Software

Windows Vista Support Statement

Summary: We strongly recommend that you do not begin using Vista and Internet Explorer 7.

Microsoft released a new operating system named 'Windows Vista' in January, 2007. The release of Vista marks the first full-fledged new desktop operating system since Windows XP in 2001.

We strongly recommend that faculty and staff members continue to use Windows XP until Vista is a proven technology for College of Charleston users. In our initial testing of Vista, we find several incompatibilities with other important software such as SPSS, SAS, WebCT, some campus CougarCard readers, several Adobe products, and more. Please see the current list of software identified as being unsupported or incompatible with Vista at this time. If you become aware of other significant incompatibilities, please alert the helpdesk at helpdesk@cofc.edu.

In the initial stages after a major OS release from Microsoft, some common problems likely to be experienced include:

Driver compatibility issues can affect printing, scanning, access to important applications, etc.
Hardware incompatibility issues can compromise computer performance and user productivity.
Delays in support from third party vendors.
Delays in Microsoft patch releases, which can cause security risks to the campus network.

Similar concerns apply to Internet Explorer 7; some Web links may not be visible.

We will continue to advise the College community regarding our implementation and support plans for each of these new Microsoft products.

See the Windows Vista website for more information Microsoft has published about technical requirements for Windows Vista-capable PCs.