ITS Support for Windows Vista

NDSU Information Technology Services has decided not to install or support Windows Vista until essential programs used by faculty, staff and students are compatible with the new operating system. This means the implementation of Vista will not happen at least until summer of 2007.

ITS is aware of Vista-compatibility issues with the products listed below. This list is not exhaustive. In most cases, updates are being developed by the manufacturers. (Product names are linked to update information.) Be sure to check compatibility of specialty software before planning to upgrade.

• Adobe
  
  • Acrobat 7/8
  • Photoshop Elements
  • Premiere Elements
• Autodesk/AutoCAD - no formal statements regarding Vista support, but all system requirements still specify Windows XP.
• ArcGIS (ESRI)
• iTunes - v.7.1.1 is compatible with Vista
• McAfee
• Mathematica - v.5.2 is compatible with Vista
• Novell Products:
  • GroupWise
  • Novell network client
  • ZENworks
• Palm Desktop - Palm Desktop versions 4.1.4e and 4.2 are compatible with Vista. Earlier version may install, but are not supported on Vista.
• SPSS
• SAS
• WS_FTP - updated version required
• Vista users who formerly connected to the NDSU "WebDev" Web server using a shared network drive will need to use FTP software to manage Web pages until server updates are done.

Microsoft's Software Assurance will allow departments to purchase new PCs with Vista, but use the XP operating system until Vista-compatible versions of essential software are available.

The Assurance option will be available through ITS for $32*. Several major PC manufacturers, including Dell, will continue to sell computers with Windows XP installed through the end of 2007.

*Users who have the Business version of Windows Vista are entitled to use Windows XP without purchasing the Assurance option.