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Windows Vista Solution Center

Top issues

Top issues

Update Vista

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Install, upgrade, and activate

Install or upgrade

Activate

Error message when you try to activate Windows Vista: "An error has occurred"
Troubleshoot "Your Product Key is Invalid" error messages
Error message when you try to activate a copy of Windows Vista by using a Windows Anytime Upgrade product key: "The following failure occurred while trying to use the product key: Code: 0xC004F061"
Get help when prompted to activate Windows Vista after you install a Vista service pack
Activate Windows Vista
Get help with a "Your activation period has expired" error message

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Performance and maintenance

Using Windows Vista

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Performance

Diagnose and fix problems that might cause slow performance of Windows Search Diagnose and fix problems that might cause slow performance of Windows Search
Automatically diagnose and repair problems with Windows Search when searches are slower, search is not finding all items, or the Windows Search service failed, is not running, or shut down unexpectedly.
Diagnose and fix causes of poor system performance
Automatically diagnose and fix causes of poor system performance, such as the power saver setting, multiple anti-virus programs running, multiple startup programs running, and too many users logged on to the computer.
Optimize Windows Vista for better performance

Maintenance

Diagnose and fix system maintenance problems
Automatically detect and fix common maintenance problems such as broken desktop shortcuts, unused icons, disk volume errors, and incorrect system time display.
Detect and restore system settings that could be affecting your power usage
Automatically detect system settings that can affect power usage, such as timeout and sleep settings, display settings, and screensavers, and restore them to their default settings.
Change power management settings
Activate the hibernation feature after you use the Disk Cleanup Tool
Use System Restore to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account
Restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install Windows Vista
Find help for icons that are missing from the Control Panel

Windows Upate

System repair and recovery

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Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer

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Programs, email, and games

Programs, email, and games

Troubleshoot

Security and privacy

Security basics

Visit the Virus and Security Solution Center
The Virus & Security solution center provides resources to protect yourself and your PC from viruses, hoaxes, and scams.
Overview of security features in Windows Vista
Protect your computer, yourself, and your family
Use anti-malware software to help protect your computer
Download a free trial of Windows Live OneCare – all-in-one PC care from Microsoft
Use Windows Defender to protect yourself from spyware
Block spam and other unwanted e-mail

Troubleshoot

User accounts

BitLocker

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Music and sound

Music and sound

Windows Media help and support

Troubleshoot

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Pictures and video

Pictures and videos

Windows Media help and support

Troubleshoot

Hardware and drivers

Hardware and driver basics

Troubleshoot

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Files and folders

Files and folders

Troubleshoot

Networking

Networking

Set up a home network

Troubleshoot

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Printing

Printing

Find Windows Vista-compatible printers and scanners

Troubleshoot

Support options and contacts

Contacts

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Other Support Options

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Help us improve Windows Vista

Page Tools

Last Review : October 19, 2009

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