Enable Aero (NOT Glass) in Home Basic
-----------------------------------------------
Regedit:
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/DWM/

Composition = 1
CompositionPolicy = 2

Right click Command Prompt and run as admin:

net stop uxsms
net start uxsms

Enable New Boot screen in Vista
-------------------------------------
1. Click on the start orb and type in "MSCONFIG" in the textbox.
2. Once the System Configuration tool loads, click on the Boot tab.
3. Under Boot Options check 'NO GUI Boot'
4. Reboot and enjoy!

Resize Partitions with Vista Disk Management
----------------------------------------------------
1. Click on the Start Button and right click on Computer and select Manage.
2. Expand the Storage section and select Disk Management.
3. Then just right click on any partition and select either Expand or Shrink to change the size of the partition.

Create a Shortcut for Flip 3D
----------------------------------
1. Right click on your desktop and select New and then Shortcut.
2. Copy and paste "RunDll32 DwmApi #105" into the location box and hit Next.
3. Enter in a name for your shortcut and hit Finish.
4. Copy/Cut and Paste your new shortcut where ever you want.

Disable Network Printer Search
------------------------------------
1. Hit Alt to bring up the menubar if it is not already on the screen.
2. Click on Tools and select Folder Options.
3. On the View Tab, uncheck Automatically search for network printers.

Super Quick - Quick Launch Bar
---------------------------------------
If you have the quick launch bar you can press the WINDOWS + a number and it will launch that application.

For example: If you have a shortcut for a folder in the first slot you would press WINDOWS + 1 to open that folder.
A second quick launch application would be WINDOWS + 2.

Read More...

1. Click on the start menu and type in devmgmt.msc and Enter to load it up.
2. Expand the Display Adapters section and right click on each device and select Uninstall.
3. Reboot the computer.
4. When it restarts, it should install a generic video driver so your screen will still work.
5. Go back into Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters section again and then right click on the device and select Update Driver.
6. This time select Browse My Computer for Driver and then Let me pick it from a list.
7. Go to the Graphics section closest to your Graphics Card and select the Driver closest, too.
8. Hit OK and install the new driver. Restart your computer.
9. Once you have rebooted, right click on your desktop and select Personalize again.
10. Click on Windows Colors and Appearance.
11. Click on Open classic appearance properties for more color options.
12. In the Color Scheme box, select Windows Vista Aero.
13. Hit OK and glass will now load.

Read More...

After windows restart or even after windows explorer quick launch items got arranged in a alphabetically and also resizes to the default.

According to the default settings of windows it does not save the settings when you customize the quick launch items ,it does not save the quick launch items location and its size also.

This issue of quick launch items location changed and resize applies to both windows XP and windows Vista

But this can be easily resolved by a registry fix.

Follow the procedure given below.

1. Open Start >> Run and type regedit

2. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

3. Locate a registry key named “NoSaveSettings” of type “REG_DWORD” with a value of “0×00000000 (1)” and set the value=0 (if you find it skip the 4th step) .

4. if you don’t find a registry key with this name you will need to create it.

4.1 Right click and select new >> dword value.

4.2 name it as “NoSaveSettings” (without double quotes) and set the value=0

5. Exit registry and restart windows.

Note: Customize the quick launch items after restart this will be the last time when you are customizing the quick launch items.

Read More...

Hard Drive Properties

Double click on Computer and then right click on each one of your hard drive partitions. Now select 'Properties'. At the 'General' tab, make sure the two check boxes on the bottom (Compress this drive, and Index this drive) are both unchecked. They are both unneeded and can cause slowdowns, especially with lower speed Hard Disk Drives. If your machine is Vista-Ready, you may wish to leave 'Index this drive' checked, to improve the performance of the Windows Search Engine.

System Properties

System Protection - Right click on Computer, and select 'Properties'. Click on the 'System Protection' tab, Check turn off Restore on all drives - if you wish to attempt to use this feature then do not check this.

*Note – the System Restore feature does not appear to work properly in Vista Build 5231 so it should be disabled.

Remote Assistance - On the 'Remote' tab, uncheck any boxes in there and click 'OK'

Visual Effects - On the 'Advanced' tab , click the ‘Settings’ button under the ‘Performance’ section. Go to the 'Visual Effects' tab; there you can choose options to enable or disable certain visual effects.
Significant performance gains in this build have been seen when using the ‘Adjust for best performance’ option.
*Note: Disabling certain Visual Effects will also disable Aero Glass effects. It has also been reported that setting this to ‘Adjust for best performance’ will cause an error in Paint when trying to ‘Save As’

Virtual Memory - Go to the 'Advanced' tab, , click the ‘Settings’ button under the ‘Performance’ section. This will open the ‘Performance Options’ dialog. Select the ‘Advanced’ tab there and go to the Virtual Memory section and click on the Change button – uncheck the box that says Automatically manage paging file size, highlight the drive you want your page file to be located on – usually the drive you installed Vista on - (If you have a secondary drive you can usually increase performance by putting the page file there – just make sure you don’t already have a page file from another OS there!) then click the radio button that says Custom size and set both the minimum and maximum to an amount that is one and one half times the amount of ram you have, then click set. This will help reduce fragmentation of the page file and your drive.

Startup and Recovery - On the 'Advanced tab’, click the ‘Settings” button under the ‘Startup and Recovery’ section. In the Write debugging information combo box, select none. *Note: This tab also has button to edit the startup options file (boot.ini)

Read More...

Windows Vista in High Performance Mode

Right Click on Desktop > Personalize
Screen Saver
Under Power Management click Change Power Settings...
Select High Performance

Recommend for games / movies etc.

Power Saver Mode


Right Click on Desktop > Personalize
Screen Saver
Under Power Management click Change Power Settings...
Select Power Saver

This will help increase battery life by 10-20 minutes.

Read More...

You can get a great performance from your SATA(Serial ATA) hard disk drive in Windows Vista by enabling a property named as write caching.When a sudden power loss occurs in your system,this causes data loss in your hard disk.So it is better for the users who use laptops with Windows Vista doesn't enable this option because of its battery operation during power failures.Also a drive which is enable write caching cannot be removed from the system easily.The steps for this tweak is given:

1. Right click on the Computer icon and from the opening context menu enter to Device Manager.
2. Expand Disk Drives option in the disk manager window.
3. Right-click on your SATA hard disk drive and from the context menu select Properties.
4. On the Policies tab in the properties, check Enable Advanced Performance.
5. Click OK and close Device Manager window.

Now you can restart your system and check for the improvement in performance of your hard disk.If any problem occurs due to this you can disable write caching option from device manager.

Read More...

Meeting Space

Windows Meeting Space enables face-to-face collaboration among small groups of Windows Vista users—virtually anytime, anywhere. Useful for both business and personal purposes, this tool enables you to share work on computer based projects with other people more easily and comfortably. With Windows Meeting Space, you can collaborate
with one person or as many as nine others over a wired network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), or an ad hoc (PC-to-PC) wireless network.

XPS

XPS Documents are a new archiving format perfect for preserving content and for securely sharing information in an application independent way. To create an XPS Document, open any document in virtually any application, and select the print option. In the printer selection menu, choose “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” and save the file. Double click on the file, which should open it in the XPS Viewer, which is hosted by Internet Explorer 7. The XPS Document is a pixel perfect rendition of the original source material.

BitLocker

BitLocker Drive Encryption protects the information stored on your computer from hackers or thieves who might obtain access to your machine. It is a full disk encryption feature included with Microsoft's Windows Vista designed to protect data by providing encryption for entire volumes. By encrypting the entire Windows system volume, data is better protected. Ideally a v1.2 Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip is the preferred method of encryption key storage. BitLocker Drive Encryption is tightly integrated into Windows Vista and provides a seamless, secure, and manageable data protection solution for you. access to your machine. It is a full disk encryption feature

Read More...

Disabling Automatic Startup Programs

Windows Vista Tips
If you don't want certain programs or applications to run automatically on startup, there's an easy way to disable them.

Click Start
Type msconfig in the search box
Click Continue in the User Account Control to continue
Click on the Startup Tab
Uncheck any boxes in the "Startup Items" that you wish to disable or click the Disable All button (not recommended)
Click OK
If you need to re-enable any of the programs, go through the same process and check the boxes of programs you wish to run automatically on startup.


Showing Super Hidden Files In Windows Vista

Windows Vista Tips
To show Windows Vista "super hidden" files, that is, those files that are normally hidden from the user, you'll need to accesss the registry editor.
To turn on (or off) super hidden files: (make sure you backup the registry before making changes)

Click the Start Button, type "regedit" (Registry Editor) in the search box, and press Enter
Click Continue to get past the User Account Control hurdle
On the left panel, double-click to navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
On the right panel, double-click on Superhidden
In the Value Data box, change the value to "1"
Click OK
Exit the Registry Editor
Restart your machine for the changes to take effect


Changing Your Windows Vista Theme

Windows Vista Tips
Changing your Windows Vista theme doesn't have to be difficult. Just follow these simple steps to set up a new Windows Vista theme, or select the "Classic" Windows theme.

RIGHT Click the Desktop
Click Personalize
Click Themes
Click the Theme Choices pull down menu and choose "Classic"
Click Apply and OK
To make the Start menu work in Classic mode:

RIGHT Click the Start button
Click Properties
Choose Classic Start menu
Click Apply and OK

Read More...

Do you love to customize your desktop in Windows Vista? one of the first things you will want to figure out is how to create a customized boot logo. Am I right?

There is a little utility that you can use to create the boot logo formats.First you will need to download the Vista Boot Logo Generator 1.1 Software. This utility can be used to create nice logos and boot screens with correct size. Once it is installed, you need to make sure that you run the application as administrator:



We should choose an appropriate logo file. Choose two versions of the image, one needs to be 800×600 at 24 bit color, and the other 1024×768 at the same color depth of 32-bit. Both files must be in Bitmap(BMP) format. Save the file somewhere like your desktop, because we can’t yet copy directly to the correct directory, until we take ownership of the file.

To take ownership of the file, you’ll have to open an administrator command prompt. (type cmd into the start menu search box, and hit Ctrl+Shift+Enter), and then run this command:

takeown /f C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui

Now run this command, substituting geek for your username:

cacls C:\Windows\System32\en-US\winload.exe.mui /G geek:F

Now copy the file that you created into the C:\windows\system32\en-US\ directory. Make sure you choose the overwrite option.
Now you’ll need to use the msconfig utility. Just type msconfig into the start menu search box, and then click the Boot tab:



Check the “No GUI boot” option, and we’re all ready to reboot and test it out.

Read More...

This Windows Vista registry tweak will allow you to extend the activation deadline of Vista legally for at least a year in just some easy steps. For those who are unfamiliar with the slmgr -rearm technique, this basically allows you to run a command in command prompt that allows you extend the 30-days grace period indefinitely.

The registry hack to use Vista legally for at least a year without activating is:

1) First, we will use the well known slmgr -rearm method. When you have 1 day remaining to activate Windows Vista, Click on the Start menu and access command prompt by typing cmd in the Search bar. Make sure to press Ctrl + Alt + Enter to access command prompt in Administrative mode.



2) Then type slmgr -rearm and press Enter. In about 45 seconds, you will be prompted to restart your computer. After that, you have successfully reseted the activation timer to 30 days. This will only work 3 times, giving you 120 days,after that do the rest.

3) Open the registry editor by clicking the Start menu and typing regedit in the Search bar.

4) Navigate to Vista registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ Currentversion \ SL



5) Right click SkipRearm and modify the value to 1.

6) Click on the Start menu and type cmd in the Search bar to access the command Prompt. Make sure you press Ctrl+Alt+Enter to run command prompt in Administrative Mode.

7) Once in Command Prompt, type slmgr -rearm like you would when extending Vista by 30 days. Now you can use Rearm 8 more times, giving you a total of 360 days.

Note:Before you tweak the Windows registry, use System Restore to create a restore point or create a backup of your registry so that you can revert to the previous version of the Registry if something goes wrong.

Read More...

Are you looking for some tools to get the most out of Windows Vista? Here are a few useful softwares to tweak up Windows Vista.

1. VistaTweaker - VistaTweaker is, as its name says, a reliable, smart and yet easy-to-use Windows Vista tweaking tool. The interface is nice and simple.Every tweak has its description so the user can see what each one does.Tweaks are organized into tabs, each tab is subdivided in sections by group boxes. This way it is easy to find the tweak the user is looking for.

2. XdN Tweaker - Tweaking program that supports Vista (and XP/Server 203). It doesn't have tons of tweaking options, but does focus on ones that most users may want to attend to. No installation required (but .NET is for XP/2003). Address areas with Vista UAC, Control Panel, Media Player, Right-Click context options, Files and Folder tweaks, File Associations, Start Menu, IE7, Outlook Express/Windows Mail, Misc. Tools, and System Settings. Pretty handy little utility.

3. Windows Sidebar Styler - Allows some easy fine-tuning of the Windows Sidebar and provides extensions to the Windows Sidebar in Vista. Supports custom styles for resizing and customizing how it integrates with other elements. Still being refined but looks pretty handy.

4. EasyBCD 1.6 - Hard-core NeoSmart tool that is definitely NOT for "average" Vista users. Allows advanced Vista users/tweakers to set up, configure, and tweak the Windows Vista bootloader.

5. TweakUAC - this utility allows folks running under an Administrator-level profile to easily turn off UAC (User Account Control), turn it back on, or keep it running, but suppress the UAC elevation prompt requests.

6. Tweak VI from Totalidea - The basic version is free and additional feature "plugins" can be purchased. It's a nice business model. The Basic version allows you to tweak desktop items, Start menu items, IE, Firefox, hardware settings, system info, virtual desktops, subsystem folders, mousing, and shutdown options.

7. Vispa - This tweak-tool uses a non-install executable and is a bare-bones Vista utility. Run it and you get a long list of check boxes organized by subjects. To apply a setting, activate the check box. Pro: simple interface. Con: simple interface. So unless you already know and understand the consequence of your choice, this might not be a utility for Vista noobies.

Read More...

Open Regedit (WINDOWS KEY + R) on your keyboard, or by clicking Start and typing on the search bar "regedit" without quotes. Hit Enter

Navigate to

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control]

On the right panel look for the "WaitToKillServiceTimeout" string and change it value to 1000 by right clicking the string and selecting Modify...

Default Value WaitToKillServiceTimeout=20000

Modified value WaitToKillServiceTimeout=5000
Modified value WaitToKillServiceTimeout=1000 (extreme, use it at your own risk)

I found 3000 worked nicely but try the 5000 first. 3000 does sometimes leave some programs lagging which then need a further key click.

Read More...

Transformation Pack will give to your Windows XP system the new and cool look of Vista future operating system: Windows Vista. The pack changes most of the system icons, skins and toolbars and also adds new enhancements to your desktop such as a dock bar or a different system tray clock. It is free and does a great job of giving machine a look similar to Vista.

It does have uninstallation options in case you decide you want to get rid of it, so there really isn’t anything to lose. However, when you install the software it has to overwrite some system files (it modifies things like the boot screen) so Windows will prompt you stating that your system files have been changed. It will ask whether you want to change them back or leave them, so just leave them if you want the system to function properly.

Features of “Vista Transformation Pack”:
• Boot screen
• Welcome Screen / Logon Screen
• New msstyles files (visual styles)
• New desktop and file icons
• New toolbar icons
• Progress Dialogs
• Sounds scheme
• System Tray icons
• New Wallpapers
• Windows Media Player Skins

This is the most tired release I’ve ever been through. I wonder if user who get this will appreciate how hard I really went through for this. It seems Lee is being too messy right now so I won’t hold back any longer. This release has overall improvements for features compared to previous versions and has a lot of user interface refinements for ease of use with end-user. You will find this program is amazingly easier comparing to all other shell packs.

Changes in Version 8.0.1:
- Fixed pre-configuration specifications to improve performance (Removed unstable applications from list)
- Fixed TrueTransparency’s stability (some settings in skin causing input hook problems)
- Fixed Visualtooltip configuration when user accidently deletes the configuration files in there
- Removed backup files’ status and put CPU model instead (obsolete checking)
- Updated system files’ status report to “Out of sync” and repairing system files information
- Updated user account configuration system for more subtle performance

Changes in Version 8.0:
- Added CPU Speed information in Welcome Center
- Added saving setup information file to save setup configuration for later uses with unattended transformation support
- Added installation background
- Added “System optimized” in Setup Configuration to configure the user account corresponding to machine’s spec
- Added TrueTransparency 0.8.5 (Glass border with ported AeroStyle skin)
- Added WinFlip 0.42 (Vista 3DFlip)
- Fixed KB925902 hotfix issues with file processing animation
- Fixed Media Center program execution error
- Fixed rebuilding icon cache bug on non-current users during the processes
- Fixed Styler’s installation checking bug (always set toolbar to styler mode when possible)
- Fixed failing to apply Vista screensaver
- Fixed program name in Add/Remove Programs
- Fixed subscribing Windows X’s shrine to be default homepage bug in Welcome Center
- Fixed visualtooltip’s advanced configuration bug
- Fixed WindowBlinds 6 skin installation compatibility
- Moved hotfix warning to user guide file to prevent confusion
- Re-arranged welcome dialog for richer information
- Replaced Extras in Welcome Center with Community link to forum
- Removed configuring user account’s status report
- Removed obsolete dialogs (WindowBlinds warning, Before transformation, Donation, FAQ and Q&A)
- Removed Vista Live Messenger 8.1 skin
- Updated Setup Configuration in Welcome Center to cover on everything
- Updated setup transformation to pre-configure current user account before finishing the transformation
- Updated theming engine configuration
- Updated Vista Sidebar to version 2.3 Lite
- Updated Vista Sidebar user account configuration in Welcome Center
- Updated ViStart to build 2661
- Updated ViOrb to version 2.0
- Updated VisualTooltip to version 2.2
- Updated Welcome Center to pre-configure user account with system optimized option on the first run in that user account

Download here
password : www.oxyg3n.ca

Read More...

Most of us face problems some time or the other with balloon tips in windows vista. This is the irritating thing in windows vista and also in windows xp. Everyone want windows vista to disable balloon tips. As vista balloon tips does not have any useful information (As far as i feel). I disabled the tips from the first day when I was using windows xp and now in windows vista also I disable it. Here is a tip to disable balloon tips in windows vista.

Click start and go to run. Type gpedit.msc (this is used to open group policy) and press enter. Now open User configuration, then Administrative template after that start Menu and finally Taskbar.Now choose remove balloon tips, right click with mouse and open properties.Now in option enable it and click ok. Close the gpedit and reboot the system.

Congratulation you have disabled the awful balloon tips in windows vista.

For windows vista home and premium edition Users

Gpedit.msc is not available in windows vista home and premium edition’s not to worry we can do the same from registry in windows vista home and premium edition.

Again go to run (windows key + R) and type regedit and press enter.

Expand registry to HKEY_CURRENT_USER >> SOFTWARE > Microsoft>> Windows > Current Version>> Explorer > Advanced.
Right click and create new Dword value and give name as EnableBalloonTips.
Give value as 0(zero)
Reboot your Windows Vista. And your work done.

Read More...

What exactly is this?

Windows Vista includes an agent that can prevent a Windows Vista-based client from connecting to your private network if it lacks current security updates or lacks virus signatures. Network Access Protection can be used to protect your network from remote access clients as well as local area network (LAN) clients. The agent reports Windows Vista client health status, such as having current updates and up-to-date virus signatures installed, to a server-based Network Access Protection enforcement service. A Network Access Protection infrastructure, included with Windows Server Code Name Longhorn, determines whether to grant the client access to your private network or to a restricted network.

Benefits

Network Access Protection can enforce health requirements for mobile computers, remote computers, and computers directly connected to your private network. Often, users who travel with their computers are unable to connect to your private network for weeks at a time. When they do connect, their connections might be so brief that their computers do not have time to download the latest updates, security configuration settings, and virus signatures. Therefore, mobile computers are often in a less-healthy state than other computers. Network Access Protection improves the security of these mobile computers by ensuring that the latest updates are installed before users connect to your private network.

Read More...

Most of us face problem about balloon tips in windows vista and this is the irritating thing in windows vista and also in windows xp. Everyone want windows vista tips to disable balloon tips.As vista balloon tips does not have any useful information. I disable that tips from the first day when I was using windows xp and now in windows vista I also disable it. Here is a tips how to disable balloon tips in windows vista.

Click start and go to run. Type gpedit.msc (this is used to open group policy) and press enter. Now open User configuration, then Administrative template after that start Manu and finally Taskbar.

Now choose remove balloon tips, right click with mouse and open properties.

Now in option enable it and click ok. Close the gpedit and reboot the system.

Congratulation you have disable your awful balloon tips in windows vista.

Gpedit.msc is not available in windows vista home and premium edition’s not to worry we can do the same from registry in windows vista home and premium edition.

Again go to run (windows key + R) and type regedit and press enter.

Expand registry to HKEY_CURRENT_USER >> SOFTWARE > Microsoft>> Windows > Current Version>> Explorer > Advanced.
Right click and create new Dword value and give name as EnableBalloonTips.
Give value as 0(zero)
Reboot your Windows Vista and your work is done.

Read More...

And yet, there are scenarios in which Vista will eat away CPU cycles, huge amounts of random access memory, completely hug a ReadyBoost USB device and still underperform. The operating system will choke even on the most common of tasks, abandoning the user to slowdowns in system performance and to unresponsive processes catalyzed by nothing more than routine and mundane actions. No doubt, Vista has a few rough corners in terms of reliability and performance, but there are a few solutions available, until Microsoft delivers the first Service Pack in 2008.

1. Hardware
Is there something you can do beforehand to boost Windows Vista performance? Well, of course there is. Build or choose a hardware architecture to tailor fit the resource-hungry operating system. If you can buy a new system along with the platform, or if you can upgrade, do it. We have all seen the minimum Vista system requirements, and they are completely unrealistic. I mean, 800 MHz 32-bit or 64-bit processors, together with 512 MB of RAM, with at least 448 MB of system memory that has to be available to the operating system before the rest up to 512 MB is allocated to an on board graphics solution, DirectX 9 graphics card with 32 MB of graphics memory and a 20 GB hard disk will deliver only minimum performance.

1 GHz 32-bit and 64-bit processors, 1 GB of system memory, Windows Aero-capable graphics card – a DirectX 9 item with WDDM driver, Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware, 32 bits per pixel, and 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum) and 40-GB hard disk. I wouldn't settle for less than a 2 GHz processor, with 2 GB of RAM, and at least 256 MB of graphics memory. Just trust me on this one.

2. Give Vista a Couple of Tries
This is another pseudo-tweak, but do get ready for the real thing! Believe it or not, you actually have to train Windows Vista. The operating system's Memory Manager handles physical memory different from past versions of Windows, courtesy of SuperFetch. Essentially, the memory management technology in Vista will keep track of usage patterns across the operating system and will store content in memory, optimizing both frequently accessed applications but also handling low-priority I/O background processes. In order for SuperFetch to create a pattern of behavior, you will have to actually use the machine. One area where you will notice a definite improvement over XP is on continuing your work after the operating system has performed background tasks on an idle computer. Unlike the Standby List management in Windows XP, SuperFetch will repopulate memory with evicted data and code whenever it is available. But even this process will take place with a very low priority I/Os.

3. Windows Vista Aero-Less
The Windows Aero graphical user interface in Windows Vista is a breath of fresh air. But the extensive visual effects will take their toll on the general performance of the operating system. The best solution in this regard is to turn Aero off altogether and to opt for using the rudimentary Windows Vista Basic or Windows Standard GUIs. Such a move will boost performance, and as you have already undoubtedly noticed, Aero can slow down your workflow quite a lot. But if you've got a sweet tooth and simply cannot do without eye candy, then Windows Aero can be tweaked in order to hug less resources.

Open Control Panel and type the following in the Instant search box in the right hand side corner: "advanced system settings". Open the result Control Panel and click on the Settings button in the performance area, just under visual effects, processor scheduling, memory usage and virtual memory.

4. Kill Desktop Window Manager
"The new Windows Vista desktop composition feature fundamentally changes the way applications display pixels on the screen. When desktop composition is enabled, individual windows no longer draw directly to the screen or primary display device as they did in previous versions of Microsoft Windows. Instead, their drawing is redirected to off-screen surfaces in video memory, which are then rendered into a desktop image and presented on the display. Desktop composition is performed by the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), a new component of Windows Vista", Microsoft explained.

5. Virtual Memory and Processor Optimization
While personalizing Windows Aero is among the few modifications you can make to the surface of the operating system, the System Properties dialog box also offers you the best place to configure the amount of virtual memory for Vista. To the right of the Visual Effects, you will notice the advanced tab. The area towards the bottom is reserved for virtual memory. Vista even delivers a small definition, revealing that virtual memory is a paging file in an area on the hard disk that Windows users use as if it were RAM. Right, all you have to understand is that virtual memory is an extension of the physical memory of your system. It is a very good idea to have a paging file for all the physic hard drive on your machine, but not for all the drives on a single disk.

6. Trim the Startup Monster
An ideal performance scenario would involve Windows Vista running under the default installation. This is of course not possible. The invariable problem with adding applications to the operating system is that they will impact the overall results of the operating system, and nowhere is this more visible than in the startup process. There is no comparison between Vista booting up in the default deployment, and a startup after you have installed countless applications. First off, always make sure that applications you no longer use are uninstalled. There's no point in having them hanging around just to slow down Vista.

7. Mute User Account Control Elevation Prompts
User Account Control is a security mitigation introduced in Windows Vista as a measure to train users and software developers to use standard privileges only as opposed to administrative rights. The UAC's presence is necessary as it will permit the users to have control over how services, processes and applications access critical areas of the operating system. While the feature is not even close to the nagging monster it was "advertised" to be, it will deliver an impact on performance. Follow this link in order to learn how you can switch it off.

8. The Windows Error Reporting Service
Microsoft, in all its wisdom, has built Windows Vista in such a manner that the operating system will generate error reports after error reports in response to various exceptions across the platform. The Redmond company claims that error reports are an integer and essential part of the automatic feedback process designed to ultimately improve user experience on Windows Vista. The reality is that you can send tons and tons of error reports to Microsoft, and there is absolutely no guarantee that the company will address any of them.

9. Disk Defragmentation and Hard Drive Management
With Windows Vista, Microsoft has virtually taken the user out of the disk defragmentation equation. Defrag is now pretty much and automated process designed to run in the background. But even though it is performed with the most basic level of system resources, it will make itself felt in terms of overall performance. All you have to do is uncheck the "Run on schedule" option of the feature. Still, it is an excellent idea to defragment your hard drive and also to make sure that there is sufficient free space. Keeping the files stored in discontinuous sectors and ensuring a healthy amount of free space will help boost Windows Vista performance.

10. The System Restore and Volume Shadow Copy Services
System Restore is an essential element of the back-up infrastructure of Windows Vista. Right click on My Computer, choose Properties, and click on the System Protection option in the left hand side menu. Windows Vista can create automatic restore points for all the partitions on your hard drive. In this manner, you will be able to restore the operating system to an earlier point in time or use the Volume Shadow Copy service in order to revert a file or folder to a previous version. Building restore points does affect Windows Vista. In my opinion, this is a trade-off that you should learn to live with because of the virtual inestimable value of System restore. However, if you prefer a more hands-on approach to back-up, then you can uncheck all the boxes for the specific volumes on your hard drives in order to prevent the creation of restore points.

11. The Indexing and Search Service
"Windows Vista includes an indexing service that enables Windows Desktop Search to provide fast searches for documents, photos, e-mail messages, and other data. The service runs by default and uses the NTFS file system’s unique service name (USN) journaling feature to track changes in file system content. By default, only portions of the main system volume are actually indexed. Some of the indexing service I/O is performed at low priority, which means that it is delayed when normal-priority work is accomplished. If Windows Vista detects user activity such as mouse movement or keyboard input, it can throttle this activity," Microsoft stated.

In order to turn off Vista's Indexing and Search service in Windows Explorer right click each drive and select Properties from the contextual menu. The last option on the bottom of the General tab is "Index this drive for faster searching". Uncheck it to stop the indexing service.

12. Turn Off Windows Ballast
Windows Vista comes with a set of features that are nothing more than excess ballast in certain situations, managing to reverberate on the operating system's performance. Some you don't need at all, and some you simply don't want dragging along. Microsoft provides in Vista the option to switch them off without actually removing them from the platform. In Control Panel choose "Uninstall a program" under Programs and then "Turn Windows features on or off". The Indexing Service, Remote Differential Compression, Tablet PC Optional Components, Windows DFS Replication Service, Windows Fax & Scan and Windows Meeting Space, ActiveX Installer Service etc. can all pretty much be disabled, with the exception of Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0. The beauty of this feature is the fact that none of the items is lost. In case you change your mind, or discover that you need a component, revisit the location and check the box next to it. It's that simple.

Take Matters into Your Own Hands

In addition to the examples featured above, you can further take matters into your own hands. All you will need is a 2+ GB Flash drive to use with Vista's ReadyBoost option. "Windows ReadyBoost-capable Flash Devices extend the disk caching capabilities of Windows Vista main memory. ReadyBoost-capable devices can be implemented as USB 2.0 flash drives, Secure Digital (SD) cards, or CompactFlash cards. Using ReadyBoost-capable flash memory devices for caching allows Windows Vista to service random disk reads with performance that is typically 8-10 times faster than random reads from traditional hard drives," Microsoft explained.

Last but definitely not least, while you are waiting for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to be delivered in the first quarter of 2008, you can get a taste of the refresh on you copy of the operating system today. Since early August, Microsoft has made available a couple of Compatibility, Performance and Reliability packs designed precisely to smoothen some of the rough edges of the platform. You will be able to download both from here, but the company has also pushed them via Windows Update.

Read More...

The default installation of Windows Vista weighs in at approximately 8 GB. In fact, Microsoft's latest operating system won't even install with less than 15 GB of space available on the hard drive. This is valid for both the low-end and the high-end editions of the platform. A full Vista installation will take up no less than 40 times more hard disk space compared to Windows 95's 200 MB and five times more than Windows XP's 1.5 GB. Part of the reason why Vista hugs so much hard disk real estate space is the fact that the operating system brings to the table a plethora of built-in administrative tools that ship by default with the platform.

In this context, the term hidden, is not entirely accurate. Advanced users and system administrators have no problems tracking down and using the administrative tools in Vista. But at the same time, an average user could pass right by them, just because of their low footprint in the operating system's fabric, as they simply have a way to go by virtually undocumented and unnoticed. But this does not mean that the tools are not there, it just requires a bit of digging under the surface. And you will be surprised of how many long-time Windows users have failed to take a deeper look under the hood of the operating system, even if it would make their life so much easier.

You'll be surprised of what is lying beneath. But at the same time you have to understand that a large part of these utilities are not new to Vista, although they all suffered enhancements. Some of them are obviously survivors from older editions of Windows. But this is besides the point. You should at least be aware of the luxuriant resources within your grasp, provided of course that you are running Windows Vista. Also, while the tools exemplified in this article are to a certain degree common to all SKUs of Vista, you would do better to focus on the high-end editions of the operating system, such as Business, Enterprise and Ultimate, and less on Home Basic and Home Premium, as some items might be missing or limited in functionality on the latter two examples of the platform.

1. Task Manager

Right, I thought I would debut with something as common as the Start Menu. The Windows Task Manager can be launched via Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or by Alt + Ctrl + Delete, as well as by right clicking the Taskbar and choosing Task Manager from the options in the contextual menu that pops up. The Windows Task Manager in Vista is designed to run with standard user privileges, and as such, will not deliver a User Account Prompt. The tool will permit you to manage Applications, Processes, Services, and to monitor Performance, Networking and the active Users through the corresponding tabs. If you are looking to kill a program that is not responding, identify the process associated with a certain program or simply check the CPU cycles or the amount of system memory cached, then Task Manager is the simplest and most accessible tool.

2. Network and Sharing Center

"The Network and Sharing Center puts you in control of your network connectivity. It's a place where you can check your connection status, view your network visually, and troubleshoot connection problems. The Network and Sharing Center informs you about your network and verifies whether your PC can successfully access the Internet—then summarizes this info in the form of a Network Map," reads a fragment of Microsoft's description of the resource.

But the Network and Sharing Center is only the surface of the Windows Network Diagnostics tool in Windows Vista, an automated utility designed to identify, diagnose and resolve connectivity problems. And in its turn, the Windows Network Diagnostics tool is just a part of the Network Diagnostics Framework (NDF) in Vista. Every time you will run into connectivity issues, NDF can provide a way out. The Network and Sharing Center is located under Control Panel, Network and Internet.

3. Backup, Shadow Copies, System Restore

There is an intimate connection between backup, shadow copies, system restore and restore points in Windows Vista. And there are two locations that will permit you to both have a general perspective of the status of the capabilities mentioned and to configure them, the Backup Status and Configuration and the Backup and Restore Center. Both can be launched by entering "Backup" in the search box under the Start Menu.

Via the Backup Status and Configuration you will be able to manage automatic file backup and handle the settings, as well as perform advanced restore or a complete PC backup. The Backup and Restore Center offers basically the same functionality but is additionally focused on creating system restore point and activating the shadow copies’ features.

4. Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption

Available exclusively in Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate, Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption is designed to help ensure the privacy of sensitive data by encryption. Although the default configuration of BitLocker requires a Trust Platform Module, the fact of the matter is that TPMs are rare in use outside of corporate environments, but users will be able to use the tool nonetheless, although without some functionality. With Windows Vista SP1, the Redmond company will also allow users to encrypt additional volumes on top of the operating system drive, protected by default.

"During computer startup, if BitLocker detects a system condition that could represent a security risk (for example, disk errors, a change to the BIOS , or changes to any startup files), it will lock the drive and require a special BitLocker recovery password to unlock it. Make sure that you create this recovery password when you turn on BitLocker for the first time; otherwise, you could permanently lose access to your files", is the warning Microsoft provides with the use of BitLocker.

5. Program Compatibility Wizard

The Program Compatibility Wizard under Control Panel and Programs will permit you to use an older program with Windows Vista. The tool is designed to help users that are experiencing functionality issues with an application in Vista, although the problems were not there with a prior version of Windows. The wizard will detect all the programs installed, and also permit the selection and testing of compatibility settings. Everything from display settings, to desktop composition and to administrative privileges can be set through the wizard.

6. Microsoft Management Console 3.0

"Microsoft Management Console (MMC) hosts administrative tools that you can use to administer networks, computers, services, and other system components," reads an excerpt of the Redmond company's description of the resource. The Microsoft Management Console 3.0, also known as Console Root or Console 1, has been around since Windows 2000. You can open it by typing "mmc" in the Search box under the Start menu, in a Run dialog box or in a command prompt window. MMC is essentially not an administrative tool, as it does not perform any such tasks, but it does provide hosting for various components including: Local security Policy, Computer Management, Event Viewer, and the Reliability and Performance Monitor as snap-ins which can be added for local or remote computers on the network.

7. Computer Management

Computer Management is a collection of administrative components. Accessible by entering "Computer Management" in the Search box under Start Menu, you can find items placed in three categories: System Tools, Storage and Services and Applications. Computer Management comes with the Task Scheduler, Event Viewer, Shared Folders, Local Users and Groups, the Reliability and Performance Monitor, Device Manager, Disk Management, as well as Services and WMI Control.

8. WMI - Windows Management Instrumentation

"Effective management of PC and server systems in an enterprise network benefits from well-instrumented computer software and hardware, which allow system components to be monitored and controlled, both locally and remotely. Microsoft is committed to simplifying instrumentation of hardware and software under Microsoft Windows operating systems. Microsoft is also committed to providing consistent access to this instrumentation for both Windows-based management systems and legacy management systems that are hosted in other environments. The foundations for manageability in Windows operating systems are Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI; formerly known as WBEM) and WMI extensions for Windows Driver Model," reveals the company's introduction on WMI.

9. Services

Typing "Services" in the Search box under the Start Menu will open the tool with exactly this name. Essentially, the utility will provide an exhaustive list of all the processes in Windows Vista complete with name, description, status and startup type. The console will allow you to stop, restart or start various services across the operating system, as well as getting an insight into all the properties of the services enumerated by the tool.

10. Disk Management

Disk Management in Windows Vista is under Control Panel, System and Maintenance, Administrative Tools, Computer Management, Storage. A breeze to navigate if you were to ask me. The system utility will help you manage partitions and hard disks. Disk initialization, creating volumes, and formatting with the FAT, FAT32, or NTFS file systems are all tasks offered by Disk Management.

11. Device Manager

"Device Manager provides you with a graphical view of the hardware that is installed on your computer. All devices communicate with Windows through a piece of software called a device driver. You can use Device Manager to install and update the drivers for your hardware devices, modify hardware settings for those devices, and troubleshoot problems", is the overview Microsoft provides of the tool. Device Manager permits users to modify hardware configuration settings, get a complete overview of all devices, perform device drivers installation and uninstallation actions, as well as enable and disable certain items.

12. Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor

Under Control Panel, System and Maintenance, Administrative Tools, the Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor is the big brother of the monitoring features provided by the Task Manager. The tool will offer a closer view at the CPU, the hard disk, Network activity and System Memory. Users can both monitor the system's performance in real time or choose to create logs of data collected and stored for further analysis.

13. Local Users and Groups

This is the perfect location to manage accounts in Windows Vista. You will be able to create and handle user accounts and the details related to them such as Groups and privileges. The Local Users and Groups console offers a location to activate the two built-in accounts that ship with Vista: Guest and Administrator. While Guest can be all but ignored, I am sure that the account for the Absolute Administrator of Vista is the kind of freedom some users will want.

14. Event Viewer

"The Event Viewer is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that enables you to browse and manage event logs. It is an indispensable tool for monitoring the health of systems and troubleshooting issues when they arise. Event Viewer enables you to perform the following tasks: view events from multiple event logs; save useful event filters as custom views that can be reused; schedule a task to run in response to an event and create and manage event subscriptions", reads the tool's overview.

15. Task Scheduler

The Task Scheduler is also hosted under Control Panel, System and Maintenance, Administrative Tools and the name is pretty much explanatory. You can use the tool to schedule automated tasks in concordance with a specific time or a certain event. The utility will also offer a complete library of scheduled tasks allowing you to delete unnecessary items, in addition to options such as run, disable and modify.

16. Memory Diagnostics Tool

Normally, you will access the Memory Diagnostics Tool via the Windows Vista installation disk. But there is also another way. The utility can be found under Control Panel, System and Maintenance, Administrative Tools and, when launched, it will offer to restart immediately and check for RAM problems, or analyze the system memory the next time the computer is started. This is a very useful tool that will identify and diagnose memory problems.

17. System Configuration

System Configuration can be launched by entering "msconfig" in the Search box under the Start menu. It will offer users five tabs and with them the possibility to manage the startup process, boot options, the services across Vista, a reduced list of start-up items as well as providing shortcuts to a range of tools in the operating system. Under the Tools tab, you will be able to find some more hidden Vista goodies such as Internet Protocol Configuration, UAC and easy access to the registry.

18. System Information

"System Information (also known as msinfo32.exe) shows details about your computer's hardware configuration, computer components, and software, including drivers," reads the general description of the tool. System Information offers users a view over System Summary, the Hardware Resources and the Software Environment. The tool will display information about the operating system and its general settings, hardware and programs. Just type "msinfo32.exe" in the Search box under the Start Menu in order to launch it.

19. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security is a bit of a hidden gem in Windows Vista. Located under Control Panel, Administrative Tools the tool is a bundle between a host firewall and Ipsec. If you want control over packets for IPv4 and IPv6 traffic, then this utility is the right answer for you, no doubt about it. You will be able to configure rules that will then apply to all incoming and outgoing traffic.

20. Local Security Policy

Also placed under Control Panel, Administrative Tools, the Local Security Policy will allow you to configure policies for the Vista Accounts, Local Policies, Public Key Policies, Software Restrictions Policies, IP Security Policies on Local Computer and the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

Read More...

Windows Vista includes a new hard drive encryption feature called BitLocker Drive Encryption. BitLocker can be a very useful security feature for businesses and home users that have sensitive and confidential information stored on their computer. Unfortunately, BitLocker Drive Encryption by default requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM Chip) version 1.2 or later installed in your computer. A lot of the computers and laptops on the market do not come with TPM chips installed since they are typically only found in premium model business computers. If you have Windows Vista Business, Ultimate or Enterprise but do not have a TPM chip, you can still use BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Hidden away in local group policy is a setting that will allow you to turn on the ability to use a USB storage device instead of a TPM key to store the encryption key. This is a great feature for users that don't have the latest high-end hardware because you can still use hard drive encryption. However, every time you turn on your computer, the USB storage device that has the encryption key located on it must be plugged in. Without it, your computer will not boot up. One BitLocker Drive Encryption is setup with a USB storage device, that USB storage device basically becomes the key to your computer.

Press the Windows button, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Navigate through: Computer Policy, Administrative Templates, Windows Components and BitLocker Drive Encryption. Right click on Control Panel Setup: Enable advanced startup options and select Properties.
Check Enabled and click OK.

Read More...

When installing the latest version of iTunes (7.5) on Windows Vista 64-bit the install of the QuickTime software completes successfully, however when the iTunes software tries to install the application it produces an error message saying that it cannot find the QuickTime installation.

Solution
Basically the solution is very easy and involves a new feature in Windows Vista called a symbolic link.

• Open up the Command Prompt as an Administrator (Go to All Programs > Accessories and Right Click on Command Prompt and then choose Run as administrator)

• Create a QuickTime folder in both Program Files (x86)

mkdir "c:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime"

• Now we create a symbolic link to the Program Files directory

mklink /d "c:\Program Files\QuickTime" "c:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime"

• Now install iTunes as you normally would by double clicking on the install program.

If all the steps were followed from above you will have no problem getting iTunes to install correctly on Windows Vista 64-bit.

If you are still having trouble you are probably experiencing the VB Script issue, where Apple wants you to run in an unsecured mode to install iTunes.