I have an old desktop computer that still runs fine and does what I need it to do which is primarily running power point, word and internet access. The problem is Vista is no longer supported so I can't update my virus programs or malwarebytes along with other software. My question is would it make sense or is it even possible to upgrade to windows 10 or should I just buy a new desktop? I do have a laptop so the desktop is really just a backup.

i did a free upgrade on an older 2010 dell laptop, win7 laptop from 2010.

all functions worked better.

do an online inquiry for a free win10 upgrade from vista.

If your machine still has Vista that means it's pretty old

PC's are so cheap these days, just get a brand new one

A good idea to use W10 but there is no FREE upgrade path to Windows 10.
Recommend backing up or copying all data, make sure you have your required apps then doing a full installation.
You will need to buy a full copy of W10 (recommend Pro over Home).
OEM Pro is +/- $140 and Home is around $90.
If you are paying the much much less then the software is not legitimate even though some may physically work.
Also if your disk is an old spinning disk ~ buy a SSD then install on it, then just plug in your spinner to copy over the data (but still a good ideal to back up anyway first).
YMMV

Another option I used with older computers was Linux mint.

It has Libreoffice built in and Libreoffice Impress is a power point option.

I do not do Power Point so I can not provide option on Impress.

There was even a 16 bit option.

Good luck with your update.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
If your machine still has Vista that means it's pretty old

PC's are so cheap these days, just get a brand now one

^^^This. A machine old enough to have Vista on it (Ewwwwwwwww...) will be slower than death trying to run Win10

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
If your machine still has Vista that means it's pretty old

PC's are so cheap these days, just get a brand now one

I agree with this.

Vista came after Windows XP, and IMO, it was a dog, slower than XP and problematic. I got rid of Vista and stayed with XP (many others did as well) until Windows 7 came along a mere two years later. Your computer must be close to 15 years old if Vista is the original OS. Upgrade to new PC with Win 10 and a newer version of Office. Powerpoint has improved leaps and bounds since 2007.

I wouldn't upgrade to Win 10, it's set to expire in 3 years and lose support and since you use your computers for a long time, why just buy 3 years of service. Win 11 is out now and you can buy a cheap computer.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
I wouldn't upgrade to Win 10, it's set to expire in 3 years and lose support and since you use your computers for a long time, why just buy 3 years of service.
Win 11 is out now and you can buy a cheap computer.

I won't disagree that really old hardware doesn't make sense in many cases.
However, Windows 10 will still be very serviceable aka usable in more than three years.
It all depends on the health of the hardware and the actual use of the computer.
Old software is usually a gentle death that can vary widely.
We used to replace or "refresh" as we called it - every two years > new hardware on whatever the current OS was at the time.
Technology has changed over the years in both hardware and software including the OS's so that that window of refresh can be up to five times longer depending on the mentioned factors above.
The dependence on the Internet has lessened the hardware load but improvements in software along with new security requirements can obsolete some hardware.
Still for some very basic needs even older stuff can still be serviceable.
Even an old car can get you to the grocery store.
YMMV

Your machine may not be able to support Windows 10 (or 11) depending on driver support. Lots of the older hardware doesn't have Win 10/11 drivers.

Link to site discussing upgrading to Win 10 with links to compatibility tests

I agree it's time for a new system. Anything old enough to come with Vista is old enough that a really cheap desktop from best buy would be a huge upgrade.

Vista really wasn't a bad OS, it was just far more resource-hungry than XP and most systems from that era couldn't run it well. Windows 7 wasn't much different, but the hardware had come a long way by the time it was released.

Vista. The program that made me switch to Apple.

Another thing worth noting, is that your virus software/malwarebytes would do nothing to stop a myriad of threats that your ancient OS was vulnerable to.

Count me in the "get a new computer" camp. The cheapest PC/laptop you can get without any external virus software on it will be better by FAR than what you have. The new Windows OS that would come with the new PC will have excellent free AV onboard. Windows Defender.

I used the link in this article to do a free upgrade from Win7 to Win10. https://www.howtogeek.com/5090...windows-10-for-free/

If you need a free Win7 Pro product key send me an email- It's in my profile.

Another thought. I gather from the below quote from the OP that the Vista system is not your main system:

quote:

I do have a laptop so the desktop is really just a backup.

If what's appealing about updating is security and updates, then maybe just take it offline and keep it on Vista.

Another aspect of updating is that you will probably not get the existing programs to work on the new OS. The new programs have in some cases changed from permanent licenses to annual renewals. So, new OS, new programs. $$$.

TL: DR - If it's not broke, consider not fixing it.

quote:

Originally posted by still_bill:
Another option I used with older computers was Linux mint.

It has Libre office built in

Did this with an old 2008 vintage Dell Vostro 1000 laptop running a AMD Athalon 64 X2 CPU. Originally had XP on it. No way would it run Win10 but it is satisfactorily fast and efficient with Mint. Makes a great backup for my 2014 vintage i5-4440 3.1GHz Desktop running Win10.

You could always install Windows 10 on it and see. It wouldn't cost you anything.

If you decide to keep Windows 10, licenses are available very inexpensively.

Look at renewed desktop computers. There are tons of them on Ebay and Amazon for really good prices. I just got a small form factor Dell Optiplex 5060 for $299 on Ebay and it looked almost new, works great, came with Windows 10 Pro and is upgradeable to Windows 11. Really fast with the 6 core I7 and SSD. Came with clean install of Windows 10 Pro and zero bloatware. One tip on Amazon is to check reputation of seller and only buy from those that have good rating percent like in the 90s as there are often several sellers for a particular renewed product. I you consider that route keep in mid I believe only 8Th generation and higher Intel are upgradeable to Windows 11.

Dell OptiPlex 5060 SFF Intel I7-8700 @ 3.2GHz 512GB SSD 16GB WIN10PRO *Warranty 2/2023**

https://www.amazon.com/s?i=ele...617011&ref=sr_nr_n_1

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-...e-bin=Amazon+Renewed

Vista extended end date support ended in April, 2017.

Although you could upgrade the OS, if it still runs fine I'd consider leaving well enough alone.