A guide to the concepts and features of Windows Vista discusses such topics as how to get started, computer security, adding hardware and software, file and folder management, Internet connectivity, networking, and digital media options.

As the official publication for Windows Vista, we cover Microsoft’s latest OS with more depth, passion and clarity than any other magazine on the market. Each issue is packed with tips, tricks and service elements on every page. We give you an insider’s tour of the operating system and illustrate how to get the most out of your PC.

Microsoft® Windows® 8 is designed to mesh users' digital lives seamlessly—from desktop to phone to tablet—by utilizing a look and feel that give users a new Windows experience. However, with all of this change comes new features that may catch old-school Windows users off guard. In The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Microsoft® Windows® 8, veteran tech writer Paul McFedries uses his friendly style and wit to comfort experienced Windows users and newbies alike by explaining all the new features as well as the old, and helping everyone overcome trepidation about using this completely updated look to the most popular desktop operating system in the world. You will learn how to use new Windows 8 features, including tiles and the new home screen, how you can mesh your data with “the cloud,” and much more. And, when all else fails, McFedries teaches you how to easily and seamlessly toggle back to the “old” and familiar Windows look and feel, should the new experience prove to be a bit more change than desired.

Configure, run, and troubleshoot Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Home Basic with the detailed coverage you’ll find in this comprehensive guide. With a task-based approach and clear instructions, this book helps you become an advanced user of Windows Vista—even if you’re just starting out. From administering your computer and surfing the Web securely to advanced maneuvers such as creating your own movies and burning DVDs, you’ll find what you need to master the powerful features of Windows Vista.

Windows 7 may be faster and more stable than Vista, but it's a far cry from problem-free. David A. Karp comes to the rescue with the latest in his popular Windows Annoyances series. This thorough guide gives you the tools you need to fix the troublesome parts of this operating system, plus the solutions, hacks, and timesaving tips to make the most of your PC. Streamline Windows Explorer, improve the Search tool, eliminate the Green Ribbon of Death, and tame User Account Control prompts Explore powerful Registry tips and tools, and use them to customize every aspect of Windows and solve its shortcomings Squeeze more performance from your hardware with solutions for your hard disk, laptop battery, CPU, printers, and more Stop crashes, deal with stubborn hardware and drivers, fix video playback issues, and troubleshoot Windows when it won't start Protect your stuff with permissions, encryption, and shadow copies Secure and speed up your wireless network, fix networking woes, make Bluetooth functional, and improve your Web experience Get nearly all of the goodies in 7 Ultimate, no matter which edition you have "Blunt, honest, and awesome." --Aaron Junod, Manager, Integration Systems at Evolution Benefits "This could be the best [money] you've ever spent." --Jon Jacobi, PC World "To use Windows is to be annoyed -- and this book is the best way to solve any annoyance you come across. It's the most comprehensive and entertaining guide you can get for turning Windows into an operating system that's a pleasure to use." --Preston Gralla, author of Windows Vista in a Nutshell, and Computerworld contributing editor

Everything one needs to know about how Windows Vista works is illustrated in this book. No other book drills as deeply into the inner workings of Windows, showing how things work behind the scenes. The series sports a rich, full-color, 8 x 10 layout illustrated by Michael Troller.

Learn to install, configure, run, and troubleshoot the professional versions of Vista in this comprehensive new guide from two leading Windows authorities. From Vista's all-new interface, 32-bit/64-bit architecture, and advanced security features to its fantastic new capabilities for audio and video recording, editing, and broadcasting, you’ll get the techniques and task-by-task instruction you need to master this dramatically different OS.

Microsoft Vista for IT Security Professionals is designed for the professional system administrators who need to securely deploy Microsoft Vista in their networks. Readers will not only learn about the new security features of Vista, but they will learn how to safely integrate Vista with their existing wired and wireless network infrastructure and safely deploy with their existing applications and databases. The book begins with a discussion of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Initiative and Vista's development cycle, which was like none other in Microsoft's history. Expert authors will separate the hype from the reality of Vista's preparedness to withstand the 24 x 7 attacks it will face from malicious attackers as the world's #1 desktop operating system. - Microsoft Windows operating systems run more than 90% of the desktop PCs in the world and Vista is the first major Windows release in more than 5 years - This is currently the only book on Windows Vista Security

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.

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