The current version of Windows for the desktop. Released in late 2006 for businesses and early 2007 for consumers, Vista is available in six versions (see Windows Vista versions). Vista adds numerous features, including improved security (see NGSCB) and greater support for digital rights management. Requiring more memory than Windows XP, at least 1GB is recommended, with 2GB being a safer bet. The next major upgrade to follow Vista is expected in 2010 (see Windows 7).
New User Interface
Many Vista user interface elements changed from XP including terminology, menus and dialog boxes. Vista's "Aero" interface takes advantage of PCs with advanced 3D graphics, providing features such as translucent window borders (see Aero). For machines less equipped, Vista provides a more basic look and feel. Also improved was the navigation of the file/folder hierarchy in Explorer (see Vista breadcrumbs).
Enhanced Search and File Management
Vista speeds up the indexed file searching over Windows XP and enables results to be stored in a virtual folder that is updated automatically. The search also extends to syndication feeds, and developers can employ the search capability in their own programs to enhance functionality.
Messaging, Workflow and User Identity
Vista includes new systems for local messaging between applications and Web services, a workflow component for automating tasks and a user identity system for personal information and site logon. These functions are also available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. See .NET Framework 3.0.
New Document Interchange Format - XPS
Vista supports the XML Paper Specification (XPS) document format. Enabling digital signatures and digital rights to be applied to the documents, XPS also keeps the page layout intact from computer to computer, similar to Adobe's PDF format. See XML Paper Specification.
Downsized Before Released
One eagerly awaited feature was Windows Future Storage (see WinFS), a subsystem that uses a relational database on top of the NTFS file system. It allows users to combine heterogeneous data such as files, folders, e-mail and contacts into collections that can be viewed together. Although highly touted, WinFS was not included in Vista.
XP and Vista Explorer Windows
Explorer's terminology and hierarchy changed in Vista with many names made shorter as in this comparison to Windows XP. All the "My's" were dropped. My Computer, My Network Places and My Documents changed to "Computer," "Network" and "Documents." Shared Documents changed to "Public."
New User Interface
Many Vista user interface elements changed from XP including terminology, menus and dialog boxes. Vista's "Aero" interface takes advantage of PCs with advanced 3D graphics, providing features such as translucent window borders (see Aero). For machines less equipped, Vista provides a more basic look and feel. Also improved was the navigation of the file/folder hierarchy in Explorer (see Vista breadcrumbs).
Enhanced Search and File Management
Vista speeds up the indexed file searching over Windows XP and enables results to be stored in a virtual folder that is updated automatically. The search also extends to syndication feeds, and developers can employ the search capability in their own programs to enhance functionality.
Messaging, Workflow and User Identity
Vista includes new systems for local messaging between applications and Web services, a workflow component for automating tasks and a user identity system for personal information and site logon. These functions are also available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. See .NET Framework 3.0.
New Document Interchange Format - XPS
Vista supports the XML Paper Specification (XPS) document format. Enabling digital signatures and digital rights to be applied to the documents, XPS also keeps the page layout intact from computer to computer, similar to Adobe's PDF format. See XML Paper Specification.
Downsized Before Released
One eagerly awaited feature was Windows Future Storage (see WinFS), a subsystem that uses a relational database on top of the NTFS file system. It allows users to combine heterogeneous data such as files, folders, e-mail and contacts into collections that can be viewed together. Although highly touted, WinFS was not included in Vista.
XP and Vista Explorer Windows
Explorer's terminology and hierarchy changed in Vista with many names made shorter as in this comparison to Windows XP. All the "My's" were dropped. My Computer, My Network Places and My Documents changed to "Computer," "Network" and "Documents." Shared Documents changed to "Public."
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Firefox hopes to one-up IE with fast graphics
- Microsoft showed off some browser technology that could help Internet Explorer leapfrog the competition. But Mozilla could be one step ahead. Last week, Microsoft showed off some browser technology that could help Internet Explorer leapfrog the competition. But if Mozilla succeeds in its hope, Microsoft could be playing catch-up...
- News items 2009-11-24
- Evaluate the efficiency of Windows 7 Power Plan settings
- In this edition of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Report, Greg Shultz examines the Windows 7 Power Plans. He then shows you how to use Windows 7's PowerCfg command line tool to evaluate the efficiency of your Power Plan settings.
- Download resources 2009-11-24
- Master Voyager 2.29 (Windows)
- Master Voyager is especially designed to create protected DVD/CD discs and USB Memory Sticks. It creates protected areas on the media and it is needed to enter password to see protected contents. Protected Disc/USB Stick is fully autonomous and does not need any special software installed on computer. It has...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- Network Drive Manager 2.5.2 (Windows)
- Network Drive Manager is a utility for managing network drives. During Windows logon NDM ensures that all network drives under its control get connected and activated, where after they are periodically reconnected to prevent deactivation. Optionally it can run programs, open documents or mount TrueCrypt volumes after a network drive...
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- Office Starter 2010 private beta, with 'Office to GO,' goes to testers
- Installing SP2010, Office 2010, and VS 2010 now...Should have a working environment by this weekend. The graphic at the bottom of the article should also include two of the more exciting services in 2010 - Access Services for hosting database driven forms and reports and Visio Services, for publishing data...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Michael Dell sticks to Windows 7 big bang theory
- too old?"Windows XP is 8 years old"So What? If it ain't broke don't fix it!Windows 2000 is ten years old and still does almost everything I need. Everyone around me runs XP or newer, yet I have far fewer problems.What is good for the computer industry is not...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Ballmer: Windows 7 sales on a roll
- Oh boy... this should be a fun Talkback... ntntyeap...for sure we'll be hearing what everyone has already said "ad nauseum".BallSack is a MoronPlain and Simple.I'm sure Win7 sales are decent. After all, it's hard to get an OS-less computer.....It is easy enough to get linuxpre-installed.Or buy a MacHowever,...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Ballmer: Windows 7 sales on a roll
- Delivering opening remarks at Microsoft's shareholder meeting on Thursday, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said that Windows 7 was off to a "fantastic start." Delivering opening remarks at Microsoft's shareholder meeting on Thursday, Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said that Windows 7 was off to a "fantastic start." ...
- News items 2009-11-20
- HWM BlackBox 2.0 (Windows)
- HWM BlackBox is a utility designed to deliver precise details on the core components of your computer to the maximum. As well as providing you with you with in-depth information about hardware such as the processor, memory modules, mainboard, hard drives and video card, it also offers the opportunity to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Accord CD Ripper Standard 6.1.6 (Windows)
- Rip audio CD tracks to WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, MP2, VQF. Incredibly fast cd ripping. Fully optimized for SSE/Hyper thread technology and get extra speed boost on multiprocessor systems. Flexible output mode: rip audio CDs to divided files one file per track or to CD images (one file...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Accord CD Ripper Professional 6.1.6 (Windows)
- Rip audio CD tracks to WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, MP2, VQF, AIFF, AIFC, AIF, 3GP, AAC, M4A, M4B, MP4, MPC, MP+, MPP, WV. Incredibly fast cd ripping. Fully optimized for SSE/Hyper thread technology and get extra speed boost on multiprocessor systems. Flexible output mode: rip audio CDs to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- TekPhone 1.2 (Windows)
- TekPhone is a SIP Session Initiation Protocol VoIP Softphone that provides UA agent functions (Based on RFC 3261) runs under Windows (XP, Vista, 2003 Server). TekPhone supports Only G.711 A - Mu law codecs and RFC 2833 for DTMF digit delivery and UPnP for NAT traversal. You can also set...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Microsoft still working on an Adobe Lightroom competitor, but with a social twist
- Maybe MS needs myLife instead of focusing on cloud everything.I've been a Windows user since Windows 1.0 on MS-DOS. I used Multiplan and Word with a mouse before Windows even existed. Over the years I've purchased so many copies of MS Office, OS upgrades, mice, keyboards, joysticks, development environments (MASM,...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- WinCDEmu 3.0 (Windows)
- WinCDEmu is an open-source software that allows mounting CD/DVD images. It supports both Windows XP and Vista, and is open-source. Each mounted image will be represented by a separate virtual CD device. To unmount an image, double-click the corresponding file in Explorer again, or simply eject the corresponding CD drive...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Multi-Copy Tools 1.5 (Windows)
- Multi-Copy Tools can automatically backup or synchronize many folders or files. Multi-Copy Tools is a software for Win32 platforms, Win2k WinXP and Vista. Main Features are: Batch copy, move or synchronize, compare source and target folders, run in a flash drive.
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Microsoft Office 2010, SharePoint 2010 public betas now available for download
- Microsoft still firmly planted in the LAST century.NTLinux Kernel speaks?Hmmm, I'd fear for the future of Linux if this is what comes out of it. You'd think the "many eyes" would have caught such silly logic in the kernel years ago...and looking ready to dominate this oneas well.Google is...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Explore the Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals
- In this edition of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Report, Greg Shultz examines the Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals spreadsheet and provides you with an overview of what you can find in it.
- Download resources 2009-11-18
- AuditWizard 8.1 (Windows)
- AuditWizard is a fast, effective and accurate PC auditing software. Discover all your hardware, software and application licenses across your entire organization in minutes. AuditWizard helps you achieve total visibility of what's on your network, from PCs and Servers through to Network Printers and Switches to IT gadgets like PDAs,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- BeeThink IP Blocker 1.2 (Windows)
- BeeThink IP Blocker blocks unwanted IP addresses based on IP blocklists. It monitors network activities in real-time and prevents the connection between a server/website and certain IP addresses or ranges of addresses. BeeThink IP Blocker effectively bans undesired connections from those computers to a website, mail server, or other Internet...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Windows Winset 3.9.1 (Windows)
- Windows Winset is a comprehensive suite of utilities that powers up OS Windows OS. It is an all-in-one system utility for maintaining your PC, gathering detailed, accurate software and hardware system reports to give you full information about your PC. Vista Winset set of more than 50+ Additional Windows utilities...
- Software downloads 2009-11-17
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- Innovate your business' process model, play against the market, compete against others on our scoreboards and WIN! Try INNOV8 2.0: A BPM Simulator
- Enabling Real-World Business Transformation through IBM Service Management Read the EMA Analyst Report
