| Windows Vista, scheduled for release on January | | | | 5. Performance Center |
| 30th, 2007 has something for everyone, from | | | | The Performance Center is a brand new tool that |
| tight security and stunning new graphics to some | | | | gives information on the PC's performance |
| new bundled applications. In fact, there is much | | | | characteristics and can manage and troubleshoot |
| that this new operating system has to offer, that | | | | performance issues. The very interesting thing |
| it will be a real test for the hardware configuration | | | | here is the WinSPR, or Windows System |
| of your PC. With its sleek new look and | | | | Performance Rating. This rating is from 1 to 5, |
| eye-catching interface, actually it's what's under | | | | and depending on your rating, you can determine |
| the hood that impresses the most. Microsoft's | | | | if a given application can run on your machine. For |
| done a great job of improving security across the | | | | example, if you have some of the latest |
| board as this was their priority when they were | | | | hardware, your rating can reach 4.2 and it that |
| developing Vista in the first place. Features like | | | | case, any software with 4.2 or lower WinSPR will |
| Windows and spyware library updates are | | | | run smoothly on your computer. To find out |
| streamlined, and I definitely appreciate the more | | | | more about it, go to vista-hq.com |
| robust Backup software. | | | | performance.html. |
| Internet Explorer is the new web browser that | | | | 6. Backup and Restore |
| comes with Windows Vista, but as we all know | | | | This new functionality makes it possible for you |
| you can download it for XP as well, so this article | | | | to keep your information safe from user error, |
| won't focus on it. Windows Media Player 11 can | | | | hardware failure, and other issues that can result |
| also be installed to the XP system. A really | | | | in data loss. There are several layers of |
| intriguing stuff is the Windows Sidebar, which puts | | | | protection to ensure maximum effectiveness. |
| real-time weather info, stock quotes, system | | | | From the Backup and Restore control panel, you |
| status, RSS feeds, and other information on the | | | | can enable the auto feature which automatically |
| display. | | | | caches previous versions of your files to an |
| This article puts the focus on the top new | | | | image-based backup of your entire computer. |
| features in Window Vista, things that can't find in | | | | Later, you can browse and search for files to |
| the XP. Apart from this article, another really | | | | restore from a backup. |
| great site about Windows Vista full of information | | | | Another great new feature allows you to access |
| about the new features is | | | | previous versions of files without even having a |
| 1. New User Experience, including Windows Aero | | | | backup. This is possible through the Volume |
| Windows Vista features four different levels of | | | | Shadow Copy technology. If you want to do that |
| user experience--Basic, Windows Classic, | | | | manually, then you will have to use the File Back |
| Standard, and Windows Aero(TM). All controls are | | | | Wizard in which you select the types of files you |
| totally redesigned in Windows Vista and look even | | | | want to backup, specify a storage folder and |
| better now. The Aero user interface is the top of | | | | start the process at any point you want. There is |
| the line and takes advantage of the latest | | | | also an automatic scheduling function. |
| advances in computer hardware. On computers | | | | The system restore feature can reverse system |
| equipped with graphics hardware that supports | | | | changes, but still preserving your data in its |
| the new Windows Driver Display Model (WDDM), | | | | current state. |
| the Aero provides more stability and smoother | | | | 7. Network Map |
| window handling. The main element of this | | | | The Network Map is a new feature inside the |
| interface is the transparent glass design, with | | | | Network Center that displays graphically your |
| subtle effects such as dynamic reflections and | | | | connectivity to the network and to the Internet. |
| smooth animations. To checkout some | | | | If a computer on the network loses Internet |
| screenshots, go to vista-hq.com/interface.html. | | | | connectivity, you can graphically see which |
| 2. Windows Sidebar | | | | connection is down and then use Network |
| The Windows Sidebar can be positioned on the | | | | Diagnostics to help determine the cause of the |
| right or on the left side of your screen and its | | | | problem and find possible solutions. |
| associated with mini-applications called gadgets, | | | | This is especially useful if you have a network of |
| that provide specific information. Like for example, | | | | wired and wireless PCs and devices. With the |
| the gadgets can give you info on the weather, | | | | Network Map you can increase the performance |
| show you the calendar, games, a calculator or all | | | | of the network and easily spot problems. |
| types of other tools. The Sidebar fits perfectly | | | | 8. Windows ReadyBoost |
| especially on widescreen monitors. It can be easily | | | | ReadyBoost is a brand new technology that |
| customized and you can add different types of | | | | comes with Windows Vista. It's a whole new |
| gadgets. Gadgets are a new concept introduced in | | | | concept that will change they way people add |
| Windows Vista. They can connect to web | | | | memory to a system. With ReadyBoost, you can |
| services to deliver business data, weather | | | | use USD flash as RAM to extend system |
| information, news updates, traffic maps, Internet | | | | memory and improve performance. So instead of |
| radio streams, and even slide shows of online | | | | buying RAM and opening your computer, you can |
| photo albums. By default, the OS comes with a | | | | just plug the Flash. Plus, most motherboards have |
| set number of gadgets to get you started, but | | | | just two RAM slots, which will be taken anyway. |
| you can always download more from an online | | | | Utilizing this technology is simple. Just plug the |
| gadget gallery. | | | | Flash in the USB slot and Windows Vista will check |
| 3. The Instant Desktop Search | | | | to determine if its performance is fast enough to |
| The Instant Search is a new feature that will help | | | | work with Windows ReadyBoost. If that's the |
| you find whatever you're looking for. It is available | | | | case, then you'll be asked if you want to use this |
| almost everywhere in Windows Vista, in the | | | | device to speed up system performance. |
| Explorer Dialogs, in the Start Menu, pretty much in | | | | ReadyBoost is reliable as well as secure. You |
| every system window. Using it, you can type a | | | | won't loose any data, and the system will restore |
| filename, a property, or even text contained | | | | to its original level of performance when the Flash |
| within a file, and it returns pinpointed results. | | | | is removed. There is no wearing on the USB |
| Besides that, the Instant Search also arranges the | | | | drive, because of the specifically optimized |
| results depending on your current activity, | | | | algorithms used. |
| whether it's searching for music files in Media | | | | 9. Windows ReadyDrive |
| Player, or looking over all your files and | | | | Windows ReadyDrive takes advantage of the |
| applications on the Start Menu. You can check out | | | | latest hybrid hard drives to provide faster |
| some screenshots of that at vista-hq.com | | | | boot-up, hibernate, and resume. It works by |
| interface.html. | | | | writing data to the flash memory on the hybrid |
| On the Start Menu, the Instant Search box is | | | | hard disk, which lessens the amount of spinning |
| located at the lower left corner, and instead of | | | | for the mechanical hard drive, thus saving battery |
| going through all the programs installed in order to | | | | power. And also increases the life of your hard |
| find the one you are looking for, you can just | | | | drive. With a hybrid drive, Windows Vista can |
| type its name in the box and as you type, | | | | resume more quickly from Sleep because data |
| Windows Vista instantly searches file and | | | | can be restored from flash memory faster than |
| application names, metadata, and the full text of | | | | from the spinning mechanical hard drive. |
| all files, and it displays the search results. It | | | | 10. Windows Media Center |
| searches through everything - Applications; | | | | For a large number of users, the PC has become |
| Favorites/Internet History; Files, including | | | | mostly a source of entertainment, that you can |
| documents and media; and Communications, | | | | enjoy by sitting back with a remote control in |
| including email, events, tasks, and contacts. | | | | hand. That's not something strange considering |
| 4. Windows Defender | | | | the enormous amount of media files that you can |
| Windows Defender is a features that protects | | | | download online. The Windows Media Center |
| your computer from pop-ups, slow performance, | | | | enables you to enjoy live and recorded TV, |
| and security threats caused by spyware. It works | | | | music, photos, videos, and online entertainment on |
| by monitoring key system locations for changes | | | | a single device. It can also be connected to Xbox |
| that signal the presence of spyware. The | | | | 360 allowing you to transfer this experience in |
| autoupdate option will make sure that the | | | | other rooms of your home. |
| Defender has all the latest spyware definitions | | | | It's integrated in the Home Premium and Ultimate |
| from Microsoft. The interface is simple and easy | | | | editions of Windows Vista and also offers built-in |
| to use, making daily tasks like as scanning, | | | | support for archiving TV shows to DVD. It takes |
| blocking, and removing unwanted software easier | | | | advantage of the very latest technologies including |
| than ever. It has a built in Software Explorer that | | | | a support for widescreen and high-definition (HD) |
| determines which software and services are | | | | displays. There are three separate sections - |
| running on your computer and stops or disables | | | | music, digital photos, TV and movies. In the Music |
| "rogue" software. | | | | section, you can quickly browse your music by |
| It works in co-operation with Internet Explorer | | | | artist, song, or album title, as well as by genre, |
| with the "Scan on execute" feature. This feature | | | | composer, or year. Regarding the photos, |
| provides an added layer of protection, by | | | | Windows Media Center can turn your simple |
| scanning all downloaded files before they are | | | | photo collection into a cinematic slide show that |
| saved and executed, thus reducing the chance | | | | can be shared on the television in the living room. |
| that spyware might be installed by accident. If | | | | On top of that, WMC provides seamless |
| you want to learn something more about the | | | | experience when watching your favorite television |
| Windows Defender visit vista-hq.com/security.html. | | | | shows and movies. |