New Vista Operating System..... launch !

Here we go again..... As Webmaster, I started right on Windows XP in year 2001 as it was released and also Windows Mobile CE 3.0 (Pocket PC 2002). It all had that 'state of the art' feel and was/is. Here we go again. Windows Vista has been out for months and Windows Mobile is recently as Version 6.0. (Fall, 2007). Just as Windows XP required always checking for the "XP Logo" on softwares and it took the industry adjustment to catch up - it all seems almost that legendary release is now another brand new 'state of the art' feel in Vista. I think as Windows XP diehards - we have run out of excuses ! TIPS: Basic Version is kind of non-intrusive, but if you go mobile (Laptop/Notebook) or are setting up Home Network - you definately want at least Premium Version with all those wizards settings included (like XP users accustomed to) and especially the battery optimization settings in the Vista Home Premium OS (Operating System).

New Vista Empowered Computers, launch..... TIPS: Vista Basic edition is less "microsoft intrusive" so to speak for preferences as they say - but if you have or get a Laptop or Notebook it is mandatory to get Vista Home Premium that includes all the Network Automatic Wizards and battery -vs.- operating system optimization utilization settings neccessary for mobile. These are not included in Basic edition. FIRST after launching and registering your Vista set Windows Updates to Automatic Download and Install. (General recommendations from an Advanced User...follows)    DO NOT listen to anyone who is not at least an Advanced User who say to never use Windows Updates and so on. These are newbies with no clue or cybercriminals or pranksters for bragging rights - see "kiddie scripts".There are about 50 to 60 Windows Updates that are ABSOLUTELY neccessary to get your Vista machine up to speed and compatible with all things. The included free Microsoft Windows Defender antispyware program (great, real time protection shields - 30 to 40 $ (US) value) retrieves its Update Defintions (malware removal signatures) through Windows Updates as well. Windows Updates is your computer lifeline and there are many compatibility issues that are being reconciled as we speak. A major software package Updates/Patch/Fix was just released in December 2007 (posted). Into this second year of Vista and all things should become seemless. This is all typical of a new Windows OS launch.... the private sector software industry tends to drag heels until there are enough sales to justify upgrade costs for one. This occurred with the Windows XP launch in 2001.   DO NOT start insalling everything under the sun and that is not "Vista Ready" without FIRST installing ALL Windows Updates. (There are many compatibility issues which need to be patched and updated). There are other Updates from other softwares or programs like drivers and so forth as well that Microsoft sends out through Windows Updates so that all things run. Without these - your Vista computer will act completely "buggy" and full of errors and other software may not perform as expected. When Windows XP was launched (2001) the industry was quick to upgrade all software and compatibility. With the Vista launch the software industry is dragging heels terribly. It is now January 2008 and Vista has been 'on the streets' for over a year. This should change rapidly into this second year to where you will not even hear these comments further.... Congratulations on your new Vista empowered machine ! We are sure here to help keep it safe ! Enjoy.... TIP:Great additional free Mail Client fom Microsoft:  Windows Live Mail... Do you know Microsoft Outlook Express or Windows Mail? Then you pretty much already know how to use Windows clean Live Mail. The design speeds you through ... http://get.live.com/wlmail/overview  Support the Vista Owner/Users Community and join our Group: (All welcome)...  Vista-Group Yahoo Groups  http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Vista-Group/    Internet Explorer Version 7 (latest greatest) Why you should not use any other outdated Version (IE SP2 example)    Features unique to Windows Vista  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/features.mspx  These features are available only with Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista:  * Protected mode Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista runs in isolation from other applications in the operating system. It restricts exploits and malicious software from writing to any location beyond Temporary Internet Files without explicit user consent. * Parental controls To help keep kids safer online, parents can control browsing behavior through the parental control settings built into Windows Vista. The child's safety level can be monitored and changed remotely. The safety level carries over to many PC activities, such as playing games or browsing the Internet. A child's browsing session can even be examined by a parent afterwards, and cannot be removed without the parent's permission. Put safety first. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx  Robust new Internet Explorer 7 architecture and improved security features help protect you against malicious software, and help to keep your personal data safe from fraudulent websites and online phishing scams. ..   Phishing Filter  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/features.mspx  This filter warns you about and helps to protect you against potential or known fraudulent websites, and blocks the sites if appropriate. This opt-in filter is updated several times per hour using the latest security information from Microsoft and several industry partners. ddress bar protection   Address bar protection  Every window, whether it's a pop-up or standard window, will show you an address bar, helping to block malicious sites from emulating trusted sites. Cross-domain barriers  Internet Explorer 7 helps to prevent the script on webpages from interacting with content from other domains or windows. This enhanced safeguard gives you additional protection against malware by helping to prevent malicious websites from manipulating flaws in other websites or causing you to download undesired content or software.   International Domain Name Anti-spoofing  http://www.microsoft.com/canada/midsizebusiness/businessvalue/local/dm3.mspx  .will notify users when visually similar characters in a URL are not expressed in the same language to help protect users against visiting sites that would otherwise appear as a trustworthy site    Ease of Transition... (Idea Utility) Files from XP to Vista  Belkin MS Vista Transfer Cable http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2590892&cp=2032061.2032365.2032390&parentPage=family Easy file transfer between an XP PC and a Vista PC. A quick and easy way to transfer files from your old Windows XP PC to your new Windows Vista PC. Transfer 30GB of data in one hour. Just connect each end of the 8-foot cable to a free USB port on both computers. The Windows Easy Transfer Wizard appears and lets you select some or all items to transfer. Transfers files in 3 easy steps: install, connect and transfer Transfers 30GB of data in 1 hour, including photos, music, email, user accounts and Windows settings. Ideal solution for copying files to and from your notebook PC to your home or work PC What's in the box ......Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista User Manual, CD with Windows Easy Transfer and Laplink PCsync software You'll also need ...... Pentium processor-based computer (both systems), USB port (both systems): one destination PC running Windows Vista and available USB port, 40MB hard-disk space & CD-ROM drive on PC running Windows XP Laplink System Requirements Required on the computer on which you will install PCsync to synchronize files: CD-ROM, Windows 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, 128MB RAM, 12MB hard-disk space, USB port on PCs      Microsoft Windows XP Support Center http://support.microsoft.com/winxp Windows XP Upgrade Advisor  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx  The Upgrade Advisor is a tool that checks your system hardware and software to see if it is ready for upgrade to Windows XP. If you run Upgrade Advisor while you are connected to the Internet, and if your system needs updates that are available on the Windows Update Web site, Upgrade Advisor will find and install the updates for you. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=42B5AC83-C24F-4863-A389-3FFC194924F8&mg_id=10105&displaylang=en  Brief Description: Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is designed to help Windows XP users identify whether their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista, which edition of Windows Vista meets their needs, and which features of Windows Vista will be able to run on their PCs.     WPA WIRELESS....  Windows XP: Improve the security of your wireless home network WPA-PSK (also known as WPA-Personal). A more secure alternative to WEP, but because it is newer, it is not as widely supported. Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 supports WPA ... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/wireless.mspx Download details: Windows XP Support Patch for Wi-Fi Protected Access ... WPA is intended to replace the existing Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) standard, offering much more robust methods of encryption and authentication and resulting in a new level of ... http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=009D8425-CE2B-47A4-ABEC-274845DC9E91&displaylang=en Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) support for Wireless Network (IEEE 802.11 ... Provides a hotfix that lets you apply wireless network policy settings to a domain or an organizational unit. You can also use this new feature to define preferred wireless ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811233 Expert Zone Support Webcast: How to set up WPA-based wireless security ... Thursday, April 21, 2005: 10:00 AM Pacific time: Explains how to secure a wireless network using new security standards. Explains how to set up WPA-based wireless security and ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/895616 Download details: Update for Microsoft Windows XP: KB826942 This update provides support for Wireless Protected Access, a new standards-based wireless security solution developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. ... This update provides support for ... http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5039EF4A-61E0-4C44-94F0-C25C9DE0ACE9&displaylang=en   Wireless LAN Technologies and Microsoft Windows For example, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) supports configuration options for the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security standard. However, if the wireless network adapter ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/wifi/wrlsxp.mspx The Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)/Wireless Provisioning Services ... The update supports the additional mandatory security features of the IEEE 802.11i standard that are not already included for products that support WPA. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357 WPA Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is an implementation that is based on a subset of the IEEE 802.11i standard. WPA, when used with the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol and the Michael ... http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms886626.aspx Implement WPA2-Personal wireless security on a Windows XP SP2-based ... Like WPA, WPA2 relies on Pre-Shared Key (PSK) to provide encryption. For more information about WPA and wireless security in general, see my earlier column, How to secure your ... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/expert/bowman_wirelesssecurity.mspx You cannot connect to a wireless access point with the Wi-Fi Protected ... After you install the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) update (815485) on a Windows XP-based computer, your wireless network adapter may not be able to connect to your wireless access ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821442 Configuring Windows XP IEEE 802.11 Wireless Networks for the Home and ... WPA Encryption. IEEE 802.11i is a new standard that specifies improvements to wireless LAN networking security. The 802.11i standard addresses many of the security issues of the ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/wifi/wifisoho.mspx Set up a secure wireless network using Windows Connect Now WPA-Personal/PSK provides a more secure encryption solution. D-Link's WCN devices are all WPA-Personal capable. To specify the SSID and encryption.... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/bowman_05june13.mspx Using a Wireless Laptop at Work and at Home Also set your WEP or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA ) encryption for the network at this time. For an excellent article on setting up WPA on a home network, see Barb Bowman's WPA ... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/tabletpc/expert/russell_tabletlaptop.mspx Wireless LAN Support in Windows: Frequently Asked Questions The new WPA settings will be read and configured for wireless clients running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 , Windows XP with Service Pack 1 and the Wireless Update Rollup Package ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/wifi/wififaq.mspx WPA Authentication The following topics define the requirements for supporting Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) on an 802.11 device: Driver Requirements for WPA. Describes what the 802.11 miniport ... http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa504154.aspx Appendix D: WPA Support The Securing Wireless LANS with Certificate Services solution is by design compatible with Wi – Fi Protected Access (WPA) security for wireless LANs (WLANs). WPA compatibility ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/windowsserver2003/pkiwire/AP04.mspx?mfr=true Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Overview: The Cable Guy, March 2003 Let the Cable Guy guide you through an overview of Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) ... For a list and additional information on all The Cable Guy columns, click here. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb877996.aspx Choosing a Strategy for Wireless LAN Security Wi–Fi Protected Access (WPA) Pre–shared Key (PSK) for very small businesses and home offices. • Password–based WLAN security for organizations that do not use and do not need ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/cryptographyetc/peap_int.mspx Microsoft Security Advisory (917021): Description of the Wi-Fi ... Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is an interim standard adopted by the Wi-Fi Alliance to provide more secure encryption and data integrity while the IEEE 802.11i standard was being ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/917021.mspx Planning a Wireless LAN Security Implementation ... focused on the use of strong authentication to the WLAN using 802.1X and encrypting the network traffic using dynamic Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or WiFi Protected Access (WPA) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/cryptographyetc/peap_2.mspx Download details: Secure Wireless Access Point Configuration Receive guidance about configuring wireless access points to support Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) and configuring the required supporting network infrastructure. ... Receive ... http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=27390BD4-D920-43AF-98A1-0F53FBB90A02&displaylang=en Secure Wireless Access Point Configuration Receive guidance on configuring wireless application protocols (WAPs) to support wi-fi protected access (WPA) and configuring the required supporting network infrastructure. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/midsizebusiness/topics/serversecurity/wirelessaccessconfig.mspx How to troubleshoot wireless network connections in Windows XP Service ... Options here include Open , Shared , WPA , and WPA-PSK . If you are using WPA , no additional configuration is required. If you are using WPA-PSK , an 8- to 63-character password is ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870702 Using Wi-Fi safely: encryption and other tips Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): like burglarizing a house with a good alarm system. WPA offers a more robust encryption scheme that uses a system called Temporal Key Integrity ... http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/broadband_mobility/using_wi_fi_safely_encryption_and_other_tips.mspx Overview of Securing Wireless LANs with PEAP and Passwords Using WPA in the Solution. Appendix C: Supported OS Versions. Appendix D: Scripts and Support Files. Support. More information about support for the Microsoft products in this solution ... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/cryptographyetc/peap_0.mspx Hooking up with Wi-Fi: 6 things to know 802.11g, however, employs a newer encryption standard, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), which isn't perfect but is considered to be much more secure than WEP. http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/technology/broadband_mobility/hooking_up_with_wifi_6_things_to_know.mspx Windows XP Update Bolsters Security of Both Private and Public Wi-Fi ... Building on the protections of the earlier Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) specification, the new Wi-Fi Alliance standard offers the advanced data encryption mandated by the Federal ... http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/may05/05-12WPA2UpdatesPR.mspx Microsoft Product Information Center: Microsoft® Broadband Networking ... Automatic WPA/WEP security . Get automatic Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protection and Wi-Fi Protected Access™ (WPA), the most sophisticated standard in wireless security. http://www.microsoft.com/products/info/product.aspx?view=22&pcid=13194ee9-f7e7-4785-9cbf-f5ed24e8eff4&type=ovr Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 Data Encryption and Integrity: The Cable Guy ... Like WPA and the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), AES CCMP uses a set of temporal keys that are derived from a master key and other values.... http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878096.aspx Smart Display Setup Is Incompatible with Wi-Fi Protected Access Update After you install the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Protected Access (WPA) update on a Microsoft Windows XP Professional-based computer, and then you run the Smart Display Setup ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821486 You cannot connect to a wireless network on a Windows Vista-based ... You use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) together with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption to access wireless networks. • A computer certificate is configured correctly on ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935222 Planning for Secure Wireless Services WiFi Protected Access (WPA) High. Easy to deploy. More secure than WEP. WPA is a newer standard and not as broadly adopted. Updates required to Microsoft Windows XP to support WPA.... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/solutionaccelerators/smbiz/sitsol/DsgnNwrk_11.mspx?mfr=true Configuring the Wireless LAN Clients For instructions on how to configure Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) data protection and key management, see Appendix B, "Using WPA in the Solution. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/guidance/cryptographyetc/peap_6.mspx Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) Overview: The Cable Guy - May 2005 Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is an interim standard adopted by the Wi-Fi Alliance to provide more secure encryption and data integrity while the IEEE 802.11i standard was being .. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878054.aspx Wireless LAN Enhancements in Windows XP Service Pack 2 - The Cable Guy ... Built-in support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Originally provided for Windows XP as a free download (the WPA Wireless Security Update in Windows XP ), Windows XP SP2 includes WPA ... http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb878093.aspx Small Business Computer Security Checklist: Wireless Networks Turn on encryption: Turn on and use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption to prevent eavesdropping. There are several encryption technologies used on wireless networks; if your ... http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/support/articles/step_8_safeguard_wireless_networks.mspx Planning Guide — Deciding On a Secure Wireless Networking Strategy ... Wi–Fi Protected Access (WPA) Pre-shared Key (PSK) for very small businesses and home offices. • Password-based WLAN security for organizations that do not want to use certificates http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/windowsserver2003/pkiwire/PGCH02.mspx?mfr=true     VISTA SECURITY INFORMATION..... USER ACCOUNT CONTROL FEATURE - USE IT ! ! !  Comments and Links Vista Bashing ? READ this NOW ! June 11, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/vista-bashing-read-this-now/ You No Doubt by Now heard of 'Vista bashing'.... However, there is a much more serious problem over the new security features of Vista you NEED to know about if you have been listening to persons telling you to turn off that "annoying thang, you know - User Account Control" pop up..... Do your self a BIG favor and read through the following, since you may have already listened to the other newbies, idiots, pranksters, cyber criminals, wannabee Intermediate Users meaning well and knowing less, and on and on .... telling you or directing you to software to turn off UAC: Vista User Account Control (UAC) Information links ..... User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista extends new privileges to standard users while upholding robust protections against online threats http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/user-account-control.aspx What is User Account Control? http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/0eeb9ddd-ddaa-4cc5-a092-9908305665471033.mspx User Account Control Overview http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/9812d370-e66a-451a-80c9-f028d402d4281033.mspx How to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922708 User Account Control http://www.microsoft.com/singapore/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/useraccountcontrol.mspx First Look: New Security Features in Windows Vista http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc160980.aspx First Look: New Security Features in Windows Vista User Account Control http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc160980.aspx Explore the features: Windows Security Center You can restore User Account Control to the recommended settings with the click of a button. Ready to set up your computer? This paper offers specific guidelines for securing your PC ... http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/security-center.aspx Description of User Account Control and remote restrictions in Windows Vista http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951016 Why you should not use a tweak UAC software utility SEE:  Vista User Account Control gets perfect score -rootkits -use disabling tweaks? http://bluecollarpc.net/smf/index.php/topic,826.0.html Silent Mode tweak....?    Simple. Number one the software utility is not a Microsoft Windows product which is what these "hacker" utilities will be making changes to - YOUR Windows Operating System. Just because they can create software (anyone can) does not mean it is safe and secure and will not corrupt Windows in some manner.   Consider the following rather then these type "tweaks" .... (Turns off or modifies UAC)    You may want to consider this article information (below) before 'hacking' the Windows system .... a Windows Vista empowered computer is too pretty to "deface":   Techworld.com - Vista's UAC spots rootkits, tests find http://www.techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?newsid=101583    Do you know what a rootkit is ? (Certainly one of the most dangerous malware threats aside from a 'blended threat' attack). Do you know what notifications you are turning off ? Are they malware alerts you should attend for a stable and secure system ?   An easy way to wade through this is simply if you have ever had a personal firewall installed that is quality and a tad "agressive" and you get the several alerts. You go through them one by one and off to the search engine to see if the process is part of Windows or trusted software to give permission to.   What you may turn off with some hacker tweak is an actual alert to malware much as the same as turning off firewall protection to a port malware is communicating through - or allowing malware by clicking "OK" to allow it internet access and defeating the purpose of the security software (antivirus, antispyware, firewall).   I would investigate with extreme prejudice before proceeding in changes not recommended  in today's crimeware enviroment - see the following:   MORE: More Vista hacks NOT Recommended ! (Disable All Balloon Notifications) June 18, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/more-vista-hacks-not-recommended-disable-all-balloon-notifications/ Warning: Why you should not use a ‘tweaking UAC’ software utility June 15, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/15/warning-why-you-should-not-use-a-tweaking-uac-software-utility/ Is Limited User Account enough? Not really... http://www.prevx.com/blog/83/Is-Limited-User-Account-enough-Not-really.html Security: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc138019.aspx  User Account Control, or UAC, is one of the most misunderstood new features in Windows Vista. But its goal-to enable users to run with standard user rights-can solve many security issues. Get an inside look at the problems UAC is designed to address and see exactly how this new feature works. .... Okay and briefly.... HERE IS THE ONE OF THE IRREPARABLE TWEAKING DAMAGES TO YOUR Vista Operating System Windows Registry using a software utility to do this for you. You install one of these and click Disable UAC. This changes the Registry entries for UAC in the Registry. Now you decide somewhere down the line -and most likely after learning more about PC security - decide you want to turn on UAC. So you have uninstalled the software (and uh-oh if you cheated and used a trialware with no intent to buy and can't reinstall it) and reboot and suddenly you are going to the Control Panel to get to User Settings to turn on UAC and it no longer will work. It is PERMANENTLY DISABLED because of the registry changes made by it. Now what ? A little about the Registry changes. This is simple when you read up. One of the simplest ways to learn about this is the browser settings when you choose to add a website to "Trusted Sites" or "Restricted Sites". In programming, this area has like about the four settings for this feature in sort of a linear (straight across) binary (Base 2 mathematics) and like in the registry key it is like 000000 and 000001 and 000002 and 0000003 and so on. Just for example, if you add a site to Restricted Sites it changes from 000000 to 000004 which in turn when you visit that website the browser is blocked as wished. (This is in no way the actual example but close to the actual real keys and settings. Go to Microsoft.com to see). So the utility, for sake of argument, changes UAC from 000000 to 000004 at that key - disabling UAC. You uninstalled the utility and unless you know the proper key (that would be the 000000 and key in full) to write into the Registry there is no way it will ever work again. Disaster. In real world, it probably may be as easy as reinstalling the utility and then check Enable UAC again. Maybe, and if that "feature" is included - to Enable and Disable. Clicking "Enable UAC" is simply going to write the proper (original) key back into the Registry that would be the 000000 for sake of simple example. The article's author even goes so far as to suggest this - changing the Windows Registry to do this manually yourself. It would be at the Microsoft.com website in detail with the real keys in case someone got stuck with this and see: http://www.bluecollarpc.net/registry.html for some easy tutorial help with this area. So like the question is - has this idiot ever heard of a firewall ? Ever heard of malware attempting entries and links through Windows System32 ? A personal firewall in a PC is doing a lot like the UAC does. It is continually monitoring any type of activity with the Windows system and softwares installed, and why ? Because the User has chosen to install security software in their PC - they want protection idiot. The system32 (DLL Dynamic Link Library) of the Windows OS (Operating System) is a major area of concern against malwares You may have heard of all the furor over Active X which are registry keys and some are made by malwares. But System32 is monitored by all security softwares as a sort of great crossroads of the entire system and softwares installed. This includes firewalls, antivirus and antispyware software programs. Virtually all legitimate softwares operate through Windows system32 and many, many malwares in both the virus and spyware category threats. When there is suspicious activity - the security softwares alert the User for action. And here is the debacle. Most users are aggravated over firewalls continual prompts when monitoring and click the "Allow" the known software without the prompts and more or less are kicking protection over to the antivirus and antispyware to block or pick up threats - but in reality are circumventing firewall protection. A great old freeware firewall was Sygate that really was good in the system32 area monitoring. It is kind of like "watching the submarine races" - all of the various system activities occurring and prompts to allow occurring with the firewall actually open on the desktop. It had a no frills technical looking interface type background and processes running were very easily visual. I would switch between firewalls and use Sygate temporarily if I suspected one of my software programs were infected - simply monitoring activities in Sygate when opening the program and performing some functions with it. So trying to stay brief..... the UAC is kind of a lot like the firewall scenario above. If you don't know why it prompts for a software or process permission - it is because it is like asking you "did you initiate a task with this process or software ? No ? Then it may be a malware that is attempting to run through this item in a covert and even dangerous manner to the operating system or personal data (files, documents user created)" -- THAT is User Account Control (UAC). THAT is what idiots are telling you to disable. But it goes further to understand this - and in a very familiar easy way. For XP Users and for new to computers Vista Users - in the Windows XP OS (Operating System) when launching the new computer - whoever was going to be the "boss" of it then set themselves up as the like the "primary user" which is called "Administrator". In the User Settings (Control Panel) the first User was traditionally set up as the Administrator which has all access to everything in the system and settings. In fact you had to do this to install software down the line. The secondary new User Accounts could be set up as having limited access to the system and softwares - but could basically compute common activities including browsing the internet and downloading and sending email and so on. Of course most softwares would add options of "Just Me (as current administrator user) " or could choose "All Users" on this computer - which was the common choice for like antivirus and antispyware programs allowing limited actions to react to a threat discovered or attempting to install. The above User Accounts settings is how to picture the new Vista User Account Control (UAC). Because practically all malware needs Administrator privileges, the UAC is kind of like the primary account user for us. It is kind of running everything as the secondary limited user account so that malwares cannot gain access to the computer system and softwares. For various reasons processes or softwares need the Administrator Privileges to complete or perform a task. Shotzie ! That is your User Account Control prompt for User Permission. In the comparison with the firewall protection scenario (monitoring internet interaction with a software as well like checking for updates by a antivirus program for example) - in this comparison to basically visualize what is occurring with the computer, UAC is sort of like a firewall and stops things when a process or software suddenly needs Administrator Privileges to complete or perform a task. Because this can easily be a malware attempting dangerous actions with even known Windows processes (see same name threats here http://www.bluecollarpc.org/_mgxroot/page_10736.html  ) and legitimate softwares is the reason for Vista being created altogether with this new security feature - the UAC User Account Control.   If that is annoying, just visit all the malware horror stories around or even ask a friend - and as well remind yourself of those sneaks taking advantage of security lapses by the User if you are a bit of a veteran. Back then it was suggested to do actually what Vista does now.... it was suggested because malware generally needs Administrator Privileges that Windows Users do their general sessions as a secondary user account without Administrator Privileges. But that even was too, too inconvenient for all the softwares involved in many activities a normal user performs in a session involving logging off the limited user and login back into the Administrator account user. And again here is where all the software has had all the "compatibility" problems with Vista in the beginning year and so ongoing. Microsoft has put it to the software community to change for the sake of everything - security, common sense, and even the existence of the internet further - period. Too much, or the vast majority of software programs created use Administrator privileges when it is not necessary and are and have invited disaster with malware - the barn door closed after the horse has gone. See this article that really goes over this in a simple understanding: "Is Limited User Account enough? No… Try Protected Mode ? UAC User Account Control ?" http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/is-limited-user-account-enough-no-try-protected-mode-uac-user-account-control/   BUT IT GOES FURTHER about Vista UAC with this phenomenal information published - UAC actually detects malware rootkits, one of the worst known threats to computers aside the actual intentional damage intended by a virus or worm: "Vista's UAC spots rootkits, tests find" http://bluecollarpc.net/smf/index.php/topic,378.0.html ...."...The best of the all-purpose suites was Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite, which found 29 active rootkits, with Norton finding as few as 18. The anti-rootkit tools fared better, with AVG Anti-Rootkit Free, GMER, Rootkit Unhooker LE, and Trend Micro Rootkit Buster achieving perfect scores. The scores for removal were patchy, however, with all failing to remove any of the rootkits they had found. The results for Vista products were harder to access because only six rootkits could run on the OS, but the testers had to turn off UAC to get even this far. Vista's UAC itself spotted everything thrown in front of it....." So the bottom line is Vista UAC matches the only product in the security industry to get a perfect score detecting rootkits which are one of the top threats known to computers.    Again, a User asked in reply to these ..... You asked... <<<<Is UAC really protecting your computer? >>> ANSWER.... Did you read what you are replying to ? Read this: Vista's User Account Control (UAC) spots rootkits, tests find http://bluecollarpc.net/smf/index.php/topic,378.0.html Did you just read that ? Did you understand what was said - did you read between the lines ? Do you know what a rootkit is ? Are you aware  that it is a top threat to ALL computer systems ? If you missed - and exactly speaking of antivirus and antispyware protection as you mention - Trend Micro Internet 2008 security suite is the ONLY one with a perfect score in this season's lab tests and awards. THIS is what UAC MATCHED in rootkit detection - PERFECT SCORES ! Did you understand that ? Again, Vista UAC User Account Control scored perfect along side the world wide security industry's top software in the worldwide security industry's top testing and awards - the professional and now independent lab tests and results. And you asked does UAC really protect the system..... now I would ask, "What did you miss?" Yes it does !!! I can assume in your post that we are somewhere in the same ballpark in PC security as far as apparently we both are believers in security shareware softwares are the solution. So for consumers in the know using the products (antivirus and antispyware, firewalls and other utilities and so on) - here is our Windows Operating System for the first time actually exceeding these in rootkit detection. In the very least, Vista UAC acts the same as having installed the best known anti-rootkit software known. Again, this was just the one part of the whole scenario of the content and a most important part  - UAC detects rootkits that  most security softwares do not. This is proven scientific fact or "imperical data" , I believe is the term and the results of all that testing by the experts as all known world knowledge. Vista User Account Control is a centerpiece of the Vista security innovations for world computers. As they say in the security areas - it is a major "layer" of security - layers meaning traditionally the several softwares and security settings employed as layers of protection against malware and here, actually, not a security software to install for protection of the system, but is actually part of the system. The vista-bashing environment will never tell you about these things and even attempt to say it is all lies even. Why ? Medically perhaps we - are - talking sociopaths and psychotics perhaps, who knows ? I mean with "imperical data" like that (and that is some of their hackers lounge favorite words) - with "imperical data" like that, who among them is able to credibly and sanely deny it ? The "bi-polar" phenomenon comes to mind as not diagnosed yet. Possible ? You bet. One of Webroot's Spysweeper inventors had just committed suicide tragically this year in Hawaii - and it was after bi-polar was diagnosed there. That's an opposite - a believer - who suffered these type mental ills. You wrote <<<"Software such as Microsoft Defender and Forefront, Kaspersky, BitDefender, ZoneAlarm protect your computer.  The problem with UAC...">>>> No, they did not - and content was posted, meaning the testings, and whereas Trend Micro beat like the top 28 world products that failed. This was the whole one magic moment in computer security with the Trend Micro Internet 2008 suite testing results. For one magic moment as a snapshot in time - here was a typical seasonal testing by the world security industry independent labs. Trend beat all with perfect scores. Trend Micro beat the most aggressive known antivirus - Kaspersky - that put Symantec Norton to shame several times for several years. This includes antispyware (suite is all three) and Trend Micro is like Webroot in that they added rootkit scanners to their antispyware product - free as an additional utility that is paid for as shareware by other products. And my comments are not to "push" Trend Micro. My point is that for this one snapshot in time we as consumers have a reality in front of us. The reality that the world is full of crimeware (malware - virus, worm, trojan, spyware, rootkit, all) and the reality that one defense product faced them all and passed as 100 percent protection. That is what I am pushing - that here is reality beyond all words as actual fact that there is a product that protected against everything known to everyone in the world. THAT is what Vista User Account Control (UAC) equaled - 100 PERCENT. THAT is what is incredible about Vista UAC among all its other features. So in the very least to the worst skeptic the resounding answer is "Yes" UAC protects the system and again in the very least adds that extra layer of protection against rootkits as in the very least for the worst skeptic is worth activating and using like installing a rootkit detector software program. UAC not only works - it has been tested and is the WORLD'S BEST ! And all the rest with the exceptionof Trend Micro DID NOT ! I think the answer to your question is very clear and I will add some may say "Well, your whole premise is based on installing a quality rootkit detector - what do we need UAC for as an extra layer since it is so annoying". And I say to that you did not listen to the experts ..... did you not read this - "The results for Vista products were harder to access because only six rootkits could run on the OS, but the testers had to turn off UAC to get even this far. Vista's UAC itself spotted everything thrown in front of it....." ? ? ? Are you NOT seeing what was just said ? It is not just UAC that is being praised here as defense against rootkits - the experts of the world are talking about Vista itself. Again they said of all known threats ..... they could only get 6 (of all known rootkits and simulations) to even install on Vista - AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET A ROOTKIT ON THE VISTA OPERATING SYSTEM WAS TO TURN OFF USER ACCOUNT CONTROL (UAC)..... I appreciate everything you said and my reply is that your question should be reworded to "Does Vista protect us" which you do not need to do because that was just answered. In other words ROOTKITS ARE NOT ABLE TO RUN ON VISTA..... again rootkits are not able to run on Vista. WHAT did you miss - do you see the point ? PS.... NOW DO YOU GET WHY I POSTED AT MY SITES TO NEVER - NEVER - NEVER INSTALL ANY TWEAKWARE TO TURN OFF VISTA UAC ? ? ? IF YOU DO YOU JUST OPENED THE DOOR TO THE CYBER CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD ...... ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE IN SECURITY ? ? ? THEN CONSIDER THIS YOUR FIRST LESSON IN VISTA SECURITY and you're welcome .... it was free. All the best and let's work together to KEEP the public educated about safe, stable, and SECURE Vista empowered computers worldwide. The community thanks you.

Vista: December 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update   December 2007 Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943302  View products that this article applies to. ID : 943302 Last Review : January 11, 2008 Revision : 2.0 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943302  SEE: Windows Vista AppReadiness Beta   (Online Search Engine) Note this is community input by users ! Application Search Browse by Company A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z (Browse by Application) http://www.appreadiness.com/default.aspx        Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) for Windows Vista (excerpt) http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ProgramInfo.aspx?displaylang=en&tab=Vista  Windows Vista has built in anti-piracy technology that enables Microsoft to combat piracy more effectively. This new technology is a part of the Windows Genuine Advantage program. It changes how Windows Vista activates, validates, and behaves when attempts are made to tamper with the activation or validation requirements of the operating system. This helps to make piracy harder and provides a better experience for customers running genuine Windows. Using genuine Windows Vista helps customers enjoy the full functionality of Windows while helping to avoid viruses, tampered files, and other malicious software often associated with counterfeit copies. Windows product activation and validation are the experiences customers see when using WGA....... MORE MORE: WGA - Wikipedia (excerpt) On Windows Vista, WGA validation failure has a greater impact. In addition to persistent notification and the disabling of non-critical updates, WGA also disables Windows Aero, Windows Defender, and ReadyBoost. The user is given a grace period in which to then pass validation, after which most of the operating system is disabled and Windows reverts to reduced functionality mode, which will be removed in Service Pack 1 of Windows Vista. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Genuine_Advantage    Windows Help and How-to: Windows Vista: Setup and maintenance (Microsoft) http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/maintenance.mspx Microsoft: New PC ? Tools, Products, and Tips...  Getting started with a new PC? Use these articles and communities to help you get going and be more productive right away.... ) at Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/yournewpc.mspx Microsoft: Windows Vista Home Premium, Help and How-to  http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/help/a89698a2-dede-44ec-b4a6-e93ef2860c461033.mspx  Microsoft: 5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online  http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx   VISTA WIRELESS HOME NETWORKS (WLAN) ..... WI-FI SECURITY AND SET-UP.... Small Business Basically for security, you may want to read this typical security article about WEP encryption (BELOW) .... it has been hacked and you will want to upgrade in all areas to newer WPA encryption and not log onto Networks putting you at risk with much older and outdated WEP encryption. This applies to all Wireless Netoworks, whether a Home Network with Routers or Public Wi-Fi Access or other Municipal City Wide Wi-Fi Services. NOTE that Windows Mobile 2003 began with WPA as default and there were certain older Models that were not elegible for the Windows Mobile 2003 and thus stuck with WEP encryption as worthless. Today,  there is a wireless explosion with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well and through many devices and scenarios. Because of the explosion as well by crimewares and cyber crime persons (adware, spyware, botnets, malwares) involving Identity Theft and related Cyber Crimes - the average user is well advised to become security educated on any Device able to access the World Web or the Wireless Internet or Wireless Connections of any kind. Cafe Latte attack steals data from Wi-Fi PCs (WEP encryption) October 19th, 2007 Cafe Latte attack steals data from Wi-Fi PCs “With the discovery of our attack, every employee of an organization is the target of an attack.” Security researcher uncovers technique that exploits holes in WEP encryption to log onto supposedly secure wireless networks If you use a secure wireless network, hackers may be able to steal data from your … via Infoworld http://www.topix.net/tech/computer-security/2007/10/cafe-latte-attack-steals-data-from-wi-fi-pcs  Posted in SpyLerts | 1 Comment » http://bluecollarpc.net/wordpress/index.php?paged=2  VISTA WIRELESS Windows Vista Help: What are the different wireless network security ... This is referred to as WPA-Enterprise or WPA2-Enterprise . It can also be used in a pre-shared key (PSK) mode, where every user is given the same passphrase http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/b385cc8a-af25-489e-a82e-decf6df26b681033.mspx Windows Vista Partners: D-Link Systems Support for WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security standards help ensure that you will be able to use the best possible encryption—regardless of your other wireless devices. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/partners/dlink.mspx Windows Vista Help: Choosing a network location For wireless networks, a wireless connection encrypted with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). (For WPA, WPA2 is preferred. http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/6ddfa83c-01c8-441e-b041-1fd912c3fe601033.mspx Windows Vista Help: Enable 802.1X authentication On wireless networks, 802.1X can be used with Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption. 5. In the Choose a network ... http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/d4a8a69a-f885-4766-a991-446031bc32881033.mspx Windows Vista Help: Ad hoc networking Security type. For your computer’s security, choose WPA-2 Personal. (We don't recommend using WEP. WPA-2 is more secure. If you try WPA-2 and it doesn’t work, we recommend that ... http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/help/0e158c21-4c70-4235-879d-0c9133218e561033.mspx Windows Vista Help: Setting up a wireless network We recommend that you use WPA because it offers better security than the traditional Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security. With WPA you can also use a passphrase , so you don’t ... http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/help/297fa2dc-b20b-4327-b673-707a968c86801033.mspx#EK   WPA Wireless Security for Home Networks Explains how to use Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), a new wireless security specification, to secure your home network. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/bowman_03july28.mspx    Vista Links Windows Help and How-to: Windows Vista: Setup and maintenance (Microsoft)   Application Search Browse by Company Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0   Brief Description: Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is designed to help Windows XP users identify whether their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista, which edition of Windows Vista meets their needs, and which features of Windows Vista will be able to run on their PCs Vista - Windows Remote Assistance: frequently asked questions   Applies to all editions of Windows Vista. Allow trusted friend/family to access your pc for help, malware removals etc. What is Windows Remote Assistance?   How does Windows Remote Assistance work?   Help someone with a computer problem using Windows Remote Assistance   Protected Mode in Vista IE7   First Look: New Security Features in Windows Vista   Mandatory Integrity Control in Windows Vista   Introduction to Windows Integrity Control   Vista's UAC spots rootkits, tests find   How do you perform a System Restore in Vista   System Restore - trouble with locating this ? • Open System Restore by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking System Restore. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Note the UAC (User Account Control) will prompt for Permission to continue unless you have turned that off (not recommended, allows malware past this at least minimal safeguard which may or may not get circumvented by malware at some later date). Windows Vista Help: Turn System Restore on or off   Windows Vista Help: What is System Restore?   Windows Backup and Restore Center   Windows Vista Help: System Restore: frequently asked questions Windows Speech Recognition (Vista)   Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista empowers users to interact with their computers by voice. It was designed for people who want to significantly limit their use of the mouse and keyboard while maintaining or increasing their overall productivity. You can dictate documents and emails in mainstream applications, use voice commands to start and switch between applications, control the operating system, and even fill out forms on the Web... Extended Validation Certificates—FAQ   Do I need to have the Phishing Filter enabled in order for EV Certificates to work? The new EV SSL certificates require an active revocation mechanism to be in place. For Windows Vista users, such a mechanism exists in the integrated OCSP client. For Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, the best option is to have the Phishing Filter enabled. If you are using Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 and do not have an active revocation mechanism, EV SSL certificates will display as traditional SSL certificates. What browsers support EV certificates?   What browsers support EV certificates? Today, only Internet Explorer 7 supports EV certificates. All current and recent versions of Internet Explorer will treat Extended Validation SSL certificates the same way they would existing SSL certificates. New browsers developed by members of the CA Browser Forum may contain the functionality to visually represent the certificate contents of Extended Validation SSL certificates without requiring the user to click on the padlock to see the information. For example, Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 changes the browser address bar "green" to represent that a site has been secured with an Extended Validation SSL certificate. In addition, a box next to the URL bar will show the padlock as well as text showing the name of the organization that has had its identity assured as well as the locality in which the organization is based and the name of the issuing CA. What are Extended Validation certificates?   Article: Vista compatibilities, Microsoft New Virtualization App...   Microsoft to alleviate Vista compatibilities with new desktop virualization softwareTECH.BLORGE.com - Sydney,Australia READ FULL ARTICLE: Vista has problems being compatible with older software and drivers but Microsoft may have a new weapon in its arsenal to combat that. ...http://vista.blorge.com/2008/06/15/microsoft-to-alleviate-vista-compatibilities-with-new-desktop-virtualization-software/  REFERENCES:Ease of Transition... (Idea Utility) Files from XP to Vista  Belkin MS Vista Transfer Cable  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2590892&cp=2032061.2032365.2032390&parentPage=family  (Check all compatibility issues first for the two different Operating Systems, or in other words because it works on XP does not mean it will on Vista) SEE : Microsoft.Com - Windows Easy Transfer  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx  Windows Easy Transfer helps you to easily move the files and settings stored on your PC running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or even Windows Vista to a new PC running Windows Vista.... Vista's Complete PC Backup and Restore utility   How to use Vista's Complete PC Backup and Restore utility  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial145.html  Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise come with a more advanced backup and restore utility called Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore. This program allows you to create an entire backup of your computer that can be used to restore your computer in the case of system-wide failure. Unlike the standard backup and restore feature that comes with all the versions of Windows Vista, Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore allows you to not only restore your data but also the complete operating system and other critical system files... Why you should not use a ‘tweaking UAC’ software utility   Warning: Why you should not use a ‘tweaking UAC’ software utility June 15, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/15/warning-why-you-should-not-use-a-tweaking-uac-software-utility/ More Vista hacks NOT Recommended !   More Vista hacks NOT Recommended ! (Disable All Balloon Notifications) June 18, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/more-vista-hacks-not-recommended-disable-all-balloon-notifications/  Is Limited User Account enough? Not really...   Security: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control   Security: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc138019.aspx User Account Control, or UAC, is one of the most misunderstood new features in Windows Vista. But its goal-to enable users to run with standard user rights-can solve many security issues. Get an inside look at the problems UAC is designed to address and see exactly how this new feature works. .... Microsoft: Tips for finding files in Windows Vista      Another Vista Security Tip   ANOTHER VISTA SECURITY TIP: What browsers support EV certificates? http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/ev/faq.mspx Windows Vista: the definitive review   Data Execution Prevention: frequently asked questions   RELATED BREACH WARNING: User Writes: AD.YIELDMANAGER.COM and AD.DOUBLECLICK.NET - Help! http://bluecollarpc.net/smf/index.php/topic,552.0.htmlData Execution Prevention: frequently asked questions (Applies to all editions of Windows Vista) http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/186de3d0-01af-4d4c-981d-674637d2f4bf1033.mspxMicrosoft: Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature in Windows XP Service A detailed description of the Data Execution Prevention (DEP ... Describes the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) feature in Windows XP Service ... In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Microsoft Windows XP Tablet ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352A most interesting part here is about Windows Virtual Memory whereby malware (virus, worm) will consume vast amounts of memory and as CPU usage which is one reason evrything will freeze up. Apparently this is in check with DEP - in the least from consuming entire disks.  See.... "Processor architecture determines how DEP is implemented in hardware and how DEP marks the virtual memory page. However, processors that support hardware-enforced DEP can raise an exception when code is executed from a page that is marked with the appropriate attribute set." Windows Vista: the definitive review   Vista - Windows Remote Assistance: frequently asked questions   Applies to all editions of Windows Vista. Allow trusted friend/family to access your pc for help, malware removals etc. What is Windows Remote Assistance?   How does Windows Remote Assistance work?   Help someone with a computer problem using Windows Remote Assistance   How do you perform a System Restore in Vista   System Restore - trouble with locating this ? • Open System Restore by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking System Restore. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Note the UAC (User Account Control) will prompt for Permission to continue unless you have turned that off (not recommended, allows malware past this at least minimal safeguard which may or may not get circumvented by malware at some later date). Windows Vista Help: Turn System Restore on or off   Windows Vista Help: What is System Restore?   Windows Backup and Restore Center   Windows Vista Help: System Restore: frequently asked questions   Vista's Complete PC Backup and Restore utility   How to use Vista's Complete PC Backup and Restore utility  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial145.html  Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise come with a more advanced backup and restore utility called Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore. This program allows you to create an entire backup of your computer that can be used to restore your computer in the case of system-wide failure. Unlike the standard backup and restore feature that comes with all the versions of Windows Vista, Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore allows you to not only restore your data but also the complete operating system and other critical system files... Windows Speech Recognition (Vista)   Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista empowers users to interact with their computers by voice. It was designed for people who want to significantly limit their use of the mouse and keyboard while maintaining or increasing their overall productivity. You can dictate documents and emails in mainstream applications, use voice commands to start and switch between applications, control the operating system, and even fill out forms on the Web... Microsoft: Tips for finding files in Windows Vista   Article: Vista compatibilities, Microsoft New Virtualization App...   Microsoft to alleviate Vista compatibilities with new desktop virualization softwareTECH.BLORGE.com - Sydney,Australia READ FULL ARTICLE: Vista has problems being compatible with older software and drivers but Microsoft may have a new weapon in its arsenal to combat that. ...http://vista.blorge.com/2008/06/15/microsoft-to-alleviate-vista-compatibilities-with-new-desktop-virtualization-software/  REFERENCES:Ease of Transition... (Idea Utility) Files from XP to Vista  Belkin MS Vista Transfer Cable  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2590892&cp=2032061.2032365.2032390&parentPage=family  (Check all compatibility issues first for the two different Operating Systems, or in other words because it works on XP does not mean it will on Vista) SEE : Microsoft.Com - Windows Easy Transfer  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx  Windows Easy Transfer helps you to easily move the files and settings stored on your PC running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or even Windows Vista to a new PC running Windows Vista.... Microsoft: Windows Vista Compatibility Center BETA   Article/Links: Microsoft Vista Compatibility Center up and running .... A beta version of the site, which lets people check whether their hardware and software is Vista ready, is now up. 7/11/2008 12:42 PM Read more | Open in browser http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-9988980-56.html?hhTest=1&part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20SEE ...... Microsoft: Windows Vista Compatibility Center BETA http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/  Wondering if your favorite stuff works with Windows Vista? Here's where you can find out if it already does or if you just need a new driver. You'll get the latest details on thousands of products and benefit from users' feedback. Vista Bashing ? READ this NOW !   Vista Bashing ? READ this NOW ! June 11, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/vista-bashing-read-this-now/ Why you should not use a ‘tweaking UAC’ software utility   Warning: Why you should not use a ‘tweaking UAC’ software utility June 15, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/15/warning-why-you-should-not-use-a-tweaking-uac-software-utility/ More Vista hacks NOT Recommended !   More Vista hacks NOT Recommended ! (Disable All Balloon Notifications) June 18, 2008 by bluecollarpc http://bluecollarpc.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/more-vista-hacks-not-recommended-disable-all-balloon-notifications/  Security: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control   Security: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc138019.aspx User Account Control, or UAC, is one of the most misunderstood new features in Windows Vista. But its goal-to enable users to run with standard user rights-can solve many security issues. Get an inside look at the problems UAC is designed to address and see exactly how this new feature works. .... Vista's UAC spots rootkits, tests find        Set up Text-To-Speech   Set up Text-To-Speech This tutorial shows you how to change text to speech options, such as the voice your computer uses. ... Set up Text to Speech. Windows includes a text-to-speech program called ... http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/tts.aspx Hear text read aloud with Narrator   Hear text read aloud with Narrator  http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/narrator.aspx  Narrator is a text-to-speech program (or basic screen reader) that is built into Windows Vista. Narrator reads menus without leaving the active window. Individuals who use Narrator will also find a more pleasant, natural sounding voice in Windows Vista. There are two ways to start Narrator:  Start Narrator from Quick Access to common tools for use in the current session, or Turn on Narrator so that it starts automatically each time you log on. Start Narrator for the current session.... How to automatically repair Windows Vista using Startup Repair   How to automatically repair Windows Vista using Startup Repair  Overview of the Windows Vista Repair options ... How to perform an automatic repair of Windows Vista using Startup Repair ... http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html  How to Make a Windows Vista Repair Disk   How to Make a Windows Vista Repair Disk If You Don't Have One  If you bought your computer with Windows Vista pre-installed, you most likely don't have a regular Windows Vista repair disc. ... http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-make-a-windows-vista-repair-disk-if-you-dont-have-one/  How to restore missing Flip 3D icon to Quick Launch in Vista   Turn the guest account on or off - Windows Vista Help   Mystery User Account - ASP.NET Machine Account   Mystery User Account - ASP.NET Machine Account Search the user account name at www.Microsoft.com and you will find it is installed by the .Net Frameworks which has all the way up to Version 3 pre-installed in Vista. The .Net Frameworks helps to enhance certian softwares and adds security as well. Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555299  ASP.NET Machine Account When a person checks the User accounts he/she finds a strange account,called-"ASP.net" account. SYMPTOMS When a person checks the User accounts he/she finds a strange account,called-"ASP.net" account. CAUSE ASP.NET Machine Account is created when the Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 is installed onto a Windows XP machine.

Windows Vista "Explore The Features..." Microsoft Webs: Explore the features: Accessibility Explore the features: Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista Explore the features: Internet Explorer dynamic security protection Explore the features: Network and Sharing Center Explore the features: Networking Explore the features: Remote access Explore the features: Remote Desktop Connection Explore the features: Sync Center Explore the features: Windows Calendar publishing Explore the features: Windows Fax and Scan Explore the features: Built-in diagnostics Explore the features: DirectX 10 Explore the features: Windows Mail Explore the features: Wireless networking Explore the features: Windows SideShow Explore the features: BitLocker Drive Encryption Explore the features: Encrypting File System Explore the features: Explorers Explore the features: Fast sleep and resume Explore the features: Windows Flip and Flip 3D Explore the features: Games Explorer

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