INTRODUCTION
This article contains information about the recommended
minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista. Hardware requirements vary for
the different releases of Windows Vista. This article includes requirements for
Windows Vista Beta 2, for Windows Vista RC1, and for the final release of
Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Capable PCs
A new computer that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can
run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences,
such as innovations in information retrieval and organization, in security, and
in reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs provide these core experiences at
a minimum. Some features that are available in the premium editions of Windows
Vista, such as the new Windows Aero user experience, may require additional
hardware.
A key component of the Windows Vista Capable PC program is
the Express Upgrade to Windows VistaT Promotion, formerly referred to as the
Windows Vista Capable PC Launch Upgrade Promotion. This program is designed to
maintain momentum of PC sales during the Holiday 2006 selling season and
provide the opportunity to promote premium PC systems with higher revenue and
margin. Specific details on this program will be published as soon as
available.
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes the following:
- An 800-MHz or faster processor
- 512 MB of system memory
- A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To experience a Windows Vista system that includes the Windows
Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated
"Premium Ready." Or, select a computer that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready
requirements that are described in the following list. Features that are
available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to
watch and to record live TV, may require the following additional hardware:
- A 1-GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 GB of system memory
- Support for DirectX 9 graphics that use a WDDM driver, a
minium of 128 MB of graphics memory, Pixel Shader 2.0, and 32 bits per pixel
- A 40-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free space
- A DVD drive
- Audio output capability
- Internet access capability
Windows Vista minimum supported system requirements
| Processor | 800-MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor* |
| System memory | 512 MB |
| GPU | SVGA (800x600) |
| Graphics memory | - |
| Hard disk | 20 GB |
| Hard disk free space | 15 GB |
| Optical drive | CD drive** |
| Audio | - |
| Internet | - |
* Processor speed is specified as the nominal operational
processor frequency for the device. Some processors have power management that
enables the processor to run at a lower rate to save power.
** The CD drive
may be external. (For example, the CD drive may be not integral or not built
into the system.)
Windows Vista Enterprise hardware planning guidance
You do not have to wait until Microsoft releases Windows Vista to
purchase new computers for an enterprise. You can use the information in this
article together with the Windows Vista Capable PC and Windows Vista Premium
Ready PC logos to decide which hardware to purchase.
The Windows
Vista Capable PC logo identifies hardware that meets or exceeds the
requirements to deliver the Windows Vista core experiences. All Windows Vista
Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. These computers can
also deliver key business features that are found in the Windows Vista Business
and Windows Vista Enterprise versions, such as the "domain join"
feature.
Some premium features may require advanced or additional
hardware. For example, if a computer is not Windows Aero capable, the desktop
graphics experience in Windows Vista will be comparable to Microsoft Windows XP
with regard to visual features, to stability, and to performance. The Windows
Vista Premium Ready program identifies hardware that can deliver these premium
experiences. Features that are available in specific premium editions of
Windows Vista, such as BitLocker Drive Encryption, may also require additional
hardware.
Use the information in the following table to decide what
hardware to purchase.
|
| Processor | A 800-MHz or faster processor
CPU
manufacturer information
| 1-GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor |
| System Memory | 512 MB | 1 GB |
| GPU | DirectX 9 capable (WDDM driver support is
recommended.) | Windows Aero capable
- DirectX 9-class GPU that supports:
- A WDDM Driver
- Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
- 32 bits per pixel
- Sufficient graphics memory
GPU manufacturer information
|
| Graphics Memory | | 128 MB |
| Hard disk | | 40 GB |
| Hard disk free space | | 15 GB |
| Optical drive | | DVD drive |
| Other | Meets criteria for "Designed for Windows XP" or
for "Designed for Windows XP x64" logo | |
For more information about Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs and
Windows Vista Capable PCs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
REFERENCES
For more information about how to install Windows Vista Beta 2,
click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:
918884
How to install Windows Vista Beta 2
For more information about Windows Vista, visit the
following Microsoft Web site:
The
third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies
that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or
otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.