Do you think I would have problems with my computer if I did this?

Question

I have a new computer running Windows 8.1 Pro and I am considering downgrading to Windows Vista since I think it was the best designed Windows OS and I never got to try it. I had XP, Windows 7 and now 8 on this PC. Would my computer be compatible with Windows Vista or would I have issues if I tried downgrading. My laptop has a touchscreen so I am wondering if Vista is compatible with touchscreens. I also have a TB hard drive and a Bluetooth 4.0 radio built in which I don't know if vista will recognize. I am thinking of getting a Windows Vista Ultimate DVD and doing the downgrade. I know that Windows Vista was a bit slow when it was released but it should be fine on much newer and faster hardware I would assume.

Answer 1

If you think that Vista was the best, go for it. We won't miss you.



Windows 8 was designed for touchscreen.

Answer 2

DO NOT go down to VISTA. Don't sink any lower than Windows 7. Vista sucked and Micrsoft will end support for it on April 11, 2017. I'm not saying you'll have your computer that long, but every reviewer of Vista says 7 is a major improvement.

Answer 3

I know you already picked a best answer to this but I have Windows 10 Home edition. And really the only difference between pro and home is pro lets you join a network domain and home doesn't. Otherwise they're both identical. And I can tell you that so far Windows 10 blows all the other versions of Windows out of the water especially with Cortana on it. Trust me you'll love it. Vista is horrible and trust me if you install it you'll hate yourself for it. If you must try it, do what @Dominic said to do.

Answer 4

Well there would be no touch screen support, and I don't know if the touchscreen would work at all. Vista, however was one of the worst developed OS, so I don't support that.

Answer 5

Install Vista in a virtual machine using VMware Player if you just want to try it out. That way you won't overwrite your current OS and when your finished you can simply delete the virtual hard drive.



https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/7_0



And here's a video guide on how to install Vista.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zPxGbo9D9Y

Answer 6

Besides what others said, you probably won't find device drivers for your newer hardware for Vista.