The main reason anyone would want XP installed today would be if they are using business computers tied into a system that won't work with VISTA. I'd seriously caution anyone from installing an operating system that is fast becoming obsolete and that newer peripherals are not likely to function with. VISTA most definitely can open a Word document provided of course you have software installed that handles Word files! That is no different than with XP. Word is a program and Word docs are in a format that can only be opened within Word or another word processor program (such as Open Office which is free) that can read .doc files. Also, new versions of Word automatically open the older Word docs in their older format. If I had to hazard a guess as to why labels prepared in Word can't be opened on another computer I'd guess it might have to do with a difference in the installed printers and printer drivers on the two computers. Labels format based upon the capability of your printer -- and this wouldn't be a VISTA issue--just a printer formatting issue. Joan In a message dated 1/17/2009 12:58:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Linda, You don't have to have Vista. You can still purchase XP Pro and install it yourself, or have your computer man install it. I hate Vista. My cousin has it, and it doesn't work like XP. I did up some labels for her and Vista couldn't handle the format - at least she couldn't open the document which was created in Word. Mary