Important Information about Microsoft Vista and Microsoft Office 2007

(Updated on: April 02, 2007)

Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista, is now readily available to the public. In order to ensure your productivity, the IT organizations are strongly recommending that faculty and staff wait to purchase and install Windows Vista. University IT providers are working together to test Windows-based applications to determine compatibility with this new operating system.

It is also recommended that you wait to install Office 2007 until IT can verify that other applications within the University do not conflict with the new Office Suite.

Results and final recommendations will be shared with the University community when all testing has been completed. We expect to provide more information shortly, so please stop back periodically to review this page.

A number of applications do not work under Vista. Please click here for details.

Windows Vista and Office 2007 FAQs

• Q: When will Windows Vista be available?

• A: Licensing for Departments (Non-Campus Agreement)
  Departmental licensing for Windows Vista (Upgrade) is now available at IT Computer Sales. If you recently purchased a Windows license you may be eligible to upgrade to Windows Vista Business Edition by only purchasing installation media. This can be verified by contacting IT Computer Sales with your requisition number or by checking your invoice for the "SELECT Windows Vista Business" description. Licensing for the Enterprise and Ultimate editions is available with 3 year software assurance purchase. The Ultimate edition requires an installation media purchase for each license purchased. It is highly recommended that departments wait for ITS to complete testing prior to installation.

  Licensing for Students, Faculty and Staff
  Availability estimated at April/May 2007.

  Boxed
  Available January 30, 2007.

  OEM Install (Installation by manufacturer)
  Available January 30, 2007. All of the editions may not be available immediately on all models.

• Q: If I order a new computer/laptop after the Windows Vista release date, can I get Windows XP instead?

• A: Yes. It is estimated that Windows XP will be available as an OEM installation (Installation by manufacturer) for about a year after the Windows Vista launch. After this time, departments can purchase licenses from IT Computer Sales that will allow them to downgrade Windows Vista to Window XP.

• Q: When will Microsoft Office 2007 be available?

• A: Licensing for Departments (Non-Campus Agreement)
  Departmental licensing for Office 2007 is now available at IT Computer Sales. If you recently purchased an Office license you may be eligible to upgrade to Office 2007 Professional Plus Edition by only purchasing installation media. This can be verified by contacting IT Computer Sales with your requisition number or by checking your invoice for the "SELECT MS Office 2007" description. Licensing for the Standard and Enterprise editions is also available. It is highly recommended that departments wait for ITS to complete testing prior to installation.

  Licensing for Students, Faculty and Staff
  Availability estimated at April/May 2007.

  Boxed
  Available January 30, 2007.

  OEM Install (Installation by manufacturer)
  Available January 30, 2007.

• Q: Will Microsoft Office 2007 run with Windows XP?

• A: Yes.

• Q: What are the system requirements for Windows Vista? Office 2007?

• A: Windows Vista - Click Here. Office 2007, Click Here.

  In addition, ITS highly recommends these requirements when purchasing a new PC to best take advantage of Vista - Click Here.

• Q: Will Microsoft stop selling Windows XP and Office XP (2003)?

• A: It is estimated that Windows XP will be available as an OEM installation (installation by computer manufacturer) and boxed product for about a year after the Windows Vista launch.

  Office XP (2003) is estimated to be available as a boxed product for 2 - 3 months after the Office 2007 launch. The Office XP OEM installation (installation by computer manufacturer) is expected to be discontinued with the Office 2007 launch.

  Both products will remain available to departments as licenses from IT Computer Sales after these times.

• Q: When will ITS begin to provide support for Windows Vista and Office 2007?

• A: ITS is currently testing both Windows Vista and Office 2007 to verify that other applications within the University do not conflict with Vista or Office 2007. We will be able to support customers once that testing is completed and we are satisfied that our applications will function correctly.

For More Information

If you have specific questions or would like help planning future system upgrades, please contact the IT Center at 275-2000 or email them at itshelp@rochester.edu.

Medical Center, please contact the ISD Help Desk at 275-3200 or email them at helpdesk_ISD@urmc.rochester.edu.

If your department is supported by someone other than ITS or ISD, we recommend you contact your local administrator/IT support person.