About the Second Edition

Get ready to be amazed by numerous tips, tricks, and undocumented features that disclose unique and exciting aspects of the new Windows Vista SP1 operating system. This revised SP1 Edition is packed with over 250 additional pages revealing secrets on topics like configuring Vista networking, Microsoft Zune, Windows Live OneCare, LIVE, Windows Home Server, and the new and exciting features included in SP1. Leading Windows authority Paul Thurrott reveals hidden Vista abilities and offers a behind-the-scenes look at everything from hardware and software compatibility to security features to keeping your data safe. These prices pieces of little-known expert advice will help you quickly grasp the many benefits of Windows Vista.

But Wait, There's More...

The computer industry moves quickly. Here's what's changed since I wrote this book.

Note: Do you see a mistake in Windows Vista Secrets SP1 Edition? Do you have a question about the book? Please send me an email and I'll try to address it here or in the SuperSite Blog. --Paul

Chapter 0: Read This First

No changes.

Part 1: Surviving Setup

Chapter 1: Selecting the Right Vista Version

64-Bit Versions of Windows Vista, page 38. One of the more pleasant things that's happened since I finished writing the second edition of Windows Vista Secrets is that the 64-bit versions of the operating system are suddenly quite a bit more viable than they once were. I've been using Windows Vista Ultimate x64 on my primary desktop machine since April 2008 and, as of this writing in October 2008, I've not run into a single hardware or software incompatibility. For this reason, I'm happy to modify the advice I provide in the book: Even normal, non-technical users should feel confident using 64-bit versions of Windows Vista now. For more information about this evolving situation, see my July 2008 blog post, Suddenly, 64-bit Windows is mainstream. For more general information about 64-bit issues, please refer to my x64 posts on the SuperSite Blog.

Chapter 2: Installing or Upgrading to Windows Vista

Installing Windows Vista on a Mac, page 105. If you're interested in Mac/Windows interoperability or--heaven forbid--bought a Mac just to run Windows, you'll probably be interested in my ongoing series, The SuperSite Switcher Guide: From Mac OS X to Windows.

VMWare Fusion, page 108. I still prefer VMWare Fusion to Parallels Desktop, though both are excellent desktop virtualization solutions. VMWare updated Fusion to version 2.0 in October 2008: It's a free upgrade to customers of the original version.

Chapter 3: Hardware and Software Compatibility

x64: Is It Time?, page 121. See my note, "64-Bit Versions of Windows Vista," in Chapter 1 above. It's time.

Using Virtual PC, page 128. Make sure you're using the latest version of Virtual PC, which is Virtual PC 2007 with Service Pack 1. There are different donwloads for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, so make sure you're getting the right one.

Part 2: The Windows Vista User Experience

Chapter 4: What's New in the Windows Vista User Interface

No changes.

Chapter 5: Where's My Stuff? Finding and Organizing Files

No changes.

Chapter 6: Using Windows Sidebar

No changes.

Chapter 7: Personalizing and Configuring Windows Vista

No changes.

Part 3: Security

Chapter 8: Vista Security Features

No changes.

Chapter 9: Users, Accounts, and UAC

No changes.

Chapter 10: Windows Vista Networking

No changes.

Part 4: Digital Media and Entertainment

Chapter 11: Windows Media Player

Connecting to a Shared Music Library with Xbox 360, page 393. In November 2008, Microsoft will replace the Xbox 360 user interface with something called the New Xbox Experience. You can see what this looks like in my Xbox 360 New Xbox Experience Preview. I'll provide an article updating this section of the book when that new user interface becomes publicly available.

Other Windows Media Player 11-Compatible Music Stores, page 398. While it's unlikely you'll want to use Windows Media Player that often if you're using the Zune, music purchased from the Zune Marketplace also works with Windows Media Player. This is true if the music is in protected WMA or unprotected MP3 format. I cover the Zune in Chapter 12.

Chapter 12: Zune: A Digital Media Alternative

Zune, A Digital Media Alternative, page 407. When this chapter was written, Zune 2.0 was the most recent Zune platform. Since then, Microsoft has upgraded Zune to version 3.0, which includes significant improvements to the platform's PC software, device firmaware, and online services. Please refer to my Zune activity center for the most recent Zune information. There are a few important points, however:

1. Working with Playlists, page 421: Zune now supports Smart Playlists.

2. Radio in the 21st Century, page 427: Zune's radio feature now supports a feature called Buy from FM.

3. Zune to Go: Using Zune Devices, page 440: Microsoft now offers three Zune models, the flash-based Zune 8 and 16, and the hard drive-based Zune 120.

4. Microsoft has significantly improved the way Zune devices sync with the Zune software, adding, among other things, the concept of sync groups.

Chapter 13: Enjoying Digital Photos

As a general rule, you should never use Windows Photo Gallery to manage, edit, or view photos. Instead, download the latest version of Windows Live Photo Gallery, which is even newer than the version mentioned in the book (page 499). You can find out more about this product in my article, A Look at the Windows Live Wave 3 Applications. You can download the current beta from the Windows Live Web site.

Chapter 14: Digital Videos and DVD Movies

Editing Digital Video with Windows Movie Maker, page 525. Microsoft is in the process of updating Windows Movie Maker with a free new version called Windows Live Movie Maker. The current version, available as part of the Windows Live Wave 3 suite beta, is totally inadequate, but Microsoft will eventually update this product to offer more functionality. Stay tuned.

Chapter 15: Vista in the Living Room: Windows Media Center

In the second Secret on page 583, I mention the Fiji update to Windows Media Center. This update, originally called Windows Vista Media Center Feature Pack 2008, has since been released as the Windows Media Center TV Pack. You can find out more about this sadly lame update in my blog post, Microsoft confirms that Fiji is a joke.

For more information about Windows Media Center, please refer to my Media Center posts on the SuperSite Blog.

Chapter 16: Having Fun: Games and Vista

Games Included with Windows Vista, page 628, and Downloading More Games for Windows Vista, page 645. If you have Windows Vista Ultimate, now provides an additional game called Tinker, which you must download via Windows Update. You can find out more about Tinker in my post, Microsoft actually updates Ultimate Extras, on the SuperSite Blog.

Secret: Problems with x64 Versions of Windows Vista, page 644. As described in the first note under Chapter 1 above, you no longer need to avoid 64-bit versions of Windows Vista.

Games for Windows Live, page 646. Since writing this chapter, Microsoft has updated its Games for Windows Live program by eliminating the yearly fee. You can find out more about this change on the Games for Windows Live Web site and my post, Games for Windows Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary Like a Rockstar, on the SuperSite Blog.

Part 5: Mobility

Chapter 17: Vista To Go: Windows Vista Mobility Features

No changes.

Chapter 18: Using Tablet PCs and Ultra-Mobile PCs

No changes.

Part 6: The Internet

This section is misnamed as "Internet and Networking." The correct name is "The Internet."

Chapter 19: Browsing the Web

To the future with Internet Explorer 8, page 768. Since writing this chapter, Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, which includes numerous new end-user features. You can find out more about this release in my Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 Review. You can download IE 8 Beta 2 from the Microsoft Web site. Make sure you get the right version for your OS.

Activities, page 768. Microsoft has renamed Activities to Accelerators.

Web Browser Alternatives, page 774. Since the book was written, Google has released the first beta version of its excellent Chrome Web browser. For more information, please see my article, Hands on with Google Chrome Beta.

Apple Safari, page 777. Let me clear on this one: I recommend that Windows users ignore Safari like the plague. The browser isn't safe to use, and it's distributed like spyware. If you're an iTunes or QuickTime user, ensure this product wasn't sneakily installed on your PC too. If it was, remove it.

Chapter 20: Managing E-mail and Contacts

As a general rule, you should never use Windows Mail for any reason. Instead, use Windows Live Mail.

Windows Live Mail: The Next Generation, page 801. Since this chapter was written, Microsoft has released a new beta version of Windows Live Mail that includes, among other things, a calendar module that integrates with Windows Live Calendar on the Web. For more information about this update, please refer to my article, A Look at the Windows Live Wave 3 Applications. You can download this application from the Windows Live Web site.

Chapter 21: Turning It Up a Notch with Microsoft Live Services

As a general note, Microsoft is in the process of significantly updating its Live services as you read this. Stay tuned to my Live Services activity center for more information as it develops.

Windows Live Hotmail (Hotmail) and Windows Live Contacts, page 837. Microsoft is updating the Hotmail user interface yet again as part of its "Wave 3" work. See my post, New Windows Live Hotmail arrives..., on the SuperSite Blog, for a sneak peek.

Windows Live Calendar, page 842. Microsoft has significantly updated Windows Live Calendar since I wrote this chapter. For more information, please see my Windows Live Calendar Wave 3 Screenshot Gallery.

Windows Live Suite, page 846, describes the so-called "Wave 2" release of this product. Microsoft has since shipped a beta version of the Wave 3 Live suite. You can find out more about this suite in my articles, Windows Live Wave 3 Preview and A Look at the Windows Live Wave 3 Applications. To download this newer version, please visit the Windows Live Web site.

Windows Live OneCare, page 851. Microsoft has since updated Windows Live OneCare to version 2.5, though that version doesn't differ demonstrably from the one described in the book.

Live.com, page 853. Microsoft has redesigned its Live Search site. For more information, see my post, Live Search home page redesign, on the SuperSite Blog.

Live Mesh, page 856. While Live Mesh is still in a Tech Preview state, Microsoft has made many improvements to this upcoming platform since the book was published. Key among these is peer-to-peer sync, which I describe in the article, How-To: Live Mesh Peer-to-Peer Folder Sync.

Part 7: Home Office/Power User

Chapter 22: Managing Your Schedule with Windows Calendar

A Quick Look at Windows Live Calendar, page 890. Microsoft has significantly updated Windows Live Calendar since I wrote this chapter. For more information, please see my Windows Live Calendar Wave 3 Screenshot Gallery.

Chapter 23: Keeping Your Data Safe

No changes.

Chapter 24: Automating Windows Vista with Windows PowerShell

No changes.

Chapter 25: Beyond Vista: Managing Multiple PCs

Windows Home Server, page 954. Since writing this chapter, Microsoft has issued a significant update to Windows Home Server called Power Pack 1 (PP1). This update is described in my Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 Review. If you use Windows Home Server, you will receive this update automatically.

Thanks for reading! --Paul

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