Windows Vista versions

, Windows Server Update Service And System Center Configuration Manager

Supported languages Multilingual Supported platforms x86 and x86-64 Kernel type Hybrid core Interface Windows Aero License EULA State

Irrelevant.

Previous Windows XP Next Windows 7 Web site Windows Vista - Home page in the Internet archive Windows Vista on Wikimedia Commons

On November 30, 2006, Microsoft officially released Windows Vista and Office 2007 for corporate clients. On January 30, 2007, sales of the system began in the CIS for ordinary users. Vista received an updated user interface design compared to Windows XP. According to W3Schools web analytics, as of September 2016, Windows Vista has a market share of ▼0.2%; this value peaked at 18.6% in October 2009, after which it began to decline, including due to the release of Windows 7.

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Story

At an early stage of development, the system was known by the code name Longhorn(named after the Longhorn Saloon bar near the Whistler ski resort in British Columbia). Name Vista was announced on July 22, 2005. A few months later, Microsoft also renamed Windows Longhorn Server to Windows Server 2008. Since November 8, 2006, a full version of Windows Vista has been available to hardware manufacturers. Release release for end users took place on January 30, 2007.

It's worth noting that many of the features announced in Windows Vista were canceled by Microsoft due to public outcry. For example, it was assumed that OpenGL would be implemented as an add-on to Direct3D. This would lead to a serious drop in OpenGL performance compared to Direct3D and lead to a fix OpenGL versions. The fears were not justified; OpenGL support remained in Windows Vista. The WinFS file system was also not included in Windows Vista - this time due to performance problems.

Review

In Windows Vista, the memory and input/output (I/O) management subsystem has been updated. New functionality is also “Hybrid sleep mode”, when using which the contents random access memory it is additionally recorded on the HDD, but is not deleted from memory either. As a result, if the power was not turned off, the computer restores operation using information from RAM. If the power supply stops, the operating system uses the copy of RAM stored on the HDD and loads information from it (analogous to sleep mode). The mode is implemented thanks to the so-called “hibernation files”, which occupy space on the hard drive equal to the amount of RAM installed on the computer. The user can delete these files (losing the hibernation feature). At the same time, recovery of these files is possible by calling special commands from the command line.

On July 28, 2005, the first beta version was sent out to developers and IT professionals. It presented the basics of the new system architecture and all the technical capabilities developed at that time. The first beta version was released to give the audience a first impression of the new OS, as well as to catch bugs in new system before its official release. Based on the results of the first stage of beta testing, the user functions of the system were finalized, which were then presented in the second beta version. The final version of Windows Vista is available for 32- and 64-bit processors.

	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
CPU	800 MHz	1 GHz (For better performance recommended dual core processor from 2 GHz or more)
RAM	512 MB	1 GB (For best performance, 2 GB or more is required).
Video adapter	DirectX 9	DirectX 9 compatible technology support
Video memory	32 MB (for release Home Basic)	128 MB
HDD	20 GB	40 GB
Free hard disk space	15 GB	20 GB
Other drives	CD-ROM	DVD-ROM

Features of Windows Vista

New or Improved Features

Security improvements

User Account Control (UAC)- a user account control system that requires explicit user permission when performing any action that requires administrative authority, regardless of the rights of the current user account. If the user is not an administrator, a prompt will be displayed in which you can select an administrative account and perform an operation with its rights by entering a password - this allows you to configure the system and install applications from the account limited user, without explicitly using the runas mechanism and without the need to switch to another account (which was required in XP, for example, in the case of changing TCP/IP parameters). If the user is a member of the “Administrators” group, then he will need (with default settings) to confirm the use of rights by responding to the system prompt. UAC requests data in Secure Desktop mode, which protects against data interception and control of the input window by third-party programs (approximately the same mode was used when entering a domain with the requirement to press Ctrl-Alt-Del twice). UAC can be disabled for certain categories of accounts and reconfigured using a local (or group when used in a domain) security policy: for example, you can set a password to be required for all users (including administrators) to use administrative rights, prohibit these actions for users of limited accounts, and etc.
Technologies that prevent the use of exploits- the Windows Vista operating system has some advantages that prevent the exploitation of detected vulnerabilities in software, but are fully realized only in 64-bit versions and with programs written taking into account these capabilities:
Bitlocker disk encryption- Provides encryption capability system disk using the interface command line and other sections. In this case, a USB key or Trusted Platform Module is used to store encryption keys. To encrypt partitions, by default, the AES algorithm is used with a key length of 128 bits in CBC encryption mode. This opportunity present in Vista Enterprise or Ultimate editions.
EFS file encryption system. This system, which first appeared in Windows 2000, works in Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate editions and provides the ability to “transparently” encrypt files at the file system level using AES (with a 256-bit key) or 3-DES algorithms. For each file randomly an encryption key is generated, which in turn is encrypted with the public key to the users (default 2048 bits). In Vista, using policies, it became possible to set different lengths public key user (1024, 2048, 4096,...), save the key on smart cards (by default, the key is stored locally, protected by the user’s password) and encrypt the swap file, and also require mandatory encryption of the user’s document folder.
Preventing virus infections from retrievable media. By default, autorun of programs from flash cards and USB devices is disabled in Windows Vista. This prevents the computer from becoming infected with viruses, which can also be transmitted by flash cards. There are policies to control access to external media (including USB), which also helps protect confidential data.
Blocking direct writing to disk. Windows Vista prevents direct writing to a disk (\\.\PhysicalDriveX) if the disk has a .
Windows Defender (Windows Defender). Windows Vista has a built-in program that helps combat spyware.
Parental control. Windows Home editions include parental controls that help limit children's use of the computer. For example, you can set up a web filter to block unwanted sites and prohibit the use of computer games that are not suitable for their age. You can also use parental controls to block the use of a specific program, set a time limit, and view a report on the operation of parental controls.
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) enabled by default in Windows Vista. And this OS may include software implementation protection even if the processor does not support DEP. However, false positives may occur and some incompatible legacy and even some new programs may not start, although they can be added to the exception list or, as a last resort, DEP can be disabled using the command line utility “bcdedit”.

Service packs and support

According to Microsoft, after installing SP1, copying files to local drives will be 25% faster.
Resolved an issue that caused error messages to appear when copying large files over a local network. Windows Vista with the service pack installed will also process high-resolution images more quickly.
The update package includes additions that improve the compatibility of the operating system with new video adapters and some types of monitors and printers.
The update package also includes fixes that reduce the time it takes for your computer to wake up from sleep mode, improve the performance of Internet Explorer 7, and improve the power management of notebooks. As usual, the service pack includes all previously released updates and fixes.

The update package was initially available in five languages - English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese. In mid-April 2008, Microsoft published versions of the service pack in other languages. Meanwhile, compatibility issues between SP1 and some device drivers remain unresolved. Before installing SP1, Windows Update checks your computer for problematic components and, if any, delays installation.

Before installing Service Pack 1, you must first uninstall its test version (if it was installed).

Update Pack 2

Update Pack 2 contains:

Unlike Service Pack for previous versions of Windows, SP2 cannot be installed without first installing SP1. This was done in order to combine service packs for two platforms - Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

On October 27, 2009, Platform Update was released, which included some major new components included with Windows 7. Microsoft was going to release Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in 2010. But it soon became known that the release of the update package was cancelled.

End of support

Windows Vista development

Development of Windows Vista began in May 2001, five months before the release of Windows XP, and continued until November 2006. Microsoft initially expected to complete the version in late 2003 and present it as a minor step between Windows XP (codenamed Whistler) and Windows 7 (codenamed Blackcomb And Vienna). Concept Longhorn was a hint of that plan. Initially Longhorn was developed on the basis of Windows XP, but since 2004 Microsoft “rebooted” the project, that is, it began to develop the OS from scratch, taking Windows foundation Server 2003. Due to this, some features such as WinFS and NGSCB have been excluded. Mid 2005 Longhorn was renamed Windows Vista.

Criticism of Windows Vista

Windows Vista is criticized for the following reasons:

Some actions that were instantaneous on XP take a slight delay on Vista. Tom's Hardware tests show this - only some programs (most likely multi-threaded) run faster in Vista. According to the same site, errors were also found in the OS shell.
The system requirements at the time of the OS release seemed to many users to be too high compared to Windows XP.
Windows is sometimes accused of infringing on freedom by protecting “premium content” from copying (Protected Media Path). Namely:
There are older software that are not compatible with Windows Vista, as well as drivers and devices. Moreover, Vista's USB support was redesigned to be more strictly compliant with the standard, making some non-standard compliant (but working on Windows XP and Linux) USB devices fundamentally incompatible with Vista (including with updated drivers).
The Aero interface, according to Paul Tarrott, has the disadvantage of being difficult to distinguish the current window from all the others ( active window noticeably differs from the others only in the illumination of the window close button)
User Account Control often annoys users by asking a lot of questions even during routine operations, but if necessary, it can be disabled by an experienced user or administrator. In addition, Symantec has released the Norton UAC Tool, which significantly reduces the number of requests using the whitelist.
The home version of Vista retains the old mechanism for installing updates. The process of completely installing updates takes quite some time. long time(depending on the volume of updates and the computing power of the computer - from 20 minutes to 1.5 hours) and on Vista it is divided into automatic installation and subsequent configuration installed updates. The difference between the home versions is that the second process - setting up installed updates - is not launched automatically by the operating system - the user has to start it manually by turning on the computer.
To meet repeatedly missed market launch deadlines, many of the features promised and even provided in beta versions were excluded from the release version of Vista. This caused huge dissatisfaction among users.
The actual hardware requirements of Windows Vista exceeded the capabilities of widely used computers of those years, and were much higher than stated. Also leaked to the public was a scandal between the “Intel friendship department” and the Windows development department within Microsoft, which rose to the level of vice president. The development department insisted that it was impossible to soften the officially stated hardware requirements, but Intel insisted on softening them in order to keep the outdated, but at that time very popular chipset in production for some time (which did not meet the unmitigated requirements, and would have been immediately killed as a marketable product if Vista had been released with unmitigated requirements). Friendship with Intel won out, the requirements were softened, despite the fact that Vista ran unsatisfactorily slow on this chipset.

Notes

It"s the end of mainstream support for Windows Vista
End of support for Windows Vista (undefined) . support.microsoft.com. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
Microsoft Launches Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System to Consumers (undefined) . Press Center. Microsoft New Zealand (30 January 2007). Retrieved November 9, 2009. Archived August 23, 2011.
Accessed January 2015, W3Schools.
https://support.microsoft.com/ru-ru/help/22882/windows-vista-end-of-support (undefined) . support.microsoft.com. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
Windows Vista now has native support for OpenGL.
Vista: now signed by Bill Gates - Tsifrovik.ru
Microsoft and PC Manufacturers are Improving the Windows Vista Transition System for Customers (undefined) . PressPass. Microsoft (May 18 2006). Retrieved July 15, 2006. Archived August 23, 2011.
Windows Vista Enterprise Hardware Planning Guidance - Guide to Windows Vista Planned Hardware Requirements (undefined) . Microsoft. Retrieved July 15, 2006. Archived August 23, 2011.

Story

Early in development, the system was known by the code name Longhorn (named after the Longhorn Saloon near the Whistler ski resort in British Columbia). The name "Vista" was announced on July 22, 2005. A few months later, Microsoft also renamed Windows Longhorn Server to Windows Server 2008. Since November 8, 2006, a full version of Windows Vista has been available to hardware manufacturers. The public release to end users took place on January 30, 2007.

It's worth noting that many of the features planned for Windows Vista were dropped by Microsoft due to public outcry. For example, it was assumed that OpenGL would be implemented as an add-on to Direct3D. This would lead to a serious drop in OpenGL performance compared to Direct3D and would result in the OpenGL version being fixed. The fears were not justified; OpenGL support remained in Windows Vista. The WinFS file system was also not included in Windows Vista - this time due to performance problems.

Review

In Windows Vista, the memory and I/O management subsystem has been updated. New functionality is also “Hybrid sleep mode” or “hibernation” mode, when used, the contents of RAM are additionally written to the HDD, but are not deleted from memory either. As a result, if the power supply does not stop, the computer restores its operation using information from RAM. If the computer's power is turned off, the operating system uses the copy of RAM stored on the HDD and loads information from it (analogous to sleep mode). The mode is implemented thanks to the so-called “hibernation files”, which occupy space on the hard drive equal to the amount of RAM installed on the computer. It is possible to custom delete these files and lose the hibernation function. At the same time, restoring these files without much difficulty is possible by calling special commands from the command line.

Features of Windows Vista

New or Improved Features

Security improvements

User Account Control (UAC)- a user account control system that requires explicit user permission when performing any action that requires administrative authority, regardless of the rights of the current user account. If the user is not an administrator, a prompt will be displayed in which you can select an administrative account and perform the operation with its rights by entering a password - this allows you to configure the system and install applications from a limited user account without explicitly using the runas mechanism and without having to switch to another account (which was required in XP, for example, in case of changing TCP/IP parameters). If the user is a member of the “Administrators” group, then he will need (with default settings) to confirm the use of rights by responding to the system prompt. UAC requests data in Secure Desktop mode, which protects against data interception and control of the input window by third-party programs (approximately the same mode was used when entering a domain with the requirement to press Ctrl-Alt-Del twice). UAC can be disabled for certain categories of accounts and reconfigured using a local (or group when used in a domain) security policy: for example, you can set a password to be required for all users (including administrators) to use administrative rights, prohibit these actions for users of limited accounts, and etc.
Technologies that prevent the use of exploits- the Windows Vista operating system has some advantages that prevent the exploitation of detected vulnerabilities in software, but are fully realized only in 64-bit versions and with programs written taking into account these capabilities:
Bitlocker disk encryption- Provides the ability to encrypt the system disk using the command line interface and other partitions. In this case, a USB key or Trusted Platform Module is used to store encryption keys. To encrypt partitions, by default, the AES algorithm is used with a key length of 128 bits in CBC encryption mode. This feature is present in Vista Enterprise or Ultimate versions.
EFS file encryption system. This system, which first appeared in Windows 2000, works in versions of Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate and provides the ability to “transparently” encrypt files at the file system level using AES (with a 256-bit key) or 3-DES algorithms. For each file, an encryption key is randomly generated, which, in turn, is encrypted with the public key to users (default 2048 bits). In Vista, using policies, it became possible to set different lengths of the user's public key (1024, 2048, 4096,...), save the key on smart cards (by default, the key is stored locally, protected by the user's password) and encrypt the page file, as well as require mandatory encryption of a user folder with documents.
Preventing virus infections from retrievable media. By default, in Windows Vista, autorun of programs from flash cards and USB devices is disabled. This keeps the computer from self-infecting itself with viruses, which can also be carried by flash cards. There are also policies that control access to external media (including USB), which also helps protect confidential data.
Blocking direct writing to disk. Windows Vista prevents direct writing to a disk (\\.\PhysicalDriveX) if the disk has a mounted file system. For more details, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942448/
Windows Defender. Windows Vista has a built-in program that is used to combat spyware.
Parental control. Windows Home editions include parental controls that help limit children's use of the computer. For example, you can set up a web filter to block unwanted sites and prohibit the use of computer games that are not suitable for their age. You can also use parental controls to block the use of a specific program, set a time limit, and view a report on the operation of parental controls. It is no secret that in Windows XP and earlier operating systems it was necessary to spend a lot of effort and time to insure against the consequences of careless use of the computer by children.
Internet Explorer 9 . Windows Vista has the option to download the Internet Explorer 9 browser.
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in Windows Vista has changed in that it is now enabled by default. And now this OS can include software implementation of protection, even if the processor does not support DEP. However, false positives may occur and some incompatible legacy and even some new programs may not start, although they can be added to the exception list or, as a last resort, DEP can be disabled using the command line utility “bcdedit”.

Service Packs and Support

Service Pack 1

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released on February 4, 2008.

According to Microsoft, after installing SP1, copying files to local drives will be 25% faster.
Resolved an issue that caused error messages to appear when copying large files over a local network. Windows Vista with the service pack installed will also process high-resolution images more quickly.
The service pack includes additions that improve the compatibility of the operating system with new video adapters, some types of monitors and printers.
The update package also includes fixes that reduce the time it takes for your computer to wake up from sleep mode, improve the performance of Internet Explorer 7, and improve the power management scheme for notebook computers. Traditionally, the service pack includes all previously released updates and fixes.

Before installing Service Pack 1, you must first uninstall its test version.

Service Pack 2

Service Pack 2 is available for download from the Microsoft website. Service Pack 2 contains:

Unlike Service Pack for previous versions of Windows, SP2 cannot be installed without first installing SP1. This is done with the aim of unifying the SP for two platforms - Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft was going to release Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 in 2010. But it soon became known that the release of the update package was cancelled.

A huge number of users around the world removed legal Windows Vista from laptops and installed Windows XP instead, often unlicensed. The reason here is only in the unsatisfactory performance of Vista on this equipment, because no previous version of Windows has ever caused such a reaction (that is, this cannot be explained by the conservatism of users), and Windows 7 does not cause it either.

After the release of Windows 7 (essentially an improved version of Windows Vista with performance optimizations and bug fixes), Windows Vista almost immediately died out (which did not apply to its server version). Since it is standard practice for developers desktop applications in our time, they are tested on two operating systems - Windows XP and Windows 7. And then, as of May 2012, Windows XP is rapidly losing its possessions, giving way to Windows 7.

The manufacturer has extended the support period for Windows XP to an unprecedented period in history. computer equipment(with the exception of extremely expensive enterprise-scale servers) for a period of 13 years. In addition, MS failed to refuse to sell Windows XP before the release of Windows 7, although such a refusal is standard practice for this company (like any other).

Notes

It"s the end of mainstream support for Windows Vista
Free support for Windows Vista and Office 2007 ends today
Microsoft Launches Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System to Consumers. Press Center. Microsoft New Zealand (30 January 2007). Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
Accessed July 2012, W3schools.
Windows Vista now has native OpenGL support.
Vista: now signed by Bill Gates - Tsifrovik.ru
Microsoft and PC makers are improving the Windows Vista upgrade experience for consumers. PressPass. Microsoft (May 18 ). Archived
Windows Vista Enterprise Hardware Planning Guidance - A guide to Windows Vista's planned hardware requirements. Microsoft. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2006.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/facts.mspx archived page
Reducing Windows Vista boot time
Microsoft's hidden diagnostic tool unlocks Vista startup secrets
Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Key Findings Summary. (Jan-June 2007.) The full report.
TheVista.ru:User Account Control
The Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Developer Story: Windows Vista Application Development Requirements for User Account Control (UAC). The Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Developer Story Series. Microsoft (April 2007). Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
User Account Control Overview. Technet. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011.
Application protection technologies in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
About the unique security features of 64-bit versions of Windows Vista
Address Space Layout Randomization in Windows Vista
Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Frequently Asked Questions. Microsoft. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
Niels Fergusson (August 2006). "AES-CBC + Elephant Diffuser: A Disk Encryption Algorithm for Windows Vista" (Microsoft). Retrieved 2008-02-22.
Protect your data with BitLocke drive encryption
New Security Features in Windows Vista(technet.microsoft.com)
Updated EFS in Vista and Longhorn (oszone.net)
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1)
List of drivers incompatible with Windows Vista SP1
NVIDIA WORLD / News / today, July 1
Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465)
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) - All Languages Standalone Version (KB948465)
Obtaining the latest Windows Vista service pack
Windows Vista: tests | THG.RU
Photographers have problems with Windows Vista | THG.RU
Symantec sees an Achilles" heel in Vista (English)
Microstft increasing security risk with Vista (English)
(English), slides 3-7
Microsoft: Kernel mede code signing walkthrough (English)
Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.3b (English)
Microsoft blocks 64-bit driver (English)
Windows Vista Content Protection: 20 questions and answers (English)
Microsoft: Premium Content Copy Protection Architecture, slide 9
Patent Pending: Hardware Functionality Scanning
Microsoft: Premium Content Copy Protection Architecture, slide 13; this is called "resolution constriction".

The Windows Vista operating system became available to corporate customers on November 30, 2006. For two months after that, it was used exclusively by this category. General access appeared only on January 30, 2007. There is a server type of OS called Windows Server 2008. Its review is presented in the corresponding section of our website and you can familiarize yourself with it.

Windows Vista editions

Windows Vista Starter. The simplest option with the lowest cost. This publication is intended for family use and does not imply a high level of knowledge. The interface is simplified and contains only the minimum necessary functionality. It is intended to target developing countries, for which the lowest cost is set among all existing options.

Windows Vista Home Basic. Another simplified edition intended for widespread sale. It has somewhat limited functionality. Aero interfaces are not supported and EFS is not supported.

Windows Vista Home Premium. A more advanced edition, but it retains certain functional limitations. There is Windows Media Center, as well as the Aero interface and some other features. The full list can be found on the Microsoft developer website. There is support for working with touch devices. Restrictions apply to working with the EFS system - it is not provided.

Windows Vista Business. It is a standard publication for enterprises that can be used in any environment. A distinctive feature is that it is focused on business, which does not provide for the presence of certain entertainment functions. Aero is available, Windows features Tablet PC, system backup and recovery tools, as well as a whole range of other important features. Although the developer suggests using the system for all businesses, it is more suitable for small businesses.

Windows Vista Enterprise. The edition is aimed at business use and, compared to the previous version, provides a larger list of functionality. To install, you must first enter into an agreement with the developer. Additional factors are the presence of BitLocker, as well as rights to 4 virtual OSs. There is a special subsystem for programs developed on the basis of UNIX.

Windows Vista Ultimate. This type of operating system was developed specifically for ordinary users and small companies that need full functionality. In addition to the full range of capabilities, there is a fairly large list of multimedia.

Separately, we can highlight Vista Ultimate Limited Numbered Signature Edition, which was released with a circulation of 20,000 copies. Its only difference is the real signature of Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. The European version had to use some modifications. They are related to the peculiarities of antimonopoly legislation. The publications stipulated the need to cut out Windows Media Player, as well as a number of other multimedia features.

History of Windows Vista

Initially, the OS did not have a name, but only a code name - Longhorn. After some time, development reached a point where initial statements could be made. On July 22, 2005, the creation of a new OS, Vista, was announced. After this, changes were made to the server part. It was called Windows Server 2008. As mentioned earlier, Windows Vista first became available on November 8, 2006 for OEMs and only 2 months later it could be purchased by ordinary users.

The developer had some concerns about certain components. This includes running OpenGL as an add-on to Direct3D. This approach raised concerns about reduced productivity. OpenGL support from operating system has not gone away and, as practice has shown, no problems have arisen in this direction. The WinFS file system was not used. Attempts to use it were met with a decrease in performance, which was unacceptable.

Features of Windows Vista

The developers tried to bring as much new things into the system as possible and this should be noted. The number of improvements is quite large, but only the most important features will be listed below:

Windows Aero interface. It is the graphical component that is considered one of the key features of this OS, since the developers spent a lot of time on it. The Windows Aero interface is the most popular, but far from the only one. Including, there is the possibility of extensive custom settings. Windows Vista was able to set trends in graphical interfaces, which were then transferred to other operating systems from this company. For example, this includes translucent windows, three-dimensionality of the desktop, an abundance of beautiful textures, and more.
Side panel. Provides the ability to customize the sidebar at your discretion. You can put not only programs there, but also other important things. For example, exchange rates, weather in your region, etc.
Improved Windows Explorer. It is planned to preserve the structure Windows menu XP using another additional panel. It is possible to use some adjustments regarding the organization of the window itself. Numerous options can be used.
Improved search engine. This operating system uses an index search engine. It allows you to start the process already in the process of entering the required letters. How closer user by the end of printing the request, the fewer options will be displayed. This is very convenient due to saving search time.
ReadyBoost technology. It is especially important for those devices that do not have sufficient RAM. You can use the capacity of a flash drive to fill the gap. Additionally, there are quite effective built-in diagnostic tools. They allow you to identify and take action to eliminate most problems.
Energy saving and power functions. Compared with its predecessor - Windows XP, we can note more economical consumption of electricity. Several power options are available - economical, standard and performance.
Hibernation mode. This option for the operation of the device means that there will be a transition to settings that allow maximum energy savings. At the same time, all applications and open documents are saved. The main advantage of the hibernation mode is the ability to recover in the shortest possible time.
User Account Control. Allows you to manage user accounts. Among the possibilities, it is necessary to note a warning when implementing certain actions. This includes installing new software or launching applications. It becomes possible to install malware automatically. Only the user can give permission.
To increase the level of protection against viruses or unauthorized access, use Windows Defender. It is quite efficient for embedded software.
BitLocker drive encryption. There are two key functions. This includes encrypting the entire OS volume, as well as checking the integrity of boot components.
Information recovery. During operation of the device, you may need to return to the state of the computer that was some time ago. This is precisely why system restore points are used. A similar function was present on its predecessor, XP, but here it is implemented with higher efficiency.
Improved network features. As practice has shown, the network functions of Windows XP have begun to lag behind user requests in recent years. It is for this reason that this direction has been seriously improved. Improvements have affected almost all areas. The TCP/IP stack is capable of supporting two-tier architecture IP protocol. IPv4 and IPv6 share a transport layer. A particularly important achievement was the implementation of automatic settings. The creation of a unique architecture for Native Wi-Fi wireless networks deserves special attention.
Conference hall. This software is built-in and allows a group of users ranging from 2 to 10 people to work simultaneously. This feature has found its use when editing documents, as well as for performing demonstrations in PowerPoint. Equally important is the ability to distribute files in an accelerated mode.
Windows CardSpace. A special technology that makes life easier for those who use a significant number of passwords. It allows you to use your information card when entering a site that supports CardSpace. It contains the necessary information in a securely encrypted form.

Criticism of Windows Vista

This operating system has some disadvantages and more attention should be paid to this point. Many complaints were made regarding the system requirements. The developers of Windows Vista took a bold step - they divided the system requirements into two groups. The first of them was called Vista Capable and provided the ability to run all key functions. This is where an important problem emerged. It consisted in the impossibility of using graphic innovations, since their requests went beyond the minimum system requirements.

The User Account Control system for users demonstrated uselessness during use. It protected against automatic launch malware, but it was necessary to constantly press confirmation while working on the computer. This is especially problematic, especially when you consider that there are better solutions from other developers. As a result, most users simply turned off this function. This approach had a negative impact on the overall security level of the OS and made it much more vulnerable. Another factor is that there are a huge number of ways to bypass UAC.

Windows Vista updates

To improve the reliability of the operating room Microsoft systems regularly releases improvements. They allow you to increase productivity, improve functionality and eliminate various shortcomings. The first service package contains all updates for the year since release, as well as expanded capabilities. There are many components that have made working with the OS easier and more efficient.

Much more important is Service Pack 2, which has been available for quite some time. It is necessary to list what exactly it includes:

Windows Search 4;
Possibility of supporting Bluetooth technology;
64x support bit processors type VIA;
Recording discs in Blu-ray format;
Wizard for performing wireless network settings;
exFAT file system, which has advanced synchronization capabilities;
Support for smart cards with ICCD/CCID format;
Improved security system for content in WMC;
Increasing the efficiency of Wi-Fi immediately after it wakes from sleep mode;
DirectX improvements are provided;
The RSS located in the sidebar has been updated;
Improved performance when playing HD video;
The number of half-open connections is now infinite.

Each Microsoft operating system came in several versions designed for different computers and users. For example, if you think that Windows XP came in only two versions, then this opinion is incorrect. There are actually six variants of Windows XP such as Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Professional x64 (for 64-bit systems), Windows XP Media Center and Windows XP Tablet PC (for tablet laptops).

It is often difficult for users to figure out which version of the operating system they need to purchase. The situation hasn't improved with Windows Vista, again offering six versions of the operating system to choose from. However, the characteristics of these versions are fundamentally different from the versions of Windows XP.

Windows Vista Starter.

Windows Vista Home Basic.

Windows Vista Home Premium.

Windows Vista Business.

Windows Vista Enterprise.

Windows Vista Ultimate.

If you feel dizzy from the abundance of new versions, don’t despair. In fact, each version is aimed at a specific market segment, and there are actually two main categories of Windows Vista: a category for home users and a category for business users. Outside the categories is Windows Vista Ultimate; This version includes absolutely all the features of Windows Vista for home and business users that are supported in other versions of the operating system.

The differences between these versions are clearly described below.

Windows Vista Starter. It is unlikely that you will see this version in stores in your city. Windows Vista Starter is the most stripped-down version of Windows Vista, intended for sale in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This type of operating system is optimized for work on low-power computers with a small amount of RAM and a low-efficient processor. Windows Vista Starter does not support the Aero Glass interface, networking capabilities, or many multimedia programs such as Windows Photo Gallery and Windows DVD Maker. Moreover, the maximum resolution Windows screen Vista is only 800´600. In addition, in Windows Vista you can only run three programs at a time or open as many as three windows.
Windows Vista Home Basic . This is the basic version of Windows Vista for first-time home users, intended primarily for those just getting started with the world of personal computers. Windows Vista Home Basic introduces Windows Defender programs, Windows Mail, Internet Explorer 7, improved Windows Firewall, Safety Center and Parental Controls. Windows Media Player 11, Windows programs are also available Movie Maker, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Calendar, Windows Sidebar, search tools, and basic networking features for wired and wireless networks. Finally, Windows Vista Home Basic does not support the Aero interface.
Windows Vista Home Premium. This version supports all programs and functions of Windows Vista Home Basic, as well as new features have been added. These include support for the Aero interface, Windows programs Media Center, Windows Meeting Room, Windows DVD Studio, scheduled data archiving, Mobility Center for laptop users and advanced networking capabilities. In particular, p2p peer-to-peer networks and parental controls are supported on multiple computers on a local network. This version is intended for home users local networks, fans of multimedia programs and laptop owners. This version can be recommended for purchase.
Windows Vista Business. This version is largely reminiscent of Windows XP in its capabilities. It is designed to support domains, different network protocols, remote desktop, file and folder encryption, mobile user and group profiles. The Windows Vista version supports the Aero interface and programs such as IIS, Fax and Windows scan. Also provides support for tablet laptops and the Center program mobile devices. Multimedia capabilities Windows Vista Business are limited. That's why Windows Vista Business doesn't include programs like Media Center, Movie Maker, or Windows DVD Maker.
Windows Vista Enterprise. This version is an enhanced version of Windows Vista Business and is intended for medium and large companies. In addition to the programs and functions implemented in Windows Vista Business, this version supports Windows technologies BitLocker (data encryption), Virtual PC Express, multilingual MUI and SUA technology (support for UNIX programs). Windows Vista Enterprise will not be sold in stores and is only available to Microsoft customers who have signed an enterprise agreement.
Windows Vista Ultimate. This version supports all the features of other versions of Windows Vista for home and business users. This version improves support for computer games, supports access to various network services, there are additional themes for interface design and much more.

There are three versions of Windows Vista available for the home user to choose from, namely: Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate. If you want everything in one package, choose Windows Vista Ultimate, but do not forget that this is the most expensive version of Windows. Otherwise, choose Windows Vista Home Basic if you don't need additional networking capabilities, or Windows Vista Home Premium. Latest version will be needed to work with local home networks and various multimedia programs.

Windows Vista was released on November 30, 2006 for enterprise customers. Regular users were able to purchase the operating system on January 30, 2007.

The server version of Windows Vista was the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

End of support

2016: Termination of support from April 11, 2017

Standard support for the system ended on April 10, 2012 and Microsoft is now trying to complete the five-year extended support period. As part of these activities, patches and security updates are released. After a year, Vista computers remain unprotected.

As of January 2017, the OS was installed on less than 1% of PCs using Microsoft systems, reports research firm Net Applications. According to Microsoft itself, various versions of Windows are now used on 1.5 billion PCs, that is, the number of devices with Windows Vista is about 14 million. This is not so much in comparison with the older Windows XP, the share of which exceeds 9% of all Windows devices. computers.

The developers clarified that the OS will continue to work on user computers, however, will be vulnerable to viruses. In addition, if the OS user uses to exit to Internet Internet Explorer 9 (the recommended browser for Windows Vista), it may also encounter security issues as browser support is being discontinued along with OS support. In addition, Microsoft does not guarantee compatibility with the “decommissioned” OS of future applications. As an alternative, the company suggested that users upgrade the operating system to Windows 10 (with the exception of PCs with an old configuration).

2012: Completion of the main support period

Microsoft announced on April 10, 2012 the end of the so-called “mainstream support” period for the operating system. Windows Vista. Now users will only be able to receive free updates for this OS if they fix serious application security issues. In this mode, the operating system will be supported for 5 years, until April 2017.

Editions

Windows Vista Starter– a publication intended for family use and entry-level users in emerging markets. Features: 32-bit operating system specifically designed for low-cost computers, simplified Windows interface Vista, various functional limitations.

Windows Vista Home Basic- edition for home users who require basic computer capabilities. This edition lacks the Windows Aero interface and does not support the EFS encrypted file system.

Windows Vista Home Premium- edition for home desktop and laptop computers, contains Windows Media Center, Windows Aero user interface, Windows DVD Studio, scheduled and network archiving functions, and support for touch devices. Just like Home Basic, there is no support for the EFS encrypted file system.

Windows Vista Business is the primary edition of Windows Vista for desktop and mobile PCs in organizations. This offer is intended for the small, medium and large enterprise segments. Windows Vista Business contains all the features of Windows Vista Home Basic (except for some entertainment features), and also has the following distinctive features: Windows Aero interface, functionality Windows Tablet PC systems, backup and recovery functions (CompletePC backup tool, automatic file recovery and shadow copying), the ability to connect to a domain, support for Group Policy and an encrypting file system, as well as special abilities for small businesses, including fax support, scanner support, and small business resources.

Windows Vista Enterprise is a premium edition of Windows Vista for desktop and mobile PCs used in organizations. This offer is only valid for Microsoft Software Assurance customers. In addition to all the features of Windows Vista Business, this edition includes the following features: BitLocker drive encryption, support for all existing interface languages, licensing rights for four virtual operating systems, Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA).

Windows Vista Ultimate is the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista for desktop and mobile PCs and is designed for home users and small businesses. This release has everything Windows capabilities Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Enterprise, and also has advanced multimedia tools.

Windows Vista Ultimate Limited Numbered Signature Edition– limited version (20 thousand copies) signed by Bill Gates.

In addition, Microsoft is releasing several more versions of Windows Vista specifically for the European market. To comply with antitrust laws in Europe, these versions do not include Windows Media Player or other multimedia components.

Peculiarities

New Windows Aero interface. Windows Vista offers various user interfaces, starting with the Basic interface (reminiscent of the Windows XP interface) and ending with high-quality, rich in various effects graphical interface, called Windows Aero. The new Windows Aero interface is different beautiful graphics, translucent windows, 3-dimensional perspectives, rich textures and animated images.
Sidebar. IN sidebar You can install some special mini-applications. This could be a clock, a photo slideshow, news feeds, The address book or a quick notes panel. You can also display the weather forecast, exchange rates, etc.
New Windows Explorer. The new Explorer retains the Windows XP menu structure and adds another panel. It allows you to change the organization of the Explorer window, as well as the display of file and folder icons. Depending on the contents of the panel, different options are displayed.
Updated search system. Windows Vista has an integrated index search engine. The search is carried out immediately, as you type the desired word. When entering each next letter Vista narrows the search results. If you need to run a program, then just enter part of the name of the shortcut or executable file.
ReadyBoost technology. Designed for computers with a small amount of RAM, ReadyBoost technology allows you to use the capacity of a flash drive to supplement RAM.
Built-in diagnostics. Hardware diagnostic tools can detect errors and either fix the problem themselves or help the user perform a recovery.
Energy Saving and Power Features. Vista's power management has been significantly improved over XP, now using what are called "power plans." Microsoft supports three plans: Balanced, Economy, and Performance.
Hibernate mode. Hibernation is a power supply mode in which all open documents and applications are saved to the hard drive, and only after that the computer's power is turned off. When the user wants to return to work, the computer wakes up from hibernation mode and restores previously saved documents and applications.
User Account Control (UAC)- a user account control system that requires explicit user permission when performing any action that requires administrative authority, regardless of the rights of the current user account. User Account Control, for example, warns the user before installing a new program, as well as when running executable files. This method prevents automatic installation malware and spyware, since all other windows will be locked until the user responds in the UAC confirmation window.
Windows Defender designed to protect the system from malware and spyware.
BitLocker Drive Encryption. BitLocker performs two complementary but distinct functions. First, it provides encryption of the entire volume of the Windows operating system. Second, on computers with a compatible Trusted Platform Module (TPM), it allows you to verify the integrity of boot components up to Windows startup Vista.
Recovery function. Windows Vista, like Windows XP, supports restore points. However, in Windows Vista this feature is more powerful and allows you to restore individual files or folders to a previous state.
EFS file encryption system. EFS is designed to encrypt files and folders at the user level. If several users work on the same computer, then, thanks to EFS, each of them can encrypt their data.
Improved network features. To improve safety, most network functions have been improved in Windows Vista. The TCP/IP stack now supports a two-layer IP protocol architecture, in which IPv4 and IPv6 share a transport layer and a framing layer. Additionally, starting with this version of Windows, IPv6 is enabled by default. The new version of the TCP/IP stack has many capabilities. Among them is the ability to automatically configure. In addition, Vista has its own wireless network architecture called Native Wi-Fi, which is part of the networking stack. It provides many advantages, including:
- Improved ability to discover and create wireless networks;
- Quickly connect to a wireless network using Network Sharing Center;
- Wireless single sign-on service, which verifies network availability before the user is authenticated to Active Directory;
- Support for modern security protocols (WPA, WPA2, EAP, PEAP-TLS, WEP);
- Protection against most types of attacks on wireless networks;
- Diagnostic tools that help identify network problems and automatically fix them.
Conference hall– a built-in program that helps groups of two to ten users work together. The conference room is suitable for demonstrating PowerPoint presentations or editing documents. Also, the conference room will simplify the work of distributing files.
Windows CardSpace is a new technology from Microsoft designed to reduce the number of passwords used. When visiting a website that supports this technology, you can use an information card instead of entering a password. All data necessary for user authentication is stored on it in encrypted form, which provides additional security.

Criticism

There has been extensive criticism system requirements, presented by Microsoft, for equipment that can run Windows Vista. As you know, Microsoft has divided system requirements into two categories: "Vista Capable" and "Vista Premium Ready". The "Vista Capable" label meant that the computer could run Vista with all the basic features. However, as it turned out, on a computer with parameters that meet the “Vista Capable” criterion, you cannot take advantage of all the graphical innovations of the new operating system.

The User Account Control (UAC) system was also criticized. According to representatives of Kaspersky Lab (KL), the User Account Control (UAC) tool built into Windows Vista is such a annoying security feature that many people simply disable it. Natalya Kasperskaya, being the head of LC, noted that without UAC, Windows Vista is less secure than Winows XP SP2. In addition, LC stated that the company's analysts have discovered five ways to bypass UAC, and the creators of malicious software will discover even more.

Updates

Service pack 1

SP1 contains full set updates for Windows Vista that Microsoft released during last year, as well as new opportunities. In particular, the speed of file copying has been increased, the software update process has been improved, support for Direct3D 10.1 has been added, compatibility with MPEG-2 has been improved, errors that occur in the Windows Calendar and Windows Media Player applications have been eliminated, and system performance and power consumption have been improved.

Thanks to the SP1 update, Windows Vista now supports the majority of existing hardware and software at the time of the package's release - about 80 thousand devices and components. Also with the release of Windows Vista SP1, compatibility with major business applications from manufacturers such as Adobe, Cisco, Citrix, IBM, Nortel, Oracle, SAP, Sun and Symantec was added.

The first publicly available version of Windows Vista SP1 RC was released in December 2007. On March 18, 2008, the update package was released in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese. In April of the same year, the Russian version of the first update package was released.

Service pack 2

The second update package for the Windows Vista operating system is currently in beta testing. The final version of the package is expected to bring support for 64-bit processors