Introducing Microsoft Windows Vista

Get a head start evaluating and exploring the newest enhancements to reliability, security, usability, and mobility in Windows Vista. This guide offers an early introduction and expert insights to help you get started administering, using, and developing for Windows Vista now. Book jacket.

Windows Vista is the long-awaited upgrade to the Microsoft Windows operating system, and it's a lot different from the Windows you're used to. What's new in Windows Vista–and how do all those new features work? How Microsoft Windows Vista Works is the first book to take you inside the new Windows Vista operating system and show you how all the pieces and parts work. With clear and simple explanations and illustrations that say, "You, too, can understand this," How Microsoft Windows Vista Works gives you detailed information on the hidden workings of Windows Vista–from the new Aero interface inside to the Windows kernel. It's a four-color, highly visual explanation of everything that matters about Windows Vista, including: How Windows Vista differs from Windows XP How Windows controls your computer How User Account Control protects your system How virtual folders and instant search work How Windows Vista renders graphics How the Aero interface and the Windows Sidebar work How Internet Explorer 7's tabbed browsing works How Windows connects to a wireless network How the new Windows Photo Gallery manages your digital photos Contents Introduction xi Part I: What Windows Vista Is–and What It Does 2 Chapter 1 Understanding Windows and Other Operating Systems 6 Chapter 2 How Windows Vista Differs from Windows XP 14 Chapter 3 What Windows Vista Does 26 Part II: Basic Operations 32 Chapter 4 Powering On and Powering Off 36 Chapter 5 Managing System Resources 48 Chapter 6 Managing System Information 62 Chapter 7 Managing Users 70 Chapter 8 Managing Data 76 Chapter 9 Managing Applications 92 Part III: Windows Vista Graphics 100 Chapter 10 Understanding Vista Graphics 104 Chapter 11 The Vista Interface 112 Chapter 12 The Vista Desktop 122 Part IV: Digital Media 130 Chapter 13 Windows Media Center 134 Chapter 14 Digital Music 150 Chapter 15 Digital Images 166 Chapter 16 Digital Video and Movies 174 Part V: Networking and the Internet 182 Chapter 17 Windows Vista and the Internet 186 Chapter 18 Windows Vista Networks 204 Part VI: Security and Maintenance 220 Chapter 19 Windows Vista Security Features 224 Chapter 20 Routine Maintenance 238 Glossary 252 Index 266

A visual introduction to Microsoft's innovative new operating system, Windows Vista, includes new coverage of Aero Glass design, security features for protecting the PC, instant searching, Windows Mail, parental control, Media Player 11, Internet Explorer 7, and more, with step-by-step guidelines on how to accomplish such key tasks as saving and printing documents, sending and receiving e-mail, and searching the Internet. Original. (Beginner)

Introduce your students to the new generation of Microsoft Office with the new generation of Shelly Cashman Series books! For the past three decades, the Shelly Cashman Series has effectively introduced computer skills to millions of students. With Windows Vista, we're continuing our history of innovation by enhancing our proven pedagogy to reflect the learning styles of today's students. In Microsoft Windows Vista: Complete Concepts and Techniques you'll find features that are specifically designed to engage students, improve retention, and prepare them for future success. Our trademark step-by-step, screen-by-screen approach now encourages students to expand their understanding of the Windows Vista operating system through experimentation, exploration, and planning ahead. Brand new end of chapter exercises prepare students to become more capable users by requiring them to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

For most Windows Vista users, Media Center is unknown territory. Unleashing Microsoft® Windows Vista® Media Center shows both newbies and experienced Media Center users how to use Media Center to experience music, photos, videos, movies, TV shows, and games in a whole new way. Windows Vista Media Center takes full advantage of the latest multimedia features: widescreen displays, HDTV, and Media Center Extenders. Mark Edward Soper shows you how to use these and other new and improved features to make the most of your Windows Vista multimedia experience. You won’t find a single book that devotes this much attention to Media Center. Unlock your PC’s hidden multimedia talents and turn your office, living room, and whole home into a multimedia paradise that will leave your friends drooling. Unleashing Microsoft® Windows Vista® Media Center is your indispensable guide to Vista Media Center! Here’s a sample of what you’ll find inside Complete coverage of every feature of Windows Vista Media Center Learn how to import video, photos, and music to enhance your entertainment experience Discover better TV viewing and recording with new support for HDTV signals Share the fun of Windows Vista Media Center with Media Center Extenders Create customized CDs and DVDs of your favorite videos, TV shows, audios, and photos Feature checklists help you design the perfect Media Center PC or upgrade your PC for Media Center Use your Media Center PC with Microsoft Windows Home Server Troubleshoot common problems with Media Center Tips and tricks to help you get the most out of Media Center Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started with Windows Vista Media Center Chapter 1: Introducing Windows Vista Media Center 9 Chapter 2: Equipping Your PC for Media Center 19 Chapter 3: Setting Up Windows Media Center 53 Part II: Enjoying Media with Windows Media Center Chapter 4: Viewing and Recording Live TV 85 Chapter 5: Watching and Recording Movies 137 Chapter 6: Importing and Playing Audio 165 Chapter 7: Importing and Viewing Photos 189 Part III: Beyond the Basics of Windows Media Center Chapter 8: Enjoying Sports with Windows Media Center 223 Chapter 9: Playing Games and Enjoying Online Resources 251 Chapter 10: Creating CDs and DVDs 289 Part IV: Adding Windows Vista Media Center to Your Home Network Chapter 11: Adding and Using Media Center Extenders 315 Chapter 12: Connecting with Windows Home Server and Other PCs 337 Part V: Enhancing Windows Vista Media Center Chapter 13: Using Windows Media Player with Windows Media Center 375 Chapter 14: Creating Photo and Video Content for Media Center 393 Chapter 15: Extending Media Center with Third-Party Apps 435 Chapter 16: Troubleshooting Media Center 469 Part VI: Appendices Appendix A: Using Windows Anytime Upgrade to Get WMC Features and More 499 Appendix B: Moving from Windows XP Media Center Editions to Windows Vista Media Center 503 Index 509

Look beyond the hype–new and noteworthy and what Vista really means for tomorrow’s desktop. Covers the Beta 2 release of Windows® Vista An unbiased, unvarnished sneak peek at everything that’s new, noteworthy, and ready for prime time in Windows Vista. Microsoft Windows Vista Unveiled is an in-depth exploration of the public release Beta 2 version of Windows Vista, Microsoft’s next major operating system and the successor to Windows XP. Whether you’re just planning ahead for a future upgrade or running Beta 2 already, Microsoft Windows Vista Unveiled takes you on a detailed tour of all the new and improved technologies, features, tools, and programs that Microsoft programmers have stitched into the Vista fabric. You will learn not only what features are new in Vista, but also why they’re important (or not), who they were designed for, and how they will affect your computing life. The goal of this book is to give you an exhaustive sneak preview of Vista’s innovations and changes so that by the end of the book you should know whether Vista is for you and what you can expect when you sit down in front of this new operating system. Here’s what you’ll find inside… In-depth coverage of all the new and improved Windows Vista tools and technologies A tour of the new Windows Vista interface, including Aero Glass What hardware you need to get the most out of Windows Vista Vista’s file system improvements, including tags, Quick Search, and virtual folders A review of Vista’s new performance and stability features A critical look at the beefed-up security features, including Windows Defender, the new Firewall, and User Account Control A complete look at Vista’s totally redesigned networking tools In-depth coverage of Vista’s new and improved tools for notebooks and Tablet PCs, digital media, and gaming Paul McFedries is the president of Logophilia Limited, a technical writing company. He has been working with computers for more than 30 years, has been using Microsoft Windows since version 1, and is widely viewed as an expert in explaining Windows and Windows technology. Paul has written more than 40 books that have sold nearly three million copies worldwide, including Microsoft Windows Vista Unleashed, available January 2007.

All over the world, Windows gurus have been working overtime to uncover the hottest new Windows Vista tips, tricks, and tweaks. Now, J. Peter Bruzzese has collected all their best discoveries in one place: Tricks of the Microsoft® Windows VistaTM Masters! Bruzzese has interviewed top Windows professionals, instructors, and power users; scoured the Web (so you won't have to); and rigorously tested every single tip. Only the most valuable tips tecnhiques and tips made the cut to improve your efficiency, take total control of your digital media and data; use Internet Explorer 7, Windows Mail, and Calendar; configure Windows Defender and Firewall; avoid, troubleshoot, and fix problems; make Windows Vista work better, faster, smarter, safer, and more fun too! Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 General Tips and Tricks of the Masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 Mastering the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 3 Mastering Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 4 Security Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 5 Disk Configuration and Volume Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 6 Office 2007 Tricks for Vista Masters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 7 Master Vista Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 8 System Recovery and Diagnostic Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 9 Mastering the New Vista Apps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297 10 Group Policy Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339