End of the line for Garmin Express on Windows Vista.

you mat be able to turn it into a Chromebook for free. Do a search.
I did it with an old laptop and it worked just fine.
No Garmin stuff for it, but at least you won't have to trash it.

There is another thread on .NET Framework for Windows 10. It is absolutely necessary if you want to run Garmin Express. It made me think that perhaps the problem with Vista is .NET Framework!

I searched the Microsoft site to find the latest download for .NET Framework for Vista, and the only results were people in the forums reporting that their .NET Framework install on Vista had failed!

dobs108

The message I quoted is on the Garmin web site and I assume it is a warning for future versions of express. The current Version 5.5.0.0 works fine on Vista.

"...or you can use legacy software called Map Updater to update maps..."

I like it!

Windows 7 is still available.

You can even use an "OEM" installation CD. I do it all the time. The software will ask you if you want to keep your old settings and you just answer YES.

Even the 64 bit version will install to a 32 bit version machine, but will run in 32 bit mode. My last Motherboard was capable of running 64 bit, but Intel decided to not create the Win 7 64 bit drivers (it was an Intel MB). It installed the 64 bit version, but ran in 32 bit mode.

Anyway, Amazon & Newegg list plenty of Win 7 versions for you to choose from. I prefer to NOT use the "Download" discs, because if you have to do a "Repair" - it's much easier, especially if the problem is a "internet connection" problem.

Just be sure to do a COMPLETE backup before you start.

Do a Google search for upgrading your particular laptop model to see if anyone had problems. Just type your model number followed by windows 7.

for the information about Win7. I know my laptop will run Win7 because it was offered by the manufacturer (ASUS) for a fee when my laptop was only about a year old. I also have run the Win8 Upgrade Assistant tool and it tells me my laptop is hardware compatible for Win 8. There is no Upgrade Assistant for Win 10 that will run on Vista, so I am assuming my 8 year old laptop wont run 10.

I actually have the Win 7 Pro 64 bit Upgrade DVD which I bought for another system that I upgraded several years ago. I assumed I would no longer able to use this on another computer. Would I be able to upgrade my Vista laptop with this disc using the product key that came with the DVD and still purchase a legal activation/license for Win 7?

Legally you can't have the Key used on more than one machine. I am not sure if you can still get an activation key, or not. You'll have to check the Microsoft site.

Also not surprised to learn 3rd parties are dropping support of EOL'd Windows versions. I've recently switched over from Vista on an Intel CPU Toshiba laptop to Linux (Mint w/ Cinnamon desktop). It was relatively inexpensive to bump up the memory (maxed now at 4GB) and replace the hard drive. Additionally, I'm reloading a fresh install of Vista as a "guest" virtual machine, primarily to be able to run some legacy hardware and the associated Windows-based apps.

Good to know GMU is supposed to continue working on Vista (if needed), although not expecting to need that platform for my Garmins. In fact, not even planning to connect the Vista VM to the Internet once I finish installation and applying all 179 security updates since SP2. Meanwhile, I can't help but wonder when these same 3rd parties will start developing versions that run on Linux . . .

Don't assume it won't run Windows 10 just because the Upgrade Assistant won't run on it. If I can get it running on a vintage 2005 HP, you certainly can get it working on your Asus.

To upgrade from Vista to Win 7, you'd need to find an Asus Win 7 disc and use it. The Windows 7 discs provided by manufacturers such as Asus and Dell are pre-activated, meaning the installer doesn't need to activate Windows. The upgrade DVD you have in your possession won't work as the key has already been activated on another machine. Attempting the install on this laptop will result in a call to Microsoft, as the motherboard, hard drive, and other components are completely different.

I recently upgraded my PC's motherboard. I had Win 7 64 bit installed on the old motherboard - but that particular Intel MB did not have an update to run a 64 bit OS. Win 7 64 bit had installed fine, but would only run in 32 bit mode. Hence the MB (& CPU & more & faster memory) upgrade.

I had all the important files such as .pst files (Outlook mail), photos, etc. backed up on an external HDD and an internal HDD. All the software downloads (Stopzilla, MailWasher,etc,), as well the License Keys were there and accessible.

I formatted the C: drive and installed all the software I wanted to keep from the internal F: drive with no problems. Even though I had just installed the Win 7 64 bit about 4 or 5 months earlier (on another MB in the same PC) - the license key worked.

I think MS is using the license keys to prevent "Pirates" from large scale sales. Also to keep people from buying 1 CD and then installing the software on multiple machines that they own.

I am not telling people how to get around Microsoft's license key system. I am just stating that you can upgrade your machines hardware and use the previous OS disk from before. Microsoft does have a program that you can run on your OS that will prepare it for a MB upgrade, but I tried to run it on my PC and it would fail with a "Fatal Error" message, no matter what I changed (which is why I did a total new install).

I do know that if you use the License key too many times, you have to call MS and go through a long rigmarole with a talking computer to input a license key. I had some problems that kept re-occurring and I would just re-install the OS to cure it. Turned out the HDD was going bad.

But just like a Garmin - before doing any upgrades, DO A COMPLETE BACKUP! I recommend EaseUS back-up. There's a FREE version that will work well for 99% of users. I use an external HDD for my full back-ups.

I think you may be right about my Asus laptop's ability to run Win 10. The Win 8 Upgrade Assistant gave it a clean bill of health so it is probably suitable for Win 10 too. It is a 2009 G50VT-2A (in the ROG series), so it was fairly high end in its day. I may decide to take the risk and buy a copy of Win 10.

Getting back to the original theme of this thread, I decided to see what would happen on my Vista laptop now that Garmin has released an Express update. If I go to the Express download page on Garmin.com I get the message about my OS being incompatible and it removes the download link for Windows. So I knew getting a fresh copy was not an option.

So I started up my Express 5.5.0.0 and went for Check for Updates. It reported that 5.6.0.0 was available and offered the download. I proceeded fully expecting to get a message during the install that it was incompatible with Vista. To my surprise, the install completed with no error. But when I went to launch the program it would not run. Tried to stop and restart the Garmin services and that didn't help. Tried a reboot and still no luck.

So I uninstalled 5.6.0.0 using the Windows control panel and the uninstall completed cleanly. I reinstalled 5.5.0.0. It fired up and is working just fine. Now I will need to wait until the next map update to see if Garmin will let me run the old version to do the map update without forcing the update on Express. My bet is that it won't.

Good idea, old version is fine.

I did the Windows 10 insider with my Vista pc. My hardware was too old and they didn't make drivers that would work with it.They worked with me a lot and could not get Windows 10 to work on my Vista. I put my old ps back to Vista as it is only used by grandkids to play games.

Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work at all. That HP I had started with Windows Vista. Before I donated it to a charity, it was running my insider copy (test version) of Windows 10.

Don't assume.

It may not work, but until he tries it he won't know. Speaking of trying it, it is possible to test Windows 10 and see if it will run without paying for it. Download a copy from Microsoft, install it and don't put a key in. It will be in trial mode but since you're only seeing if Windows 10 will work on the hardware, trial mode doesn't matter.

It may very well just be me, but over the past years with 3 or 4 different Windows computers I have NEVER had any luck using Garmin Express. Always got error messages or computer stuck downloading overnight only to get a failed download message. Speaking to Garmin support, I have been told that the problems were Garmin's servers being overloaded because the update files are so big. Maybe that was true. I went back to the old "Garmin Update" program and never had a problem. Today, I no longer have the program. Wish I did.

In the early versions Garmin Express was pretty buggy, so you aren't alone in your experience. The past couple of years though, it has been very stable (for me at least).

For this latest map update I actually downloaded and installed Garmin Express. I made sure to remove it from my startup items, because I don' need it running all the time. It actually worked pretty well.

I still prefer the simplicity of MapUpdater. Just run it and download the map. No need to install, and no settings files to store.

I updated my 2008 HP DV5-1034ca laptop from Vista to Win 7 to Win 10 and now the latest Win 10 Creators Update with no problems. With Vista you'll probably need to upgrade to Win 7 first like I did. Then do the Win 10 install. My laptop used to start up in about 1.5-2 min under Win 7. With no upgrades to any hardware at all under Win 10 Creators it starts up in approx 35 sec. Garmin Express and POI Loader runs with no problems.

You can download a copy from here :

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39873

Cheers

Version 5.6.1.0 will update on Vista through auto update without warning. Problem is it will not start but shows error. So be warned before updating GE on Vista.

Thanks Strephon for another useful tip.

Well, Garmin in their infinite wisdom has done the same thing to us Vista users that they did a couple of years ago to XP users. As of today, they are forcing the update to Garmin Express 5.7.0.0 with no way out of it. The last version that works with Vista is 5.5.0.0 which worked fine until today. I understand their decision to no longer support Vista on new versions of Express, but why do they force you to stop using the older version that still works? So for the upcoming map update, I will either have to use the old, reliable MapUpdater or use my wife's Win 10 computer. I will probably do the latter.

My new vehicle has the Android Auto app ... guess this is a good time to start weaning myself from the nuvi. I just wish Google navigation supported the POI Factory camera files.

I may have found a work around that will allow me to continue using the old version of Garmin Express on Vista. I won't know for sure until the next map update occurs. If my work around method works, I will post the technique at that time. If I can make it work, the same method may work for XP users who want to run the last version of Express that worked on XP.

I posted this in the 2018.30 map thread, but will repeat it here for those who may be searching for the solution.

My workaround for using an old version of Garmin Express was successful. It was based on my hunch that the Express software update check is the first thing done when Garmin Express launches.

So here is what I did:

1) Disconnect your Internet connection (ethernet cable, WiFi or both)
2) Launch the old version of Express. You will get a red error message banner saying that you have no Internet connection. Close this error banner.
3) Wait a couple of minutes to give Express time to try and fail to find a software update.
4) Reconnect your Internet connection, plug in your device. You should now get the map update notification for your device. Proceed with and complete the map update as normal.

I was able to successfully install the CN NA 2018.30 map using Windows Vista with the old Garmin Express version 5.5.0.0. This is the last version that will work with Vista. It would be interesting to see if this procedure would als work on Windows XP with the last working version of Express for that OS (which I think was Express v 3.2.29.0). These old versions of Garmin Express can be found on the Perry archive site. To install the older version, download the installer from the Perry archive, uninstall any existing version of Express. Then disconnect your internet and run the installer for the version you want. When the old version of Express launches, you will get the error message saying you have no internet connection. Close this error and wait a couple of minutes. Go into the settings panel and turn off all the automatic update and update schedule options. Now reconnect your Internet. It will now let you add your devices and (hopefully) update maps.

But I have two iPhones, a 4 and a 4 S as well as a gen 4 iPod. I have been left behind long ago. Not only the IOS but no APPS are updateable any longer. Only one I can still update is my iPad, but for how long???