Assessing a Windows Vista Upgrade.

Ok, so you are seriously considering attempting an upgrade, even though you've seen all the advice against it.

And you've seen all the funny sites mocking the process:
http://www.bbspot.com/News/2007/02/windows-vista-upgrade-decision-flowchart.html

Well, if you found this article from Google or Yahoo Search, I hope you didn't skip over the #1 search result from them:

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

Yes, you should run this free software. It is painless and relatively quick.

License Agreement and Privacy Statement

If you read the License Agreement, it references a URL that will explain what information it is sending to Microsoft to do this evaluation. Oddly enough, the URL http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=77228 looks like a hyperlink, but really isn't. So you have to copy and paste it into your browser, but oddly enough, the right-click context menu won't show up, so you have to use CTRL+C to copy it. And then where does it take you? Well, it takes you back to the page that you just downloaded the tool from!!! So if you read that page more closely, you will see a link to a privacy statement: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/privacy/windowsvista/upgradeadvisor.mspx

Time to Scan

The scan actually doesn't take too long, 5-10 minutes on most systems.

Compatible Software?

If you are a Windows XP user, you will be happy to know that the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor that you downloaded has received a "Windows Vista logo" from Microsoft meaning that the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor "has no known compatibility issues". Well, I guess you should expect this, however, I'm not sure why someone would be running the Upgrade Advisor on a Vista computer.

What about Older Versions of Microsoft Office?

Well, the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor makes no mention of whether Microsoft Office 2003 is compatible or not. Not surprising, since they co-launched a new version of Office and obviously would like you to send them hundreds of dollars. I'm sure you will sleep better knowing that the new version has received a Windows Vista logo for "no known compatibility issues".

Problem not solved? Ask a Zolved Guru... Friend needs help? Try Zolved Remote Control... rate the article del.icio.us   stumble print