- Typically when you purchase a computer from the store, it comes with a preinstalled operating system unless you are building your own system from scratch. However, just like other software on your computer requires upgrades to keep the computer efficient, your operating system may occasionally warrant an upgrade as well. If you purchased your computer that uses Windows XP as its operating system, there are many advantages to upgrading to the newer Windows operating system known as Vista.
- The first advantage of upgrading your current Windows XP operating system to the Windows Vista is all of the new features that Microsoft has built in to the platform. One of these new features is an upgraded Windows Media Player 11, which has better graphics, usability and allows home networks to share music from PC to PC with a simple click on a button. The transparent graphics and interface give the operating system the appearance of a complete overhaul. The Windows Sidebar is a third great feature that can be either personalized for individual users by adding preferred "Widgets" such as weather, time, calendar and notes or simply closed if so desired. Finally, the search option is one of the best new features added to Windows Vista. In Windows XP to find the file or program you were looking for you had to know and type in the complete name of the file, folder or program. With the new search option, Windows Vista will yield results according to only the first three letters, which saves an incredible amount of time.
- Microsoft has also made Windows Vista more user friendly. First, it has incorporated icons along the task bar at the bottom of the screen. Simply scroll over any open pages in your task bar to see a snapshot of the window. This allows you to make sure you are opening page you are looking for.
Windows 3D is another way Windows has made Vista user friendly. This is similar to seeing the snapshot of the page while scrolling along the taskbar. However, this is done by pressing ALT and the TAB button at the same time. A small window then pops up with all of your open pages. You can use the left and right arrows to scroll to the page you want, hit enter and the page you want will appear on the screen every time. There is also a button in the task bar you can press to show all open window in a diagonal accession so that all Windows open can be seen simultaneously. All you have to do is click on the window you want open and the rest are minimized back to the taskbar while the desired window is opened on the desktop.
Additionally, Windows has improved user accessibility through other elements as well, such as a new Start menu that is quicker to use and find the programs you want, in addition to improved folders and files. - Windows Vista has new options concerning parental controls and user account controls. The new Windows Vista operating system also offers the firewall of Windows XP backed by another firewall with advanced user settings. The new firewall is ideal for scanning all data transmitted from and to your PC to attempt to keep out any unwanted elements such as viruses.
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