| Features | | | | with that of object-oriented programming.The |
| | | | "My" prefixes will be dropped, so "My |
| Additionally, Vista will include many other | | | | Documents" will just be "Documents", "My |
| new features.Aero | | | | Computer" will just be "Computer", etc. |
| | | | |
| Vista will include a completely re-designed | | | | Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSat), a |
| user interface, code-named Aero. The new | | | | built in benchmarking tool which analyzes the |
| interface is intended to be cleaner and more | | | | different subsystems (graphics, memory, etc), |
| aesthetically pleasing than previous Windows | | | | and uses the results to allow for comparison |
| interfaces. The most visible addition to the | | | | to other Vista systems, and for software |
| interface is the sidebar (however this | | | | optimizations. The optimizations can be made |
| feature has been removed in the last alpha | | | | by both windows and third-party software. |
| release), an area at the side of the screen | | | | Tom's Hardware OverviewFile Virtualization, |
| consisting of tiles which display dynamic | | | | when an individual program's permissions are |
| information about whatever window is | | | | restricted, allows that program to use its |
| currently in the foreground, which is | | | | own 'fake' set of certain files so |
| essentially an extension of the "system tray" | | | | modifications to those files from said |
| on the Windows task bar.Search | | | | program does not alter the original files. |
| | | | |
| Vista will feature a new search engine that | | | | Transactional File Transfers, prevents a |
| will allow for instant display of results for | | | | half updated set of files from being created |
| a given search. This is in contrast to the | | | | during updates for example, which can cause |
| search engine of Windows XP, which can take | | | | stability problems. |
| several minutes to display results. The Vista | | | | |
| search will allow you to add multiple filters | | | | InfoCard, a user interface to the Identity |
| to continually refine your search (Such as | | | | Metasystem.Features and technologies delayed |
| "File contains the word 'example'"). There | | | | until future releases |
| will also be saved searches that will act as | | | | |
| Virtual Folders, where opening a folder will | | | | WinFS (short for either Windows Future |
| execute a specific search automatically and | | | | Storage or Windows File System): a combined |
| display the results as a normal folder. The | | | | relational database and filesystem, based on |
| search will also feature other usability | | | | the next version of SQL Server (codenamed |
| improvements. The Vista search is actually | | | | Yukon). Working on top of NTFS, it will |
| built on an expanded and improved version of | | | | provide abilities to represent objects and |
| the indexing service for the search in | | | | their relationships, rather than just a |
| Windows XP. This feature is similar to Apple | | | | hierarchy of files and folders. The removal |
| Spotlight.Metro | | | | of WinFS from Windows Vista was announced in |
| | | | August 2004, and is expected to be released |
| Metro is the codename for Microsoft's next | | | | as an update to Vista, entering beta stages |
| generation document format, which is based on | | | | at about the same time as Vista is released. |
| XML. It is similar in many ways to Adobe | | | | Microsoft's promotion of this technology has |
| Systems' PDF. Metro is intended to allow | | | | spurred the recent trend towards desktop |
| users to view, print, and archive files | | | | search tools. |
| without the original program that created it. | | | | |
| The name Metro also refers to the print path | | | | Full implementation of Monad.Graphics |
| in Vista. With Metro, documents can remain in | | | | hardware requirements |
| the same format from the time they are | | | | |
| created to the time they are printed. | | | | Vista's graphics requirements are defined in |
| Microsoft states that Metro will provide | | | | relation to the different desktop |
| better fidelity to the original document by | | | | experiences.Aero Glass |
| using a consistent format for both screen and | | | | |
| print output.While many analysts suspect | | | | This graphics mode adds support for 3D |
| Metro is intended to be a "PDF-killer", | | | | graphics, animation and visual special |
| Microsoft insists that they are not | | | | effects in addition to the features offered |
| attempting to duplicate all the functionality | | | | by Aero Express.Intended for mainstream and |
| of the PDF. For example, at the time of this | | | | high-end graphics cards.At least 64 MB of |
| writing, Metro is not planned to have the | | | | graphics memory, 128 MB recommended, or 256 |
| capabilities for dynamic documents.Shell | | | | MB for 1600x1200+.At least 32 bits per |
| | | | pixel.3D hardware acceleration with |
| The new shell is a significant change from | | | | capabilities equal to DirectX 9.A memory |
| previous versions of Windows. Combined with | | | | bandwidth of 2 GB / second.Capable of drawing |
| the new desktop searching feature, the shell | | | | ~1.5M triangles / second, one window being |
| gives users the ability to find and organize | | | | ~150 triangles.A graphics card that uses AGP |
| their files in new ways. Apart from the | | | | 4X or PCI Express 8-lane bus.It is likely |
| typical file organization practice of using | | | | that such a configuration will be entry-level |
| folders to contain files, a new collection | | | | or lower by Vista's release in 2006.Aero |
| known as Lists let you organize files from | | | | Diamond |
| multiple locations in a single place.A new | | | | |
| type of folder known as a Shadow Folder | | | | A graphics mode customized for the Vista |
| enables the ability to revert its entire | | | | Media Center Edition, and will not be made |
| contents to any arbitrary point in the | | | | available in the other editions. Not much |
| past.Additionally, the shell contains | | | | information is currently available, but it |
| significant advancements in the visualization | | | | appears that it will be the most advanced |
| of files on a computer. Previous versions of | | | | level of graphics in Vista, requiring |
| the Windows Shell would display thumbnails to | | | | hardware at the same level or greater than |
| represent different files on your computer. | | | | the Aero Glass visual style.Aero Express |
| In Windows Vista the thumbnail concept is | | | | |
| taken further by overlaying different imagery | | | | The lesser Aero visual experience offering |
| to communicate more information about the | | | | only the basic visual improvements introduced |
| particular file such as a picture frame | | | | by Vista, such as composition based DPI |
| around the thumbnail of an image file, or a | | | | scaling.Intended for mainstream or lower-end |
| filmstrip on a video file. Windows Vista | | | | graphics cards.Uses the Avalon Desktop |
| helps the user identify the file easily by | | | | Composition window manager.A Vista Driver |
| more intelligently generating the thumbnails. | | | | Display Model (LDDM) driver is a |
| Using algorithmic analysis, images are | | | | requirement.Some graphics cards already |
| cropped around their likely subject, and | | | | support LDDM. In some Vista builds (4074, |
| interesting key frames are automatically | | | | 5048), LDDM is already supported to run Aero |
| chosen from a video file. Also, the ability | | | | Glass.To Go |
| to zoom the thumbnails in the shell greatly | | | | |
| increases their usefulness.Networking | | | | The new Vista look & feel without any visual |
| | | | special effects, similar to the visual style |
| Windows Vista is expected to have a brand | | | | Luna of Windows XP in that it resembles |
| new networking stack. A significant change is | | | | merely an application skin. As with Luna, no |
| a more complete implementation of IPv6 which | | | | additional hardware requirements compared to |
| is now supported by all networking | | | | the classic Windows interface.A simple option |
| components, services, and the user interface. | | | | for consumer upgrades, and mobile / low-cost |
| Vista also takes advantage of P2P technology | | | | devices. |
| to provide a new type of domain-like | | | | |
| networking setup known as a Castle. Castles | | | | No additional requirements compared to the |
| make it possible for user credentials to | | | | lesser Classic mode. |
| propagate across networked computers without | | | | |
| a centralized server making them more | | | | Fallback mode in case the hardware |
| suitable for a home network.The ability to | | | | requirements for Aero aren't met.Classic |
| assist the user in diagnosing a network | | | | |
| problem is expected to be a major new | | | | The most basic user interface offered by |
| networking feature. Using technologies such | | | | Vista, which is also seen in Windows 2000, or |
| as UPnP, Windows Vista has a greater | | | | Windows XP with its visual style Luna |
| awareness of the network topology the host | | | | deactivated.An option for corporate |
| computer is in. With this new network | | | | deployments and upgrades. |
| awareness technology it can provide help to | | | | |
| the user in fixing network issues or simply | | | | Requires Windows XP Display Driver Model |
| provide a graphical view of the perceived | | | | (XPDM) or LDDM drivers. |
| network configuration.Other features | | | | |
| | | | No graphics card hardware requirements |
| Full support for the "NX" (No-Execute) | | | | exceeding those of Windows XP.Naming |
| feature of processors. This feature, present | | | | considerations |
| in AMD's AMD64 architecture, as well as | | | | |
| Intel's EM64T Architecture, can flag certain | | | | Vista means "the visual percept of a |
| parts of memory as containing data instead of | | | | region", with these synonyms: aspect, |
| executable code, which prevents overflow | | | | panorama, prospect, scene and view. |
| errors from resulting in arbitrary code | | | | Translated from Spanish and Italian, vista |
| execution. This should not be confused with | | | | means: sight, vision, ability to see; look, |
| trusted computing facilities provided by a | | | | glimpse; spectacle; viewfinder; range of |
| so-called Fritz-chip.Built-in DVD recording | | | | view; point of view.In Latvian, however, |
| capabilities, including Mt. Rainier support. | | | | vista means 'hen' (grown-up female of a bird, |
| | | | [2]) and 'chicken' (as in food), and may also |
| A new installation program that will install | | | | connote something or someone not particularly |
| Vista in about 15 minutes (which is present | | | | agile or clever.Windows Vista has been |
| in alpha build 4074 of Windows Vista). | | | | unofficially abbreviated to Windows VI, |
| | | | staying with the traditional 2 character |
| Native Raw Image support (a format used by | | | | motif, as in 95, 98, Me, NT, XP. VI is also |
| most professional digital cameras).Native, | | | | the number 6 in Roman numerals, and Windows |
| embedded RSS support, with developer API. | | | | Vista will carry the version number 6.0 |
| | | | (Windows 2000 and Windows XP being Windows NT |
| A new level of file encryption support from | | | | versions 5.0 and 5.1, respectively).Windows |
| that available in Windows XP, which will make | | | | Vista sound like "bosta" in Argentinian |
| it easier and more automatic to prevent | | | | culture.In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, |
| unauthorized viewing of files on stolen | | | | Vista is a part of the atmosphere that |
| laptops/hard drives.Monad. A new command-line | | | | surrounds the world of Arda before the |
| interface called MSH, and codenamed Monad | | | | cataclysm at the end of the Second Age. Vista |
| will not be fully implemented in Vista, but | | | | forms the inner layer of normal air: above it |
| will exist in it to some extent. It plans to | | | | is Ilmen, and above that Vaiya. |
| combine the Unix pipes and filters philosophy | | | | |