Find which Vista works for you

A project in the making for several years, Microsoft’s Windows Vista offers some great enhancements and features. Of course, there’s always a warming period with any new operating system release from Microsoft. A certain period of time must pass to allow the operating system to mature, and to get the bugs out, so to speak. By the time this happens, there are a number of patches and security fixes coming your way in service packs. Essentially, service packs are collections of these patches and fixes, all rolled up into one big download.

Usually, this warming period takes about a six months to a year. This time, though, with so many embracing the newest flagship software from Microsoft so early, that timeframe is shorter.

Nowadays, we can expect three to six months for the discovery of major bugs. Microsoft releases patches almost every week. Microsoft bases their release on the severity of the risk, the potential for damage to your operating system, and security risks to your information or your personal data.

Tell us something we don’t know. All of us are – or should be – used to these patches. Way back from Windows 95, we’ve been downloading patches upon patches. Eventually, our original files and operating system are just that – a collection of fixes and patches. Some say that Windows 98 to Windows 98 SE and even to Windows Millennium are just a patched Windows 95. The core of the operating system has not changed, and neither has the look and feel. It’s just more features and add-ons.

Vista, on the other hand, has become a major change to the Windows Operating system. For fear of getting too technical, I’ll stay away from the geek-speak details. The point, with new software, you need new hardware. You did purchase a new computer for Vista, didn’t you?

If you upgrade to Vista from your existing Windows version, you will almost certainly notice a decrease in performance. Before you upgrade, you should check the Vista Upgrade Advisor. This is a free tool that will analyze your current computer and tell you which version of Vista your computer will support.

Vista also has a Windows Experience Index. It also details which version of Vista will work best on your PC. The lowest score will be a Windows Experience Index of 1. This is definitely not worth the upgrade. You should consider more memory and a better video card, to say the least.