Aurora optimized for Windows XP

Your computer is probably already more powerful than you'll need it to be to get the most out of WinTOTAL Aurora. Some WinTOTAL users though are still running machines with Windows 98 or an even older operating system. Aurora is optimized for Windows XP and you'll get the most out of it if you're running XP.

You received an e-mail yesterday to let you know, among other things, that we won't support Aurora running on operating systems as old as Windows 98 or older. The reason for that is pretty simple. We're dedicating our resources to provide you with the most outstanding software and support possible.

Over 12 percent of our tech support calls are dealing with problems on machines running old operating systems, most often caused by those old operating systems. Yet only five percent of WinTOTAL users are still running Windows 98 or other older operating systems. That's time and attention we can't devote elsewhere, and time you wouldn't need to spend on the phone (or kicking your computer) if you were running Windows XP.

Microsoft doesn't even support Windows 98 anymore. That doesn't just mean it's outdated. More practically it means that if someone is having a problem with a Windows 98 machine on which they're running WinTOTAL, and the cause is the operating system, they call us – because Microsoft won't help them. That's the main reason so few users make so many calls.

There are a number of things you lose out on if you still run Windows 98, even before Aurora debuts. One is the time you might spend trying to get a very old system to keep up with today's demands on your business and technology infrastructure. Another is the efficiencies and speed you're missing without a newer operating system. XP does so many things better and faster.

Finally, there's the risk factor: Windows 98 came out before security in the storage and transmission of data was such a concern. Experts warned back before Microsoft even retired the operating system that serious security threats were present and would only get worse once Microsoft stopped issuing "hotfixes" for it. If you're connected to the Internet, and you probably are if you're reading this, experts agree you're risking your data and systems if you're on a Windows 98 machine.

When you weigh all that against the fact that a powerful new system can be had for less than your monitor probably cost when you got your Windows 98 system, it's a no-brainer. Learn more about Aurora system requirements here.