Will I LOOSE my MEDIA CENTER PROGRAMS if I do a "bare bones" upgrade to VISTA? What else would I loose?

Question

I have XP PRO/MediaCenter and would like to just have the "LOOK" of VISTA (the new bells and whistles)???

P.S. Is MICROSOFT planning an SP3 UPDATE?

Answer 1

I'll let someone else handle the "look and feel" part. As far as loosing your programs that depends on which version of Vista you get. Vista Home Premium and Ultimate both included Media Center as part of the OS. If you want to do an in-place upgrade as opposed to a clean install then you will either have to get the Home Premium or Ultimate Edition.

There are a number of programs that can give you the look and feel of Vista, for example Window Blinds. BUT, you will not get... the VERY MUCH IMPROVED search feature, enhanced security or Aero Glass GUI with 3D flip.

There are also a number of other third party utilities to provide something similar on Windows XP but it won't be as seamless an experience that way as opposed to just upgrading to Vista.

Yes, Microsoft is planning a SP3 update which was pushed back in order to get Vista out. SP3 is due out later this year along with Vista SP1.