Support for Windows Vista technical problems and troubleshooting

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Windows Vista Help & How-to

What's included in Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Demo: Give Windows a visual makeover

Vista Top Solutions page

IT Pro: Windows Vista TechCenter on TechNet

Windows Service Pack Center

Free support for Windows Vista service pack issues

Resolve problems

Troubleshoot Vista Service Pack installation issues

Error message after you apply update 973879: "Stop 0x0000007e" or "Stop 0x00000050"

To make sure that your computer works best, visit the Windows Vista Compatibility Center

Your CD or DVD drive cannot read or write media

Printer Problems in Windows

No Sound in Windows

Playing video files crashes or freezes Internet Explorer or Windows

Fix Internet Explorer add-on problems when IE hangs or freezes

Identify and fix network connection problems in Windows

Download languages for Windows

Upgrade to Windows 7 today

How to fix BlueScreen (STOP) errors that cause Windows Vista to shut down or restart unexpectedly

Error message when you log on to a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer by using a temporary profile: "The User Profile Service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded" (947215)

Startup Repair: frequently asked questions

Windows Vista or Windows 7 no longer starts, and the Startup Repair tool does not fix the problem

What to do if Windows won't start correctly

What to do if you forget your Windows password

Related support centers

Installing

Install, reinstall, or uninstall Windows

Installation choices for 32-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista

Installing Windows Vista frequently asked questions

Install Windows Vista

Restore a computer to a previous Windows installation after you install Windows Vista

Upgrade to Windows 7 today

Error message when you search for updates in Windows Vista: "Windows could not search for new updates (Code 80072F8F)"

Troubleshoot sound problems after you install a Vista Service Pack

Error message after you apply update 973879: "Stop 0x0000007e" or "Stop 0x00000050"

Troubleshoot Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) install errors 0x80070002, 0x80073712, and 0x800B0100 with the System Update Readiness Tool

Install Windows Vista

Activating

Visit the Product Activation Support Center for Activation solutions

Error message when you try to activate Windows Vista: "An error has occurred"

Activate Windows Vista

Troubleshoot "Your Product Key is Invalid" error messages

Get help when prompted to activate Windows Vista after you install a Vista service pack

Get help with a "Your activation period has expired" error message

Reduced Functionality Mode and Product Activation in Windows Vista

Error message when you try to activate Windows Vista: "An error has occurred"

Troubleshoot "Your Product Key is Invalid" error messages

Activate Windows Vista

Error message when you search for updates in Windows Vista: "Windows could not search for new updates (Code 80072F8F)"

Visit the Windows Update Support Center

Service packs

Download Vista Service Pack 2

Information about Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008

A Vista service pack is not available from Windows Update or through Automatic Updates

Troubleshoot Vista Service Pack installation issues

Get help when a device driver is not installed, or a hardware device doesn’t work after you install a Vista service pack

Free support for Windows Vista service pack issues

Windows Update

Understanding Windows automatic updating

How do I reset Windows Update components?

Run the System Update Readiness Tool to resolve certain conditions that could cause installing updates and other software not to work.

How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services installation issues

Troubleshoot problems with installing updates

How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server Update Services installation issues

How to troubleshoot Windows Update or Microsoft Update when you are repeatedly offered an update

Windows Update automatically installs updates when you connect to the Internet

You receive error 0x643, error code 0x80070643 or updates may be re-offered when you try to install .NET Framework updates when using Windows Update or Microsoft Updates

Windows Update error 80070643

Error code "0x80070646," "646," or "1606" running Windows Update

Windows Update error 80070646 or 646

Error message when you start a Windows 7 or Windows Vista-based computer after you change the SATA mode of the boot drive: "STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE"

Optimizing performance

Diagnose and fix problems that might cause slow performance of Windows Search

Diagnose and fix causes of poor system performance

Optimize Windows Vista for better performance

What happened to standby and hibernate?

Maintenance

Diagnose and fix system maintenance problems

Detect and restore system settings that could be affecting your power usage

Change power management settings

To make sure that your computer works best, visit the Windows Vista Compatibility Center

Reduced Functionality Mode and Product Activation in Windows Vista

Disable and re-enable hibernation on a computer that is running Windows Vista

Get help when you wake a Windows Vista–based computer from sleep, you may receive a Stop 0x9F error message

Run the System Update Readiness Tool to resolve certain conditions that could cause installing updates and other software not to work.

Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage

Activate the hibernation feature after you use the Disk Cleanup Tool

Find help for icons that are missing from the Control Panel

Files and folders

Backup and restore frequently asked questions

System restore frequently asked questions

Troubleshoot "access denied" when opening files or folders

Solution Center for Access Denied Error Messages

How to open a file or folder

Change the properties for a file

Show or hide file name extensions

Use the BitLocker Repair Tool to help recover data from an encrypted volume in Windows Vista

Troubleshoot when saving a file to a hard disk or to a flash device

System repair and recovery

Backup and restore frequently asked questions

System restore frequently asked questions

Startup repair frequently asked questions

Troubleshoot when no operating system is found, even though the computer has been operating correctly for some time

Use the BitLocker Repair Tool to help recover data from an encrypted volume in Windows Vista

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

Security basics

Get Microsoft Security Essentials for free and protect your PC

Tips for creating strong passwords and passphrases

Visit the Virus and Security Solution Center

Overview of security features in Windows Vista

Protect your computer, yourself, and your family

Use anti-malware software to help protect your computer

Block spam and other unwanted e-mail

User accounts

Understanding User Account Controls

User Account Control overview

Get help with user accounts

Pictures and videos

Working with digital pictures

Windows Media help and support

Convert your old photos to digital pictures

Windows Media Player top issues

Diagnose and fix Aero glass (transparency) effects not working in Windows Vista

Troubleshoot importing video problems

Get help when the CD drive or the DVD drive does not work as expected

Get help with monitor and video card problems

Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs

Music and sound

Diagnose and fix sound or audio issues

Tips for fixing common sound problems

Getting started with Windows Media Player

Windows Media help and support

Windows Media Player top issues

Your CD/DVD drive cannot read or write media in Windows Vista

Problems configuring combo TV tuner in Windows Media player

Find help when disconnecting your iPod while disconnecting the USB cable

Networking

Set up a home network

Troubleshoot home networking issues

Troubleshoot problems finding wireless networks

Find answers to common questions about modems

Troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer

Troubleshoot when receiving a red "X" icon in nework drive

Get information on Windows Live Mail and Windows Hotmail

Block spam and other unwanted e-mail

Outlook Express has been replaced by Windows Mail

Working with Windows Mail

Get help with stuck messages in your outbox when using Windows Mail

Video freezes or crashes in Internet Explorer or Windows programs

Hardware and drivers

Find Windows Vista-compatible printers and scanners

Find downloads for applications and devices running on Windows Vista

Tips for fixing common driver problems

Install a device driver by using its installation program in Windows Vista

Get help when the CD drive or the DVD drive does not work as expected

Get help with monitor and video card problems

Get help when a device driver is not installed, or a hardware device doesn’t work after you install a Vista service pack

Troubleshoot driver problems

Printing

Find Windows Vista-compatible printers and scanners

Diagnose and fix printing problems and errors in Windows Vista

Solutions to common problems with printers

Troubleshoot scanning problems

Demo: Get help with printing

Ask the Community

Have a question? Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft Answers forums

IT-Professionals: Post a question or browse for solutions in the Microsoft TechNet Windows Vista forums

Developers: Post a question or browse for solutions in the MSDN Software Development for Windows Client forums

Self-Support options

Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for technical solutions to common break-fix issues

Visit the Windows Client TechCenter on TechNet for advanced troubleshooting and guidance for IT Pros

Visit the Windows Client Developer Center on MSDN

Microsoft Premier Customers: Visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting resources or to submit an incident online

Microsoft Partners: Access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network

Paid incident support

To contact a Microsoft Support Professional via e-mail, on-line submission or phone click on the product and version below that is applicable to you. We’ll ask you a few questions in order to serve you efficiently.

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows 7 Professional

Windows Vista Starter

Windows Vista Ultimate

You may have other support options available to you through your computer manufacturer

Contract incident support

IT-Professionals: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your TechNet Subscription

Developers: Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your MSDN Subscription

Enterprise customers visit Microsoft Premier Online

Microsoft Partners visit the Microsoft Partner Network

Get Volume licensing with Microsoft Software Assurance

Customer Service

To find information about non-technical customer service issues visit the Contact Us page. The Contact Us page is where you can find information on these and other top customer service issues:

Product sales and licensing

Replacements, refunds and rebates