With apologies to William Shakespeare, I'll attempt to provide an answer.

Lately there seem to be a lot of questions about whether or not to buy a newer version of Windows. Let me make clear from the outset, aside from versions offered as minor updates, new versions of operating systems are meant to accommodate new hardware and software.

By that, I don't mean new hardware you've added to your system though, sometimes, a new operating system might address such issues. I mean new hardware configurations, the next generation of PC hardware and new applications that might take advantage of that hardware.

A new operating system might be Microsoft's latest and greatest but if your system isn't up to the task, that new "OS" will sit on your hard drive like a stone. In fact, if that's the way you view it, "The next great thing," you are likely headed for disaster.

Frankly, I think we spend way too much time on the operating system and not enough time operating within the system. Computers are great gadgets, we love to tinker with them and Windows gives us so many different things with which to play and get us into all kinds of trouble. Nonetheless, if your PC is providing you with what you need, why mess with success?

I submit, part of it is boredom. Maybe we buy a new car because we are bored with the old one but it's not a good idea to buy a new operating system for that reason.

Another reason people seem to consider a new operating system is because they think it will solve problems they are having with their present system. That is probably the single worst reason to buy a new version. If you had problems before, chances are, the new system will make it worse.

When you are having problems with your computer, it's trying to tell you something is wrong. New operating systems aren't designed to solve such problems. These problems are usually caused by some hardware issue, old, outdated drivers or software conflicts. If your system is giving you trouble, one of the ways of dealing with it is to remove applications one by one and see if the problem goes away after each removal.

Just be sure to use "Add/Remove Programs" in "Control Panel." Another is to go to the web site of the various manufactures of your computer's hardware and check for updated drivers. Also, check the web sites of your various software applications for updates as well.

Of course Microsoft starts trumpeting their latest and greatest before it's even released. Every time you hear the name, your heart starts pumping, your brain starts telling you, "Gotta have it, gotta have it" and those rhythmic beats, sounding the same as a train rolling down the tracks somehow make all logic fly out the window and you plunk down money for that next great version of Windows.

On this, Microsoft is not to be faulted. It is imperative they keep up with new hardware and provide a platform on which new applications can take advantage of new innovations. The problem is that "Gotta have it, gotta have it" instinct.

What should you do?

First, consider whether or not you really need this? Does it offer you something you don't have? Can it run applications your current operating system cannot run? If it can run hardware your current system cannot run, you probably should consider a new computer since hardware not available when your system was manufactured usually requires much more than simply an operating system to accommodate its needs.

Second, pay careful attention to the system requirements. If you are at or near the minimum requirements the answer is a definite no. I shouldn't have to say this, but if you are below the minimum requirements the answer is an emphatic no. There's always some guy who says, "I put that thing on my "486" and it ran." Yeah, well, bully for him! That guy isn't you!

Third, another one I shouldn't have to say, if you meet the processor requirements but don't quite meet the memory requirements or visa versa, the answer is no!

Fourth, as I pointed out above, if you have problems with your computer, don't expect a new operating system to solve them. It's a lot easier to install an operating system today than it used to be but this is a major overhaul of your setup. Whether you install clean to a freshly formatted hard drive or do an upgrade over your current system, this is not minor, it is comparable to brain surgery and if you were already having problems, you can expect major complications.

Something else to consider and don't try this unless you are well backed up and are prepared to reformat when you are done. Often, Microsoft will offer a "corporate preview," usually when the product is in the final stages of development. It's still a beta, it's time limited, meaning it will cease functioning after a specified date but for around $19.95 you can get a taste of whether or not this will work for you.

Obviously, since the product is still in beta it will have some bugs and, as such, it may not run exactly as it should but at that stage of development you can get an idea of how it will run on your system without paying $100 or more. I offer this up with some trepidation because it is imperative you reformat when you are finished with it.

Installing the released version over the beta is asking for trouble and you run the risk it will stop working after the specified date even with the final version on top of it. Beta code can cause problems with other applications, hardware you are running and ultimately cause your system to become completely unstable.

Hence, if you don't feel comfortable with reformatting your hard drive or a single partition I strongly recommend against this scenario. Lest you think I'm not serious about this or that maybe I don't follow my own advice, when I finish beta testing a product, I delete the partition on which it was installed, create a new one and then reformat.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion and just remember, the next time your brain starts saying, "Gotta have it, gotta have it," respond with "Wait a minute, wait a minute" and just consider some of the things you've read here.