No matter which Windows Vista edition you choose, or have chosen, it will contain a redesigned look and functionality. The taskbar, Start menu, and the new desktop feature, called Windows Sidebar, will likely be the first noticeable changes you'll discover in Vista.
Figure 2.8 shows examples of the new taskbar, Start menu, and Windows Sidebar.
Figure Notes:
1.Redesigned Start menu
2.Taskbar with the new Vista shiny black color scheme
3.New Windows Sidebar feature
4.Start button
Taskbar
Longtime Windows users might remember the drastic change in the look and feel of Windows between Windows 95/98 and XP. Microsoft has again changed the scheme in Vista. Gone is the default blue-and-green color scheme XP users know so well. In Windows Vista, Microsoft has chosen a fading black color scheme. Although this tones down the look and brightness of Windows, the black scheme projects a sleek interface.
Another major change to the taskbar is the Start button. The usual button containing the word start has been replaced with a Windows logo, which you can see in Figure 2.9. If your system is capable of running the new Aero interface, Vista offers the use of live thumbnails, which provide a preview of the open document or application, simply by hovering your mouse over an application in the taskbar.
Another major change to the taskbar is the Start button. The usual button containing the word start has been replaced with a Windows logo, which you can see in Figure 2.9. If your system is capable of running the new Aero interface, Vista offers the use of live thumbnails, which provide a preview of the open document or application, simply by hovering your mouse over an application in the taskbar.
Figure 2.9. Example of the taskbar live thumbnails.
Figure Notes:
1.Hovering your mouse over an application in the taskbar...
2....shows a live preview, making it easier to determine the contents of each open file.
The time is still displayed by default on the taskbar in the lower-right corner of the screen. After clicking on the time to bring up the calendar and clock and you'll see that Microsoft has revamped the clock and calendar.
Start Menu
As you can see from the example in Figure 2.8, the Start menu now contains a Search box for the new Instant Search feature. Instant Search allows you to quickly find files, programs, email messages, web favorites and history, and more.
If you are a fan of the Run prompt from previous versions of Windows, you might be disappointed because it's not included on the Start menu by default. You can, however, use the Search box to run commands like you would with the Run applet found in other versions of Windows. Nevertheless, the Run prompt can be accessed in the Accessories section of the Start menu and can also be added back onto the Start menu if you choose.
Another notable change you'll discover after seeing the Start menu is that the word My has been dropped from the names of common items and directories. For example, "My Computer" is now simply "Computer" and "My Network Places" is just "Network." In addition, the My Documents folder is now named after the Windows user and You can also add these icons (such as Computer and Network) to your desktop.
You'll also likely notice the Turn Off Computer and Log Off buttons have been removed and replaced with other options. The first button on the left, indicated by the power symbol, will put the PC into Sleep mode. Similar to Stand By mode in previous versions of Windows, Sleep mode powers down most of the PC and puts the session into memory so you can resume right where you left off.
The button with the lock will, of course, lock your PC. This option is best used when you want to secure your PC when leaving for short durations. To resume use of the PC, you must press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and enter the Windows account password.
If you are a fan of the Run prompt from previous versions of Windows, you might be disappointed because it's not included on the Start menu by default. You can, however, use the Search box to run commands like you would with the Run applet found in other versions of Windows. Nevertheless, the Run prompt can be accessed in the Accessories section of the Start menu and can also be added back onto the Start menu if you choose.
Another notable change you'll discover after seeing the Start menu is that the word My has been dropped from the names of common items and directories. For example, "My Computer" is now simply "Computer" and "My Network Places" is just "Network." In addition, the My Documents folder is now named after the Windows user and You can also add these icons (such as Computer and Network) to your desktop.
You'll also likely notice the Turn Off Computer and Log Off buttons have been removed and replaced with other options. The first button on the left, indicated by the power symbol, will put the PC into Sleep mode. Similar to Stand By mode in previous versions of Windows, Sleep mode powers down most of the PC and puts the session into memory so you can resume right where you left off.
The button with the lock will, of course, lock your PC. This option is best used when you want to secure your PC when leaving for short durations. To resume use of the PC, you must press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and enter the Windows account password.
Finally, the other shutdown options are accessible when hovering over the arrow on the right. Figure 3.0 shows an example.
Figure 3.0. New location for the power options in Windows Vista.
Figure Notes:
1.Enable Sleep mode.
2.Lock your PC.
3.Click here for power options.
Desktop
Other than the slightly larger default icon size (Figure 3.1 shows an example), not much has changed with the actual desktop.
Figure 3.1. Comparison of Windows XP and Vista default icons.
Figure Notes:
1.Icons in Windows XP
2.Icons in Windows Vista
If you're used to having the main icons (such as My Computer and My Network Places) on your desktop, you can easily add them. Remember that these items have been renamed, with the My dropped from the name.
Windows Sidebar
Windows Sidebar is a time- and space-saving program that can be displayed on the side of your screen, as shown earlier in Figure 2.8 Windows Sidebar contains your desired gadgets that display and provide accessibility to certain things. Examples of gadgets include personalized slideshows of your photos, news and weather feeds, quick access to contacts and notes, and much more.
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