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FAQ - Microsoft Windows Vista

Windows Vista introduces a breakthrough user experience and is designed to help you feel confident in your ability to view, find, and organize information and to control your computing experience.

The visual sophistication of Windows Vista helps streamline your computing experience by refining common window elements so you can better focus on the content on the screen rather than on how to access it. The desktop experience is more informative, intuitive, and helpful. And new tools bring better clarity to the information on your computer, so you can see what your files contain without opening them, find applications and files instantly, navigate efficiently among open windows, and use wizards and dialog boxes more confidently.




Windows Vista Section - Introduction

Microsoft Windows Vista is a major upgrade to the Windows operating system and is both an evolutionary and revolutionary step forward in the progression of the Windows platform. More base services than ever are provided to increase developer ability and productivity, as well as enhance the level of rich interactivity, usability, and integration delivered to the end-user.

The Windows NT kernel has been further enhanced to achieve greater levels of security, reliability, and performance. Several platform services and device driver interfaces have moved to (or returned to) user-level, increasing platform resiliency and simplifying extensibility. Rights management technologies and code access security help maintain user data privacy and application and system-level integrity. Next Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB), technologies such as Secure Startup utilizes trusted hardware components to further protect end-user data from unauthorized access and ensure system integrity.

Windows Vista will also offer rich media experiences for end-users and developers. The most visible change in Vista is its new graphical user interface (GUI). Windows Vista's new GUI allows for seamless integration of glitch-free 2D and 3D vector graphics, images, animations, and video while maintaining snappy performance Windows users expect by pushing the increased workload to the graphics processing unit (GPU). On systems that have older GPUs or just a plain 2D VGA graphics adapter, Windows Vista will scale back to graphical levels comparable to that experienced on Windows XP or Windows 2000 while maintaining glitch-free performance.

Windows Vista is a prime example of integrated innovation. Microsoft has taken .NET and driven it deep into the platform. The Win32 subsystem still remains, but it is set beside the main application programming interface (API) which is called WinFX. WinFX is where Windows' core programming interfaces meet the .NET Framework. It is a new API written in managed code and is the future of Windows application development. The security, rapid development, and extensibility benefits .NET developers have enjoyed for years now apply to the core API of the OS.




  • What is Windows Vista?

    Windows Vista is the official name for the next release of Windows following Windows XP.

  • What is the official logo?

    Vista Official Logo

  • What is “Longhorn"?

    "Longhorn" was the codename for the release of Microsoft Windows following Windows XP, which officially now is "Windows Vista". Microsoft often uses codenames to refer to unreleased products until a final commercial product name is determined. For comparison, Windows XP was codenamed “Whistler” during its development.

  • Will applications created for operating systems prior to “Windows Vista" be supported?

    Yes. Windows Vista will support most legacy applications as well as applications built specifically to take advantage of Windows Vista's unique functionality.

  • When will "Windows Vista” be released?

    Microsoft's target for general availability of the "Windows Vista" client operating system is 2006. The Longhorn server operating system is expected to be available in 2007.

  • What is different about the Windows Vista beta program?

    Microsoft is delivering a different type of beta program with Windows Vista. The program is largely public (although a smaller group of technical testers are still being employed). The program began in late October, 2003, when Microsoft released an alpha version of the OS to developers at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC) to gauge their reaction to the direction in which Microsoft is headed. The more formal beta program, however, began in July of 2005 with the official release of Windows Vista Beta 1. Since then, Microsoft has begun a series of 'Community Technology Preview' (CTP) releases of Windows Vista. These releases are intended to involve developers, customers, and partners more tightly in the development process.

  • When was the official name of Windows Vista released?

    It was first released at the Microsoft Global Business Conference in Atlanta on July 21, 2005. ActiveWin was the first website to break the news to the web. Microsoft officially announced the name to the public on July 22, 2005.




    Windows Vista Editions:

    Microsoft Windows Vista is designed to dramatically improve the computing experience of every kind of PC user—from people at home who use their PCs for simple web browsing, to business people who must organize and act on large volumes of data, to scientists who routinely perform complex mathematical analysis. To make sure that everyone has an offering tailored to meet their specific needs, Microsoft will deliver five different editions of Windows Vista. Each edition is focused on the needs of a specific type of person.

  • Windows Vista Business:
    Regardless of the size of your organization, Windows Vista Business will help you lower your PC management costs, improve your security, enhance your productivity, and help you stay better connected.
  • Windows Vista Enterprise:
    Windows Vista Enterprise is designed to meet the needs of large global organizations with highly complex IT infrastructures. Windows Vista Enterprise can help you lower your IT costs while providing additional layers of protection for your sensitive data.
  • Windows Vista Home Premium:
    Whether you choose to use your PC to write e-mail and surf the Internet, for home entertainment, or to track your household expenses, Windows Vista Home Premium delivers a more complete and satisfying computing experience.
  • Windows Vista Home Basic:
    Windows Vista Home Basic is designed to deliver improved reliability, security, and usability to home PC users who just want to do the basics with their PCs.
  • Windows Vista Ultimate:
    If you want all of the best business features, all of the best mobility features, and all of the best home entertainment features that Windows Vista has to offer, Windows Vista Ultimate is the solution for you. With Windows Vista Ultimate you don't have to compromise.




    What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?

    A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.

    A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
  • A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
  • 512 MB of system memory.
  • A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

    Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
    To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

    A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
  • 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
  • 1 GB of system memory. Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
  • 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
  • DVD-ROM Drive.
  • Audio output capability.
  • Internet access capability.

    Windows Vista minimum supported system requirements:
  • Processor: 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • System Memory: 512 MB
  • GPU SVGA: (800x600)
  • HDD: 20 GB
  • HDD Free Space: 15 GB
  • Optical Drive: CD-ROM drive




    Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC

    Want to see if your Windows XP-based PC can run Windows Vista? Just download, install, and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC.

    This small software tool will scan your computer and create an easy-to-understand report of all known system, device, and program compatibility issues, and recommend ways to resolve them. Upgrade Advisor can also help you choose the edition of Windows Vista that best fits the way you want to use your computer.

    Note: This software isn’t final, so the results you get may not be 100% accurate. Make sure you run Upgrade Advisor again in a few months for a more accurate assessment and to get the latest up-to-date information about whether your system is ready for an upgrade.

    Before you begin
    Before you run the Upgrade Advisor, be sure to plug in any USB or other attachable peripheral devices (such as printers, external hard drives, or scanners) that are regularly used with the PC that you're evaluating.

    Download Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC

    Additional information:
  • The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor works with 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. It will not work with Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
  • Here are answers to some common questions about the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC.
  • The Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC does not collect or send any personal, identifiable data to Microsoft Corporation or third parties. See the Upgrade Advisor privacy statement for details.

    (Source www.microsoft.com or www.activewin.com)(dxy100406)




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    And, as always, you can post a question on the Directron Help Desk!

    If you find this article useful, please create a link to it from your website or tell a friend about it. If you have any comments or suggestions about this article, please email information@directron.us



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