14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Windows Vista was first announced on July 22, 2005 and was presented with a different codename than the final one: Longhorn. Since the beta test version, Windows Vista was downloaded by millions of users hungry for a new operating system developed by the software giant. As you might know Vista was launched after more than five years since its predecessor, Windows XP, started to conquer the virtual world. Although Vista wasn't officially released, Microsoft decided that it was the time to introduce the next operating system, codename Vienna, scheduled for 2009. However, Vista hit the market on January 30, 2007 and represented one of the most awaited products ever designed by the Redmond-based company.
Recently, Bill Gates stated that Microsoft managed to sell more than 20 million copies of the operating system to all kinds of users. Because Vista was especially meant to represent the main solution for both individual and enterprise users, the software giant released numerous flavours of the application: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate. All of them are available for prices starting from $199 to $399.
Since the company announced the release of the Windows Vista operating system, the application was regarded as the most secure tool ever designed by the giant. I agree the giant's employees struggled to make it safer than the previous versions because Vista contains several security utilities: Windows Firewall, Application Manager, Windows Defender and even parental controls. Internet Explorer 7, the latest edition of the Microsoft browser is also included in the operating system along with Windows Mail and Live Messenger.
Appearance
Because the title refers to a graphical presentation of Windows Vista, let's start with the first and the most important chapter concerning the operating system: its appearance. Usually, the interface of an application is less important as we're all concerned about the functionality of the tool and its performance. However, one of the biggest changes implemented in Vista is surely the visual style, codename Aero. As you can see in the following pictures, the appearance is quite awesome: transparent windows, shadows, large icons and some amazing windows effects. Some users might say the software giant copied its famous rival Mac OS X because several features such as the large icons were fist implemented into the Apple operating system. However, Microsoft aimed to provide a beautiful interface that will allow users to work on their computer easier than before.
Security
As I said before, Windows Vista was especially designed to represent a more secure way to work on your computer and avoid intruders or successful exploitations of the flaws. Microsoft worked a lot on the security system of the application, trying to add several tools and utilities to block the hack attempts. Meanwhile, the attackers were also struggling to find new techniques to break into Windows Vista and they managed to do that since the first release candidate version of the program. At that time, the software giant defended itself and sustained there were only a few attempts over a testing edition of Vista. As you probably know, Microsoft included Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, parental controls and even more tools to make the user feel safe. Windows Vista provides quick access to some advanced settings that will help the administrator of the computer enhance the defense system by scheduling automatic updates and restricting the access to some functions or programs.
Configuration
This is probably the most improved chapter of Windows Vista because the operating system has a lot of new features able to allow the user to customize the majority of functions. For example, you're enabled to modify anything from the autoplay menu to the default programs started for every format of your files. As you can see in the pictures published below, the Control Panel menu is extremely detailed and provides instant access to the most important features of Windows Vista. Just like Windows XP, the latest version of the operating system allows administrators to change the network settings with ease but, using the Aero interface, Vista helps you do this with ease.
Aeroless
Aero is surely the most important innovation implement into the latest version of the operating system because it presents a new interface for the old-fashioned Windows. However, some of the users might find it useless as it requires a huge amount of resources and increases the loading times for every program. That's why many of you may think to disable Aero and use the classic interface of the operating system. DING! Bad idea, my friend. Have a look at the following pictures! Do you still think Vista looks awesome? If the answer is yes, trust me it isn't. I worked on it and the first impression was that I was using a classic operating system and the Vista experience was almost wasted.
The conclusion? Vista is no more than an operating system, let's say Windows XP, bundled with some new programs recently developed by Microsoft and a fresh new interface that requires a lot of resources. However, if you still want to install Windows Vista and you're curios about other features included in the application, have a look at the following pictures and make your own impression.