FixWindowsWindows Vista

Windows Vista: common problems and fixes

Safe fixes for a slow Windows Vista PC or one that broke after a change, plus guidance on when repair is not enough for an unsupported system.

  • Updated
  • 15 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows Vista

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Has your Windows Vista computer become slow, stopped starting properly, or gone wrong after a change? Use these fixes, and note what no fix can do, because Vista is no longer supported by Microsoft.

Windows Vista no longer gets security updates

Microsoft ended support for Windows Vista on April 11, 2017. Microsoft says an unsupported version is at greater risk from viruses and malware. Keep the computer offline where you can, and avoid banking or email on it.

Windows Vista support timelineA timeline of 5 events in date order. The full text follows the picture.Windows Vista support timeline2007Vista releasedRetail release January30, 20072008Service Pack 1Released February 4,20082009Service Pack 2The last service pack forVista2012Mainstream supportendsApril 10, 20122017Support ends April 11No more securityupdates
Support dates are the true calendar dates from Microsoft's lifecycle page.
Text version of this diagram
  • 2007: Vista released. Retail release January 30, 2007
  • 2008: Service Pack 1. Released February 4, 2008
  • 2009: Service Pack 2. The last service pack for Vista
  • 2012: Mainstream support ends. April 10, 2012
  • 2017: Support ends April 11. No more security updates

Before you start

An old drive can fail at any time. Copy anything you cannot replace first (how to back up your files). Scan any USB drive on a modern computer before using it here.

A slow computer

Slow Vista computer: fixes in orderA top-to-bottom flow chart with 5 boxes. Work through them in order and stop when the problem is fixed. The full text follows the picture.Slow Vista computer: fixes inorderNoNo1Fix 1: Restart and freedisk space2Is it quicker now?Yes: You are done3Fix 2: Reduce start-upprograms4Is it quicker now?Yes: You are doneStill slow? Little memory orold hardware is a commoncause.
Each fix takes a few minutes. Stop when the computer feels normal.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Step 1: Fix 1: Restart and free disk space
  2. Question 2: Is it quicker now? If yes: You are done. If no, go on to the next item.
  3. Step 3: Fix 2: Reduce start-up programs
  4. Question 4: Is it quicker now? If yes: You are done. If no, go on to the next item.
  5. If nothing worked: Still slow? Little memory or old hardware is a common cause.

Fix 1: Restart and free disk space

  1. Save your work, then restart the computer.
  2. Select Start, then Computer. Right-click the C: drive, then select Properties. The General tab shows free space.
  3. Select Disk Cleanup, choose My files only or Files from all users if asked, tick items such as temporary files and the Recycle Bin, then select OK.

Fix 2: Reduce start-up programs

See also startup programs and slow boot.

  1. Select Start, type msconfig in the search box and press Enter. Approve the permission prompt.
  2. Select the Startup tab.
  3. Clear the tick beside programs you recognize and do not need at start-up. Leave anything you do not recognize ticked.
  4. Select OK, then Restart.

Vista also needs memory. Microsoft's 2006 levels were 512 MB for "Vista Capable" and 1 GB for "Premium Ready", so a machine near the low end will always feel slow.

A problem that started after a change

  1. Select Start then All Programs then Accessories then System Tools then System Restore and approve the prompt.
  2. Choose a restore point from before the problem began, then select Next and Finish.
  3. Wait. The computer restarts and reports the result.

System Restore puts back system files and settings, not your documents.

Windows will not start properly

The Advanced Boot Options menuA monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom. It has 4 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Boot menuInternal driveUSB driveNetworkEnter: select1234The Advanced Boot Optionsmenu
  1. Repair Your Computer: recovery tools (if installed)
  2. Safe Mode: starts with only basic drivers
  3. Last Known Good Configuration: undoes recent changes
  4. Arrow keys choose, Enter confirms
Some of the items. The full list is longer and can differ between computers.
Text version of this diagram

A monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom.

  1. Repair Your Computer: recovery tools (if installed)
  2. Safe Mode: starts with only basic drivers
  3. Last Known Good Configuration: undoes recent changes
  4. Arrow keys choose, Enter confirms
  1. Restart. Right after the computer starts, and before the Windows logo appears, tap F8 several times. Do not hold it down.
  2. On the Advanced Boot Options menu, use the arrow keys to choose Last Known Good Configuration and press Enter. This is the safest first try.
  3. If it fails, restart, tap F8 again, choose Safe Mode and press Enter. The screen looks coarse, which is normal.
  4. In Safe Mode, use System Restore as above, or copy your files to a USB drive.
  5. If Safe Mode will not start either, put in your own Windows Vista DVD, start from it, and on the screen with the Install now button choose Repair your computer, then select your Windows installation and Next. Startup Repair is one of the options. Do not choose Install now, which starts a new installation.

Stop if the drive clicks or grinds

Switch the computer off. Every minute it runs can damage the drive further. Ask a trusted repair shop whether the files can be recovered.

The internet does not work

  1. Restart the router and modem (how to restart them the right way). Check that the network cable is firmly plugged in if you use one.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Select Start then Control Panel then Network and Internet then Network and Sharing Center.
  4. Select Diagnose and repair or the red cross between the icons, and follow the prompts.

If websites show security errors, no setting fixes that. Current browsers no longer support Vista, and old browsers cannot meet modern security standards. Do not click past certificate warnings.

When repair is not enough

Windows Update for Vista no longer works normally, and nothing makes the system current. A reinstall with your own Vista disc will not make it safe online. Check whether the computer can run ChromeOS Flex; if not, a newer computer is the safer route.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still get updates for Windows Vista?

Not from Microsoft. Support ended on April 11, 2017.

Is it safe to use Vista offline?

It is far safer, if the computer never connects to a network and USB drives are scanned elsewhere.

Should I turn off the permission prompts to speed things up?

No. The prompts are a protection, and turning them off does not fix a slow computer.

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Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

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