In a scant 31 days from now, Microsoft will put to rest three operating systems, one of which is eight years old. Windows 98, Windows 98SE and Windows Millenium Edition will reach their end-of-support date on July 11, 2006.

It’s important to realize that Microsoft will no longer be releasing security updates for these operating systems. Does this mean your computer is in danger if you continue if you don’t upgrade? Some would say no, since virus and spyware writers are not targeting these operating systems.

However, in a security bulletin dated last month, Microsoft has acknowledged that there is at least one critical security flaw in these older systems that they will not be fixing, even though the same flaw exists for Windows 2000 and XP and will be fixed for those OSes. The bulletin states “it is not feasible to make the extensive changes necessary…to eliminate the vulnerability.” It is reasonable to assume that future threats that target Windows XP will also affect older operating systems, just as this latest threat does.

If you’re using one of these legacy OSes, Microsoft’s recommendation that you take steps to protect their data by upgrading to Windows XP is good, although we’d recommend that you make that upgrade through a purchase of new hardware as well. If your computer is running Windows 98, it’s at least 5 years old; Windows XP will run much better on a new machine (and may not run at all on your old unit).

Of course, if it’s not feasible to upgrade your computer (if, for example, your software won’t run under Windows XP), OfficeMedic suggests that you simply disconnect your computer from the Internet and from any network. With no connection to another computer, your system will likely remain free of viruses and spyware, at least until they are able to propogate via power lines.

After reading 20 Things You Won’t Like About Windows Vista today , I ran Microsoft’s Windows Vista Advisor to see if my nearly-three-year-old PC would be ready for the forthcoming upgrade to Microsoft’s much ballyhooed—and belated—successor to its current operating system.

While the results are preliminary, since Vista’s features aren’t set in stone yet (PC-to-PC sychronization was removed today), it appears that if I want to take advantage of anything more than Vista Home Basic’s increased security (sorely needed to protect against viruses and spyware) and better searching, I will need to add a graphics adapter and pay additional for Vista Home Premium.

Most users will want the features in Vista Home Premium that such hardware supports—Windows Aero user interface, Media Center user interface, TV output, etc., not to mention the additional benefits of DVD Maker and scheduled user data backups— and will find that their existing systems and most basic new systems don’t have the appropriate hardware. Expect to pay more for your next computer or to upgrade your existing hardware (a new graphics adapter can be had for under $100) if you want to take advantage of Vista.

Then again, you have plenty of time to save up: Windows Vista is expected to be in stores by Christmas 2006, first quarter 2007 if you need it for business.