If it helps at all, I have the old sidewinder precision 2 joystick and it
works. I want to say it will, just because it's a Microsoft joystick. I did
find an article that talked about problems you might see and it list vista
as an OS

SYMPTOMS
When you use a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro joystick to play a
Microsoft Flight Simulator game on a Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft
Windows XP, or Windows Vista-based computer, you may experience one or more
of the following symptoms:
• The joystick may not work at all in the games listed in the "Applies to"
section. However, the joystick may still be recognized in the Game
Controller/Game Options window.
• The Enable check box for the joystick is selected in the games listed in
the "Applies to" section. However, it is unavailable (dimmed).
• The joystick may work in Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator: WWII Pacific
Theater. But you feel no forces through it in any of the other games listed.
• You may not feel force feedback effects during flight

Works great

Have it and am using in MS Flight Sim X without problems

No a Microsoft Sidewinder Joystick will not work in Vista. Or more precicely,
it will work if it is plugged in when you install but if you unplug it, the
joystick will no longer be detected by Vista next time you plug it in. I
wouldn't consider a one-time-use working.  I'll be searching forums for help
with hopes I don't have to re-install Vista and use up another activation
just to get a stupid Microsoft Joystick to work with a Microsoft OS.

Don

Here is a driver for the FF2 to work with vista...

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=155706059&blogID
=266949003