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Chapter 1

Installing Windows Vista Client

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Ensure that you have located your 25-character product key.

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Have determined what antivirus software you will install after installation completes.

A link to Windows OneCare is provided in the Welcome screen after you complete

installation. OneCare is a fully featured subscription-based application available from

Microsoft that you can use to protect against viruses and to ensure that your com-

puter has appropriate security settings. You do not have to select OneCare as your

antivirus or security solution, and many other vendors have released comparable

products.

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Prepare a namefor the computer that you will enter during installation. If you are install-

ing in an Active Directory environment, which is not covered on the 70-620 exam, you

should also know the name of the domain that you want to join the computer to.

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Ensure that your Internet connection is working.

Clicking Install Now begins the installation process. After a moment, you are asked to enter

the 25-character product activation key in the text box shown in Figure 1-5 and to select

whether or not you want to automatically activate Windows when the computer connects

to the Internet. It is possible to use Windows Vista for 30 days before you need to activate

it online or by telephone. Until you are an expert at installing Windows Vista, you should

ensure that you are completely happy with the installation and configuration prior to per-

forming activation. That way, if you find something problematic, you will be able to rein-

stall from scratch without having to worry about a prior activation using your 25-character

product key.

If you want to enter the product key later, you receive a dialog box asking if you are sure. After

it is installed, Windows Vista reminds you each day until the grace period expires that you

need to perform the activation process.

Figure 1-5

Enter the product key