The Hindu Business Line : Windows Vista highlights

My system is an old one, with the following configuration: P III, 1GHZ with 256 MB RAM and 40 GB hard disk. I have loaded Windows XP operating system with the latest service pack. Please highlight the new features in the vista operating system.

Paramesvaran. L

The attractive features of Windows vista include Aero Glass GUI Interface, fast and easy search, enhanced Explorer Navigation, Media Center, Tablet PC functionality, Mobility Center and Enhanced Security and Communication. Aero Glass GUI Interface: The windows components appear with transparent glass effect. This can be noticed in the windows title bars, Start menu, etc. One can adjust this setting to one’s taste. The Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D render live thumbnail images of the exact contents of your open windows, making it easier to identify the ones you want. Windows Flip improves on the ALT+TAB method for flipping between windows, while Windows Flip 3D displays all open windows in a three-dimensional view.

To get the real Aero Glass Interface effect, you need the following hardware: 1GB RAM, and Support for DirectX 9 graphics with WDDM Driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware, 32 bits per pixel. Vista Home Basic version will not support AERO feature.

Vista Search and Windows Explorer: To perform a Search, just click start button and type part of the name of any program, folder or file. Vista uses virtual folders to save search results. There are enhancements on the Windows Explorer side too. The address bar helps you locate all that you want to explore. Normally, one will not notice the Menu bar. If it is required, either press Alt key or click Organise – Layout - Menu Bar. Also the folders names such as My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, My Pictures, etc, appear in vista as Documents, Computer, Network, Pictures folder.

Security: New add-ons play a major role. The enhancements include User Account Control (UAC). Internet Explorer runs in Protected mode, with Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, Parental Controls, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Network Access Protection (NAP).

User Account Control improves the safety and security of your computer by preventing potentially dangerous software from making changes to your computer without your explicit consent. When a user (or program) attempts to perform an admin-level task (such as install updates, install a printer, change display settings, etc), UAC dialog prompts for an administrator’s credentials. If you are a standard user and attempting to perform an admin-level task, then the UAC dialog prompts for an administrator’s user name and password. For administrators, it simply asks whether you’d like to continue with the task you’ve attempted.

Internet Explorer runs in Protected mode, which allows full access to features and tools on the Internet but isolates IE from the rest of your computer to protect your system.

Windows Defender is an anti-spyware product that includes Real-time protection and Windows Firewall supports filtering for both incoming and outgoing traffic.

Using Parental Controls, you can configure Web sites your children can access, place time restrictions, set restrictions on games, Instant Messenger, TV shows, videos, etc, and you can view reports about their activity.

BitLocker Drive Encryption

If someone steals your computer’s hard disk and connects it to another machine, then they might hack all your data. To avoid this scenario, Vista introduces a new security feature called BitLocker Drive Encryption feature that adds machine-level data protection. It provides encryption on the drive where the operating system resides. It protects both boot files and OS volume using TPM technology. If you would like to use BitLocker drive encryption, then it requires a 450 MB of separate system partition and either TPM hardware module (version 1.2 or higher) or USB Flash drive to store the keys. If your Mother Board is not inbuilt with TPM module, you can still use BitLocker without a TPM Module, but no boot file validation. So you may use USB Flash drive to store the keys instead of TPM Modules. BitLocker feature exists only in Vista Enterprise and Ulitmate Editions.

Windows Media Center: With Media Center, you can record and watch TV (using a TV tuner card) and even live TV. Play audio, video and burn a CD or DVD and make your computer the centre of your entertainment world. Windows Media Center is available only in Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate. Windows Photo Gallery is for viewing, basic editing, organising, and sharing pictures and videos.

Windows Mail: Instead of Outlook Express, Vista introduces “Windows Mail” as default e-mail client with enhanced features. Junk e-mail and phishing filters have been enabled. Instead of “Windows Address Book”(WAB), vista uses the new PIM application called “Windows Contacts”. Each contact is stored as a separate .contact file. “Windows Calendar” is a new application included in vista to store appointments and tasks just as with Microsoft Outlook and it also allows you to publish your calendar.

For vista migration, there are two utilities “Windows Easy Transfer” for small environments and “User State Migration Tools” (USMT) for large environments. Instead of NetMeeting, vista introduces “Windows Meeting Space” application. Using this you may collaborate with up to 10 users (only vista OS users). For more information about the features of different vista editions, please look up http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions_final.asp

Solution by M. Sampath

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