Welcome to the Windows Vista community web site

Windows Vista PackagingMicrosoft, October 31, 2006 - The Windows Vista packaging has been released. Images are available in 72 dpi JPG and 150 dpi TIF.

Windows Vista Tips and Tricks Microsoft, October 30, 2006 - Welcome to the new Windows Vista™ Tips & Tricks site! The information here gives you all the tools you need to become more efficient and productive with Windows Vista right away...

10 expert tips and tweaks for Windows Vista RC2 Microsoft, October 29, 2006 - No beginner-level stuff here, and I've clearly labeled which are tips and which are tweaks...

Step-by-Step Guides for IT Professionals updated Microsoft, October 26, 2006 - These step-by-step guides provide instructions for deploying or migrating to Windows Vista. These guides also describe how to configure security, monitor performance, and manage printers...

Express Upgrade Microsoft, October 24, 2006 - Receive an Express Upgrade to Windows Vista when you buy a qualifying PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, or Windows XP Professional...

Licensing Changes to Windows Vista WinSuperSite, October 13, 2006 - I'm here to tell you that virtually everything you've read online about the changes to Windows Vista's end-user license agreement (EULA) is wrong...

Java on Vista: Yes, it WorksChet Haase's Blog, October 06, 2006 - Hey, I like a rumor as much as anybody (Hey, did you hear that Larry Ellison is acquiring Europe?). But when the rumor is clearly wrong and it involves a project that I'm actually working on, I feel obliged to correct the misinformation (as did Java 2D's Dmitri Trembovetski, who has responded to the relevant threads in the next paragraph. Go Dmitri!)...

Microsoft to roll out RTM version of Windows Vista this month, say sourcesDigitimes Systems, October 10, 2006 - Microsoft is expected to roll out the RTM (released to manufacturing) version of its upcoming Windows Vista operating system this month, before to officially launch the product to business customers in November, according to sources at Taiwan-based system makers...

Windows Live OneCare Beta (v1.5) for Windows VistaWindows Live Ideas, October 09, 2006 - An automatically self-updating PC care service that’s always on, helping provide persistent protection against viruses, hackers, and other threats, and helping keep your PC tuned up and your important documents backed up...

Microsoft Windows Vista: An Inflection Point for Kernel Security and 64-Bit ComputingMicrosoft, October 06, 2006 -A white paper detailing Kernel Patch Protection in Windows Vista. Unbounded changes to the operating system “kernel” can lead to system instability as well as the complete compromise of all software programs and hardware resources on a system...

Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center Beta 3 for Windows Vista™ (x86)Mictosoft, October 06, 2006 - The Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center Beta 3 enables you to set up new partnerships, synchronize content and manage music, pictures and video with any Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows Mobile 5.0 powered device. Windows Mobile Device Center Beta 3 is only supported on builds of Windows Vista™ RC1 or later...

Download Windows Vista RC2 (build 5744)Windows Vista , October 05, 2006 - This page includes information to help you download Windows Vista RC2, a new test build. This build (5744) has a number of improvements and updates from previous builds, and has been through daily testing processes to refine quality and performance. We are making this release available for a limited time only (and only by download) in order to get broad distribution and testing in a variety of PC...

Microsoft opens Puerto Rican Vista plantBusinessWeek online, October 05, 2006 - Microsoft Corp. said it opened a new plant Thursday in northeastern Puerto Rico where its Windows Vista and Office 2007 programs will be manufactured...

Kofax To Integrate Scanning With Windows VistaKofax, October 05, 2006 - Kofax, the world's largest information capture vendor, today announced plans to support the Microsoft XML Paper Specification (XPS) document file format and Microsoft’s Windows Imaging architecture for production scanning and capture...

Interim Windows Vista Build 5728 Released TodayWindows Vista Download Center, September 22, 2006 - This build (5728) has a number of improvements and updates from RC1, but has not been put through the same internal testing process as RC1 and therefore may be unstable in certain installations. We are making this release available for a limited time only (and only by download) in order to get broad distribution and testing in a variety of PC configurations...

Update on Ability to Mute the Windows Vista Start-up SoundWindows Vista Team Blog, September 22, 2006 - We heard you loud and clear when it came to discussing our plans to include a default start-up sound that plays as you boot-up Windows Vista: you said you wanted to have the opportunity to mute it if and when you felt it necessary...

Where in the World Are Our Beta Testers?Windows Vista Team Blog, September 22, 2006 - Windows Test Manager Paul Donnelly just sent the mail below to Beta testers at connect.microsoft.com, and I was so fascinated with the maps he's generated representing where Windows Beta testers are located, I thought I'd share it with you...

Check out the New York Times Reader for Windows VistaWindows Vista Developer Center, September 18, 2006 - You may have read about the Times Reader back in April when it was previewed at the American Society of Newspaper Editors convention. It’s now available for download to Windows Vista beta users!

Microsoft Windows Vista: Now is the Time!Windows Vista Developer Center, September 18, 2006 - Are you ready for Windows Vista? We know the world is! Barring any unforeseen quality issues such as bugs around data corruption, resiliency, or security, we remain on track for business availability of Windows Vista later this year, with our consumer launch in January...

Silicon Valley Campus Install Fair InvitationWindows Vista Team Blog, September 14, 2006 - The folks at the Silicon Valley Campus asked me to share the following invite with you. If you find yourself in the San Francisco Bay area on one of these dates, feel free to drop in and pick up the latest version of Windows Vista for your current workstation...

Microsoft Windows Security Center: The Voice of Security for Windows VistaMicrosoft, September 14, 2006 - Windows® Security Center (WSC) is a comprehensive security status reporting console that enables Windows Vista™ customers to understand the ongoing security state of their computer, and provides a method for third-party ISVs to evaluate the current security state of the system...

New line of Microsoft hardware products for Windows VistaMicrosoft, September 13, 2006 - Wireless Entertainment Desktop 6000, 7000, 8000; Wireless Laser Desktop 6000; Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 ;Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000; Natural® Wireless Laser Mouse 6000; Xbox 360™ Wireless Controller for Windows...

Download the Windows Vista RC1 ISO fileMicrosoft, September 07, 2006 - Microsoft has partnered with Akamai Technologies to provide a Download Manager to help you get the ISO file for Windows Vista RC1. This Akamai Download Manager lets you pause, resume, and stop the download of the file...

Pricing information for all Windows Vista editions is available onlineMicrosoft, September 05, 2006 - Windows Vista Business (full $299, upgrade $199), Windows Vista Home Premium (full $239, upgrade $159), Windows Vista Home Basic (full $199, upgrade $99.95), Windows Vista Ultimate (full $399, upgrade $259); Windows Vista Enterprise pricing is only available to Microsoft Volume License customers (no retail pricing)...

ATI announces it's ready for Microsoft Windows Vista with latest Catalyst driversAti, September 05, 2006 - Timed for the release of Windows Vista RC1, ATI's rock-solid drivers deliver new levels of performance and features...

NVidia Beta Drivers for Windows Vista RC1 (32 and 64bits)Nvidia, September 02, 2006 - NVIDIA has released the following Beta drivers for use with Windows Vista RC1 that will enable you to test the basic features and capabilities of the new operating system...

It's Official: Windows Vista RC1 Is CompleteWindows Vista Team Blog, September 01, 2006 - Platforms and Services Co-President Jim Allchin has just now posted an announcement that RC1 is complete on the TechBeta/TAP site (note that it's password-protected)...

Windows Vista Step-by-Step Guides for IT ProfessionalsMicrosoft, August 30, 2006 - These step-by-step guides provide instructions for deploying or migrating to Windows Vista. These guides also describe how to configure security, monitor performance, and manage printers...

Amazon Has Vista Pricing, Too Microsoft Monitor Weblog, August 28, 2006 - My, oh my, there has been quite the ruckus today over those Microsoft Canadian site leaked Windows Vista prices. Well, Amazon has Windows Vista pre-order prices that are more in line with what I would expect...

Suddenly, Windows Vista No Longer in Free FallPaul Thurrott, August 28, 2006 - And just like that, Windows Vista rebounds. Years of delays, broken promises, and reduced expectations have dogged the Windows product team, which has been portrayed as hapless, indecisive, and unable to ship. But the recent release of a surprisingly good pre-Release Candidate 1 (RC1) build of Windows Vista...

Windows Vista Build 5536 pre-RC1 screenshotsMinaddikts, The log , Aug 26, 2006 - More than 60 screenshots...

Windows Vista Build 5536 ReviewPaul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows , Aug 26, 2006 - And just like that, we can suddenly see the light at the end of the tunnel. All of our hopes, all of our worries, all of whatever feelings we may have for Windows Vista are hanging on the edge of a precipice...

Pre-RC1 Build Released Windows Vista Team Blog, Aug 24, 2006 - We are pleased to announce the release of Pre-RC1 build 5536.16385! This build represents significant progress incorporating your Beta 2 and 5472 feedback...

Vista tweak tools already piling up APC Magazine, Aug 24, 2006 - While Microsoft’s army of Windows Vista programmers is still chasing roaches out of the kitchen, a handful of third-party companies are already putting the icing on their next-generation of Vista tweaking utilities...

Clarifying Windows Vista Support of Protected HD Content in 32-bit Systems Windows Vista Team Blog, Aug 24, 2006 - The community is buzzing with reactions to APC Magazine’s article regarding playback of protected High Definition content in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. However, the information shared was incorrect and the reactions pervading the community are thus (understandably) ill-informed...

Firefox and Thunderbird on Vista Google Groups, Aug 19, 2006 - Director of the Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft sends an invitation to get Firefox and Thunderbird on Vista...

Microsoft Security Update Policy for Windows Vista Windows Vista Security , Aug 15, 2006 - Of the seven critical Windows updates released in August, only 2 (MS06-042 and MS06-051) also affect Windows Vista Beta 2 or later...

Microsoft Tells What's Inside Six Windows Vista SKUs TechWeb Technology News , Aug 16, 2006 - As Microsoft Monday officially announced that Windows Vista would come in six flavors later this year, it also laid out what features will be packaged in each of the half-dozen SKUs...

Microsoft Issues First Patches For Vista TechWeb Technology News , Aug 16, 2006 - Microsoft confirmed Tuesday that two of the 12 security bulletins issued last week affect Windows Vista Beta 2, the widely-used preview, and posted download instructions for the first security updates to its next-generation operating system...

Microsoft sweetens pot for Vista AUSTRALIAN IT, Aug 15, 2006 - MICROSOFT Australia has fired up a new buy-now, pay-later finance deal to lure business customers into upgrading to the forthcoming Vista and Office 2007 products...

OpenGL Now Natively Supported in Windows Vista DailyTECH, Aug 15, 2006 - Performance to rival that of Direct3D. The problem with OpenGL was that it was never officially supported or evangelized by Microsoft...

Microsoft Vista undelete sparks more facts the INQUIRER, Aug 15, 2006 - OUR RECENT examination of the 'undelete' technology in Windows Vista has become more important since Apple...

Flash, Storage Vendors Eye Windows Vista eWeek.com, Aug 15, 2006 - Reporter's Notebook: Performance was the key topic at the recent Flash Memory Summit,as memory makers heard details of speedups for Windows Vista...

Exclusive: Microsoft Still Plans October 2006 Vista Release WindowsITPro, Aug 15, 2006 - According to sources at Microsoft, the company plans to ship Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) in early September...

Windows Vista, soap operas, and BotCon 2006 Ars Technica, Aug 15, 2006 - The tech industry, a new operating system release is like a burgeoning soap opera love affair to a homemaker, an upcoming rivalry game to a sports fanatic, or the 2006 Transformers Botcon® Convention to a Transformers fan...

Windows PC Accelerators: Performance Technology for Windows Vista Microsoft, May 22, 2006

ReadyBoost - Using Your USB Key to Speed Up Windows Vista Tom Archer's Blog, Friday, April 14, 2006

ReadyBoost Q&A Matt Ayers on Tom Archer's Blog, Friday, April 14, 2006

Windows Vista Performance Enhancements Charlie Russel, Microsoft MVP for Windows Server, Security, and Tablet PC

New virtual memory tools, devices may speed up Windows Vista I/O TG Daily, September 22, 2005

CLI312: Vista System Performance Enhancements Tech Ed 2006 Blog, June 12, 2006

SAMSUNG 4 GB SSD Caching Solution to Virtually Eliminate Hard Drive Delays in Windows Vista-powered PC '

Microsoft and Intel to Present the Latest Flash Memory Technologies for Improved PC Performance at Flash Memory Summit 2006 Web Developer's and Designer's Journal, Jul. 17, 2006

All screenshots are from Windows Vista (TM) Beta 2 - Ultimate Edition (July CTP Build 5472)

The name of the web site, displayed with a prominent font

A message reenforcing the concept and a restatement that we're dedicated to the Vista user's community (Serving the Windows Vista (TM) community)

Windows Vista is almost there - the Release Candidate 2 has just been delivered by Microsoft. A lot of articles argue about the respective merits of Apple Os X and Linux versus Windows Vista. Many people mentionned that Windows Vista is a high resource consumer (yes, you will need a recent computer to let it run smoothly) and is sometimes quite slow compared to Linux with XGL (also true).

Well, all these discussions are, at best, entertaining... Like it or not, everything will have this familiar feeling of 'deja vu'. The truth is that Windows Vista will dominate the Operating Systems market as of 2007. We predict that next year will be extremely tough for Apple - both on the home and enterprise desktops. If they have any competitive advantage, they will dim in the shadow of the dominant player which is Microsoft. Windows Vista comes with a plethor of innovation and the new operating system will be a landmark in the history of the computer industry. Microsoft has not invented anything but has no equal to bring the technologies to the masses. Microsoft is extremely pragmatic and is able to package a desktop with no equivalent. We will continue to bring you more information before, and after the official launch of Windows Vista. Stay tuned!

• Article on Windows Calendar
• Remember that this site can be freely edited - you just have to create a new account if you want to add new articles to this Wiki.
• We've added some details to the Windows Vista Start Menu page.
• We've grouped a selection of Windows Vista books - introduction to the new system for home users and technical publications for software developers.