There was another post here about one of the recent updates that has created some real problems.....especially slowing the OS to a crawl. Apparently Microsoft has acknowleged it. Fortunately, I didn't install that one. If you're using auto update.....don't :) It's better to go to the update site....read the faq's for each update and then install the ones that you really need and make sense for your system. I typically don't install anything that's not rated as critical. Since getting Norton Security, I pretty much avoid Microsoft :) Some programs will still crash in XP Pro, but at least your system doesn't. Aside from the typical Poser problems (lock ups vs. crashes for me), I've had no problems with Bryce 4 or Vue on this OS at all. One other suggestion: Defrag on a regular basis. That can prevent a lot of problems and may help with some of your program crashes.