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This page will be updated whenever new information is available. Last updated October 16, 2007.
Vista (more formally known as Windows Vista) is Microsoft's latest Windows operating system. Microsoft will continue to support Windows XP for computers not capable of running Vista.For more information, check out this comprehensive non-Microsoft article on Vista.
How Do I purchase Vista at Michigan?
FOR PERSONAL PURCHASE: Students, faculty, and staff can purchase Vista Ultimate — the most comprehensive retail version — from theU-M Computer Showcase.
- If you're planning to purchase a new computer soon, please read:
- Microsoft's information regarding compatibility with Vista.
- What if I buy a new computer that has Vista installed?
FOR DEPARTMENTS: Departments can purchase the Windows Vista Enterprise media (DVD only) and obtain authentication server codes.
IMPORTANT! Vista Enterprise can only be installed on University-owned computers. Please read Why can't I install the Enterprise edition on personally-owned computers?
We recommend that individuals wait before upgrading. Vista is a brand new operating system, and with all new things this complex, there's likely to be a few glitches.These are things you should consider before upgrading:
Before attempting to upgrade your computer, visit Microsoft's Get Ready for Windows Vista site. Read everything very carefully. Windows XP users can run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor on their computers to check for compatibility.
- you may have problems with wireless connections using Vista, especially if you have an older wireless card; refer to the next item
- your monitor, printer, and other peripherals including wireless cards will most likely require new software (drivers) in order to work with Vista; the older the device, the less likely a new driver will become available
- computers more than a year old may not be able to run Vista
- applications and games you already own may not work with Vista
- our minimum recommended requirements for Vista Ultimate (for personally-owned computers) is:
- 1 gigabyte (GB) of random access memory (RAM)
- a video card for your monitor that has 128 megabytes (MB) of video memory
- 15 GB free space on your hard drive
- DVD player (Vista is only available on DVD)
See also What if I buy a new computer that has Vista installed?
What if I choose not to upgrade now?
Continue to protect your computer. If you haven't already activated Microsoft Update, do so now. It will help keep your operating system and other Microsoft software up-to-date with critical security and other patches.And keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware up-to-date. If you installed the University-provided VirusScan, it constantly checks for updates and will automatically install them.
What if I buy a new computer that has Vista installed?
Understand what version of Vista you're getting. We recommend Ultimate, and you can purchase it from theU-M Computer Showcase for $20 (tax included). If you plan to upgrade by purchasing Ultimate from the Showcase, make sure your computer is able to run Ultimate — not just one of the lessor versions of Vista.Before purchasing, you should determine what things you already own will work with Vista. For example, you may need to purchase upgrades to software like programs and games. Check with the manufacturers of your existing peripherals to see if they will be providing new software (drivers) for your devices. If not, you will need to replace them.
As a last resort before replacing what you already own, you have the option to downgrade your operating system from Vista to Windows XP.
What about virus and spyware protection?
Even though Vista will be a more secure operating system, nasty people will still try to make your computing life miserable.We've upgraded the University-provided software to VirusScan 8.5 which protects Vista, Windows 2003, XP, and 2000 and now also includes anti-spyware protection. Download it at no cost from the
U-M Blue Disc website.
What software works with Vista?
We thank the University of Wisconsin for allowing us to link to their Windows Vista - Application Compatibility Issues page.
What do I need to know about activation?
Microsoft requires that all versions of Vista be activated after installation. Failure to activate limits the computer in significant ways.During activation, Microsoft creates and stores a profile of the computer's configuration, which locks each copy of Vista to one specific computer.
Can Intel Mac users run Vista?
Yes. Microsoft has confirmed that our license is valid for installing and operating Vista on an Intel Mac running BootCamp or other virtual environment programs such as Parallels Desktop.
Why can't I install the Enterprise edition on personally-owned computers?
Doing so would violate the terms of our Campus Agreement with Microsoft and would put the University and that agreement at risk.You must not install Vista Enterprise on a personally-owned computer under any circumstances. Students, faculty, and staff can purchase Vista Ultimate from the
U-M Computer Showcase for $20 (tax included).
There are five different editions of Vista. Why were Ultimate and Enterprise chosen?
Microsoft determines what we can offer based on our licensing agreement with them.For personally-owned computers, eligible students, faculty, and staff can purchase Ultimate — Vista's top-of-the-line retail product — from the
U-M Computer Showcase for $20 (tax included). You can view a comparison of the four retail Vista editions (Enterprise is excluded because it will not be sold in stores).For departments, the Enterprise edition allows system administrators to install and manage Vista on networked University-owned computers.
Information Technology Central Services at the University of Michigan
