Windows Vista at UW

Information Technology is able to provide support for Microsoft Windows Vista on university owned computers. Due to software and licensing constraints IT will only provide support for Windows Vista Enterprise Edition installed by University of Wyoming, Information Technology on qualified hardware.

Information Technology has expanded support of Vista to allow for upgrades to qualified computers currently owned by the university. Although upgrading is supported, IT strongly recommends continued use of Microsoft Windows XP Professional.

Computers qualifying for Vista upgrade include Dell Optiplex GX610 or higher desktop computers and Dell Latitude D630 or higher laptop computers. IT user consultants will evaluate other computers using the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor as well as component driver availability to determine upgrade qualifications. IT will not upgrade computers where drivers aren’t readily available from the vendor, where the Vista Upgrade Advisor reports any system resources that are less than those listed on the Microsoft site, or any component receives a score of less than 3.0.

Click here for Microsoft Windows Vista recommended hardware requirements.

Although many software packages are now compatible with Windows Vista we encourage you to evaluate your software requirements to identify compatibility and the costs associated with upgrading software when necessary. Administrative application requirements should also be evaluated. IT will not upgrade computers where software incompatibilities will prevent the user from performing business related activities.

UW licensed software compatibility chart

Please reference the Web site linked below for up-to-date information on additional software compatibility. Information Technology cannot confirm the accuracy of the software listed on this site. UW Software Compatibility is determined by the statements from the vendor and through IT limited testing.

Other Software: www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List

IT Computer Sales will continue to sell new computers with the least expensive operating system – Windows XP Home Edition – until there becomes a compelling reason to move the campus toward Windows Vista. IT supported computers will receive the normal UW Windows XP Professional image with standard productivity software pre-installed.

IT Computer Sales will order computers with the least expensive version of Windows Vista - Windows Vista Home Basic- for clients who specifically request it. Those computers will receive the UW Windows Vista Enterprise image with standard productivity software pre-installed.

Qualified university owned computers are eligible to upgrade to Vista at no additional cost under the Microsoft Campus Agreement. However, Information Technology recommends against doing so.

Eligible students have the opportunity to obtain and install Windows Vista Ultimate or Business through the WyoWare program. Employees may purchase and install Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrades through the UW Work At Home program.

*Please keep in mind that Information Technology cannot provide support for the installation, configuration, or troubleshooting of Windows Vista upgrades on personally-owned computers. As with any upgrade, all critical data should be backed-up before proceeding with installation.