Vista ISO - Download and Create Installation DVD or USB

How to Download a Vista ISO and Create an Installation DVD or USB
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   Information

Downloads are available for the 32 (X86) and 64 bit (X64) versions of Vista Ultimate only, in English, French and German, but if, during the install, you do not enter the product key when initially prompted for it then you will be asked to select the version of Vista you want to install. It can be any of these four:

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Windows Vista Home Basic​

Windows Vista Home Premium​

Windows Vista Business​

Windows Vista Ultimate​

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   Warning

You must have a valid installation key, which should be on the COA sticker on the computer, to activate the installation once it completes.

STEP ONE

To Download the Vista Setup Files

   Warning

The Vista downloads listed below seem to come and go. Right now, 10/12/2014 at 3:39PM EST they are available. I don't know of any other location they are legally available from, sorry.

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1. Downloaded the Vista X64 or X86 setup files.​

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X64 (64 bit):​

install.wim​

boot.wim​

X14-63453.exe​

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X86 (32 bit):​

install.wim​

boot.wim​

X14-63452.exe​

   Note

Both X14-63453.exe and X14-63452.exe will be downloaded as MicrosoftInstaller.exe. For consistency, please rename MicrosoftInstaller.exe to X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe, depending on which you downloaded.

   Warning

Wait for all downloads to complete before continuing

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2. Double click (or right click and Open) on the downloaded X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe. It extracts all the files into a Vista sub-folder.​

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3. If they are not already there, copy boot.wim and install.wim into the Vista\sources folder that is created when you doubled clicked on the .exe file in step 2.​

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4. Download the Windows Bootable Image Creator zip file, WBICreator.zip.​

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5. Extract the files in WBICreator.zip to a folder.​

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STEP TWO

To Create the Vista ISO File

   Warning

You can download the files on any computer but you must be running on a 64bit (X64) system to create a 64Bit install DVD or flash drive

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6. Open the folder and double click (or right click and Open) WBICreator.exe​

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7. Click Next​

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8. Select OS Type: Windows Vista (all the way to the bottom)​

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9. CD/DVD Label: VistaX64 or VistaX86​

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10. Setup Location: The Vista folder created when you double clicked on X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe.​

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11. Output Path: Somewhere with enough free space to hold the .iso file that will be created (X64 = 3,837,112KB, X86 = 3,013,816KB).​

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12. Click GO. When done a VistaX64.iso or VistaX86.iso file will be created in the Output Path you chose.​

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STEP THREE

To Create Vista Installation DVD or USB Flash Drive with ISO File

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13. You can use the generated .iso to create a Vista Install DVD.​

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13a. Download and install and run ImgBurn.​

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13b. Make sure you deselect anything other than ImgBurn during the install by always taking the Custom choice.​

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13c. Click on Write image file to disc​

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13d. Click the Browse for file button and selecta the ISO file you just created.​

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13e. Click Write. A nice little tune will play when the DVD create completes.​

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14. You can also create a bootable USB Flash drive (4GB or larger) to install Vista from.​

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14a. Download and run Universal USB Installer Easy as 1 2 3​

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14b. Select Vista from the first drop down list, all the way to the bottom​

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14c. Select the VistaX64.iso or VistaX86 .iso file​

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14d. Select your USB flash drive​

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14e. Click Create​

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   Information

I created a X86 flash drive and used it to install a clean copy of Vista Home Basic on my HP DV2200 Laptop. Worked great using the key on the COA sticker of the laptop.

Remember to activate after the install has completed.

Note: You may need to download drivers for the computer from the manufacturers web site so I would suggest getting the Network (LAN and Wireless) and video/VGA drivers ahead of time so you can install them as soon as you finish installing Vista.

Related Tutorials

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• How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Thumb Drive to Install Vista with

 

[Ztruker]

We need an Emoticon for "Fingers Crossed"

 

[Brink]

 

[ilikefree]

LOL that is a good one Shawn

 

[shipinom]

Just one last note. three days ago I did download the three files. Only they were 32bit When I installed and put my key in I got Vista Business 32bit and not able to register the system.
this morning I took the DVD and on the first install did not enter the Key and it gave me the option to select with OS and I chose Vista Home Premium. then it installed the OS.
Then I did the install again only this time this time I put the key in.
Everything went OK and it downloaded files during the setup process. At the end I was able to call the 800 number to register the software and it is all OJK.
only thing is it is still 32bit but I have a registered product.
Larry

 

[Brink]

That's great news Larry.

The W7 links are back, so hopefully the Vista ones will be as well soon.

 

[shipinom]

Brim
They are BAAAAAAAK. Thank you so much. just downloading the last file
Larry

That's great news Larry.

The W7 links are back, so hopefully the Vista ones will be as well soon.

 

[Brink]

 

[Ztruker]

Looks like just the Vista RTM files are back but Ultimate is not there. Does RTM also contain all the versions like Ultimate did?

Edit: Nope. The RTM files are just the .exe, no boot.wim or install.wim so they are useless.
Looks like just the English boot.wim and install.wim files are missing. The French and German files are there.

 

[MrChicken]

ilikefree...I would like to take you up on your SP2 offer as my friend was not able to deliver his install disc.

 

[Brink]

The links are now all working again.

 

[Ztruker]

Great! I'm surprised though. I thought they were gone for good.

 

[mycdnprince]

I have a 32bit Vista .iso made by SIW2 that has both service packs and all Windows updates up to 11-10-13
I will give the link to interested parties who contact me and not post it publicly

I'd like to take you up on your offer as this is exactly what I need.

 

[vincent501]

I have a 32bit Vista .iso made by SIW2 that has both service packs and all Windows updates up to 11-10-13
I will give the link to interested parties who contact me and not post it publicly

Hi , reading this thread i came across your link offer. if thats ok.

 

[ilikefree]

We found an error in the file when I sent a copy to someone in USA so I removed that link
Only have the Retail ISO without the service packs at this time you will find it at the bottom of this page
It is for all versions of 32bit Vista and you will need your valid activation key
I will be adding both service packs as stand alone .exe files later tonight

EDIT: Done

ilikefree_Program_Index

 

[vincent501]

We found an error in the file when I sent a copy to someone in USA so I removed that link
Only have the Retail ISO without the service packs at this time you will find it at the bottom of this page
It is for all versions of 32bit Vista and you will need your valid activation key
I will be adding both service packs as stand alone .exe files later tonight

ilikefree_Program_Index

Cool bananas

 

[ilikefree]

OK File with reported error was checked and found to be OK so will be re-uploaded as soon as I get the chance.
Thank you SIW2 for making this file to share.

EDIT: DONE

 

[amt]

Hi, I may be doing something wrong but what is supposed to happen when I open the X14-63453.exe file? When I open it, it looks like it's going through the install process on this PC but I want to create the .iso and burn it to a disc so I can install it on another PC. What options should I be choosing when I go through the process?

Thanks in advance

 

[amt]

Ok. My bad. I've figured out how to make the disc. Here is my other question.

My situation is this: I've upgraded my motherboard, CPU and ram. When I restart the computer I get the message saying that there has been new hardware detected and that I have to insert the Windows Vista disc and select the Repair Windows option. I don't have that disc because Vista came pre-installed. Will this process work for me?

 

[Dosedmonkey]

I really need the ISO. My disc is on the other side of the Atlantic, I have Vista x64. It keeps telling me the download link does not exsist. Help.

I have a problem with Visual C++ 2008 incorrect installation, and I need to reinstall windows to fix it.

ilikefree

Your site only seems to have the x86 32bit version?​

Thanks.
Matt

 

[Ztruker]

I really need the ISO. My disc is on the other side of the Atlantic, I have Vista x64. It keeps telling me the download link does not exsist. Help.

I have a problem with Visual C++ 2008 incorrect installation, and I need to reinstall windows to fix it.

ilikefree

Your site only seems to have the x86 32bit version?​

Thanks.
Matt

Go back to the first post in this thread. Download 32 or 64 bit and create your own ISO. It has SP1 so you will need to install SP2 then all updates.