Is it Finally Time to Dump Windows 2000?

Are you still running a computer with the Windows 2000 operating system? How about the Windows 98 operating system? If you are, you are far from alone. Many personal computers and many more business computers are still running older Windows operating systems. When even Windows XP is an old operating system, you may find yourself asking, is it time to upgrade? I found myself asking the same question.

I was happy with Windows 2000 for two reasons. It worked fine for me and my old computer couldn't support a newer operating system. I didn't want to fork over the money for a new operating system and I was content with Windows 2000 anyway. Hey, why fix it if it ain't broke? Well, eventually I felt forced to make my decision when new programs that I really wanted would not work on Windows 2000.

New Microsoft programs are not supporting Windows 2000 anymore and they hardly support Windows XP. After buying a Zune and finding it would not work with my Windows operating system, I knew I had a problem. Shortly after, I found that the program Starz Play would not work with Windows 2000 either. I was forced to make my choice. If I wanted to use my Zune and Starz Play, I had to upgrade. My computer was too old for an operating system upgrade, so I bought a new computer with the Windows Vista operating system.

Am I happy that I have upgraded to a computer with Windows Vista? I really am, because I get to use my Zune and Starz Play. Should you upgrade your operating system? My advice would be for you to weigh your pros and cons. If you are just using your computer for email, internet and currently installed programs and have no need for compatibility with new programs, then you probably shouldn't upgrade. Unless you simply want a new and faster computer. If you are happy with your computer, don't want to spend the money and haven't run into any problems with programs not working, then I would say stay with your older operating system. You can always upgrade later if you want to.

On the other hand, if you are running into the same situation as I was, where you can't run certain programs that you really want to run, then it is time to upgrade. If your computer can't do what you want it to do, then it is time for a new one.

If you are running Windows 2000 and you decide that you want to upgrade, you most likely will have to buy a new computer. Your older computer will probably not be able to handle new operating systems. If you are on a budget, keep an eye on closeout sales on computers at the stores. The closeout sales usually have computers that are being replaced with new models on sale for much cheaper prices. Sure your new, on sale computer won't be the fastest computer available, but it will sure be faster than your old computer and it will have your new operating system on it.