After placing the upgrade DVD in your drive, you are presented the Welcome Screen.

Please Check Compatibility online to make sure you qualify for an upgrade. 

I encourage you to run the upgrade advisor prior to starting your upgrade. It will tell you what is and isn't compatible.

I tried to upgrade my laptop on battery power. The report told me to plug my laptop in the wall.

You have the ability to transfer your files and settings from another computer if you choose.

On this window, you can go online to grab any updates you might need for a clean upgrade. If you do not have Internet access, you can still proceed.

Grab a cup of coffee!!

Have another cup.

I know!  You wished that I had left my CD key included before taking the screen shot.

You know the drill.

You can choose to do a new install or upgrade. (I recommend a New Install) If you are upgrading and you find that the option is disabled, then you need more disk space.

The upgrade looks at the state of your current upgrade and makes sure you meet requirements.

This reports shows you any potential issues that may impede your upgrade.

You can probably check email and make some phone calls and balance your checkbook.

Did I mention to grab another cup of java?

Vista will automatically restart during the upgrade process.

This screen allows your installation to be up-to-date from the beginning.  The only thing I don't like about this is that I usually recommend to customers that they not connect to the Internet until the installation is complete and they have some kind of Virus Software installed and running.

On this screen, you simply choose the correct time zone for your particular installation of Windows Vista.

Nice graphic but really not needed.

You have successfully upgraded Windows XP to Windows Vista.