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Upgrading any software is always a big headache, especially if it is a major upgrade, as it usually means getting out of your comfort zone to learn the new way of using the software, the new functions that you may never need, and the risk of it crashing your (old) computer. This becomes an even bigger headache if it is something as important as your operating system.

Upgrading an operating system involves a lot more than just putting in the upgrade CD-ROM and click on upgrade. Yes, 95% of the time the upgrade is seamless, but do you want to take a risk for that 5% chance that things might go awry? Thus the best practice is to backup your data before any upgrade as major as the operating system.

Talking about operating system upgrade, Microsoft has just released their latest version of operating system called Windows Vista. And in true Microsoft fashion, they have try to up the confusion level this time round by releasing 5 versions of Windows Vista as compare to 2 in the Windows XP era (unless you include the Media Center and Tablet PC edition).

Windows XP has been Microsoft's longest serving operating system, for more than 5 years, which in itself is quite a major surprise. Not only that, Windows XP has been one of the most stable windows operating system that Microsoft have even come out with. But after so many years, and with other lesser know operating systems trying to catch up with new versions and improvements, Microsoft decided it's time to take them on again.

Today, if you are buying a new computer that comes pre-loaded with a Windows operating system, you pretty much have not many choices except to choose within the different flavors of Windows Vista. But if you are currently using Windows XP and is happy with it, then there is no real needs to upgrade. Review so far has indicated that apart from cosmetic changes and a big appetite for resources, there isn't really a great deal of improvement on Windows Vista.

Having said that, Windows Vista is not without its merit. Microsoft's major push for Windows Vista has been on the security front. While Windows XP has been very stable, it has its fair share of complaints on its security vulnerabilities, and Windows Vista is suppose to address this in a big way as they put security as the top priority during development. Apart from that, Windows Vista has a lot of new features that they hope will improve the user experiences. Examples are the Windows Aero, offering a cleaner' desktop, a better search function, the ability to have desktop gadgets.

There is one features I like very much as a parent is the build in parental control function which allows parent to setup how exactly they want their children to use the system, from applications they can run, to the time they can be online, and even the websites they can visit (or visited), it sure helps parents to feel safer leaving their children with the computer.

But before you go out there to grab a copy, do run their upgrade advisor which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website to make sure your system is up to par. Windows Vista does require quite a powerful system to start with, and you 3 year old computer system may not be able to run Windows Vista. I do see the commercial market adopting Windows Vista at a later stage, but a home consumer is likely to embrace it earlier.

I myself am considering an upgrade, but not after I give myself an excuse to reward myself with a new computer, for whatever reason. Oh, for the record, the 5 flavors of Windows Vista are, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise. For a home user, I would recommend the Home Premium if you really want to experience the new features.

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