Top 5 Reasons To Avoid Windows Vista
Version 0.52 (Updated Mar 2008)

This article lists the five top reasons not to upgrade to Windows Vista.

5. Security

Many people have a misunderstanding that the latest operating system has the best security. Take Windows XP when it was released. Why does Windows XP need to be continuously updated via Automatic Updates?

Microsoft has released many patches for various XP holes with the 2 mega ones being Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2. Service Pack 3 is coming soon.

Update March 2008: Whole slew of patches are now available via Windows Update for Vista. This just proves the point that security is never 100% perfect.

4. Hardware Compatibility

Hardware vendors are catching up fast with many releasing beta drivers. Till then, you can check your hardware in this list and see whether it is compatible with Windows Vista.

This was a big issue previously and has been lightened thanks to manufacturers rolling out Vista drivers. But it is still a issue with older devices that are not supported by the manufacturers. Like bluetooth and infrared adaptors.

3. Software Compatibility

Examples of software programs are Slysoft's AnyDVD, DivX Converter, ZoneAlarm, WS-FTP,

Games like Sims 2 and Second Life also fail. You can check the full list here.

2. High System Requirements

The recommended system requirements are much higher than XP:

Windows XP (link)	Vista Basic (link)	Vista Premium (link)
Pentium II 300 MHz 128MB RAM 1.5GB HDD Space 800x600 SVGA card	1000MHz 512 MB RAM 15GB HDD space DX9 GPU with 32MB RAM	1000MHz 1 GB RAM 15GB HDD space DX9 GPU with 128MB RAM

This is perfectly all right, since most of us who got our PC 1-3 years ago would most likely fit nicely under Vista Basic requirements.

But that means you will be foregoing performance. Think about it, your current Windows XP system, which far exceeds Windows XP system requirements, is now going to contain another OS that has a higher system requirement.

The bottom line? The upgrade to Vista will make your system slower than with XP.

1. No Features That You Really Need Right Now

You can find a full list of Vista features here.

DirectX 10? You need the latest graphic card and a relatively fast CPU to run games at full native resolution.

Windows Aero? It's just some candy which reduces overall performance. But if you insist, there's Vista Transformation Pack for Windows XP (free).

Instant Search? Get Google Desktop Search (free).

Encrypting File System? Truecrypt. It is free and widely regonized.

Games Explorer? Create a folder in your start menu (Start > double click Programs, New Folder) and move your games to that folder. ESRB ratings? Check Gamespot.com

Internet Explorer 7? Download IE7 for Windows XP

ReadyBoost? Just upgrade your RAM - it's way much faster than using a thumb drive as extra RAM

You get the idea.

Conclusion

Stick with XP for now :)

Last Updated 2nd March 2008.

Errors? Omissions? Need Help? Know something? Post your queries in the Windows Vista Discussion Forum.

This document is Copyright(©) 2001-2008 by G.Ganesh.

28 comments

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john Unregistered	Do You know i am using XP for 7 years.
	posted 5 May 2009 - show 1 replies - Reply - Permanent Link

Unregistered	I am using Windows Vista Home Premium 32bits for 9 years!! Came in new computer in 2008 and never formated, original.
	posted 25 Oct 2017 - Reply - Permanent Link

john Unregistered	you can buy new desktop pc computer & laptop e,g HP THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
	posted 5 May 2009 - Reply - Permanent Link

SA Unregistered

These reasons posted in this article are just a scratch of the surface. There are MANY reasons to avoid Vista, and Windows altogether. I have been in the IT industry for over 12 years. What do I use? Fedora Linux 10. Why? Because I can free of all of Windows downfalls: COST, maintenance headaches, compatibility, and much much more. I am sorry that I didn't make the move to Linux sooner. I even wrote my own article explaining why I made this move: <a href="http://members.apex-internet.com/sa/windowslinux">http://members.apex-internet.com/sa/windowslinux</a>

posted 11 Mar 2009 - Reply - Permanent Link

patrick Unregistered	x1100 is a vary good card if you cant afford another one i play counter strike on full settings and its super fine and i have 512 soon to upgrade to 4gb after i get Christmas money but its ablest decent if you have the proper ram and knowledge of vista to know how to tweak
	posted 19 Dec 2008 - Reply - Permanent Link

DX10 sucks monkey Unregistered

DX10 is Microsoft trying to get an edge on Sony. That's it. The difference in DX10 over DX9 is almost ZERO! Don't be a dumb a$$ and go buy vista for dx10. It sucks. Infact trying to run Vista with games is stupid. Vista already requires you to have an above normal spec for hardware and you want to run Crysis on max specs? Go buy a 360 for that. It's cheaper. Besides DX10 is a waste of time. Decreases a lot of FPS and doesn't do much in graphical increase. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!

posted 12 Apr 2008 - Reply - Permanent Link

Jesse Unregistered

It's the simple things about XP that I miss using Vista...like Properties when I right-click the desktop...or Run on the Start Menu. Of course it's possible to alter these things, but it's a pain! It's like having to switch settings to view the Classic View in the Control Panel for XP. In efforts to make things easier for most people, it's harder for others who are more experienced. The pretty graphics are just crap. As far as I'm concerned the basic grey of Windows 98 is fine. Games are meant to be pretty, but not my OS - that's meant to be responsive. I'm going to install Vista again, though, now that a SP has been released and see if I've changed my mind at all. :)

posted 28 Mar 2008 - Reply - Permanent Link

flam Unregistered	gamers with crappy PCs.... oh well it's your choice :) Vista is not bad but it is not good either it works perfectly as long as user is not stupid to the bone... if you have 512mb RAM stick to the XP or rather win2000NT there is no perfect solution to everything, there is no best OS..
	posted 27 Mar 2008 - Reply - Permanent Link

vistallation Unregistered	well vista works fine at the part of games that don´t have any issues installing them, but if u get anykind of error i would advise to forget about even trying to fix the installation problem or the game wont start problem, other than that there shouldn´t be anything major malfunctioning at the vista system
	posted 31 Jan 2008 - Reply - Permanent Link

Richard Unregistered

Hi Guys, I too was a happy XP user. I went and splashed out on a Dell System. Quadcore Extreme Processer 3G and a GeForce 8800 Ultra 768MB and 4G of the quickest ram I could buy through Dell. I thought I would give Vista a go... moving forward etc but my external M Audio soundcards aren't working properly. I've d/ld the Vista drivers which are betas from months and months ago and the sound was crackly and popping etc ( I realise this is M Audios fault not vista). I have a couple of Monitor speakers which also cost me a pretty penny so there is no way I will use an Operating System currently that I can't get drivers for. Anyway the system has gone back to get XP 2005 Media Centre Edition installed and I hope to be having some fun on it in a few days. I'm disapointed about DirectX 10 not working with XP since I am going back there because I would like to play the newest games coming out with full eye candy but I might just wait until things have settled down a little and maybe there are some new sound card drivers available for me. I also have a 30inch monitor so have been told I may well need to upgrade to a second graphics card before I can look at going back down the Vista DirectX10 route running everything high as high can be.. Does the fact that I have a DirectX 10 capable graphics card not matter if I am only running XP? I hope XP keeps me happy for the next 6 months or so.

posted 27 Oct 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

degenerate1991 Unregistered	got a free vista upgrade with my comp. 1.5gb ram and a crappy IC video card. even media player lags and compatability sucks. I feel sorry for those with only 512mb ram. what a cruel experiment this is. when sp1 comes out I will try again with a ram upgrade.
	posted 22 Jul 2007 - show 1 replies - Reply - Permanent Link

NeoMang Unregistered	You guys gotta give Vista a chance. The posts above me are now months and months old. Vista, with a sweet Nvidia card rollign DirectX10 on a 64 bit OS running a 64 bit compat game also DX10 compat, and even Dual Core compatible is going to rock your face off. Youll have BETTER graphics and effects while actually getting same or better FPS because of DirectX10.
	posted 10 Aug 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

Kermit Unregistered	Bill Gates... is that you?
	posted 11 Sep 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

RockStar Unregistered	hmmm.. Vista sure is trouble at the moment for compatibility stuff. It is important to ask urself whether you really need an update. All the software I need works fine under Windows XP sp2 why would I need Vista? Unless I'm forced to work on it I'm not considering any update.
	posted 20 Jul 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

epsilon Unregistered

Here's what i notice with the gamers.. U buy vista after buying into the hype. Frame rates suck worse than XP. You make some compromises - lower graphic details, disable sound effects or cards that worked fine with XP (citing UndeadDevil). AND when u do c some improvement, ur happy even though frame rate still are way lower than wit xp & the usr experience sucks. MS teaches u to accept his over the years with every new OS. DATS NOT HOW ITS SUPPOSED BE! U pay for a better product, not crap... n don't get me started on the DRM crap. You decide what u do with ur PC, not MS or execs at hollywood. Sheeple who buy into this will face severe restrictions in a few years when MS dictates what u watch and can't. my 2 cents Peace

posted 5 Jul 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

Essji Unregistered	I'm switching back 2 Xp.For those who want to take the plunge to vista,I say,it was nice knowing u!
	posted 31 Mar 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

Play Guy Unregistered	I just bought a new gaming PC for over 2 grand, simply to find out it doesn't play games. This is the most ridiculous crap I've ever seen. Screw Vista; it's maddeningly broken. Way to jack it up Microsoft- one of these days someone is going to go crazy and shoot you all, and I'm going to read it in the paper and laugh. Stupid vista.
	posted 20 Mar 2007 - show 1 replies - Reply - Permanent Link

UndeadDevil Unregistered

I'm sorry but Games work fine on Vista. Games in my collection that work perfectly fine on Vista: Half Life 1,2,2EP1,Lost Cost Counter Strike Source Unreal Tournament 2004 The Sims 2 Diablo 2 Serious Sam 2 Call of Duty Command & Conquer Generals I had problems getting The Sims 2 to work, basicly it need a no-cd crack as Vista broke the CD Protection system it uses. Have you actually installed the drivers for your Graphics Card? Games generally need them to work no matter what system your using lol

posted 21 Mar 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

Joker Unregistered	Well im stuck with vista, i just bought a new computer not really paying any mind to it being vista, the only thing i can play is halo 2 (pc) thats pretty much it so far, so obviously im pee'ved about this is there anything i can do to fix this problem...? wanting to play a few old games, everything is stock at the moment, 512 mb ram 160g hdd.....is there anything im missing?
	posted 3 Mar 2007 - show 1 replies - Reply - Permanent Link

Joker Unregistered	System Specs intel penti 4 ati radeon 1100 graphics card not sure on the sound card 512 mb sdram 160g hdd any help would be greatly appreciated
	posted 3 Mar 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

UndeadDevil Unregistered

Have you installed the latest ATI drivers? With only 512mb of RAM you shouldn't be attempting to play games on that machine. It is extreamly low spec and below the min req for Vista Home Premium. You also didn't mention that its a laptop, I have not seen a laptop that manages to play games without costing a arm and leg. The ATI Radeon 1100 is so low spec that it would not play any recent game. Take the laptop back and get a Desktop which will be atleast 4 times more powerful for the same price?

posted 6 Mar 2007 - Reply - Permanent Link

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