Description
You are probably wondering how this tool is different to the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. The key difference is that the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor will determine if an individual PC (currently running Windows XP) can be upgraded to Windows Vista. It is mainly designed for home users or standalone PCs. The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool is much more detailed and designed to assess networks and servers.

Here is what Microsoft have to say: 'The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment is a tool that will find computers on a network and perform a detailed inventory of the computers using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). Through use of the detailed inventory data, the tool will assess and report whether the computers can run Windows Vista, where to find drivers for devices on the computers, and provide recommendations for hardware upgrades, where appropriate. The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool does not require the deployment of agent software on the computers being inventoried and assessed. It provides a secure, quick, and easy way to determine which computers, in a networked environment, are Windows Vista ready.'

Note that you also need to have: 'Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition for storing inventory and assessment data. Microsoft Word 2003 SP2 or Microsoft Word 2007 and Microsoft Excel 2003 SP2 or Microsoft Excel 2007 for generating reports'.