Need CDs instead of a DVD?
It's easy to obtain the media you need for your recent purchase of a retail packaged product of the Windows Vista operating system
If you have received a "format error" message when trying to install your new retail packaged product of Windows Vista, this likely indicates that your PC's drive cannot read the supplied DVDs and that CDs are required instead.
To find out how to obtain CD media of this software, choose the appropriate language edition from the list below.
To order your alternate media, you will need to provide your Product Key and contact information where we can send your new media. Your Product Key is located on the back of the disc tray in the box. The Product Key contains both letters and numbers arranged in a string of five groups of five characters each. A minimal charge, including shipping and handling, will apply.
Also, please note that in accordance with industry practices, the operating system license that you purchased grants you the rights to install one copy of Windows Vista on one PC. By ordering this additional set of media, you do not receive any additional license rights. This offer may only be available for a limited time.
If you have purchased a license of Windows Vista from an OEM or System Builder, please contact the OEM where you acquired the software.
Thank you for choosing Windows Vista.