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Windows Vista
File:Windows Vista Desktop.png
Screenshot of Windows Vista
DeveloperMicrosoft
OS familyMicrosoft Windows
Source modelShared source
Released to
manufacturing		January 30 2007
Latest releaseRTM (Build 6000) / November 8 2006[1]
Kernel typeHybrid kernel
LicenseMS-EULA
Official websitewww.microsoft.com/windowsvista/
Support status
Released on November 8 2006 to manufacturing.
Released on November 17 2006 to MSDN subscribers.
Released on November 30 2006 for volume license customers.
Released on January 3 2007 to MSDNAA.
Planned release on January 30 2007 for worldwide retail availability.
Articles in the series

Windows Vista is the name of the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a line of proprietary graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. Prior to its announcement on July 22, 2005, Vista was known by its codename Longhorn.[2] On November 8, 2006, Windows Vista development was completed and is now in the release to manufacturing stage. Some editions were available to volume license customers, MSDN and TechNet subscribers through November 2006.;[3] Microsoft has stated that the scheduled release date for worldwide availability is January 30 2007.[4] These release dates come more than five years after the release of its predecessor, Windows XP, making it the longest time span between major releases of Windows.

According to Microsoft,[5] Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features; some of the most significant include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network using peer-to-peer technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between computers and devices. For developers, Vista introduces version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, which aims to make it significantly easier for developers to write high-quality applications than with the traditional Windows API.

Microsoft's primary stated objective with Vista, however, has been to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system.[6] One of the most common criticisms of Windows XP and its predecessors has been their commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows. In light of this, then Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced in early 2002 a company-wide 'Trustworthy Computing initiative' which aims to incorporate security work into every aspect of software development at the company. Microsoft claimed that it prioritized improving the security of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 above finishing Windows Vista, significantly delaying its completion.[7]

During the course of its development, Vista has been the target of a number of negative assessments by various groups. Criticism of Windows Vista has included protracted development time, more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, and the usability of new features such as User Account Control.

Development

File:Windows Longhorn logo.svg
The Windows Vista Codename (Longhorn) logo
Main article: Development of Windows Vista

Microsoft started work on their plans for "Longhorn" in May 2001,[8] prior to the release of Windows XP. It was originally expected to ship sometime late in 2003 as a minor step between Windows XP (codenamed "Whistler") and "Blackcomb" (now known as Windows "Vienna"). Gradually, "Longhorn" assimilated many of the important new features and technologies slated for "Blackcomb," resulting in the release date being pushed back a few times. Many of Microsoft's developers were also re-tasked with improving the security of Windows XP. Faced with ongoing delays and concerns about feature creep, Microsoft announced on August 27 2004 that it was making significant changes. "Longhorn" development basically started afresh, building on the Windows Server 2003 codebase, and re-incorporating only the features that would be intended for an actual operating system release. Some previously announced features, such as WinFS and NGSCB, were dropped or postponed, and a new software development methodology called the "Security Development Lifecycle" was incorporated in an effort to address concerns with the security of the Windows codebase.[9]

After "Longhorn" was named Windows Vista, an unprecedented beta-test program was started, which involved hundreds of thousands of volunteers and companies. In September 2005, Microsoft started releasing regular Community Technology Previews (CTP) to beta testers. The first of these was distributed among 2005 Microsoft Professional Developers Conference attendees, and was subsequently released to Microsoft Beta testers and Microsoft Developer Network subscribers. The builds that followed incorporated most of the planned features for the final product, as well as a number of changes to the user interface, based largely on feedback from beta testers. Windows Vista was deemed feature-complete with the release of the "February CTP," released on February 22 2006, and much of the remainder of work between that build and the final release of the product focused on stability, performance, application and driver compatibility, and documentation. Beta 2, released in late May, was the first build to be made available to the general public through Microsoft's Customer Preview Program. It was downloaded by over five million people. Two release candidates followed in September and October, both of which were made available to a large number of users.

While Microsoft had originally hoped to have the operating system available worldwide in time for the 2006 holiday season, it was announced in March 2006 that the release date would be pushed back to January 2007, so as to give the company – and the hardware and software companies which Microsoft depends on for providing device drivers – additional time to prepare. Through much of 2006, analysts and bloggers had speculated that Windows Vista would be delayed further, owing to anti-trust concerns raised by the European Commission and South Korea, and due to a perceived lack of progress with the beta releases. However, with the November 8 2006 announcement of the completion of Windows Vista, Microsoft's most lengthy operating system development project came to an end.

New or improved features

Main article: Features new to Windows Vista

End-user features

File:Windows Vista Explorer.png
The appearance of Windows Explorer has changed significantly from Windows XP.
  • Windows Aero: a new hardware-based graphical user interface, named Windows Aero – an acronym (possibly a backronym) for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than previous Windows, including new transparencies, animations and eye candy.
  • Windows Shell: The new Windows shell is significantly different from Windows XP, offering a new range of organization, navigation, and search capabilities. Windows Explorer's task pane has been removed, integrating the relevant task options into the toolbar. A "Favorite links" pane has been added, enabling one-click access to common directories. The address bar has been replaced with a breadcrumb navigation system. The Start menu has changed as well; it no longer uses ever-expanding boxes when navigating through Programs. Even the word "Start" itself has been removed in favor of a blue Windows Orb.
  • Windows Search (also known as Instant Search or search as you type): significantly faster and more thorough search capabilities. Search boxes have been added to the Start menu, Windows Explorer, and several of the applications included with Vista. By default, Instant Search indexes only a small number of folders such as the start menu, the names of files opened, the Documents folder, and the user's e-mail. Advanced options allow to choose for a specific file type how it should be indexed, the properties only or the properties and the file contents or exclude it.
  • Windows Sidebar: A transparent panel anchored to the side of the screen where a user can place Desktop Gadgets, which are small applets designed for a specialized purpose (such as displaying the weather or sports scores). Gadgets can also be placed on other parts of the Desktop, if desired.
  • Windows Internet Explorer 7: new user interface, tabbed browsing, RSS, a search box, improved printing, Page Zoom, Quick Tabs (thumbnails of all open tabs), a number of new security protection features, and improved web standards support. IE7 in Windows Vista runs in isolation from other applications in the operating system (protected mode); exploits and malicious software are restricted from writing to any location beyond Temporary Internet Files without explicit user consent.
File:Windows Media Player 11.png
Windows Media Player 11
  • Windows Media Player 11, a major revamp of Microsoft's program for playing and organizing music and video. New features in this version include word wheeling (or "search as you type"), a completely new and highly graphical interface for the media library, photo display and organization, and the ability to share music libraries over a network with other Vista machines, Xbox 360 integration, and support for other Media Center Extenders.
  • Backup and Restore Center: Includes a backup and restore application that gives users the ability to schedule periodic backups of files on their computer, as well as recovery from previous backups. Backups are incremental, storing only the changes each time, minimizing the disk usage. It also features CompletePC Backup which backs up an entire computer as an image onto a hard disk or DVD. CompletePC Backup can automatically recreate a machine setup onto new hardware or hard disk in case of any hardware failures.
  • Windows Mail: A replacement for Outlook Express that includes a completely replaced mail store that improves stability, and enables real-time search. It has the Phishing Filter like IE7 and a Junk mail filtering which is enhanced through regular updates via Windows Update.[10]
File:Windows Update RTM.png
Windows Update with Windows Ultimate Extras
  • Windows Calendar is a new calendar and task application.
  • Windows Photo Gallery, a photo and movie library management application. WPG can import from digital cameras, tag and rate individual items, adjust colors and exposure, create and display slideshows (with pan and fade effects), and burn slideshows to DVD.
  • Windows DVD Maker, a companion program to Windows Movie Maker, which provides the ability to create video DVDs based on a user's content.
  • Windows Meeting Space is the replacement for NetMeeting. Users can share applications (or their entire Desktop) with other users on the local network, or over the Internet using peer-to-peer technology.
  • Windows Media Center, which was previously exclusively bundled as a separate version of Windows XP, known as Windows XP Media Center Edition, will be incorporated into the Home Premium and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.
  • Games: Every game included with Windows has been rewritten to take advantage of Vista's new graphics capabilities. New games include Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans and Purble Place. The Games section will also hold links and information to all games on the user's computer. One piece of information that will be shown is the game's ESRB rating.
File:PreviousVersions.png
Previous Versions
  • Previous Versions automatically creates backup copies of files and folders, with daily frequency. Users can also create "shadow copies" by setting a System Protection Point using the System Protection tab in the System control panel. The user can be presented multiple versions of a file throughout a limited history and be allowed to restore, delete, or copy those versions. This feature is available only in the Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista and is inherited from Windows Server 2003.[11]
  • Windows Mobility Center is a new control panel that centralizes the most relevant information related to mobile computing (e.g. brightness, sound, battery level / power scheme selection, wireless network, screen orientation, presentation settings, etc.).
  • Windows Update: Software and security updates have been simplified, now operating solely via a control panel instead of as a web application. Mail's spam filter and Defender's definitions will also be automatically updated via Windows Update.
  • Parental controls: Allows administrators to control which websites, programs, and games each standard user can use and install.
  • Windows SideShow: Enables the auxiliary displays on newer laptops or on supported Windows Mobile devices. It is meant to be used to display Device gadgets while the computer is on or off.
  • Speech recognition is fully integrated into Vista. It is an improved version of Microsoft Speech Recognition currently working under Office 2003, with a better interface, a rich and flexible set of commands, and an extensive command-and-control capability to activate the computer by voice. Unlike the Office 2003 version, which works only in Office and WordPad, it works for dictation in multiple applications. In addition, it currently supports several languages: English US and UK, Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), and Japanese.
  • New fonts, including several designed especially for screen reading, and new high-quality Chinese (Yahei, JhengHei), Japanese (Meiryo) and Korean (Malgun) fonts. See Windows Vista typefaces. ClearType has also been enhanced and enabled by default.
  • Problem Reports and Solutions, a new control panel which allows users to see previously sent problems and any solutions or additional information that is available.
  • Improved audio controls allow the system-wide volume or volume of individual audio devices and even individual applications to be controlled separately. Introduced new audio functionalities such as Room Correction, Bass Management and Speaker Fill.
  • System Performance Assessment is a benchmark used by Windows Vista to regulate the system for optimum performance. Games can take advantage of this feature, reading the data produced by this benchmark in order to fine-tune the game details. The benchmark tests CPU, RAM, Graphics acceleration (2D and 3D) and disk access.[12]
  • Windows Ultimate Extras: The Ultimate Edition of Windows Vista provides access to extra games and tools, available through Windows Update. This replaces the Microsoft Plus! software bundle that was sold alongside prior versions of Windows.

Core technologies

Windows Vista is intended to be a technology-based release, to provide a solid base to include advanced technologies, many of which will be related to how the system functions, and hence not readily visible to the user. An example of this is the complete restructuring of the architecture of the audio, print, display, and networking subsystems; while the results of this work will be clearly visible to software developers, end-users will only see what appear to be evolutionary changes in the user interface.

Vista includes technologies such as ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive which employ fast flash memory (located on USB drives and hybrid hard disk drives respectively) to improve system performance by caching commonly-used programs and data. This manifests itself in improved battery life on notebook computers as well, since a hybrid drive can be spun down when not in use. Another new technology called SuperFetch utilizes machine learning techniques to analyze usage patterns in order to allow Windows Vista to make intelligent decisions about what content should be present in system memory at any given time.

As part of the complete redesign of the networking architecture, IPv6 has been fully incorporated into the operating system, and a number of performance improvements have been introduced, such as TCP window scaling. Prior versions of Windows typically needed third-party wireless networking software to work properly; this is no longer the case with Vista, as it includes more comprehensive wireless networking support.

For graphics, Vista introduces a new Windows Display Driver Model, as well as major revision to Direct3D. The new driver model facilitates the new Desktop Window Manager, which provides the tearing-free desktop and special effects that are the cornerstones of Windows Aero. Direct3D 10, developed in conjunction with major display driver manufacturers, is a new architecture with more advanced shader support, and allows the graphics processing unit to render more complex scenes without assistance from the CPU. It features improved load balancing between CPU and GPU and also optimizes data transfer between them.[13]

At the core of the operating system, many improvements have been made to the memory manager, process scheduler, heap manager, and I/O scheduler. A Kernel Transaction Manager has been implemented that gives applications the ability to work with the file system and registry using atomic transaction operations.

A User Account Control consent dialog.
Main article: Security and safety features new to Windows Vista

Improved security was the primary design goal for Vista.[6] Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing initiative, which aims to improve public trust in its products, has had a direct effect on its development. This effort has resulted in a number of new security and safety features.

User Account Control is perhaps the most significant and visible of these changes. User Account Control is a security technology that makes it possible for users to use their computer with fewer privileges by default. This was often a difficult thing to do in previous versions of Windows, as the previous "limited" user accounts proved too restrictive and incompatible with a large proportion of application software, and even prevented some basic operations such as looking at the calendar from the notification tray. In Windows Vista, when an action requiring administrative rights is requested, the user will first be prompted for an administrator name and password; in cases where the user is an administrator, the user is still prompted to confirm the action they are about to take.

Another significant new feature is BitLocker Drive Encryption, a data protection feature included in the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Vista that provides encryption for the entire operating system volume. Bitlocker can work in conjunction with a Trusted Platform Module chip that is on a computer's motherboard, or with a USB key.[14]

File:Windows Defender Vista.png
Windows Defender

Microsoft's anti-spyware product, Windows Defender, has been incorporated into Windows, providing protection against malware and other threats. Changes to various system configuration settings (such as new auto-starting applications) are blocked unless the user gives consent.

Internet Explorer 7's new security and safety features include a phishing filter, IDN with anti-spoofing capabilities, and integration with system-wide parental controls. For added security, ActiveX controls are disabled by default. Also, Internet Explorer operates in a "protected mode" which operates with lower permissions than the user and it runs in isolation from other applications in the operating system , preventing it from accessing or modifying anything besides the Temporary Internet Files directory.[15] Also, Internet Explorer is no longer integrated with the Explorer shell; local files typed in IE are opened using the Explorer shell and Web sites typed in Explorer are opened using the default web browser.

A variety of other privilege-restriction techniques have been adopted in Vista. One example of this is the concept of "integrity levels" in user processes, whereby a process with a lower integrity level cannot interact with processes of a higher integrity level. The security restrictions of Windows service is more fine-grained, so that system services (especially those listening on the network) have no capability to interact with parts of the operating sytem they don't need to. Obfuscation techniques such as address space layout randomization and Kernel Patch Protection are used to increase the amount of effort required by malware to infiltrate a system.

As part of the rearchitecting of the network stack, Windows Firewall has been upgraded, with new support for filtering both incoming and outgoing traffic. Advanced packet filter rules can be created which can grant or deny communications to specific services. Vista also adds new SSL and TLS cryptographic extensions, which enable the support of both AES and new ECC cipher suites.

Business technologies

While much of the focus of Vista's new capabilities has been on the new user interface, security technologies, and improvements to the core operating system, Microsoft is also adding new deployment and maintenance features to make a compelling case for businesses still running Windows NT, 2000, and XP desktops.

  • The WIM image format (Windows IMage) is the cornerstone of Microsoft's new deployment and packaging system. WIM files, which contain an image of Windows Vista, can be maintained and patched without having to rebuild new images. Windows Images can be delivered via Systems Management Server or Business Desktop Deployment technologies. Images can be customized and configured with applications then deployed to corporate client personal computers using little to no touch by a system administrator. ImageX is the Microsoft tool used to create and customize images.
  • Windows Deployment Services replaces Remote Installation Services for deploying Vista and prior versions of Windows.
  • Approximately 700 new Group Policy settings have been added, covering most aspects of the new features in the operating system, as well as significantly expanding the configurability of wireless networks, removable storage devices, and user desktop experience.[16]
  • Services for UNIX has been renamed "Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications," and is included with the Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Vista. Network File System (NFS) client support is also included.
  • Wireless Projector support

Developer technologies

Windows Vista includes a large number of new application programming interfaces. Chief among them is the inclusion of version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, which consists of a class library and Common Language Runtime. Version 3.0 includes four new major components:[17]

These technologies will also be available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to facilitate their introduction to and usage by developers and end users.

There are also significant new development APIs in the core of the operating system, notably the completely re-architected audio, networking, print, and video interfaces, major changes to the security infrastructure, improvements to the deployment and installation of applications ("ClickOnce" and Windows Installer 4.0), new device driver development model ("Windows Driver Foundation"), Transactional NTFS, mobile computing API advancements (power management, Tablet PC Ink support, SideShow) and major updates to (or complete replacements of) many core subsystems such as Winlogon and CAPI.

There are some issues for software developers using some of the graphics APIs in Vista. Games or programs which are built on Vista's version of DirectX, 10, will not work on prior versions of Windows, as DirectX 10 is not backwards-compatible with DirectX 9.[18] According to a Microsoft blog, there are three choices for OpenGL implementation on Vista. An application can use the default implementation, which translates OpenGL calls into the Direct3D API and is frozen at OpenGL version 1.4, or an application can use an Installable Client Driver (ICD), which comes in two flavors: legacy and Vista-compatible. A legacy ICD, the kind already provided by independent hardware vendors targeting Windows XP, will disable the Desktop Window Manager, noticeably degrading user experience under Windows Aero. A Vista-compatible ICD takes advantage of a new API, and will be fully compatible with the Desktop Window Manager.[19] At least two primary vendors, ATI and NVIDIA, are expected to provide full Vista-compatible ICDs in the near future.[20]

Deprecated features

Some notable Windows XP features and components have been replaced or removed in Windows Vista. Perhaps the most significant of these is the removal of Windows Messenger, the network Messenger Service, HyperTerminal, MSN Explorer, and the replacement of NetMeeting with Windows Meeting Space. Windows Vista also does not include the Windows XP "Luna" visual theme, or most of the classic color schemes which have been part of Windows since the Windows 3.x era. The "Hardware profiles" startup feature has been removed as well, along with support for older motherboard technologies like the EISA bus and APM. WinHlp32.exe, used to display 32-bit .hlp files, is no longer included in Windows Vista as Microsoft considers it obsolete.[21] This has resulted in a number of older programs not being able to display Help when running on Vista. In addition, Microsoft prohibits software manufacturers from re-introducing it with their products. However, WinHlp32.exe can still be installed manually from Microsoft's Download Center. Telnet.exe is no longer installed by default, but is still included as an installable feature.[22]

Visual styles

Windows Vista has four distinct visual styles.[23]

Windows Aero
Vista's premier visual style is built on a new desktop composition engine called Desktop Window Manager. Windows Aero introduces support for 3D graphics (Windows Flip 3D), translucency effects (Glass), window animations and other visual effects, and is intended for mainstream and high-end graphics cards. To enable these features, the contents of every open window is stored in video memory to facilitate tearing-free movement of windows. As such, Windows Aero has significantly higher hardware requirements than its predecessors. 64 MB of graphics memory is the minimum requirement, depending on resolution used.[24] Windows Aero (including Windows Flip 3D) is not planned for inclusion in the Starter and Home Basic editions.
Windows Vista Standard
This mode is a variation of Windows Aero without the glass effects, window animations, and other advanced graphical effects such as Windows Flip 3D. Like Windows Aero, it uses the Desktop Window Manager, and has generally the same video hardware requirements as Windows Aero. This is the default mode for the Windows Vista Home Basic Edition. The Starter (developing markets) edition does not support this mode.
Windows Vista Basic
This mode has aspects that are similar to Windows XP's visual style with the addition of subtle animations such as those found on progress bars. It does not employ the Desktop Window Manager; as such, it does not feature transparency or translucency, window animation, Windows Flip 3D or any of the functions provided by the DWM. The Basic mode does not require the new Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) for display drivers, and has similar graphics card requirements to Windows XP. For computers with graphics cards that are not powerful enough to support Windows Aero, this is the default graphics mode.
Windows Classic
An option for corporate deployments and upgrades, Windows Classic has the look and feel of Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, does not use the Desktop Window Manager and does not require a WDDM driver. As with prior versions of Windows, this theme supports "Color schemes" which are a collection of color settings. Windows Vista includes six classic color schemes, comprised of four high-contrast color schemes, as well as the default colour schemes from Windows 95 and Windows 2000.
File:Windows Aero.png
"Windows Aero" style. "Windows Vista Standard" is similar in appearance but without the glass effects around windows.
 File:Windows Vista Basic.png
"Windows Vista Basic" visual style.
 File:Windows Standard.png
"Windows Classic" visual style.

Hardware requirements

According to Microsoft, computers capable of running Windows Vista are classified as Vista Capable and Vista Premium Ready.[25] A Vista Capable or equivalent PC needs to have at minimum an 800 MHz processor, 512 MB RAM and a DirectX 9 class graphics card. A computer that meets these requirements will be capable of running all editions of Windows Vista although some of the special features and high end graphics options may require additional or more advanced hardware. A Vista Premium Ready PC will take advantage of Vista's "high-end" features but will need at least a 1.0 GHz processor, 1 GB main memory, and an Aero-compatible graphics card with at least 128 MB graphics memory and supporting the new Windows Display Driver Model. The company also offers Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor[26] from its Web site to determine the ability of a PC to run Vista in its various guises. The utility runs on Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Microsoft lists some Vista capable hardware on their web site. The "Vista Premium Ready" laptops they specify have Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 or above CPUs and 1 GB memory.[27]

Windows Vista's "Basic" and "Classic" interfaces will work with virtually any graphics hardware that supports Windows XP or 2000; accordingly, most discussion around Vista's graphics requirements centers on those for the Windows Aero interface. As of Windows Vista Beta 2, the NVIDIA GeForce FX family and later, the ATI Radeon 9500 and later, Intel's GMA 950 integrated graphics, and a handful of VIA chipsets and S3 Graphics discrete chips are supported.[28] Though some XGI Technology Volari chips were DirectX 9 (including the Volari V3XT which was available in PCI cards), with XGI's exit from the graphics card business it appears none of its chips are supported as of Vista Beta 2.

Microsoft has not specifically stated whether an AGP or PCI Express (PCIe) video card is a requirement for Windows Aero, but they recommend PCIe video due to their greater bandwidth.[29] There are some PCI cards available that are compatible with Windows Vista as well.

Windows Vista system requirements
Vista Capable[24] Vista Premium Ready[24]
Processor 800 MHz 1 GHz
Memory 512 MB RAM 1 GB RAM
Graphics card DirectX 9 capable DirectX 9 capable GPU with Hardware Pixel Shader v2.0 and WDDM driver support
Graphics memory N/A 128 MB RAM supports up to 2,756,000 total pixels (e.g. 1920 × 1200) or 512 MB+ for greater resolutions such as 2560x1600[30]
HDD capacity 20 GB 40 GB
HDD free space 15 GB 15 GB
Other drives CD-ROM or DVD-ROM DVD-RW

Gaming

With Vista comes DirectX 10 - however in order to run future Vista-only games, a DirectX 10-compatible graphics card is needed. DirectX 10 makes use of Direct3D 10, XACT, XInput, DirectDraw and DirectPlay, meaning that the computer should also have a modern sound card. The monitor should also be at least able to have a screen resolution of 800x600. The WHQL tests in Vista has also been re-designed to meet the requirements of new games. An amount of 1 GB RAM will also provide good stability for new games, making Premium Ready computers most appropriate for future games.

Editions and pricing

File:VistaEditions.png
A diagram representing the most common editions of Windows Vista.

Windows Vista will ship in six editions.[31] All editions will be available in both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) architectures, except Windows Vista Starter which will only be available for 32-bit architectures. Microsoft maintains a detailed product guide that describes the various editions of Windows Vista, including detailed comparison charts of all features.

On September 5 2006, USD pricing was announced for the four editions they plan on making available through retail channels.[32] New license and upgrade license SKUs of each edition will be made available.

Various UK sites (including PC World and Amazon.co.uk) have prices up for Vista, for pre-order. Those prices are included below. After converting to US$, these prices are almost double the US prices (approx 190%).

Windows Vista editions and pricing
Edition Description Pricing (USD)/(GBP)/(EUR) Retail box
Retail Upgrade
Windows Vista
Starter 		Much like Windows XP Starter Edition, this edition will be limited to emerging markets such as Colombia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia, mainly to offer a legal alternative to using unauthorized copies. It will not be available in the United States, Canada, or Europe.[33] It will have many significant limitations, such as only allowing a user to launch three applications with a user interface at once, not accepting incoming network connections, a physical memory limit of 256 MB, and will run only in 32-bit mode.[34] Additionally, only AMD's Duron, Sempron and Geode processors, and Intel's Celeron and Pentium III processors are supported. No pricing announced No box shot available
Windows Vista
Home Basic 		Similar to Windows XP Home Edition, Home Basic is intended for budget users not requiring advanced media support for home use. The Windows Aero theme with translucent effects will not be included with this edition. 64-bit Home Basic will support up to 8 GB of physical memory, and will be supported until 2012. $199.00

£179.99
€259.00

$99.95

£99.99
€139.00

File:Windows Vista Home Basic Box.jpg
Windows Vista
Home Premium 		Containing all features from Home Basic, this edition will also support more advanced features aimed for the home market segment, such as HDTV support and DVD authoring. Extra premium games, mobile and tablet PC, network projector, touchscreen, and auxiliary display (via Windows SideShow) support, and a utility to schedule backups are also included. Home Premium supports 10 simultaneous peer network connections (compared to 5 in Home Basic). The version of Meeting Space included will also allow for interaction (in Home Basic, you may only view meetings), but Remote Desktop sessions may only be received, not controlled, in this edition. This edition is comparable to Windows XP Media Center Edition. 64-bit Home Premium will support up to 16 GB of physical memory, and will be supported until 2012. $239.00

£219.99
€329.00

$159.00

£149.99
€229.00

File:Windows Vista Home Premium Box.jpg
Windows Vista
Business 		Comparable to Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista Business Edition is aimed at the business market. Includes all the features of Home Premium with the exception of Windows Media Center and related technologies, Parental Controls, and Windows DVD and Movie Maker HD (the regular Movie Maker is included). Includes the IIS web server, fax support, Rights Management Services (RMS) Client, file system encryption, dual processor (two sockets) support, system image backup and recovery, offline file support, a full version of Remote Desktop, ad-hoc P2P collaboration capabilities, Previous Versions (Windows ShadowCopy), and several other business features not in Home Premium. 64-bit Business supports 128 GB of memory. Mainstream support for Business ends on 4/10/2012; extended support ends on 4/11/2017. $299.00

£289.99
€419.00

$199.95

£189.99
€279.00

File:Windows Vista Business Box.jpg
Windows Vista
Enterprise 		This edition is aimed at the enterprise segment of the market, and is a superset of the Business edition. Additional features include multilingual user interface support, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support. This edition will not be available through retail or OEM channels, but through Microsoft Software Assurance. Since Enterprise is a benefit of Software Assurance (SA), it will include several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing for multiple virtual machines to be run, access to Virtual PC Express, and activation via VLK. [35] 64-bit Enterprise supports 128 GB of memory. Mainstream support for Enterprise ends on 4/10/2012; extended support ends on 4/11/2017. Part of Software Assurance enterprise licensing No box shot available
Windows Vista
Ultimate 		This edition combines all the features of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions, a game performance tweaker (WinSAT), and "Ultimate Extras". On January 7 2007, at CES, Microsoft began to announce what some of these Ultimate Extras will be. When Vista launches to consumers on January 30, Microsoft will immediately make the following Extras available for Ultimate users: "Dream Scene", a utility that will allow for full-motion video desktop backgrounds; "Hold'Em", a Vista-customized version of the Texas Hold'Em poker game; Multi-user interface language (MUIL) packs, designed to allow individuals fluent in different languages to share the same PC; BitLocker Online Secure Key Storage, where Ultimate customers will be offered a secure place to store their BitLocker encryption keys in the Online Vista Marketplace; and "Digital publications," a collection of tips and tricks, blog links and other resources for getting the most out of Ultimate.[36][37] After that, many more are expected to be announced through 2007, including a photo editing and merging tool shown at CES called "GroupShot". More detailed information regarding some of these extras can be read at the Vista Ultimate website here The Ultimate edition is aimed at high-end PC users, gamers, multimedia professionals, and PC enthusiasts. 64-bit Ultimate supports 128 GB of memory. Mainstream support for Ultimate ends on 4/10/2012; extended support ends on 4/11/2017. Another upgrade variant of Windows Vista Ultimate is the Windows Vista Ultimate Signature Edition, a limited, numbered edition of Windows Vista Ultimate that features Bill Gates' signature on the front of the packaging along with its unique number. $399.00

£369.99
€549.00

$259.00

£249.99
€349.00

File:Windows Vista Ultimate Box.jpg

Notes:

  1. "Home Basic N" and "Business N" editions of Windows Vista will additionally be available in the European Union. These editions will ship without Windows Media Player, according to the EU sanctions brought against Microsoft for violating anti-trust laws.[38]
  2. An "Express Upgrade" program is available for providing free or low-cost upgrades for people who purchase computers with Windows XP between October 26 2006 and March 15 2007.[39] The precise costs vary between OEM manufacturers; Dell, for example, will offer free upgrades from Windows XP Professional to Windows Vista Business, while upgrades from Windows XP Home to Windows Vista Home Basic will cost $45 USD.
  3. Around the end of August, a number of web sites were reporting that "additional license" SKUs will be available as well with a 10% discount off the retail price;[40] this was based on pricing information that appeared on Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk; the pricing information for these additional license SKUs was removed shortly afterwards. Microsoft has not commented publicly on the availability or pricing of additional licenses for Windows Vista.
  4. There are four different Vista DVDs available in non-emerging markets: Retail/OEM 32-bit, Retail/OEM 64-bit, VL (Volume Licensing) 32-bit and VL 64-bit. All editions of Windows Vista except Starter and Enterprise are available from a Retail/OEM DVD. It is the license key purchased that determines which version will be installed; the VL DVD can only install Business or Enterprise edition. The features of the Home Premium and Ultimate editions may be "unlocked" at any time by purchasing a one-time upgrade license through a Control Panel tool called Windows Anytime Upgrade. The Business edition will also be upgradable to Ultimate. Such licenses will be sold by Microsoft's partners and OEMs, but not directly by Microsoft.

Packaging

All retail editions of Windows Vista will come packaged in a clear, hard-plastic case. According to Microsoft, the case is "designed to be user-friendly,[and] the new packaging is a small, hard, plastic container that [will] protect the software inside for life-long use".[41] The case will open sideways to reveal the Windows Vista DVD suspended in a clear plastic case. The Windows Vista disc itself uses a holographic design similar to the discs that Microsoft has produced since Windows 2000.

Criticism

Main article: Criticism of Windows Vista

Criticisms of Windows Vista include protracted development time, more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, and the usability of the new User Account Control security technology. Reviewers have also noted similarities between Vista's Aero interface and that of Apple's Mac OS X operating system, particularly around the use of transition effects. Moreover, some concerns have been raised about many PCs meeting "Vista Premium Ready" hardware requirements and Vista's pricing.

Licensing
The introduction of license restrictions on retail buyers legally transferring their copy of Vista was criticized heavily and has since changed. Before, the licensing terms for Vista only allowed buyers of retail copies of Vista to transfer their software to a new machine one time.[42] If a user wanted to move their software a second time, he or she would have to contact Microsoft via phone, proving they hold a valid license, to get a code to allow the move. Since then, Microsoft has responded to the complaints and has modified the EULA to read: "You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between devices."[43] As with Windows XP, separate rules will apply to OEM versions of Vista installed on new PCs; these are not legally transferrable.[44] The cost of Windows Vista has also been criticised by some for being too high. A majority of users in a poll said that the prices of various Windows Vista editions posted on the Microsoft Canada website in August 2006 make the product too expensive.[45]
Digital Rights Management
Another common criticism concerns the integration of new forms of Digital Rights Management into the operating system, specifically the introduction of the Protected Video Path (PVP). This architecture is designed such that "premium content" from HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs may mandate that the connections between PC components are encrypted. Devices such as graphic cards must be approved by Microsoft. Depending on what the content demands, the devices may not pass premium content over non-encrypted outputs, or they must artificially degrade the quality of the signal on such outputs or not display it all. There is also a revocation mechanism that allows Microsoft to disable drivers of compromised devices in end-user PCs over the Internet.[46] Critics claim that these mechanisms violate fundamental rights of the user (such as fair use), unnecessarily increase the cost of hardware, and make systems less reliable and vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks.[47] Proponents have pointed out that Microsoft had no choice but to follow the demands of the movie studios, and that the technology will not actually be enabled until at least 2010, maybe even 2012.[48][49]
User Account Control
Concerns have been raised about the new User Account Control security technology. While Yankee Group analyst Andrew Jaquith believes that critical security vulnerabilities may be "reduced by as much as 80 percent," he also noted that "while the new security system shows promise, it is far too chatty and annoying".[50]
Kernel Patch Protection
The Kernel Patch Protection feature (also known as "Patchguard") on 64-bit versions of Vista that locks down the OS kernel has been criticized by computer security company McAfee who claim that since PatchGuard also prevents third-party security companies from getting inside the OS, they cannot activate crucial security measures in their software to protect the OS from intruders.[51] Microsoft's argument is that this will keep miscreants out of the OS and prevent the incidence of attacks, and it is something for which customers have been asking. Security vendor Kaspersky Lab claims that it is not more difficult in Vista for anti-virus software to work, and that it would not make sense for Microsoft to stop working with security companies because it would make their system more vulnerable to attacks.[52] Sophos adds that Microsoft does not need to open PatchGuard for third party developers, instead, they should use the APIs Microsoft supplies them.[53]
Similarity with Mac OS X
Another criticism is a claim by some that Windows Vista emulates specific features in Apple Computer's Mac OS X. Long-time Mac columnist and book author John Rizzo noted in an eWeek article that Vista incorporated features which OS X has had for some time such as fast searching, seen in the "Spotlight" feature on the Mac, Smart Folders functionality already available in the Mac Finder, and that the icons, terminology and visual appearance mimic those of OS X.[54] Others have come to a similar conclusion that Aero is an imitation of Aqua.[55] In Vista's defense, advocates argue that many of the features that have OS X counterparts or similarities (such as Windows Search to OS X's Spotlight) have been in early alpha versions of Vista or demonstrated in prototypes more than a year before Apple included the features in Mac OS X.[citation needed]
Hardware Requirements
Some controversy and concerns have arisen over how the increase in hardware specifications required to take advantage of many of Vista's new features may impact both personal and business users.[56][57] While most PCs purchased after 2002 will be able to meet Vista’s minimum “Windows Vista Capable” requirements, many laptops and low-end to midrange desktops with integrated graphics will not be able to meet “Windows Vista Premium Ready” requirements and will therefore not be able to run advanced features such as the Aero Glass interface.[58][59]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/nov06/11-08VistaRTM.mspx
  2. ^ Microsoft (2005-07-22). "Media Alert: Microsoft Unveils Official Name for "Longhorn" and Sets Date for First Beta Targeted at Developers and IT Professionals". Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  3. ^ Microsoft launches new Vista version of Windows
  4. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/nov06/11-08VistaRTM.mspx
  5. ^ "Jim Allchin: Microsoft Professional Developers Conference 2005". PressPass. Microsoft. 2005-09-13. Retrieved 2006-10-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b Aaron Ricadela (February 14 2006). "Gates Says Security Is Job One For Vista". InformationWeek News. Retrieved 2006-08-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  7. ^ Mike Ricciuti (June 1 2004). "Microsoft: Longhorn beta unlikely this year". CNet News. Retrieved 2006-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  8. ^ Peter Galli (July 30 2001). "Pushing Forward - the next version of Windows". eWeek. Retrieved 2006-07-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  9. ^ Steve Lipner, Michael Howard (March, 2005). "The Trustworthy Computing Security Development Lifecycle". Microsoft Developer Network. Retrieved 2006-08-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  10. ^ Windows Mail was demonstrated by the development team in this Channel 9 video.
  11. ^ "Selected Scenarios for Maintaining Data Integrity with Windows Vista". Microsoft. 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  12. ^ TWAR05002_WinHEC05.ppt at download.microsoft.com
  13. ^ blogs.technet.com
  14. ^ "BitLocker Drive Encryption: Executive Overview". Microsoft.
  15. ^ Protected Mode IE has been described in detail at the Internet Explorer team blog: Protected Mode in Vista IE7 and More details on Protected Mode IE in Windows Vista.
  16. ^ "What's New in Group Policy in Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn"". TechNet. Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-05-18.
  17. ^ .NET Framework 3.0 Technologies, Microsoft
  18. ^ Logan Booker (September 15 2005). "DirectX 10: More harm than good for graphics?". Maximum Power Computing Atomic. Retrieved 2006-05-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  19. ^ Kam VedBrat (February 22 2006). "more comments..." MSDN Blogs. Retrieved 2006-05-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  20. ^ Neil Trevett (2006). "OpenGL on Vista". Khronos Group. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
  21. ^ Microsoft (June 27 2006). "Microsoft Removes WinHlp32.exe from Vista". Retrieved 2006-08-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  22. ^ "Windows Vista does not include Telnet...or does it?". May 2 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  23. ^ Kam VedBrat. "Desktop And Presentation Impact On Hardware Design (Powerpoint presentation)". Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
  24. ^ a b c "Windows Vista Enterprise Hardware Planning Guidance". TechNet. Microsoft. 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  25. ^ "Microsoft and PC Manufacturers Make It Easier for Customers to Get Ready for Windows Vista". PressPass. Microsoft. May 18 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  26. ^ "Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor". Retrieved 2006-06-25.
  27. ^ Microsoft (2006). "Windows Marketplace: Introducing Windows XP PCs that are ready for the future". Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-08-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  28. ^ http://www.msbetas.org/?page=vistareadygpus
  29. ^ http://www.apcstart.com/teched/pivot/entry.php?id=6
  30. ^ 64 MB RAM supports Aero with up to 1,310,720 total pixels (e.g. 1280 × 1024) but is not Premium Ready [1]
  31. ^ "Microsoft Unveils Windows Vista Product Lineup". PressPass (Press release). Microsoft. 2006-02-26. Retrieved 2006-10-31. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Industry Testing of Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 Begins" (Press release). Microsoft. September 5 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-05. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Aaron Ricadela (February 27 2006). "Microsoft To Release Six Versions Of Windows Vista". Informationweek.com. Retrieved 2006-09-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  34. ^ "Windows Vista Starter Edition". Retrieved 2006-07-31.
  35. ^ The full list of Software Assurance benefits, including Vista features specific to Enterprise, are outlined at Microsoft's Software Assurance web page for Windows Vista.
  36. ^ "Bill Gates Keynote at International CES". Microsoft. 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  37. ^ "Microsoft lifts the curtain on Vista Ultimate Extras". CNET Networks, Inc. {{cite web}}: Text "2007-01-07" ignored (help); Text "2007-01-09" ignored (help)
  38. ^ Microsoft and EU reach agreement, from BBC World News.
  39. ^ Nick White (2006-10-24). "Buy a PC Now, Upgrade to Windows Vista After Launch". Windows Vista blog. Microsoft. Retrieved 2006-10-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Ed Bott (2006-08-28). "Vista fans, circle January 30 on your calendar". Ed Bott's Microsoft Report. ZDNet. Retrieved 2006-10-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Paul Thurrott (2006-10-31). "Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows Vista and Office 2007 Packaging Revealed". Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Penton. Retrieved 2006-11-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ http://www.boingboing.net/2006/10/13/vista_license_only_l.html
  43. ^ Nick White (November 2 2006). ""Revision to Windows Vista licensing terms". Windows Vista Team Blog. Retrieved 2006-11-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  44. ^ Ina Fried (October 16 2006). "Microsoft limits Vista transfers". CNET News.com. Retrieved 2006-10-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  45. ^ Stan Beer (August 30 2006). "Windows Vista too expensive says users". ITWire.com. Retrieved 2006-10-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  46. ^ Marsh, Dave (2005-04-27). "Output Content Protection and Windows Vista". Microsoft. Retrieved 2007-01-08.
  47. ^ Gutmann, Peter (2006-12-28). "A Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection". University of Auckland. Retrieved 2007-01-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  48. ^ Smith, Paul (2006-12-31). "Windows Vista DRM nonsense". Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ Fisher, Ken (2006-05-21). "Hollywood reportedly in agreement to delay forced quality downgrades for Blu-ray, HD DVD".
  50. ^ Joris Evers (May 2006). "Report: Vista to hit anti-spyware, firewall markets". PC World.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  51. ^ http://www.pcworld.in/news/index.jsp/artId=4587538
  52. ^ Astrid Wendlandt (October 6 2006). "Microsoft Is Not Trying to Block Access Says Kaspersky". eWeek. Retrieved 2006-11-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  53. ^ Scott M. Fulton, III (October 20 2006). "Sophos: Microsoft Doesn't Need to Open Up PatchGuard". BetaNews. Retrieved 2006-11-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  54. ^ John Rizzo (July 31 2005). "Apple's Tiger vs. Windows Vista: Who Comes Out Ahead?". eWeek. Retrieved 2006-05-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  55. ^ "Windows Vista resembles OS X". MacNN. March 9 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  56. ^ Mitch Wagner (March 01 2006). "Microsoft Will Stumble On Windows Vista And Office 2007". Informationweek.com. Retrieved 2006-08-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  57. ^ Elizabeth Judge (May 20 2006). "Windows revamp 'too advanced for most PCs'". The Times. Retrieved 2006-08-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  58. ^ John G. Spooner and Mary Jo Foley (August 5 2005). "Will Your PC Run Windows Vista?". eweek.com. Retrieved 2006-08-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  59. ^ Luke Peters (July 18 2006). "How Vista will affect notebooks". Personal Computer World. Retrieved 2006-08-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)

Microsoft

Reviews and screenshots

Criticism

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