The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Tool (VUAT) is a new beta program of which helps work out what your general system specification is so that it can determine whether Vista can run on your machine, whether drivers will be available, and which edition will suit you best.

The options that you can select include:

 Strengthen security with Windows Vista
Protect against spyware, worms, and other malware, and also have up to date information on how to protect against vulnerabilities
 Search and organise
Be able to instantly find files on your computer and search from anywhere within the operating system
 Elegant user interface with Windows Aero
More dynamic and realistic views as well as a much more stable, smoother and clear desktop experience
 Work anywhere
Easily detect and connect to wireless hotspots, with Tablet PC input support to write notes anywhere
 Watch and record TV
Record television programs and watch them in other rooms in your home
 Premium photo, music and video experiences
Share media using the Media Center and burn movies and media to DVD’s
 Connect to corporate or campus networks
Easily remotely access other network locations, and have network backups of your computer
 Simplify business
Integrated faxing and scanning abilities, and have full volume encryption to safely secure your data

The download is available for users now from the Microsoft Windows Vista pages. It’s been reported that it cannot run on Windows XP x64 Edition, nor can it run on Windows Server 2003 SP1 - however it does run on Windows XP SP2 as well as Windows Server 2003 R2 (because I’ve tried it) so expect more operating systems supported when the next Upgrade Advisor build is available.

 Download the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Tool now.