Many computer users are hesitant to upgrade to Windows Vista. Despite being out for more than a year, most computer users often wait that time frame to upgrade to a new operating system. This gives any company the chance to work out most of the bugs, release several viable patches and earn consumer confidence. However, in the case of Vista, consumers still are reluctant to give up the comforts of XP and make the upgrade. 

While the bugs are generally the primary reason why users stay away from a new OS, in the case of Vista the graphic user interface is actually at the top of the list. Since Vista uses a more streaming interface, it is quite a change from the blocky XP interface. When consumers see this, they are overwhelmed by the change and do not want to learn how to use something new. Thus, they stay away from Vista and stay within their comfort zone with XP.

During the initial release of Vista, many programs did not work with it. This is not the case anymore. Most major programs are now compatible with Vista, however backwards compatibility of both software and hardware are still problematic for those invested in XP. If a majority of programs you own run on XP, chances are you will either need to purchase new software or download patches to get them to work. In some cases, you may not even be able to use that old software at all and trying to install it with ruin Vista completely.

If you are hesitant to give Vista a shot, you can always stop into your local retail store and check it out on a demo computer. This will give you a bit of experience with the new OS as well as seeing how it works. Associates can walk you through the basics, give you a rundown of ways to learn how to use it and answer any questions you may have about its operation.