| Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate UPGRADE [DVD] [OLD VERSION] | ![Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate UPGRADE [DVD] [OLD VERSION]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rlspPpwCL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | From: Microsoft Software
Category: Software
List Price: $259.95
Buy New: $144.99
You Save: $114.96 (44%)
New (10) Used (3) from $79.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  144 reviews
Sales Rank: 1604
Format: Dvd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows 2000, Windows Xp, Windows Vista Home Basic
Media: DVD-ROM
Edition: Upgrade
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 8 x 6 x 2
MPN: K62632
Model: 66R-00003
UPC: 882224172387
EAN: 0882224172387
ASIN: B000HCTYTO
Release Date: January 30, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Works for me... July 12, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
With any new operating system I'd expect to have a few bugs or compatibility issues. How can you expect Microsoft to develop software that knows every configuration of every single device in every single computer by every single manufacturer with every single 3rd party piece of software in it? I can't write about other people's experiences, however mine was fairly good:
I did a clean install of Vista, choosing to wipe my drive and reinstall my other programs personally. I had been running XP Professional for a couple of years on my Alienware MJ-12 m7700i. I look at the opportunity to change operating systems as a chance to start fresh. I can make sure that there isn't any sneaky spyware still kicking around from that random screensaver I downloaded off the web a few years back that might still be dragging my system down. Installation went smooth, all of my programs were compatible with the exception of Norton Password Manager (which will be sorely missed), and of course my virus protection which had to be upgraded to a Vista compatible version. I had backed up all my files to a USB external drive and brought them all over into Vista once the OS was up and running. I re-integrated my Outlook personal folders with ease, and was pleasantly surprised at how much faster Office 2007 runs on Vista than XP. It's probably because my PC is fresh and clean, but nonetheless, the performance improved.
Things I like:
1. The search system in Vista is great. I can hit the start menu off the keyboard and start typing a program name, a file name, an e-mail subject, whatever. As I type Vista is generating a list of hits. If I want to load Sound Forge, instead of clicking Start, Programs, Sony, Sound Forge, and then the .exe, I just hit the windows key and type "sound". Sound Forge is the first thing that pops up on my search and I hit enter to load. Fast. If I'm looking for a picture of my wife, I type "Paulina" and not only do all files with "Paulina" in them pop up, but the folder I was looking for, most recent e-mails, everything. Love the search.
2. Folder favorites. When hopping through folders, you can set a list of favorites that will always be available on the left side of any folder window. If I'm working on a project and I have to get to a certain folder group often, no matter what part of the drive I'm looking at, my favorites are only one click away.
3. Gadgets. Nothing to jump for joy over, but I like being able to have handy little mini-programs displaying oft-searched for information on the screen at all times.
4. The little things. For example, hovering over a minimized program on the taskbar opens up a mini screenshot. You can Alt-Tab through mini-screenshots, or Windows Key-Tab through larger readable shots. If you're watching a DVD, the video is live while scrolling though, so you can actually see what's playing. Other things like the music and picture icons are improved to make browsing easier, and even the built-in picture viewer is better, with fast simple editing and correction. When you look at "My Computer," it gives you a display of how full each drive is. The Vista add-on "DreamScene" allows you to have a video playing as your desktop background. Looks pretty cool too. Again, nothing amazing, but it's the small improvements that make it worthwhile.
Things I didn't like:
The only issues I had were some compatibility issues. My built-in card reader still doesn't work, and I've been trying to contact Alienware to find out who manufactured it. So far no luck. Alienware customer support is horrible! My built in audio didn't work at first, but a Vista driver just became available and now it's fine. I miss my Norton Password Manager, and I really wish Symantec hadn't stopped supporting that program. The Windows password manager is a joke.
Other than that, Vista has been great for me. I've got a P4 3.4GHz with 2GB of RAM and a 200GB drive. Video card is a 256MB NVidia GeForce Go 6800 Ultra. I'm not dual core, I don't have 4GB of RAM, and I have next to no complaints. Vista even boots faster than XP. If you can overlook the growing pains, and hold out for all the drivers to become available from all the manufacturers, you're gonna love the new OS.
 PAY TO BECOME MICROSOFT's beta-Testers? NO THANKS! July 9, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
When WinXP came out I refused to abandon my reliable Win98SE until SP2 was released and WinXP finally became an operating system (from the experimental eye-candy it first was). Experts advise us to do the same with WinVISTA - yet I do not think this is ever gonna happen...
WinVISTA is far WORSE than the initial release of WinXP: NUMEROUS and MAJOR compatibility problems with most third-party Software, Games (well, all games except...HALO2), GFX-Cards, Scanners & Printers, Cameras & USB-Peripherals. Not to mention Microsoft Software!
Even MICROSOFT Software (such as STREETS & TRIPS 2007, ENCARTA 2007, PICTURE-IT or MONEY 2007) refuses to work with WinVISTA! If they did not care to support their own Software, why should anyone else! And all this trouble just for the cool Aero effect (which, by the way, may be NOT supported on your 2007 PC!) and DirectX10 (for which, you do know, there is not one affordable GFX-card compatible with?)?
I don't think so!
Windows is an OPERATING SYSTEM! Why is it pretending to be able to DO EVERYTHING? It canNOT! Sure, it is nice to be able to listen to music, burn CDs, browse the Internet. But that is why there are so many Specialized Software available! And, what is even worse, WinVISTA will not let exactly these Software titles function as intended!
I had WinVISTA on my Laptop for about a week. I could not format quick enough! There is NOTHING WRONG with my WinXP-SP2. WHY CHANGE THEM?
 Excellent New Operating System-But A Couple of Problems July 1, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Recently I decided to upgrade my Windows XP Pro system (a Dell XPS 410, purchased last October) to Windows Vista; I had been holding off for awhile, but was curious to get going with tne new O/S. The reason I chose the "Ultimate" version was so that I could do the "in place" uprgade, which means that you can install Vista over your current O/S and programs; most verstions of Vista, including the "upgrade" packages, by default do a "clean" installation, which means it will delete your current O/S, all your data, and install a fresh copy of Windows.
Well, I found out, that I should have done what I wanted to avoid, and taken the time to do the "clean" install, and reinstall my programs. This is why almost everyone will have problems with some of their programs after the upgrade: Vista moves various system and data files from your \DOUCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\USER folders, including, your \My Documents and all sub folders, \Local Settings, which contain your \Application Data and \Temp folders, and many others. Thus when you restart after the upgrade, if the program you have installed had files there, and the Vista Setup script didn't know to move them to your new storage locations which is \USERS\USERNAME\DOCUMENTS or \USERS\USERNAME\APPDATA, that/those program(s) will have problems finding their files and settings (including older versions of Microsoft Outlook not being able to find its .pst files, LOL). This aggravated me because it took HOURS to figure out; Microsoft should provide printed doucmentation something to the effect of "To Advanced Users-the Vista In Place upgrade will move these files," etc and how to deal with it. This would save a HUGE amount of time. Less advanced users probably simply assume their system is broken and roll back the upgrade.
Once the O/S is installed and troubleshooting is done, I think it's excellent. After about 15 years, it's actually more document centric than program centric, e.g. instead of "run" on the start menu, you have "search;" you start typing in a text box and the start menu shows you everything-files, documents, web pages, emails, whatever that have a matching text string. So for example instead of launching Word, then looking for and opening the novel im working on called "Silver Lining," i type "Sil" into the "search" box, pick the "Silver Lining.doc" entry, and Word launches and loads my document. Finally more like the Mac than previous Windows, which were really basically DOS with a graphic shell pasted on. (Yes I know you could already launch programs with documents, but this is more elegant, you'll see what I mean after you've got to do it a few times).
I'm quite satisfied with Vista; in fact with my late model hardware it's like having a new computer again. But, my advice to most people is, if your computer is more than about a year old, wait for a new machine. If you are upgrading a recent machine that has the hardware needed, back up all your personal data, and do the clean install. Changing operating systems is not for beginners; if you have any doubts, it's best to pass.
Worth while upgrade June 26, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I bought and installed Vista Ultimate month ago. New UI makes me more productive than with XP, the OS itself solid and stable. I recommend it.
Windows Vista Rocks!! June 24, 2007
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
The newest operating system from Microsoft really made a difference.
Windows Vista took 5 years to make (centuries in technical years) but all of those days of waiting were worthwhile. The new Direct X 9.0 compatability, the new media applications - TiVO-like Media Center - the new security options, and simply the new look and productivity from the new OS is excellent. Faster, more robust and with much better applications and compatability, Windows Vista is a must-have upgrade from the old Windows XP. Program and games run a lot faster, my internet's safer, and my movie-making and photo organizing experience has turned from a difficult process to a quick and fun hobby.
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