Updated! Steps For Installing & Updating Windows Vista SP2

1. Do a clean install of Windows Vista SP2 64-bit.

2. Go into the Services list.
Change startup type in "Background Intelligence Transfer Service" and "Windows Update" to Manual and change startup type in "Windows Defender" to Disabled.
Go into User Accounts, then uncheck and turn off "User Account Control (UAC)".

3. Install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=25150
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48137
(Note: These are installed because certain device drivers may need them)

4. Install the necessary device drivers (chipset, graphics, audio, ethernet, wireless, etc.).

5. Establish an internet connection, then activate Windows Vista SP2 64-bit.

6. Install Windows Update Agent
http://download.windowsupdate.com/w...e/7.6.7600.320/windowsupdateagent-7.6-x64.exe
(Note: This will update wuaueng.dll to 7.6.7600.256)

7. Install Root Certificate
https://mega.nz/file/zgg3BSRI#myNxx0beWcQoQZEoSE26X94ylH5vbm1tZRIynePFBJg

8. Install KB971512
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB971512%20Vista%20x64

9. Install KB2117917
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB2117917%20Vista%20x64

10. Install Internet Explorer 9
https://www.softpedia.com/dyn-postdownload.php/806010ae72d56c1cde72856e83383309/618c0bd0/25c47/0/4
(Note: This will update Internet Explorer 7 to 9)

11. Install KB3205638
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB3205638%20Vista%20x64

12. Install KB4012583
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4012583%20Vista%20x64

13. Install KB4015380
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4015380%20Vista%20x64

14. Install KB4019204
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4019204%20Vista%20x64

15. Install KB4493730
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4493730%20Server%202008%20x64

16. Install KB4474419
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4474419%20Server%202008%20x64

17. Obtain the Vista_SHA2_WUC.7z tool and extract its contents into its own folder.
https://gitlab.com/stdout12/adns/uploads/9cc412e91502ca6ce8d1d9fad10b27d6/Vista_SHA2_WUC.7z

18. Run the Install_WUC.cmd command, then press "y" to continue.
(Note: This will update wuaueng.dll to 7.7.6003.20555)

19. Run the Patch_WUC.cmd command, then select option #1.
(Note: This will repair Windows Update and will allow updates to be checked for and obtained)

20. Load Windows Update, then select:
"Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them".
Put a checkmark in "Include recommended updates - - -".
After you click OK, the checking for updates process will begin.

21. When the list of important and recommended updates appear, download and install them.

22. After that's done, restart the computer.

23. Load Windows Update again, then do another check for updates.

24. If any remaining important and recommended updates appear, download and install them.

25. After that's done, restart the computer.

26. Repeat steps #23 - #25 until Windows Update advises you there are no more updates remaining to download and install.
The operating system should now be up-to-date to its April 2017 official "end of life" date.

Important!
Restart the computer after completing EVERY step, whether you're prompted to or not.
This guide applies only to Windows Vista SP2 64-bit.

This guide was updated and successfully tested on November 6 - 7, 2021.