Product Description

Limited availability sku

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5301 in Software
• Brand: Microsoft
• Model: 66R-01331
• Released on: 2007-01-30
• Platforms: Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista
• Format: DVD-ROM
• Dimensions: .75 pounds

Features

• Limited Numbered Edition Signed by Bill Gates

Amazon.com
The most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista, Vista Ultimate Upgrade Signature Edition (DVD-ROM) is the first operating system that combines all of the advanced infrastructure features of a business-focused operating system, all of the management and efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For the person who wants one operating system that is great for working from home, working on the road, and for entertainment, Vista Ultimate is a no-compromise operating system that lets you have it all.

Windows Sidebar gives you quick access to gadgets like picture slide shows, Windows Media Player controls, or news headlines. You pick the gadgets you want to see in Windows Sidebar. View larger.

Use Flip 3D to navigate through open windows using the scroll wheel on your mouse. View larger.

Compare Windows Vista editions.

Use Instant Search to quickly find the information you need. View larger.

Windows Vista Aero provides spectacular visual effects such as glass-like interface elements that you can see through.

The redesigned Windows Media Center in Windows Vista lets you enjoy your media throughout your home, even on your Xbox 360. View larger.

Update Eligibility
You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 (including Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Media Center, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows XP Professional x64, Windows 2000) to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing this 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: You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your applications, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows or you can do a clean install. 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.

Easier, Faster Access to Information
Vista Ultimate features Windows Aero, a new interface that delivers higher levels of efficiency for any business user. This easy-to-use interface makes it a snap to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. Most importantly, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents. And for those businesses that do work in other countries, Vista Ultimate supports all worldwide interface languages.

Breakthrough Windows Vista Experience
Designed to help you feel confident in your ability to view, find, and organize information and to control your computing experience, all editions of Windows Vista introduce a breakthrough user experience. The visual sophistication of Windows Vista helps streamline your computing experience by refining common window elements so you can better focus on the content on the screen rather than on how to access it. The desktop experience is more informative, intuitive, and helpful. And new tools bring better clarity to the information on your computer, so you can see what your files contain without opening them, find applications and files instantly, navigate efficiently among open windows, and use wizards and dialog boxes more confidently.

Work From Home
Vista Ultimate includes all of the features that make it easy to remotely connect to business networks. This means that when you're working from home, you'll have advanced networking capabilities, such as the ability to join a domain, support for Group Policy, and access to features such as Remote Desktop. Vista Ultimate also includes Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption that provides improved levels of protection against theft for your important business data whether you are at home, on the road, or in the office.

More Entertainment Options
Vista Ultimate delivers all of the entertainment features available in Vista Home Premium, and includes everything you need to enjoy the latest in digital photography, music, movies, analog TV, or even HDTV. Ultimate also has helpful tools such as Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker to ensure that you have everything you need to collect, manage, and edit your digital content. It also includes Windows Media Center for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center.

Versatile Operation
Vista Ultimate truly lives up to its name by delivering all of the features both business and home users want and need. It is the ideal solution for both a small-business owner who wants a single PC that he or she can use at the office, on the road, and at home, and for someone who wants a home PC that will be used primarily for entertainment purposes but that can also be used for business purposes such as connecting to a corporate network.

Customer Reviews

Buyer Beware !
Do your homework on hardware compatibility. While you may be able to run Microsoft's analysis tool during install which is supposed to alert you to any problems with existing hardware ... it does NOT work in all cases.

Good luck !

"Ultimate"--not even close
After 5+ years in development, I expected a little more from Vista and from the 3rd party vendors (hardware and software).
Pros:
1. Nice smooth install, even on raid system

Cons:
1. Driver support lacking
2. Software support lacking
3. Price

Push:
1. Eye candy

The only thing I found better about Vista over XP was the installation process. The GUI effects are a nice evolution for the Windows platform, but certainly nothing groundbreaking.

As for the cons, it is probably more a knock against the 3rd party vendors then it is against Vista. One would think that these vendors would have invested more time and resources into their Vista drivers, but sadly many drivers are still very buggy (nvidia), in beta, or not being supported at all for some products (i.e. several HP printers). Fortunately, you are able to install XP drivers if they are properly signed (in most cases).

Also note that certain programs will not run under Vista even though they ran under XP (e.g. Quickbooks 2006). If you have "legacy" software that you need in your daily computer life, make sure it is supported under Vista or at least find out if there is an upgrade available. If you plan accordingly hopefully you won't have any unpleasant surprises.

Don't forget that when you upgrade your XP license is no longer valid. If you plan to dual boot, get the retail version or use the upgrade workaround.

Recommendation: Stay with XP until more of the driver and software issues are resolved or buy a new system that is completely Vista compatible. No matter which way you go, this upgrade will not come cheap (in money or time)

VISTA Rulez!!
Long awaited, but well worth it....... installed it in less than 15 mins. Yes, plan for a bigger Hardrive, and unlike many other reviews, the Driver issues are all being worked out. I didn't have to search the world over to find my driver, it picked everything, even things that only got as far as Win 98 SE support.