When you speak of upgrading "my Dell computer", you're not speaking of installing an upgrade over top of XP are you? If so, I misunderstand, so disregard the rest of my post. :) So I'm assuming you intend to purchase a retail version of Windows 7 and do a clean install. In the first line of your post you mention 512 MB of RAM, a date, and then 2.00 GB of RAM. Does that mean it now has 2.00 GB of RAM or maybe 2 1/2 GB of RAM? Either way, I'm no expert but I'd think 512 MB is less than enough, but either 2 or 2 1/2 GB would be fine. I don't know much about Office, but wasn't Office 2003 was the last version that had the old style menu, before the newfangled ribbon came along. According to this, your Office 2002 would not be compatible but according to this, Office 2003 would be. Would your 2002 macros work in 2003? I don't know. Would it be worth the expense of buying a retail version of Windows 7, as well as Office 2003(or at least Word)? To me, probably not, to you, only you can decide. Personally, since it works, I'd probably just continue using it. Continue running a good real-time AV, occasionally scanning with a couple on-demand malware tools(Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware come to mind), use Firefox or Chrome(lie detected), using the WOT add-on(trusting it somewhat less than fully), and being careful what I open(email) and what I install. Just my opinion though. Edit: GrammerGrammar Edit2: Spelling This post was edited by chuggerguy on Thu, Jan 23, 14 at 3:10

Have you checked out all the apps on the desktop? One of mine was/is a link to download 8.1 that I can use if I decide to go there. Edit: OK, not the desktop, but the start page (what comes up when I hit the MS sign--between ctr & alt.) This post was edited by breenthumb on Tue, Jul 15, 14 at 22:36

Thanks for the responses. We have a Win8 sitting on a shelf collecting dust for 2 years. Never use it anymore. We also have 4 XP's and a Win 7. I've used Win 7 (hubbys machine), but prefer XP. I don't know if I'm resistant to change, I like to think I'm not. But I think Win 8 is dumb and would take me a lot of time to navigate it. I've used it. Did not try classic shell. Hate all the icons and not finding the frequently used places hidden. I don't like the disappearing tool bars. I just think its dumb and regret ever buying it. I don't see any reason for MS to change things around which takes precious time to figure out. Things like Add/Remove, various other settings...it all takes time out of your life to play around when you have work to do. You can buy a new car, it might have added extras and new things which take time to learn. But, no matter what car it is, when you open the door, put the key in the ignition, move the transmission to D, it goes. You can drive around and worry about learning the 'extras' later. You can press on the gas pedal and it goes. To have to learn another operating system and where MS decided to hide things, call them by other names is ridiculous. Same with their Office Programs. They are expensive and complicated to use. Yet they change them around ever few weeks. Why? I do a lot of work on my computers. I don't like having to learn all over again when I have things to do. I didn't like Visa at all, but had to deal with it. I kept my XP because I had Office 07 and I could put together a bunch of letters and newsletter quickly. I gave Vista away and went back to XP exclusively. I wonder if Apple changes their Macs every 3 years? Have no idea but am getting tempted to take a look at their computers. That's my rant, sorry if I seem to be the only one who is very upset with Microsoft for all this nonsense. Jane

In Windows 8 or 8.1 you Swipe from the Right Side of the Screen then Settings when the Charms Bar Opens, if you have Touchscreen. If you don't have a Touchscreen and are using a mouse or touchpad you'll need to put the mouse cursor in the Upper Right Corner and then Settings when the Charms bar opens. After clicking on Settings you should see Control Panel towards the top of the list! You can also get to Control Panel on the Start Page where all the App Buttons are at (the buttons are Shortcuts). If you Swipe up (Touchscreen) from the bottom you get to the Installed Apps. If your using a mouse or touchpad there should be an arrow in the lower left corner which will take you the same place. You should be able to find Control Panel in the list of Apps! You can get your Updates using Control Panel, you can Remove Programs and Apps, you can Add Devices and much, much more from Control Panel. BTW, I would still make the Recovery Disk Set my top priority. If you screw something up while trying to do an update or trying to upgrade you can restore your computer using the Recovery disks. I just used my Recovery Disk Set toe Restore my Old Laptop, restored to factory settings. If you don't have this disks it's not very easy to fix your computer! Make your Disk Set ASAP! To make your Disk Set look for a Program or App called Toshiba Recovery Media Creator. This program will walk you thru making a Recovery Set of Disks. You will most likely need either 4-6 DVD Disks or a Flash Drive. This will depend upon what Toshiba Requires you to use. My Old Acer used 4 Recovery DVD's and 1 DVD for Drivers & Applications. My New Acer required me to use a 16GB Flash Drive, couldn't use DVD's! Here is a link that will walk you thru using: Toshiba Recovery Media Creator.