What Should I Do About Windows Vista?
The "I Really Don't Want to Upgrade"
Computer User's Guide to Windows Vista Decisions

Why Should I NOT Upgrade to Windows Vista?
copyright 2006 by Tracy Marks


Windows Vista Decisionmaking: Introduction
Why Should I Upgrade to Vista?
Why Should I NOT Upgrade?
What are Vista's Hardware Requirements?
What Version of Vista and at What Price?
What are my Installation Choices?
Conclusion























Why should I NOT Upgrade
To Windows Vista (at least not yet)?
continued from page two


Would you believe? This computer writer may be encouraging you NOT to jump on the upgrade bandwagon – at least not before 2008.   (Indeed, I am about to custom order t-shirts with the words No More Upgrades. Feel free to contact me if you wish to order one!).

 Indeed, there are many good reasons for you NOT to upgrade to Windows Vista, at least not in the first year of its release. Much, however, depends upon your existing hardware, budget, available time, and the nature of the software that you use. Some of these will be explained in more detail in the next sections of this article.


Reasons not to upgrade early in Vista's release:

  1. The first release of a new operating system often has many bugs. Why not let other people be the guinea bug swatters and install the new operating system after it has been more thoroughly tested and “cleaned up”? Or do you perhaps like to attract bugs because they make an interesting topic of conversation at cocktail parties or because you can prove how quick you are at swatting them?
  1. Your computer is functioning fine and doing all you need it to do right now. No, you really don’t need to watch that new online Michael Moore video online……
  1. You bought a new high-end computer last year with Windows XP and you just finished reinstalling your programs and locating your files and you really need a few months to reacquaint yourself with your family.
  1. You plan to buy a new computer in another year or so. You’re going to have to reinstall your programs anyway then. Why not wait?  (see later in this article for information on clean install versus in-place install).
  1. You don’t have the time necessary to deal with upgrade issues. You may not even have the time available to read this article in which case you’re not likely to read any further (see you next year!)
  1. You don’t want to make the time necessary to deal with upgrade issues. Having a few nights off a week for the next few months is more important to you…..even if Lost IS on hiatus the next few months and the current Survivor is BORING and no one wants to spend time with you this coming weekend anyway.
  1. You don’t have the money you need to purchase the upgrade and/or prefer not to make Bill Gates any richer any sooner than you have to. (If this is not an issue for you, check out the Bill Gates personal wealth clock  to see just how much you are contributing already to his luxurious lifestyle).
  1. Your computer does not meet the requirements for Windows Vista and you don’t want to invest the time and money in upgrading your hardware. (See section on hardware requirements on next page). Or perhaps, you’ve been loping along with Internet Explorer 4.0 for a long time now because you never learned how to download the later versions. Time for a computer class?
  1. You don’t have any geek friends willing to give you their time in exchange for your delicious chocolate chip cookies without charging you an arm and a leg, and of course, you KNOW you need someone to hold your hand or  to call at 3am when you can’t sleep and you can’t get your computer to work properly.
  1. You are very much attached to using old programs that may not work in Windows Vista. Early reports, for example, indicate some bugs occurring in Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 (5.0 is now released) and also Microsoft Outlook 2003 when used in Vista. Some old programs may work in Windows Vista, but if they use WinHelp32.exe as their help file, their Help feature may be inaccessible. 

    Or maybe you still aren’t willing to lose your scorecard on an early release of Tetris,  which simply does not work on Windows XP, and therefore you will NOT upgrade to Windows XP and will not upgrade until Tetris for Windows Vista is released….
  1. You subscribe to an antivirus program that is not fully supported by Windows Vista (Even Symantec and McAfee express dissatisfaction that their software, although functional, is more limited in its capabilities in Vista, but undoubtedly will come out with updates if any are necessary). On the other hand, if you’re using the free 1999 antivirus program that you came with your computer seven years ago and don't know you need to subscribe to an update service, well…..it IS time to take action at least on that front, if you still have a functioning computer, that is.
  1. You do not want to lose the features of Windows XP which have been deprecated (discontinued) in Windows Vista. These include: Hyperterminal, Windows Messenger, the Messenger Service for Networks, and MSN Explorer.

    Net Meeting has been replaced Windows Meeting Space, and although Telnet is not automatically installed with Windows Vista, it can be installed from the Microsoft site.

    Fear of giving up your pet software may be a viable reason for not risking an operating system upgrade, but then again, you may have Sun or Moon in Cancer or otherwise have a tendency to cling to the old and familiar until you are forced by circumstances to float unanchored in new vistas of cyberspace……


NEXT: Hardware Requirements
What Version of Windows Vista Should I Buy?

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copyright 2006 by Tracy Marks, Arlington, Massachusetts
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Last updated November 19, 2006