Vista Sense - About Windows

Tweak Windows Settings with XP-AntiSpy

Vista Guy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:02:03 +0000

If you are hearing this software for the first time, you may wonder why it has a name called XP-AntiSpy. It is simple; this software was designed for removing annoying XP things that the developer found useless. In fact, it was initially built for removing spying features of Windows XP. Overtime, this little piece of software added more features and now it is a tweaking utility to improve your system performance.

XP-Anti Spy offers you to tweak setting in the following areas:

. Media Player Settings
. Error Reports
. Services
. Network
. Internet Explorer
. Other Misc Settings

These tweaks would otherwise require you to check many multiple windows setting to implement. With this software you can do it all in less than a minute.

Mouse over each tweak will display information on that particular tweak in help section. This way, you can easily decide whether you want to enable a particular tweak. However, it should be noted that there are some tweaks ( for example clearing page file on shutdown) that are only required for high security installations. Enabling such tweaks by casual users may actually slow down the system.

The most amazing thing about this software is that it can be used to tweak on 2000/XP & Vista, because all of these OSs are somewhat similar.

You can download XP-AntiSpy from here.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Tweak Windows Settings with XP-AntiSpy

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Windows Vista SP1 Toilet Paper Released in Japan

Vista Guy — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:35:00 +0000

Well you may have thought that this post is about some software called “Toilet Paper”. Nope, it is actually about the real thing. The Japanese folks are very much excited about the release of Windows Vista SP1 and that they even created toilet paper with highlighted vista features!

According to AKIBA PC hotline, this is in fact Vista SP1 promotional merchandise and not something regarding under-performance of Vista SP1. I must say that is some un-usual promotional merchandise for a software product.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Windows Vista SP1 Toilet Paper Released in Japan

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Microsoft to Reduce Windows Vista Prices

Vista Guy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:16:31 +0000

BBC has a news story stating that Microsoft plans to reduce the price of Windows Vista in the near future. This means, single copy of Windows Vista Ultimate would now cost only $319 instead of earlier $399 price mark.

Microsoft expects this move will improve the number of people upgrading to Windows Vista. We believe it can also accelerate the sales of new Windows Vista licenses. However, this does not change a penny on the price pre-installed versions. This means, if you are buying a new computer with pre-installed Windows Vista, you will not see any changes in price.

Here is the link to full story: BBC News

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Microsoft to Reduce Windows Vista Prices

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Internet Explorer 8 Passes the Acid 2 Test

Vista Guy — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:00:45 +0000

IE8, the latest version of world’s most popular browser Internet Explorer passes the web standard test called Acid2 test.

For those not familiar with Acid 2 test, here is small description: The web pages are designed using a coding language called HTML and to standardize the coding, we have many web standards. The acid2 test ensures that the browser follows the exact specified standard and hence web developers can easily create web pages based on these standards. In short, every page created following a particular standard should look same in all compatible standard-following browsers.

After passing Acid2 test, a browser should allow the following:

Transparent PNGs - The eyes are encoded as transparent PNGs.
The object element - The eyes of the face are attached to an object element. Being able to use object (which can have alternative content) is one of the oldest requests from web designers.
Absolute, relative and fixed positioning - Being able to position elements accurately is important for advanced page layouts.
Box model - The original Acid test focused on the CSS box model. Acid2 continues in this fine tradition by testing ‘height’, ‘width’, ‘max-width’, ‘min-width’, ‘max-height’ and ‘min-height’.
CSS tables - There is nothing wrong with table layouts. It is a powerful layout model which makes sense on bigger screens. However, the table markup is troublesome as it ties the content to these screens. Therefore, being able to specify table layouts in CSS is important.
Margins - CSS defines accurate algorithms for how margins around elements should be calculated.
Generated content - The ability to add decorations and annotations to Web pages without modifying the markup has long been requested by authors.
CSS parsing - Acid2 includes a number of illegal CSS statements that should be ignored by a compliant browser.
Paint order - We test that overlapping content is painted in the right order. This is not a feature in itself, but a requirement for other features to work correctly.
Line heights - The Acid2 test checks a few key parts of the CSS inline box model, upon which any standards-compliant Web page depends.
Hovering effects - One of the elements in the face changes color when you hover over it. Which one?

For example, you can check your browser by visiting the acid2 test website. If you can see an emoticon, you can be sure that your browser is standard compliant.

If you are curious, you can check the list of browsers that have already passed this acid 2 test.

Microsoft has already worked hard of IE7 and that resulted in IE7 being more compatible with modern webstandards. Still IE7 is lacking the compatibility the FireFox 2 or Opera can deliver. With the introduction of IE8, MS plans to improve the browser market share.

Internet Explorer 8 is expected to be released in first half of 2008.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Internet Explorer 8 Passes the Acid 2 Test

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Windows Vista SP1 RC Available for Public Download

Vista Guy — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:01:37 +0000

Microsoft on December 12 said that the Windows Vista SP1 has reached the RC (Release Candidate) state and now every one can download and test it. You can even contribute to improve windows vista by giving valuable feedback to MS.

MS official blog says, SP1 RC is time-limited software and it will not work after June 30, 2008. I guess by that time MS will release the final or better version of SP1.

Microsoft recommends these steps before installing Windows Vista SP1 RC:

If you have a prior version of SP1 Beta installed, you must uninstall it prior to installing RC.
This is pre-release code and will change before the final release.
This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission-critical systems.
Microsoft recommends that you backup your data prior to installing any pre-release software.
Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is time-limited software. It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date.
Support is through self-help and peer support via the Windows Vista SP1 forum. Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Support for this RC release of SP1.
If you install the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate, it is strongly recommended that you also plan to install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released in the first quarter of 2008. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this pre-release code.
You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed on the computer prior to installing the Windows Vista SP1 update.

Here is the download link for Windows Vista SP1 RC.

Here is the FAQ link about Vista SP1 RC.

More details on this release at MS Vista Blog.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Windows Vista SP1 RC Available for Public Download

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Microsoft Offers Free Windows Vista Ultimate for Your Time

Vista Guy — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:32:07 +0000

Microsoft’s latest feedback program to learn the possible problems and difficulties of an average user allows you to own Microsoft software without shedding a penny.

The feedback system consists of surveys and automatic feedback system. The automatic feedback system works such that your computer will be monitored automatically by the feedback software for 3 month. Data collected by this software will be uploaded to MS website on a daily basis.

The free gifts are:

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit and 64-bit DVD)
Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007
Microsoft Money Plus Premium
Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008
Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008

Learn more about this feedback program here.

Note: This feedback program ends on 31st December 2007

Source…

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Microsoft Offers Free Windows Vista Ultimate for Your Time

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Enhanced Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista Released

Vista Guy — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:01:16 +0000

Yahoo yesterday released its Windows Vista enhanced IM software called Yahoo Messenger. This is an updated version of popular Yahoo Messenger 9.0 released on last week of October.

To harness the full features of Windows Vista, this updated vista version supports multiple skins, aero design and Windows Vista sidebar integration.

Yahoo says, it will maintain both version of YIM.Â You can download this preview version from Yahoo website.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Enhanced Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista Released

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Optimize Windows Vista Settings with Vista Manager

Vista Guy — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:51:16 +0000

If you are looking for another Windows Vista Tweaking Utility, then here is one: Windows Vista Manager. As the name suggests, this software is like a manger more than a tweaking utility. It is a collection of utilities to tweak, customize, clean and manage Windows Vista.

Vista Manger can customize many windows vista features. Then functionalities of Vista Manger is classified into 6 important functions. They are:

Information
It can show you the detailed information about your system including the details of running processes and the used resources. It also has a one-click junk file remover button that cleans up your hard drive from junk files.

Optimizer
The optimizer section of Vista Manager can help you tweak startup and shutdown. You can disable/remove un-wanted startup programs at this Window.

Cleaner
This cleaner function works to clean up your hard disk from junk files and duplicate files. You can even search your hard disk for similar file based on its size.

Another important feature here would be the registry cleaner. Registry cleaner can repair and de-fragment your registry and can build a re-index to make your system better responsive.

Customization
This tab allows you to customize system desktop, system menus, toolbars, start menu, and system notification area.

Security
The security features help you optimize many hidden security setting including UAC. You can tweak the following security settings:

Windows Logon
Windows Updates
Error Reports
File Encryption
User Account Control

Network
The network tweaking abilities of Vista manager helps you tweak Internet Explorer settings, LAN file sharing settings and network speed settings to give you the fastest connectivity.

All together, this software is a useful managing utility that can help you tweak many Windows Vista settings from a single interface.

Vista Manager costs $40 / license and you can download a 14-day trial version from the official website.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Optimize Windows Vista Settings with Vista Manager

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How to: Restore Run Command in Windows Vista Start Menu

Vista Guy — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:05:52 +0000

If you are using the default Windows Vista start menu, you will be surprised to see the lack of the commonly used Run command option. The newly designed start menu almost hides this feature. Fortunately, you can enable it yourselves.

Here is how:

Right Click Start Menu and select properties. In Start Menu tab, you will see a button for customization. Click on it and scroll through for the â€œrunâ€ check box. Select it and click Okay.

Now you have the restored Run command on lower right hand corner of start menu.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

How to: Restore Run Command in Windows Vista Start Menu

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How to: Turn on Alternate Windows Vista Boot Screen

Vista Guy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:28:23 +0000

Do you wish to change the boring progressive bar booting-up screen in Windows Vista? Yes, you can. Here is the small tweak that can change your old boot-screen to an aurora boot screen.

Original Boot Screen (Boring Progressive Bar!)Â

This boot screen is actually coming with Windows Vista. However, Microsoft did not make it the default one.

Aurora Boot Screen (Much Better!)

To Enable It:Â

In the run box, type msconfig and you are taken to system configuration menu. On the boot tab, check â€œNo GUI bootâ€ checkbox. Click okay and re-start the system.

Next time, when windows load, you will see a similar screen, which resembles the Windows Vista Aurora Screen saver.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

How to: Turn on Alternate Windows Vista Boot Screen

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Testers Claim Windows XP SP3 is Faster

Vista Guy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:42:52 +0000

Shortly after release of the beta version of Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft few days back released the RC 1 (Release candidate) of Windows XP SP3. This update initially will be available only to the private Microsoft testers.

From the initial reports, testers says that they see 10% speed improvement under same configuration compared to Windows XP running with SP2.

One of the earlier testers, Exo.blog tested this with OfficeBench and here are the results.

From this figure, it is obvious that Windows XP SP3 has done something major to overhaul the speed of applications. OfficeBench runs at 10 seconds less than in same configuration with SP2.

Windows XP SP3 being a bug fix/correction release, surprises these testers with noticeable speed improvement.

Some of the testers claim that Windows XP SP3 has improved support for multi-core systems and that is the result of this amazing speed improvement. Microsoft is yet to comment on this update.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Testers Claim Windows XP SP3 is Faster

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Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Performance Patch

Vista Guy — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:45:17 +0000

Only few days after the official announcement of Microsoft’s release of Windows Vista SP1 beta, Today, released a quick “Performance & Reliability” patch. It seems this update it targeted towards improving the speed and reliability of Windows Vista.

From Microsoft:

â€¢It extends the battery life for mobile devices.
â€¢It improves the stability of portable computers and of desktop computers that use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS).
â€¢It improves the reliability of Windows Vista when you open the menu of a startup application.
â€¢It improves the stability of wireless network services.
â€¢It shortens the startup time of Windows Vista by using a better timing structure.
â€¢It shortens the recovery time after Windows Vista experiences a period of inactivity.
â€¢It shortens the recovery time when you try to exit the Photos screen saver.
â€¢It improves the stability of Windows PowerShell.

This update also resolves the following issues in Windows Vista:

â€¢A compatibility issue that affects some third-party antivirus software applications.
â€¢A reliability issue that occurs when a Windows Vista-based computer uses certain network driver configurations.

We’ll see the improvement this patch can bring in coming days.

You can download this update from Microsoft website.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Performance Patch

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What is Windows Vista Flip 3D?

Vista Guy — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:47:08 +0000

One of the innovative feature on Windows Vista is the Windows Vista 3D flip. It is a feature rich expanded system similar to Ctrl-Tab. Using Ctrl-Tab, you can only see the icons of open Windows. Instead of these icons Vista 3D Flip allows you to watch live animation of rotating Windows.

For doing this press WinKey and Tab. Please note that you need to have Vista Aero enabled to view this. If you have changed the themes to Windows Classic, you won’t notice it. (All default windows installation comes with Aero enabled ;-))

The advantage of Windows Vista Flip 3D over Ctrl-Tab is that you can see live preview of the actions going on each window. For example, if you are copying something and have many open windows, you can use this feature and you will be able to clearly understand the progress without actually opening the copy dialogue Window. Another advantage is that if you have opened many similar Windows (Explorer for example) you don’t have to remember their names any more.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

What is Windows Vista Flip 3D?

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Windows Vista Design Features

How to Disable User Account Control?

Vista Guy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:53:06 +0000

Even though this new feature can help you prevent messing up your PCs, it is becoming an annoyance introduced in Windows Vista. UAC always asks for administrative rights to run some programs and it’s sometimes irritating.

User Account Control is the feature introduced in Windows Vista to control user behaviour and program behaviour for multiple user systems. Hence for any program that requires administrative rights, UAC asks for permission. The program is only allowed to run after getting administrator permission. The advantage for UAC is that spy ware / virus programs cannot install itself and access admin settings or services. Thus preventing any harm to your computer.

More information on Windows Vista User Account Control here.

How to disable that annoying pop-up window in Windows Vista?

Go to Control panel, select User Accounts. Click on Turn On/Off UAC link and there is small check box, by which you can turn off UAC.

Remember, turning off UAC actually makes your system less secure. Hence only do this if you are absolutely sure of it.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

How to Disable User Account Control?

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How to install Windows XP & Windows Vista on same PC?

Vista Guy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:35:33 +0000

This is the important question that I’ve been asked so many times. Hence thought I would post it for beginners.

Actually the solution is quite simple.

1. Resize Hard Drive and create two separate partition for Windows XP & Windows Vista.
2. Install Windows XP first on first partition. (C Drive )
3. Then install Windows Vista on the other.

Next time when system starts, you will be asked to select the operating system. If you don’t select the anything, it will automatically boot to Windows Vista in 30 seconds. If you wish to enable Windows XP as default OS, you can set it in system startup settings.

For getting there, right click Computer Icon, Select Properties, Select Advanced Settings, and select Startup and Recovery Settings. There you will see a similar image as follows.

Select “Earlier Version of Windows” and reboot. Next time your system will automatically boot to Windows XP.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

How to install Windows XP & Windows Vista on same PC?

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Optimize Windows Vista with Tweak VI

Vista Guy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:26:13 +0000

A small, but power utility to optimize Windows Vista, Tweak VI can help you tweak many hidden Window Vista settings.

Tweak VI is the successor of Tweak XP Pro, the popular Windows XP system optimizer.

The important benefits of using TweakVI:

* Adjust many hidden Windows Vista settings, that normally stay un-noticed.
* Help you cleaning registry.
* Optimize disk cache for better responsiveness.
* Optimize RAM.
* Advanced User Account Control Settings.
* Page File Tweaks
* Internet Connection Tweaks

The good part is that this software has three versions and the basic version is a windows freeware. There is a limitation in certain features, but majority of the important features are available with basic edition.

Download TweakVI.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Optimize Windows Vista with Tweak VI

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Microsoft Launches Internet TV for Windows Vista

Vista Guy — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:16:41 +0000

Microsoft finally launches an Internet TV service. This free service will be available for Windows Vista Home Premium & Ultimate users in US initially and for international users in coming months.

Currently this free service is lacking content. Present content includes movie trailers from big movie studios, music concerts, some popular TV shows, MSNBC news cast and FOX sport news. Please note that even though this is a free service you are still forced to watch ads.

Once Microsoft gets enough content, I believe there will be a paid service without ads. Only problem will be that for international users. With narrow bandwidth and high broadband costs, international users will be forced to see the ads.

Source: Wired.com

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Microsoft Launches Internet TV for Windows Vista

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Windows Vista SP1 (Beta) Released

Vista Guy — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:49:06 +0000

Microsoft announced on the official Windows blog that they are releasing the beta version of Windows Vista service pack 1. SP1 will be available for selected beta testers. Once the later beta versions are public, you can install SP1 using Windows update.

For installing Windows Vista SP1, Microsoft says, you need to install upto 3 prerequisites. These installs include updates to the Windows servicing stack, some secret update to Windows and an update to BitLocker, the disk encryption technology that’s part of Vista Ultimate and Vista Enterprise. These prerequisites will be automatically installed with Windows update in coming months. Thus once the final release of SP1 arrives, you won’t need to install these prerequisites.

Average users won’t notice much change after installing this SP1 beta. However, there are reports of few cosmetic changes after install. They include :

1. Removal of search option from start menu
2. New option to select hard drive volumes for scheduled de-fragmentation.

It is also reported that with SP1, Windows Vista is more responsive and hibernation / sleep works much faster than earlier.

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Windows Vista SP1 (Beta) Released

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Microsoft Extends Windows XP Lifespan

Vista Guy — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:54:18 +0000

Windows XP sales was supposed to be discontinued on January 30 2008; one year after introduction of Windows Vista. Due to popular demand Microsoft now thinks they would extend this date 5 more months to June 30, 2008. This new move now allows larger companies to sell Windows XP based system for 5 more months.

Earlier, small computer manufactures were given permission to sell Windows XP based system until Jan 20, 2009. Now big players can also do the same for 5 more months.

Microsoft says, all different editions of Windows XP other than Windows XP starter edition will be sold until June 30 2008. This emerging market edition “Windows XP starter” will be available for some more time. It’s expiration date is said to be June 30, 2010.

Source: Seattlepi.com

Originally posted at : Vista Sense - About Windows

Microsoft Extends Windows XP Lifespan

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Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Performance Patch

How To: Improve Windows Vista Performance

Vista Guy — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:54:05 +0000

It is a fact that Windows Vista is almost similar to Windows XP at base system properties. Hence, many of the tips that was useful for improving XP system performance works on vista too.

5 Steps to Speed Up Windows Vista

Step: 1 - Optimize Hard Disk Policies for Better Performance.

Windows Vista comes with a new hard disk policy for improving disk performance. You can enable it by checking Enable Advanced Performance in disk policies.

For getting there, right click Computer => Manage => Disk Manager => Properties => Policies (Tab)

Step: 2 Optimize System Startup

Many of the installed programs automatically sets itself to start running at system start. In reality, you don’t need to allow any programs other than system programs and security software to run at system startup.

You can disable less required programs from system startup and save loading time. Remember, most of the time you can enable these programs when we want to use it. By disabling start-up programs, you are freeing up system resources for other things. Usually by disabling some start-up programs you should see improvement in performance.

To edit system start-up, go to run (Win Key + R) and type ‘msconfig’; a window opens with number of options. Go to the startup tab and you will see a similar screen.

Laptop/Notebook users: Special care should be taken while doing this step. Since laptop uses custom drivers, some may be required to be run with Windows startup. Hence if you see some crash message after disabling startup programs, don’t blame me.

Step: 3 Edit Performance Settings

Windows Vista can be customized to speed up the system performance. To get to the performance options, right click computer icon, select properties, and select Advanced System Properties link. Click on the Settings button. You will see a similar screen.

Select the properties of Window Vista that you really found useful. Please note that some setting will remove the visual styles and make you windows look like old Windows 2000. But again, it is faster than fully loaded Windows Vista!

Step: 4 Use ReadyBoost.

If you are lacking RAM, you can use your Flash drives for improving your system performance. Insert you high speed Pen drive and you will be greeted with similar screen.

Select Speed up my system option and your USB flash drive will be used for transferring page file.

For those of who do not use auto run feature, you can got to disk properties (Right click disk icon and select properties) and select ReadyBoost tab. Check to use this device. You will see a significant improvement in system response times.