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Windows Vista
at Boston College

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About Windows Vista at Boston College

Windows Vista was commercially released in January 2007. This most recent version of the Microsoft operating system incorporates a dramatic makeover with a new "glass-like"user interface (Aero), improved search capabilities, better user control, improved performance and reliability. Windows Vista is the most secure Windows operating system to-date.

All versions of Windows Vista are supported at Boston College (Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise are recommended). Home editions of Windows Vista are not recommended. Learn why Boston College does not recommend Home editions and how you can get a free upgrade.

Note: 44 ITS staff members have been using Windows Vista and supporting it for over a year now.

Versions of Windows Vista

Windows Vista is available in 5 versions:

Windows Version

General Description

Use at Boston College
Home Basic
 Designed for basic home use. No "Aero" interface.
Home Premium
 Designed for home use with "Aero" interface. Added media and security functions.
Business
 Designed for use in networked environment; supports dual processors; has "Aero" interface.
  • fully supported
  • you may purchase an upgrade to Ultimate, which includes Windows Media Center
  • Get the upgrade to Windows Vista Enterprise for free at the New Window Walk-In Help Desk in O'Neill 248.
Ultimate

Has all the features of Business edition plus Windows Media Center, which allows you to manage your digital photographs and music. Windows Movie Maker, games, DVD creation tools, and encryption tools are also included.
  • fully supported
Enterprise
 Similar to Business edition but with some added functionality. Enterprise has a different licensing program for organizations (universities and corporations).
  • fully supported
  • installed on laptops sold through the BC Bookstore
  • Get Windows Vista Enterprise for free at the New Window Walk-In Help Desk in O'Neill 248.
  • you may purchase an upgrade to Ultimate, which includes Windows Media Center

View version details on the Microsoft Vista site.

Should I upgrade from Windows XP Professional to Vista?

At this time, Information Technology Services (ITS) recommends that BC community members wait to upgrade their BC owned or home computers from Windows XP to Vista.

Faculty and staff will be moving to Windows Vista when their computer is replaced with the Boston College Computer Replacement Program (BCCR). Learn more about New Window BCCR and when you will be moving to Windows Vista.

Note: Laptops bought from the New Window BC Laptop Purchasing Program have Windows Vista installed on them.

If you do decide to upgrade, many of your software applications will need to be upgraded and/or patched. Learn how to update software applications for Vista.

I bought a computer that came with a Vista Home Edition installed. Should I upgrade?

Home editions of Vista are not recommended at Boston College. Learn why BC does not recommend Windows Vista Home. Most new laptops come pre-installed with Vista Home edition. You can get the upgrade to Windows Vista Enterprise for free at the New Window Walk-In Help Desk in O'Neill 248. Faculty and Staff can contact their Technology Consultant to get assistance with upgrading.

I am looking for a new computer, What version of Vista should I buy?

Vista Business edition and Vista Ultimate edition are recommended.

Home editions of Vista are not recommended at Boston College. Learn why BC does not recommend Windows Vista Home. Most new laptops come pre-installed with Vista Home edition. You can get the upgrade to Windows Vista Enterprise for free at the New Window Walk-In Help Desk in O'Neill 248. Faculty and Staff can contact their Technology Consultant to get assistance with upgrading.

What version of Vista is on the laptops that Boston College is selling?

Vista Enterprise edition is installed on the Windows laptops available through Boston College. The BC laptops have Office 2003 installed, not Microsoft's new version of Office (Office 2007).

System requirements

View the system requirements for Vista released by Microsoft: New Window Microsoft's official requirements site

The minimum requirements specified by Microsoft will allow you to run Vista, but much of its functionality will be missing and performance will not be optimum. Microsoft's recommended requirements will allow Vista to run with full functionality.

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Microsoft has provided a tool that performs a check of your Windows-based computer to determine if it can run Windows Vista. Install and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC. Download it from the Microsoft Vista site: New Window Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC. Please note that at this time, Information Technology Services (ITS) recommends that BC community members wait to upgrade from Windows XP to Vista.

Known issues

At this time, the following commonly-used applications at BC have known compatibility issues with Windows Vista:

ITS is investigating other potential issues and is testing software commonly-used at Boston College. View our latest testing results, which will be updated regularly.

Related links

Vista and Office 2007 home

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