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Windows Vista (pronounced /ˈvɪstə/) is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, Tablet PCs, and media centers. Prior to its announcement on July 22, 2005, Windows Vista was known by its codename "Longhorn".[1] Development was completed on November 8, 2006; over the following three months it was released in stages to computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and retail channels. On January 30, 2007, it was released worldwide to the general public,[2] and was made available for purchase and downloading from Microsoft's web site.[3] The release of Windows Vista comes more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor, Windows XP, the longest time span between successive releases of Microsoft Windows. Windows redirects here. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...
is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...
The text below is generated by a template, which has been proposed for deletion. ...
Shared source is Microsoft’s framework for sharing computer program source code with individuals and organizations. ...
A software license is a legal agreement which may take the form of a proprietary or gratuitous license as well as a memorandum of contract between a producer and a user of computer software. ...
A software license is a type of proprietary or gratiuitious license as well as a memorandum of contract between a producer and a user of computer software — sometimes called an End User License Agreement (EULA) — that specifies the perimeters of the permission granted by the owner to the user. ...
A kernel connects the application software to the hardware of a computer. ...
Graphical overview of a hybrid kernel Hybrid kernel is a kernel architecture based on combining aspects of microkernel and monolithic kernel architectures used in computer operating systems. ...
The term multilingualism can refer to rather different phenomena. ...
Windows Update version 5 through Netscape Browser 8. ...
In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework, either in hardware or software, which allows software to run. ...
x86 or 80x86 is the generic name of a microprocessor architecture first developed and manufactured by Intel. ...
The AMD64 or x86-64 is a 64-bit processor architecture invented by AMD. It is a superset of the x86 architecture, which it natively supports. ...
The user interface is the part of a system exposed to users. ...
GUI redirects here. ...
Development of Windows Vista occurred over the span of five and a half years, starting in earnest in May 2001,[1] prior to the release of Microsofts Windows XP operating system, and continuing until November 2006. ...
Windows Vista (formerly codenamed Longhorn) has many significant new features compared with previous Microsoft Windows versions, covering most aspects of the operating system. ...
Windows Vista contains a range of new technologies and features that are intended to help network administrators and power users better manage their systems. ...
There are a number of security and safety features new to Windows Vista, most of which are not available in any prior Microsoft Windows operating system release. ...
Windows Vista (formerly codenamed Windows Longhorn) has many significant new features compared with previous Microsoft Windows versions, covering most aspects of the operating system. ...
Microsofts latest Windows operating system, Windows Vista, includes a number of new I/O technologies and enhancements that are intended to shorten the time taken to boot the system, improve the responsiveness of the system, and improve the reliability of data storage. ...
Windows Vista contains a brand new networking stack, which brings large improvements in all areas of network-related functionality[1]. It includes native implementation of IPv6, as well as complete overhaul of IPv4. ...
While Windows Vista contains many new features, a number of older technologies, obsolete capabilities and certain programs that were a part of Windows XP are no longer present or changed, resulting in the removal of certain functionality. ...
Windows Vista is available in six editions. ...
Criticism of Windows Vista includes the various concerns regarding the commercially released version of Vista, due to perceived issues with security, performance and presence of product activation. ...
An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer resources and provides programmers with an interface used to access those resources. ...
Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ...
Bold text Desktop computer with several common peripherals (Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone and a printer) A desktop computer is a gay electronic machine computer which convert raw data into meaningful information, made for use on a desk in an office or home and is distinguished from portable computers such...
For the band, see Laptop (band). ...
A Tablet PC is a notebook- or slate-shaped mobile computer. ...
This article is about media centers in general. ...
is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Microsoft codenames are the codenames given by Microsoft to products it has in development, before these products are given the names by which they appear on store shelves. ...
is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...
Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ...
Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. ...
Windows redirects here. ...
Windows Vista contains many changes and new features, including an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network, using peer-to-peer technology to simplify sharing files and digital media between computers and devices. Windows Vista includes version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, which aims to make it significantly easier for software developers to write applications than with the traditional Windows API. Windows Vista (formerly codenamed Longhorn) has many significant new features compared with previous Microsoft Windows versions, covering most aspects of the operating system. ...
GUI redirects here. ...
In computing, skins and themes are custom graphical appearances (GUIs) that can be applied to certain software and websites in order to suit the different tastes of different users. ...
Windows Aero is the graphical user interface for Windows Vista, an operating system released by Microsoft in November 2006. ...
Windows Desktop Search (or WDS) is an indexed search platform released by Microsoft for the Windows operating system. ...
Windows DVD Maker is an application included in premium editions (Home Premium and Ultimate) of Windows Vista that is designed to enable the creation of DVD movies in Windows. ...
A home network is a residential local area network, and is used to connect multiple devices within the homes. ...
A peer-to-peer (or P2P) computer network is a network that relies on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants in the network rather than concentrating it in a relatively few servers. ...
This article is about computer files and file systems in general terms. ...
Audio & Visual Media Digital media (as opposed to analog media) usually refers to electronic media that work on digital codes. ...
The Microsoft . ...
For other uses, see Software developer (disambiguation). ...
The Windows API, informally WinAPI, is the name given by Microsoft to the core set of application programming interfaces (APIs) available in the Microsoft Windows operating systems. ...
Microsoft's primary stated objective with Windows Vista, however, has been to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system.[4] One common criticism of Windows XP and its predecessors has been their commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows. In light of this, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced in early 2002 a company-wide "Trustworthy Computing initiative" which aims to incorporate security work into every aspect of software development at the company. Microsoft stated that it prioritized improving the security of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 above finishing Windows Vista, thus delaying its completion.[5] Microsofts Windows XP operating system has received considerable amounts of criticism for various problems. ...
For other uses of the word Vulnerability, please refer to vulnerability. ...
A screenshot of a malicious website attempting to install spyware via an ActiveX Control in Internet Explorer 6 Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owners informed consent. ...
A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user. ...
[[Media:Media:Example. ...
For other persons named Bill Gates, see Bill Gates (disambiguation). ...
Trusted computing (TC) refers to a family of specifications from the controversial TCPA with their stated goal of making computers more secure through the use of dedicated hardware. ...
Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. ...
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. ...
While these new features and security improvements have garnered positive reviews, Vista has also been the target of much criticism and negative press. Criticism of Windows Vista has targeted high system requirements, its more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new digital rights management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, lack of compatibility with certain pre-Vista hardware and software, and the number of authorization prompts for User Account Control. As a result of these and other issues, Vista has seen adoption and satisfaction rates lower than Windows XP.[6] Criticism of Windows Vista includes the various concerns regarding the commercially released version of Vista, due to perceived issues with security, performance and presence of product activation. ...
Digital rights management (DRM) is an umbrella term that refers to access control technologies used by publishers and copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices. ...
UAC confirmation dialog UAC credentials dialog User Account Control (UAC) is a technology and security infrastructure introduced with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system. ...
Development -
 The Windows Vista Codename (Longhorn) logo Microsoft began work on Windows Vista, known at the time by its codename "Longhorn" in May 2001,[7] five months prior to the release of Windows XP. It was originally expected to ship sometime late in 2003 as a minor step between Windows XP and "Blackcomb", which was planned to be the company's next major operating system release. Gradually, "Longhorn" assimilated many of the important new features and technologies slated for "Blackcomb", resulting in the release date being pushed back several times. Many of Microsoft's developers were also re-tasked with improving the security of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, both of which had been the target of a number of high-profile security lapses.[5] Faced with ongoing delays and concerns about feature creep, Microsoft announced on August 27, 2004 that it had revised its plans. The original "Longhorn", based on the Windows XP source code, was scrapped, and Longhorn's development started anew, building on the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 codebase, and re-incorporating only the features that would be intended for an actual operating system release. Some previously announced features such as WinFS were dropped or postponed, and a new software development methodology called the "Security Development Lifecycle" was incorporated in an effort to address concerns with the security of the Windows codebase.[8] Development of Windows Vista occurred over the span of five and a half years, starting in earnest in May 2001,[1] prior to the release of Microsofts Windows XP operating system, and continuing until November 2006. ...
Image File history File links Windows_Longhorn_logo. ...
Image File history File links Windows_Longhorn_logo. ...
Creeping featurism, or creeping featuritis, is a phrase used (usually within the sphere of software and information technology) to describe the (often erroneous) idea that more features make a thing or product better than the previous version. ...
is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. ...
It has been suggested that Microsoft Rave be merged into this article or section. ...
After "Longhorn" was named Windows Vista in July 2005, an unprecedented beta-test program was started, involving hundreds of thousands of volunteers and companies. In September of that year, Microsoft started releasing regular Community Technology Previews (CTP) to beta testers. The first of these was distributed at the 2005 Microsoft Professional Developers Conference, and was subsequently released to beta testers and Microsoft Developer Network subscribers. The builds that followed incorporated most of the planned features for the final product, as well as a number of changes to the user interface, based largely on feedback from beta testers. Windows Vista was deemed feature-complete with the release of the "February CTP", released on February 22, 2006, and much of the remainder of work between that build and the final release of the product focused on stability, performance, application and driver compatibility, and documentation. Beta 2, released in late May, was the first build to be made available to the general public through Microsoft's Customer Preview Program. It was downloaded by over five million people. Two release candidates followed in September and October, both of which were made available to a large number of users.[9] Software development stages In computer programming, development stage terminology expresses how the development of a piece of software has progressed and how much further development it may require. ...
Community Technology Preview (CTP), is a Microsoft software preview release. ...
Microsofts Professional Developers Conference (or PDC) is a conference for software developers, normally Windows developers. ...
The Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) is the portion of Microsoft responsible for managing the firms relationship with developers. ...
is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
While Microsoft had originally hoped to have the consumer versions of the operating system available worldwide in time for Christmas 2006, it was announced in March 2006 that the release date would be pushed back to January 2007, in order to give the company – and the hardware and software companies which Microsoft depends on for providing device drivers – additional time to prepare. Through much of 2006, analysts and bloggers had speculated that Windows Vista would be delayed further, owing to anti-trust concerns raised by the European Commission and South Korea, and due to a perceived lack of progress with the beta releases. However, with the November 8, 2006 announcement of the completion of Windows Vista, Microsoft's lengthiest operating system development project came to an end.[10] A device driver, or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a computer hardware device. ...
is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
New or improved features -
Windows Vista (formerly codenamed Longhorn) has many significant new features compared with previous Microsoft Windows versions, covering most aspects of the operating system. ...
End-user features - Windows Aero: The new hardware-based graphical user interface is named Windows Aero, which Jim Allchin has said is an acronym for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open.[11]. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than those of previous Windows, including new transparencies, live thumbnails, live icons, and animations, thus providing a new level of eye candy. Laptop users report however that battery life is shortened with the feature enabled.[12][13]
- Windows Shell: The new Windows shell is significantly different from Windows XP, offering a new range of organization, navigation, and search capabilities. Windows Explorer's task pane has been removed, integrating the relevant task options into the toolbar. A "Favorite links" pane has been added, enabling one-click access to common directories. The address bar has been replaced with a breadcrumb navigation system. The preview pane allows users to see thumbnails of various files and view the contents of documents. The details pane shows information such as file size and type, and allows viewing and editing of embedded tags in supported file formats. The Start menu has changed as well; it no longer uses ever-expanding boxes when navigating through Programs. The word "Start" itself has been removed in favor of a blue Windows Orb (also called "Pearl").
- Instant Search (also known as search as you type) : Windows Vista features a new way of searching called Instant Search, which is significantly faster and more in-depth (content-based) than the search features found in any of the previous versions of Windows.[14]
- Windows Sidebar: A transparent panel anchored to the side of the screen where a user can place Desktop Gadgets, which are small applets designed for a specialized purpose (such as displaying the weather or sports scores). Gadgets can also be placed on other parts of the desktop.
- Windows Internet Explorer 7: New user interface, tabbed browsing, RSS, a search box, improved printing,[15] Page Zoom, Quick Tabs (thumbnails of all open tabs), Anti-Phishing filter, a number of new security protection features, Internationalized Domain Name support (IDN), and improved web standards support. IE7 in Windows Vista runs in isolation from other applications in the operating system (protected mode); exploits and malicious software are restricted from writing to any location beyond Temporary Internet Files without explicit user consent.
- Windows Media Player 11, a major revamp of Microsoft's program for playing and organizing music and video. New features in this version include word wheeling (or "search as you type"), a new GUI for the media library, photo display and organization, the ability to share music libraries over a network with other Vista machines, Xbox 360 integration, and support for other Media Center Extenders.
- Backup and Restore Center: Includes a backup and restore application that gives users the ability to schedule periodic backups of files on their computer, as well as recovery from previous backups. Backups are incremental, storing only the changes each time, minimizing disk usage. It also features Complete PC Backup (available only in Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise versions) which backs up an entire computer as an image onto a hard disk or DVD. Complete PC Backup can automatically recreate a machine setup onto new hardware or hard disk in case of any hardware failures. Complete PC Restore can be initiated from within Windows Vista or from the Windows Vista installation CD in the event the PC is so corrupt that it cannot start up normally from the hard disk.
- Windows Mail: A replacement for Outlook Express that includes a new mail store that improves stability,[16] and features integrated Instant Search. It has the Phishing Filter like IE7 and Junk mail filtering that is enhanced through regular updates via Windows Update.[17]
- Windows Calendar is a new calendar and task application.
- Windows Photo Gallery, a photo and movie library management application. It can import from digital cameras, tag and rate individual items, adjust colors and exposure, create and display slideshows (with pan and fade effects) and burn slideshows to DVD.
- Windows DVD Maker, a companion program to Windows Movie Maker that provides the ability to create video DVDs based on a user's content. Users can design a DVD with title, menu, video, soundtrack, pan and zoom motion effects on pictures or slides.
- Windows Media Center, which was previously exclusively bundled as a separate version of Windows XP, known as Windows XP Media Center Edition, has been incorporated into the Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.
- Games and Games Explorer: Games included with Windows have been modified to showcase Vista's graphics capabilities. New games are Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans and Purble Place. A new Games Explorer special folder holds shortcuts and information to all games on the user's computer.
- Windows Mobility Center is a control panel that centralizes the most relevant information related to mobile computing (brightness, sound, battery level / power scheme selection, wireless network, screen orientation, presentation settings, etc.).
- Windows Meeting Space replaces NetMeeting. Users can share applications (or their entire desktop) with other users on the local network, or over the Internet using peer-to-peer technology (higher versions than Starter and Home Basic can take advantage of hosting capabilities, Starter and Home Basic editions are limited to "join" mode only)
- Shadow Copy automatically creates daily backup copies of files and folders. Users can also create "shadow copies" by setting a System Protection Point using the System Protection tab in the System control panel. The user can be presented multiple versions of a file throughout a limited history and be allowed to restore, delete, or copy those versions. This feature is available only in the Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista and is inherited from Windows Server 2003.[18]
- Windows Update: Software and security updates have been simplified,[19] now operating solely via a control panel instead of as a web application. Windows Mail's spam filter and Windows Defender's definitions are updated automatically via Windows Update. Users who choose the recommended setting for Automatic Updates will have the latest drivers installed and available when they add a new device.
- Parental controls: Allows administrators to control which websites, programs and games each standard user can use and install. This feature is not included in the Business or Enterprise editions of Vista.
- Windows SideShow: Enables the auxiliary displays on newer laptops or on supported Windows Mobile devices. It is meant to be used to display device gadgets while the computer is on or off.
- Speech recognition is integrated into Vista.[20] It features a redesigned user interface and configurable command-and-control commands. Unlike the Office 2003 version, which works only in Office and WordPad, Speech Recognition in Windows Vista works for any accessible application. In addition, it currently supports several languages: British and American English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) and Japanese.
- New fonts, including several designed for screen reading, and improved Chinese (Yahei, JhengHei), Japanese (Meiryo) and Korean (Malgun) fonts. ClearType has also been enhanced and enabled by default.
- Problem Reports and Solutions, a control panel which allows users to view previously sent problems and any solutions or additional information that is available.
- Improved audio controls allow the system-wide volume or volume of individual audio devices and even individual applications to be controlled separately. New audio functionalities such as Room Correction, Bass Management, Speaker Fill and Headphone virtualization have also been incorporated.
- Windows System Assessment Tool is a tool used to benchmark system performance. Software such as games can retrieve this rating and modify its own behavior at runtime to improve performance. The benchmark tests CPU, RAM, 2-D and 3-D graphics acceleration, Graphics Memory and Hard disk space.[21][22]
- Windows Ultimate Extras: The Ultimate edition of Windows Vista provides, via Windows Update, access to some additional features. These are a collection of additional MUI language packs, Texas Hold 'Em (a Poker game), BitLocker and EFS enhancements which allow users to backup their encryption key online in a Digital Locker, and Windows Dreamscene, which enables the use of videos in MPEG and WMV formats as the desktop background. On April 21st 2008, Microsoft launched two more Ultimate Extras; a new Windows sound scheme, and a content pack for Dreamscene.
- Disk Management: The Logical Disk Manager in Windows Vista supports shrinking and expanding volumes on-the-fly.
- Reliability and Performance Monitor includes various tools for tuning and monitoring system performance and resources activities of CPU, disks, network, memory and other resources. It shows the operations on files, the opened connections, etc.
Image File history File links Windows_Vista_Explorer. ...
Image File history File links Windows_Vista_Explorer. ...
Windows Explorer running on Windows Vista Windows Explorer running on Windows XP Windows Explorer is an application that is part of modern versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system that provides a graphical user interface for accessing the file systems. ...
Windows Aero is the graphical user interface for Windows Vista, an operating system released by Microsoft in November 2006. ...
James Edward Allchin (born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1951) is Senior Vice President of the Platform Group at Microsoft, responsible for the Windows platform and streaming media. ...
Eye candy is an expression used to describe something that is most remarkable by its appearance, but that doesnt have anything else so exciting. ...
For the band, see Laptop (band). ...
In computing, Windows Shell is the most visible aspect of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. ...
Windows Explorer running on Windows Vista Windows Explorer running on Windows XP Windows Explorer is an application that is part of modern versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system that provides a graphical user interface for accessing the file systems. ...
Breadcrumbs or breadcrumb trails is a navigation technique used in user interfaces. ...
For a proposal for tagging in Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:WikiProject Microformats#MediaWiki issues A tag cloud with terms related to Web 2. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Windows Vista (formerly codenamed Windows Longhorn) has many significant new features compared with previous Microsoft Windows versions, covering most aspects of the operating system. ...
Screenshot of performing Find as you type in Mozilla Firefox. ...
An example group of Gadgets, each attached to the sidebar Add Gadgets window The Windows Sidebar is a panel for Desktop Gadgets that is anchored to the side of the Windows Vista desktop. ...
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Microsoft gadgets. ...
Windows Internet Explorer 7, commonly abbreviated IE7, is a web browser released by Microsoft in late 2006 for Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. ...
In graphical user interfaces in computer applications, a tabbed document interface (TDI) is one that relies on tabbed panes to hold child windows. ...
For RSS feeds from Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Syndication. ...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 572 pixel Image in higher resolution (1032 × 738 pixel, file size: 233 KB, MIME type: image/png) A screenshot of Windows Media Player 11 in Windows Vista. ...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 572 pixel Image in higher resolution (1032 × 738 pixel, file size: 233 KB, MIME type: image/png) A screenshot of Windows Media Player 11 in Windows Vista. ...
Windows Media Player (WMP) is a digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. ...
Windows Media Player (WMP) is a digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. ...
GUI can refer to the following: GUI is short for graphical user interface, a term used to describe a type of interface in computing. ...
It has been suggested that Xbox 360 Elite be merged into this article or section. ...
Windows Media Center Extenders are set-top boxes that are configured to connect via an Ethernet or Wireless network to a computer running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows Vista Home Premium/Ultimate to stream the computers media center functions to the Extender device. ...
Backup and Restore Center in Windows Vista Ultimate Backup and Restore Center is a component included in Windows Vista that allows users to access file backup utilities built into the operating system. ...
Windows Mail is an e-mail and newsgroup client included exclusively in Windows Vista. ...
A mail filter is a piece of software which takes an input of an email message. ...
Windows Calendar is a calendar application that is included in Microsoft Windows Vista. ...
Windows Photo Gallery (WPG) is an application included with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system that provides photo management and basic editing facilities. ...
Windows DVD Maker is an application included in premium editions (Home Premium and Ultimate) of Windows Vista that is designed to enable the creation of DVD movies in Windows. ...
“Movie maker†redirects here. ...
Windows Media Center is an application designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. ...
A typical Windows XP MCE 2005 Menu Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) is a version of Windows XP designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. ...
Games for Windows is a gaming platform and marketing campaign by Microsoft that dates back at least to 2005, and was revised in 2006. ...
Chess Titans is a computer game, developed by Oberon Games, included with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system. ...
Mahjong Titans is a computer game, developed by Oberon Games, included with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system. ...
Purble Place is a computer game developed by Oberon Games and included in Windows Vista. ...
The Windows Mobility Center is a component of Microsoft Windows,first introduced with Vista, that centralizes the most relevant information related to mobile computing. ...
The Windows Mobility Center is a component of Microsoft Windows,first introduced with Vista, that centralizes the most relevant information related to mobile computing. ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
This article or section should be merged with Video teleconference A videoconference is a live connection between people in separate locations for the purpose of communication, usually involving audio and often text as well as video. ...
Shadow Copy in Windows Vista Shadow Copy (also called Volume Snapshot Service or VSS) is a feature in recent versions of Microsoft Windows that allows taking manual or automatic backup copies or snapshots of a file or folder on a specific volume at a specific point in time. ...
Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (832x632, 155 KB) A screenshot of Windows Update in Windows Vista. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (832x632, 155 KB) A screenshot of Windows Update in Windows Vista. ...
Windows Update version 5 through Netscape Browser 8. ...
Windows Ultimate Extras are optional features offered to users of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. ...
Windows Update version 5 through Netscape Browser 8. ...
In software engineering, a web application is an application delivered to users from a web server over a network such as the World Wide Web or an intranet. ...
Parental Control panel in Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. ...
Windows SideShow is a new technology in Windows Vista that enables Windows PCs to drive a variety of auxiliary display devices connected to the main PC. These devices can be separate from or integrated into the main PC (e. ...
Windows Speech Recognition in Sleep mode Windows Speech Recognition is a speech recognition application included in Windows Vista. ...
A font can mean: A member of a typeface family; or digital font - file format that encapsulates a typeface family in a database. ...
ClearType is a registered trademark for a technology developed by Microsoft Corporation to improve the appearance of text on certain types of computer display screens, especially flat-panel displays. ...
Problem Reports and Solutions in Windows Vista Problem Reports and Solutions is a component included in Windows Vista that keeps track of system problems. ...
Windows Experience Index in Windows Vista Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT) is the codename for the automatic system optimizer/tweaker built into Microsofts most recent operating system, Windows Vista, as well as the upcoming Windows Server 2008. ...
CPU can stand for: in computing: Central processing unit in journalism: Commonwealth Press Union in law enforcement: Crime prevention unit in software: Critical patch update, a type of software patch distributed by Oracle Corporation in Macleans College is often known as Ash Lim. ...
Look up RAM, Ram, ram in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
Windows Ultimate Extras are optional features offered to users of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition. ...
This article is about Multilingual User Interface. ...
BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature integrated into Microsofts Windows Vista operating system that provides encryption for the entire OS volume. ...
The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a file system with filesystem-level encryption available in Microsofts Windows 2000 and later operating systems. ...
Windows DreamScene is a utility that allows videos and other optimized animations to be used as desktop wallpapers. ...
The Moving Picture Experts Group, commonly referred to as simply MPEG, is a working group of ISO/IEC charged with the development of video and audio encoding standards. ...
Windows Media Video (WMV) is a generic name for the set of video codec technologies developed by Microsoft. ...
The Logical Disk Manager (LDM) is an implementation of a logical volume manager for Windows, developed by Microsoft and Veritas Software. ...
CPU redirects here. ...
Core technologies -
Windows Vista is intended to be a technology-based release, to provide a base to include advanced technologies, many of which are related to how the system functions and thus not readily visible to the user. An example is the complete restructuring of the architecture of the audio, print, display, and networking subsystems; while the results of this work are visible to software developers, end-users will only see what appear to be evolutionary changes in the user interface. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...
Windows Vista (formerly codenamed Windows Longhorn) has many significant new features compared with previous Microsoft Windows versions, covering most aspects of the operating system. ...
Vista includes technologies such as ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive which employ fast flash memory (located on USB drives and hybrid hard disk drives) to improve system performance by caching commonly used programs and data. This manifests itself in improved battery life on notebook computers as well, since a hybrid drive can be spun down when not in use. Another new technology called SuperFetch utilizes machine learning techniques to analyze usage patterns to allow Windows Vista to make intelligent decisions about what content should be present in system memory at any given time. ReadyBoost is a disk caching technology first included with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system. ...
Microsofts latest Windows operating system, Windows Vista, includes a number of new I/O technologies and enhancements that are intended to shorten the time taken to boot the system, improve the responsiveness of the system, and improve the reliability of data storage. ...
A USB flash drive. ...
A USB drive, shown with a 24 mm US quarter coin for scale. ...
This article refers to the computer hard disk. ...
Microsofts latest Windows operating system, Windows Vista, includes a number of new I/O technologies and enhancements that are intended to shorten the time taken to boot the system, improve the responsiveness of the system, and improve the reliability of data storage. ...
As a broad subfield of artificial intelligence, machine learning is concerned with the design and development of algorithms and techniques that allow computers to learn. At a general level, there are two types of learning: inductive, and deductive. ...
As part of the redesign of the networking architecture, IPv6 has been fully incorporated into the operating system and a number of performance improvements have been introduced, such as TCP window scaling. Earlier versions of Windows typically needed third-party wireless networking software to work properly, but this is not the case with Vista, which includes more comprehensive wireless networking support. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a network layer for packet-switched internetworks. ...
The TCP window scale option is an option to increase the TCP congestion window size above its maximum value of 65,536 bytes. ...
For graphics, Vista introduces a new Windows Display Driver Model and a major revision to Direct3D. The new driver model facilitates the new Desktop Window Manager, which provides the tearing-free desktop and special effects that are the cornerstones of Windows Aero. Direct3D 10, developed in conjunction with major display driver manufacturers, is a new architecture with more advanced shader support, and allows the graphics processing unit to render more complex scenes without assistance from the CPU. It features improved load balancing between CPU and GPU and also optimizes data transfer between them.[23] Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) is the new graphic driver model for video cards running under Windows Vista. ...
Direct3D is part of Microsofts DirectX API. Direct3D is only available for Microsofts various Windows operating systems (Windows 95 and above) and is the base for the graphics API on the Xbox and Xbox 360 console systems. ...
Desktop Window Manager (DWM) is currently the name for the new windowing system that will be available in all versions of Windows Vista, except Starter Edition, to enable the new Aero user interface. ...
Page tearing is a phenomenon in computer and video games where a previously rendered frame overlaps a newly rendered frame, creating a torn look as two parts of an object - a wall, for example - dont line up. ...
Shaders are a set of different technologies. ...
GPU redirects here. ...
At the core of the operating system, many improvements have been made to the memory manager, process scheduler and I/O scheduler. The Heap Manager implements additional features such as integrity checking in order to improve robustness and defend against buffer overflow security exploits, although this comes at the price of breaking backward compatibility with some legacy applications.[24] A Kernel Transaction Manager has been implemented that enables applications to work with the file system and Registry using atomic transaction operations. An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer resources and provides programmers with an interface used to access those resources. ...
[[Media:Media:Example. ...
An exploit is a piece of software, a chunk of data, or sequence of commands that take advantage of a bug, glitch or vulnerability in order to cause unintended or unanticipated behavior to occur on computer software, hardware, or something electronic (usually computerized). ...
Kernel Transaction Manager (KTM) is a component of the Windows Vista kernel that enables applications to use atomic transactions on resources. ...
For library and office filing systems, see Library classification. ...
The Windows registry is a directory which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows 32-bit versions, 64-bit versions and Windows Mobile. ...
For other uses, see Atomicity (disambiguation). ...
Security-related technologies
 A User Account Control consent dialog. -
Improved security was a primary design goal for Vista.[4] Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative, which aims to improve public trust in its products, has had a direct effect on its development. This effort has resulted in a number of new security and safety features. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ...
Image File history File links User_Account_Control. ...
Image File history File links User_Account_Control. ...
There are a number of security and safety features new to Windows Vista, most of which are not available in any prior Microsoft Windows operating system release. ...
Trusted computing (TC) refers to a family of specifications from the controversial TCPA with their stated goal of making computers more secure through the use of dedicated hardware. ...
User Account Control is perhaps the most significant and visible of these changes. User Account Control is a security technology that makes it possible for users to use their computer with fewer privileges by default, with a view to stopping malware from making unauthorized changes to the system. This was often difficult in previous versions of Windows, as the previous "limited" user accounts proved too restrictive and incompatible with a large proportion of application software, and even prevented some basic operations such as looking at the calendar from the notification tray. In Windows Vista, when an action requiring administrative rights - such as installing/uninstalling software or making system-wide configuration changes - is performed, the user is first prompted for an administrator name and password; in cases where the user is already an administrator, the user is still prompted to confirm the pending privileged action. Regular use of the computer such as running programs, printing, or surfing the Internet does not trigger UAC prompts. User Account Control asks for credentials in a Secure Desktop mode, where the entire screen is blacked out, temporarily disabled, and only the authorization window is active and highlighted. The intent is to stop a malicious program misleading the user by interfering with the authorization window, and to hint to the user the importance of the prompt. UAC confirmation dialog UAC credentials dialog User Account Control (UAC) is a technology and security infrastructure introduced with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system. ...
Internet Explorer 7's new security and safety features include a phishing filter, IDN with anti-spoofing capabilities, and integration with system-wide parental controls. For added security, ActiveX controls are disabled by default. Also, Internet Explorer operates in a "protected mode" which operates with lower permissions than the user and it runs in isolation from other applications in the operating system, preventing it from accessing or modifying anything besides the Temporary Internet Files directory.[25] Microsoft's anti-spyware product, Windows Defender, has been incorporated into Windows, providing protection against malware and other threats. Changes to various system configuration settings (such as new auto-starting applications) are blocked unless the user gives consent. Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ...
An example of a phishing email, disguised as an official email from a (fictional) bank. ...
Example of Arabic IDN Example of Chinese IDN Example of Persian IDN Example of Greek IDN Example of Hebrew IDN Example of Ukrainian IDN An internationalized domain name (IDN) is an Internet domain name that (potentially) contains non-ASCII characters. ...
ActiveX is Microsoft technology used for developing reusable object oriented software components. ...
Windows Defender, previously known as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a software product from Microsoft designed to prevent, remove and quarantine spyware on Microsofts Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista operating systems. ...
Another significant new feature is BitLocker Drive Encryption, a data protection technology included in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Vista that provides full disk encryption for the entire operating system volume. BitLocker can work in conjunction with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) cryptoprocessor (version 1.2) embedded in a computer's motherboard, or with a USB key.[26] However, as with other full disk encryption technologies, BitLocker is vulnerable to a cold boot attack, especially where TPM is used as a key protector without a boot PIN being required too.[27] BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature integrated into Microsofts Windows Vista operating system that provides encryption for the entire OS volume. ...
It has been suggested that OTFE be merged into this article or section. ...
An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer resources and provides programmers with an interface used to access those resources. ...
Introduction and Definition In the context of computer operating systems, volume is the term used to describe a single accessible storage area with a single filesystem, typically (though not necessarily) resident on a single partition of a hard disk. ...
In computing, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is both the name of a published specification detailing a microcontroller that can store secured information, as well as the general name of implementations of that specification, often called TPM chip or TPM Security Device (Dell). ...
A motherboard is the central or primary circuit board making up a complex electronic system, such as a modern computer. ...
It has been suggested that OTFE be merged into this article or section. ...
A key is a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm. ...
PINs are most often used for ATMs but are increasingly used at the Point of sale, especially for debit cards. ...
A variety of other privilege-restriction techniques are also built into Vista. An example is the concept of "integrity levels" in user processes, whereby a process with a lower integrity level cannot interact with processes of a higher integrity level and cannot perform DLL–injection to a processes of a higher integrity level. The security restrictions of Windows services are more fine-grained, so that services (especially those listening on the network) have no ability to interact with parts of the operating system they do not need to. Obfuscation techniques such as address space layout randomization are used to increase the amount of effort required of malware before successful infiltration of a system. Code Integrity verifies that system binaries haven’t been tampered with by malicious code. A Windows service is an application that starts when the Microsoft Windows operating system is booted and runs in the background as long as Windows is running. ...
Obfuscation refers to the concept of concealing the meaning of communication by making it more confusing and harder to interpret. ...
Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is a computer security technique which involves arranging the positions of key data areas, usually including the base of the executable and position of libraries, heap, and stack, randomly in a process address space. ...
A screenshot of a malicious website attempting to install spyware via an ActiveX Control in Internet Explorer 6 Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owners informed consent. ...
As part of the redesign of the network stack, Windows Firewall has been upgraded, with new support for filtering both incoming and outgoing traffic. Advanced packet filter rules can be created which can grant or deny communications to specific services. Windows Firewall icon in Windows Vista Windows Firewall is a personal firewall, included with Microsofts Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista operating systems. ...
Business technologies -
While much of the focus of Vista's new capabilities has been on the new user interface, security technologies, and improvements to the core operating system, Microsoft is also adding new deployment and maintenance features. Windows Vista contains a range of new technologies and features that are intended to help network administrators and power users better manage their systems. ...
- The Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is the cornerstone of Microsoft's new deployment and packaging system. WIM files, which contain a HAL-independent image of Windows Vista, can be maintained and patched without having to rebuild new images. Windows Images can be delivered via Systems Management Server or Business Desktop Deployment technologies. Images can be customized and configured with applications then deployed to corporate client personal computers using little to no touch by a system administrator. ImageX is the Microsoft tool used to create and customize images.
- Windows Deployment Services replaces Remote Installation Services for deploying Vista and prior versions of Windows.
- Approximately 700 new Group Policy settings have been added, covering most aspects of the new features in the operating system, as well as significantly expanding the configurability of wireless networks, removable storage devices, and user desktop experience. Vista also introduced an XML based format (ADMX) to display registry-based policy settings, making it easier to manage networks that span geographic locations and different languages. [28]
- Services for UNIX has been renamed "Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications," and is included with the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Vista. Network File System (NFS) client support is also included.
- Multilingual User Interface – Unlike previous version of Windows which required language packs to be loaded to provide local language support, Windows Vista Ultimate and Enterprise editions support the ability to dynamically change languages based on the logged on user's preference.
- Wireless Projector support
The Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is a file-based disk image format. ...
A hardware abstraction layer (HAL) is an abstraction layer, implemented in software, between the physical hardware of a computer and the software that runs on that computer. ...
Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) [1] is a product for managing large groups of Microsoft-based computer systems. ...
ImageX is a command-line tool used to edit WIM image format files from within Windows. ...
A Microsoft supplied server that provides Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) BIOS enabled computers to remotely execute boot environment variables. ...
Local Group Policy Editor in Windows XP Media Center Edition Group policy is a feature of Microsoft Windows NT family of operating systems that provides centralized management and configuration of computers and remote users in an Active Directory environment. ...
Windows Services for UNIX Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX (SFU) is a software package produced by Microsoft which provides a Unix subsystem and other parts of a full Unix environment on Windows NT and its successors. ...
For network file systems in general, see network file system. ...
Windows XP Professional with Chinese MUI MUI is a Microsoft Windows package from Microsoft that allows each user to select the Windows language. ...
Developer technologies Windows Vista includes a large number of new application programming interfaces. Chief among them is the inclusion of version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, which consists of a class library and Common Language Runtime. Version 3.0 includes four new major components:[29] .NET Framework 3. ...
The Microsoft . ...
Illustration of an application which may use libvorbisfile. ...
The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is the virtual machine component of Microsofts . ...
These technologies are also available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to facilitate their introduction to and usage by developers and end users. This subsystem is a part of . ...
The user interface is the part of a system exposed to users. ...
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