Vista is Shipping, Should You Upgrade?

We have all waited for this day for a long time. It has been over five years since Microsoft released a new operating system. Now that Windows Vista is shipping, it is time for users to ask themselves if they want to move to the new operating system.

I've been using Vista since October and have been running the final code for a few weeks. There is no doubt that it brings many much needed improvements. So my short answer to users is that it is worth the upgrade. But I also suggest that you hold off on the upgrade until you've done some research.

I would highly recommend that you install Windows Vista as a fresh install. Do not install it over the top of a previous operating system. I completely deleted all disk partitions and started from scratch. This does mean you need to create a very good backup of your data before proceeding. Make sure you have drivers for all of your hardware. Unfortunately, not all vendors have released drivers even for very new products. I am awaiting drivers from two different companies that limit some of the things I can do on my Vista system. You should also check that all of your favorite software is compatible. The biggest problem for me is that my choice in security software, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite has not been released for Vista yet. Font Navigator, the font manager supplied with CorelDRAW X3, is also non-functional on Vista due to Vista's new security settings.

My best guess is that these driver and software issues will be solved in a couple of months. Then my recommendation will be for anyone who has a computer that can handle Vista should seriously consider upgrading. We have a page on the site where you can get Vista as well as training materials to help you with the transition.