Windows Vista Feature Focus

Microsoft's next-generation operating system is a huge, confusing beast, full of new features, new bundled applications, a new look and feel, and updated ways of doing familiar tasks. Yep, it's a major Windows release all right, and the sheer number of new things is sure to confuse even the most technically savvy people out there. For this reason, I've decided to start navigating through all of this new functionality, one feature at a time. For the next several months, I'll step through each new feature in Windows Vista, explain what's new and different, and reveal the good and the bad.

It's not going to happen overnight. After all, there are hundreds of new features in Windows Vista. But you have to start somewhere, right? Below, you can find a preliminary list of Windows Vista features I'll be covering. I plan to update this list as I add new Feature Focus showcases. If you think a particular feature is missing, let me know. If you think I've missed an important point about a feature I've already covered, please let me know. And if you want to see something covered sooner rather than later, do drop me a line. You can reach me at thurrott@windowsitpro.com.

Windows Vista features

This exhaustive list of Windows Vista features is derived from Microsoft documentation and my own extensive experience with pre-release Windows Vista builds, dating back over three years. You won't find a more thorough rundown of Windows Vista features in any book, Web site, instructional CD anywhere.

64-Bit (x64) Support
Anti-Phishing Technologies
Automatic Disk Defragmentation
Backup and Recovery Center
BitLocker Full Drive Encryption
Games Explorer and Windows Games
Instant Search
Internet Explorer 7.0
Internet Information Server
Kernel Patch Protection
Live Taskbar Thumbnails
Network and Sharing Center
Network Projection
Power Management
Previous Versions (Windows ShadowCopy)
Reliability Monitor
Remote Desktop
Setup and Installation Improvements
Subsystem for Unix-Based Applications
Sync Center
Tablet PC Functionality and Touch Screen Support
Themed Slide Shows
User Account Control
Welcome Center
Windows Aero User Interface
Windows Anytime Upgrade
Windows Calendar
Windows Classic User Interface
Windows Defender
Windows DVD Maker
Windows Easy Transfer
Windows Explorer
Windows Fax and Scan
Windows Firewall
Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D
Windows Mail
Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center Extender New!
Windows Media Player 11
Windows Meeting Space
Windows Mobility Center
Windows Movie Maker 6
Windows Photo Gallery
Windows ReadyBoost
Windows ReadyDrive
Windows Security Center
Windows Service Hardening
Windows Sidebar
Windows SideShow
Windows Ultimate Extras
Windows Update and Automatic Updates
Windows Vista Basic User Interface
Windows Vista Standard User Interface
Windows Vista Fonts
XPS and PDF Document Support

--Paul Thurrott
May 2006 - July 2007