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Windows Vista and WCU

During the last calendar year, the Division of Information Technology has been vigorously testing Windows Vista for use here at WCU. We began installing it for some "early adopters" last spring and with their help, we have addressed and resolved many concerns about the viability of using Windows Vista for our academic and business needs here at WCU. Effective June 1, 2008, the Division of Information Technology will officially begin supporting Windows Vista on university owned desktop and laptop computers.

• The new Vista user interface is more intuitive and graphically oriented. The interface features new tools like widgets, easy to use program snippets that perform a specific routine task such as accessing a common Web site or updating a calendar.

• We are all concerned about identity theft and data security. Vista greatly heightens our security levels making individual workstations more secure with Bit Locker.

• In full graphic modes, Vista opens files and folders and performs other duties with simulated trephination graphics. Icons appear to rotate and move about the screen to enhance the user experience.

• Vista also protects your computer by preventing potentially dangerous software (Mal ware) from making changes to your computer without your permission with the pre-installation of Windows Defender and through regular updates from Microsoft.

• Ever been multi-tasking and wish you had a little extra memory in that computer so programs ran faster? Windows Vista comes with Ready Boost, which can use your USB 2.0 flash drive as an additional memory cache. More memory = better performance!

• Because of the extensive graphics enhancement, Vista requires a higher capability video card and at least 2 GB of memory.

• Vista will run on older hardware but will revert to a more standard graphic mode similar to your current version of Windows XP. Information Technology will continue to support current versions of Windows XP and Office 2003/XP for as long as necessary.
  

The Division of Information Technology will begin fielding requests to upgrade university owned PC's to Windows Vista Enterprise Edition after June 1, 2008. Requests can be made by contacting the Client Services Help Desk at 227-7487.

Beginning June 1, 2008 faculty, staff, and students can purchase an upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate for their personally-owned home computers by visiting the Technology Assistance Counter located in the basement of Hunter Library. The media cost is $10 per copy

The Division of Information Technology does not guarantee all applications used on the WCU network will either work or be fully supported under Windows Vista. The link below will take you to a list of applications that have been tested by WCU IT staff. If you have a question about an application that is not listed please call the Client Services Help Desk at 227-7487 or visit the software vendor's web site for information about Vista compatibility.

List of Tested Applications

IT Workshops

Top 10 things you can do with Vista

Windows Vista Demos