Windows Vista and You Published Aug. 12, 2009 By Senior Airman Aaron M. Johnson 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- You might be wondering what the new computer operating system changes are all about. Here's the inside scoop to the Windows Vista installation deadline and tips to make things go as smooth as possible for you and your computer. All Air Force computers will be converted to the federal desktop core configuration, or FDCC, 2.1 by Dec 1. That deadline basically means that Microsoft Windows Vista will be installed on your computers by the end of this year. Upgrades will be made after you've gone home for the day, which makes for an interesting surprise the next day coming into work. In some cases, you're client service administrator will need to make some finishing touches to the conversion process. "We are scheduling approximately 50 upgrades per night to meet the Air Force mandate to complete the transition by December," said Capt. Jason Rossi, 20th Communications Squadron operations flight commander. "The transition to FDCC 2.1 will provide a more secure operating environment for our critical information technology systems and will reduce costs associated with procurement, sustainment and support." Keep in mind that for these upgrades to be done, you must log off your computer at the end of the day, leaving the machine on. Simply pulling out your common access card won't quite suffice. If for some odd reason you've been notified that your computer can't be upgraded with Windows Vista, your computer probably falls into one of the two basic categories. First, the mission critical systems and software may not mesh with the new FDCC version. Second, your computer may be a bit too old and doesn't meet the system requirements of running Windows Vista. You'll need to contact your CSA for further help and details. "Currently, there are less than 200 workstations on base that do not meet minimum hardware requirements," Captain Rossi explained. "These should be resolved with normal life cycle replacements or end-of-year computer purchases in the coming months." Even though this update is a large and tedious one, it has many advantages for us: increased security benefits; up-to-date software; and a common operating system. Keep in mind that even though your work computer may look a lot like the one you have at home, these systems are not the same. They are part of a vast weapon system that must be managed very strictly to ensure security and availability of our critical information. This update is just one of many to keep our networks safe and secure. If you have questions or concerns with the FDCC 2.1, feel free to contact your CSA for assistance at 895-2666.