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]

Tried it again, both 32 and 64 bit and it worked fine. I did not have to copy either of the .wim files to Vista\sources.

I think what happened was I doubled clicked on X14-nnnn.exe files while the boot.wim and install.wim files were still being downloaded so they didn't get copied to the sources folder. This time I waited until all downloads completed before doing anything and it works correctly.

I'm going to leave the new Step 3 I added as it doesn't hurt and may possible help someone else.

Edit: Just tested both 32 and 64 bit iso files I just created and they boot fine.

 

[SESA207478]

Thanks again Ztruker. The Vista DVD worked successfully and now I'm installing updates!

Cheers

 

[realflow100]

Why do i have to create an iso? can't someone create one and upload an iso so others can just download the iso itself instead of doing all this? wouldn't it be much simpler?

 

[Ztruker]

Yes, it is available but not "officially". You need to request it:

Post here and ask Peter (Ex_Brit) to send you the link to the versions of Vista you need, 32 or 64. Include your E-mail address mucked up, like abc at xyz DOT com then edit your post and remove it as soon as you receive the link.

The ISO Peter provides has both SP1 and SP2 applied.

 

[JackOfHearts265]

Thank you Ztruker for the work you put into this, very much appreciated!

 

[Ztruker]

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[copiman]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. Let me know if it is not.

I need to download Vista Home Premium 32bit and install it on my PC. I have the COA sticker. When I selected it at the beginning of this thread, I was directed to HeiDoc.net. It only showed Ultimate and then 4 .exe's below those. I'm not sure what to download. Could someone help me on this?

 

[Ztruker]

See my post a few before this: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/3...eate-installation-dvd-usb-11.html#post1400123

Otherwise, go to the 1st post in this thread,the tutorial) and follow the directions, especially the Information block.

 

[Arfer Daley]

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 new here I cant see a button too rep you or send you a pm hope I find it soon great info on here keeping my vista going as long as possible thanks so far for the info

 

[ilikefree]

I have removed the file made by SIW2 as it was causing a few problems for people downloading it without a download manager
I still have a Vista X86 (32Bit) iso and both service packs as stand alone files there if needed.
Sorry for any trouble people had with it.
Both SIW2 and I tested it with no problems but maybe we have faster internet connections than people that tried to download it.
Just for something to do I tried this tutorial and created an iso with it but won't upload it as I already have one on my site that works.
Remember to activate it after you install and not when they ask you to. That way you will get the option of which version you need.

ilikefree_Program_Index

 

[TrinDawg42]

Hello all. I have a valid Windows Vista Home Premium CD KEY and I needed to re install windows vista 64 bit on this computer, as the hard drive crashed. Didn't have a recovery disc so I found this site and proceeded to follow all directions TO THE TEE, everything seemed to have worked until the installation got to the point of installing files, and it gave me the error that d:\sources\install.wim could not be found. I looked on the install disc and it sure is on there. Like I said, I followed the directions to the tee...any help would be appreciated. As I'm writing this, I am also re downloading the install.wim file and am going to try and create the ISO and burn it one more time, following the exact instructions given on this thread. PLEASE help, as I have a dead computer!!

 

[TrinDawg42]

Hello all. I have a valid Windows Vista Home Premium CD KEY and I needed to re install windows vista 64 bit on this computer, as the hard drive crashed. Didn't have a recovery disc so I found this site and proceeded to follow all directions TO THE TEE, everything seemed to have worked until the installation got to the point of installing files, and it gave me the error that d:\sources\install.wim could not be found. I looked on the install disc and it sure is on there. Like I said, I followed the directions to the tee...any help would be appreciated. As I'm writing this, I am also re downloading the install.wim file and am going to try and create the ISO and burn it one more time, following the exact instructions given on this thread. PLEASE help, as I have a dead computer!!

OK..so here's an update. I finished re downloading the install.wim file from the link that was given, started over and followed all instructions, burned the ISO and still I'm getting the missing or corrupt install.wim file...ok this is getting frustrating!! PLEASE any suggestions?

 

[Ztruker]

Post here and ask Peter (Ex_Brit) to send you the link to the versions of Vista you need, 32 or 64. Include your E-mail address mucked up, like abc at xyz DOT com then edit your post and remove it as soon as you receive the link.

The ISO Peter provides has both SP1 and SP2 applied.

Pick up the Tutorial: How to Download a Vista ISO and Create an Installation DVD or USB here:

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

During the install, when asked for the key, don't enter it. You will then be given a menu where you can chose the version you want to install.

Activate once the install is completed.

 

[Tripper2]

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

Would like to have that. How do I contact You?

 

[Tripper2]

I admit I am not totally versed in installing and re-installing OS's as I don't do it that often. But I have been totally confused as to why you need to create an ISO and then burn the ISO to a DVD. Seems like you are just putting the files into one format, and then undoing it. As it turns out, you don't have to do that. If you go to IMGBRN website, and look under help, they have the topic of exactly how to create a Vista bootable install disk. You don't have to create an iso. You just download the exe and two .wim files from digital river (the files given in the beginning of this thread) and then run the exe file to create the vista directory. Then you use IMGBRN exactly as they say in the help topic to create the bootable dvd from the vista directory. I did this today and it works great. This saves you some steps as it is not necessary to create the .iso.

The free (IMGBRN will only burn CDS. That would take too many verses a DVD.

 

[ilikefree]

Would like to have that. How do I contact You?

I have had two people report they had trouble downloading and installing this file so I removed the link to it from my website
I will replace it today
You will need a download manager if your internet connection is slow as it is a larger than normal download
There is a contact us link on my website you can use as well
ilikefree_Contact_us

ilikefree_Program_Index


Edit: Done

 

[wilsoe2]

I have a machine that was downgraded to Win. XP Pro 32 bit that came with Vista Business. Now I'd like to update it back to Vista Business. I've downloaded all the files and done as the posts have said in creating and burning the ISO image but when I try to install the software it shuts dow during the install and I get a command screen. Image attached. File burned onto a DVD.
Anyone think they can tackle this problem?
Thanks,
E

 

[Ztruker]

Follow my directions here: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/3...allation-dvd-usb-post1400720.html#post1400720

 

[alwahis]

thankyou

 

[patddfan]

The Digital River site is defunct as of february 2015. I was only able to find windows vista as a torrent download since microsoft no longer supports it, and HP won't sell me any recovery DVDs to fix my pc with!