Windows Vista Information
Windows Vista Overview:
Windows Vista is the name of Microsoft's next-generation version of Microsoft Windows, released in January 30 of 2007 to consumers. There are major changes to nearly all aspects of the operating system from previous versions, including a revamped user interface, integrated searching capabilities, system performance improvements, new security features.
Officially, improved security is Microsoft's main objective for developing Windows Vista. Vista comes with Windows Defender - Microsoft's new anti-malware program - an improved Windows Firewall, Internet Explorer 7 (which is currently available for download), and User Account Control - which, among other things, virtualizes files and registry keys to protect the system.
For detailed and up-to-date information, head over to Microsoft's Official Windows Vista homepage.
Perhaps the biggest initial impression Vista gives is its new appearance and layout. Window's new user interface includes window transparency, window animations, and "Flip 3D" - a graphical alternative to the traditional "alt-tab" application switching. The new version of Windows overhauls multiple nested menus - which many considered as a navigational nightmare in earlier versions of Windows - in favor of search-driven and dynamic, context-sensitive menus.
Altogether, the new graphical feature set is termed "Windows Aero", and because of the tasks required to display Windows, older computers might not be able to run Windows Vista. Please take a look at Microsoft's Vista requirements below to see if your computer is Vista ready.
Vista Requirements:
The minimum computer hardware requirements for running Windows Vista as recommended by Microsoft are:
- 800 MHz processor
- 512 MB of RAM
- DirectX 9 capable graphics card
- 15 GB of hard drive free space
- CD-ROM drive
A computer satisfying only minimum computer hardware requirements will not be able to run display window transparencies and animations and other features, and Windows Aero will run in a basic mode. For full functionality, these are the official recommended hardware requirements:
- 1.0 GHz processor
- 1 GB RAM
- DirectX 9 capable graphics card with 128 MB RAM (256 MB for running resolutions greater than 1920 x 1200) Hardware Pixel Shader 2.0, and WDDM driver support
- 40 GB hard drive
- DVD-ROM drive
For information on your graphics card, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Go to Start, Run..., and type in dxdiag. Navigate to the Display tab to find out what graphics card and chip you have, and how much video memory is on your computer. You can then check your graphics card manufacturer's website to see if it is supported by Windows Vista.
An installation of Windows Vista is significantly larger than Windows XP or 2000. A typical installation takes up from 8GB to 10GB of hard drive space, so make sure to take into consideration the hard drive space requirements if you are considering purchasing Windows Vista.
Microsoft has an Upgrade Advisor website where you can download a small tool to evaluate your computer for Windows Vista readyness.
Major Features in Windows Vista:
Windows Vista has hundreds of new features. These include:
- Windows Aero: the new set of features for the graphical user interface that provides window transparency, animations, shadows, and other aesthetic and layout features
- Search as you type: integrated into the Start menu and multiple locations. For instance, this enables you to start Microsoft Word by simply pressing the Windows key to open up the Start Menu, typing "Word", and pressing "Enter", instead of having to browse through "Program Files" or browsing through your computer
- Windows Sidebar: a side panel that runs widgets, such as notes, stock tickers, calculators, etc.
- Internet Explorer 7: the latest internet browser from Microsft, featuring tabbed browsing and better security
- Windows Defender: Microsoft's new Windows-integrated anti-malware program
- Windows Media Player 11: the newest media player from Microsoft
- User Account Control: for protection against programs installing without your permission and other malware
- SuperFetch: a memory management feature that speeds up many applications in Vista by learning, based on memory usage patterns, the most commonly used files and pre-loading them into memory
- ReadyBoost: allows you to insert a USB Flash drive and have the system use it like RAM
- ReadyDrive: takes advantage of new hybrid drives (hard drives that have flash memory built-in) to greatly reduce boot-up, hibernation, and sleep time, along with any application that does a lot of reading/writing to the hard drive
- Windows Media Center: originally only released in Windows XP Media Center Edition, this multimedia center software will be available in most versions of Windows Vista
- Touchscreen support: a feature originally in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition that will be included as a standard component in Windows Vista
For a more comprehensive list and additional information on features, please visit Microsoft's website on Windows Vista Features.
Versions of Vista:
Just as Windows XP comes in many versions (XP Home, XP Professional, XP Media Center, XP Tablet PC et. al), Microsoft initially shipped 5 versions of Windows Vista in the US:
- Windows Vista Home Basic
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows Vista Enterprise
- Windows Vista Ultimate
Retail price for full versions of Windows Vista is about $189 for Vista Home Basic, $219 for Vista Home Premium, and $379 for Vista Ultimate.
Upgrade Considerations
Users can upgrade from Windows XP or Windows 2000 to Windows Vista by purchasing an upgrade version. However, not all versions of Vista are available for upgrade, depending on what version of Windows XP you are running. For more information, visit Microsoft's Upgrade Planning website.
Users running versions of Windows Me and versions earlier than Windows 2000, such as Windows NT, 98, and 95 will not be able to upgrade to Windows Vista without a hard drive reformat and a full install.
Windows Vista touts many new features. Among the most important and practial features for the average user is the new interface that encourages greater productivity, the new system architecture for greater security, the performance increase, and certain features like ReadyBoost, with which you can upgrade your RAM simply by plugging in a Flash drive, without puchasing PC RAM and opening up your computer.
However, you must also consider the costs of upgrading, which, in addition to the cost of Windows Vista itself, includes the cost of upgrading your hardware (particularly your RAM and graphics card) to be able to run Windows Vista. Also keep in mind that current, existing 3rd party software, such as games, instant messaging software, and other applications that do not explicitly support Windows Vista are known to have problems installing or running in Windows Vista.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Windows Vista run on my computer?
Windows Vista will most likely run on your computer if it meets minimum hardware requirements. You may also run Microsoft's Upgrade Advisor to analyze your hardware and get a more definitive answer.
What does "Vista Ready" mean?
Many computer manufacturers, like HP and Dell, sold "Vista Ready" branded PCs before Windows Vista was officially launched. These PCs do NOT come with Windows Vista and do not necessarily promise a discount for upgrading to Vista. A "Vista Ready" PC is one that is built to or exceeds Microsoft's minimum system requirements and should be able to run Windows Vista, should you choose to update in the future.
How much does Windows Vista cost?
Windows Vista Home Basic Edition is about $189 for a full version, or $99 for an upgrade version. Other versions will be more expensive. Please navigate to the Vista editions you are interested in to see the current MSRP.
I have Windows XP Pro / Pro x64 / Media Center / Tablet PC / 2000 - will I be able to upgrade to Windows Vista without having to reformat my hard drive?
It depends on what you have installed, and what version of Windows Vista you wish to upgrade to. Please see the upgrade planning table to see if an upgrade is possible for your version of Windows.
Can I use Windows Vista on the ResNet network?
Yes, and ResNet provides customer support to computers running Windows Vista. Keep in mind that ResNet's Acceptable Use Policy applies to all computers on ResNet, regardless of what operating system it is running.
Can I run Windows Vista Beta 1 / Beta 2 / RC1 / RC2 on my ResNet-connected computer?
ResNet strongly discourages students from continuing to run beta versions of operating systems when the final release is out. Microsoft is no longer providing support and updates for beta versions of the operating system, and these systems will become outdated quickly. Computers that are not running up-to-date operating systems violate the Acceptable Use Policy. ResNet does not provide support for beta and release candidate versions of Windows Vista.
