Vista. For many new customers, the Windows Vista will be an entirely new experience, and Microsoft offers guidance for those that wish only to upgrade the operating system while keeping their machine.

"You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. Depending on which edition of Windows you are running and the edition of Windows Vista you would like to install, you have two options for the installation process," state the guidelines posted by Microsoft.

The alternatives refer to in-place upgrade and clean install. The first permits the installation of Vista over an existing Microsoft OS and enables the user to retain all the already existing settings, files and applications. The clean install variant involves the creation of a back-up of all files and settings followed by the Vista installation. All user applications will require reinstatement.

"If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required. For versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000, upgrade copies are not available. These earlier versions of Windows require you to install a full copy of Windows Vista," further advices Microsoft.