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Windows Vista

Vista: Introduction, Editions and HW Requirements

• Brief introduction of Windows Vista - basic facts, editions, dates of release, and HW requirements. Details about new features will be published in other articles on our website.
• Though Vista (alias the former Longhorn) had been a frequently discussed topic, I always felt the time has not come yet to write an article about the new Windows system. The reason is that the system is still being developed and the changes in newly released versions and builds are extensive. Although this article is based on the Beta 2 version (build 5384.4), the following versions issued in a few days can bring many changes. If anything changes, I will try to update the information as soon as possible.
• Despite many articles being published on other servers, I hope you find my article useful.
• Vista = Windows version 6 for desktops. New revolutionary system and successor to Windows XP by Microsoft.
• Longhorn - The original codename for new Windows Vista and Windows Server. After introducing the name Vista for the desktop OS, the codename Longhorn is used for the Server Longhorn edition. Scheduled release is planned for 2007 and will replace Windows Server 2003.

Basic Facts

• Security - The protection against spyware is included in the system, as well as many new security features preventing damage caused by viruses, hackers and users themselves. New encryption features are available to protect from thefts.
• AERO - Updated graphical interface - a re-designed graphical interface, fully hardware accelerated (by graphic card). The new interface is intended to include many improvements of features, such as transparency, animations, shadows and new navigation elements, live taskbar thumbnails, Flip a Flip 3D. Users can disable particular features and use the classical appearance. The Aero mode is not available for the following: graphic cards without the Directx 9 support, WDDM, Home Basic edition. However, users can enable the Vista Basic appearance, but without the live taskbar thumbnails, Flip and Flip 3D.
• Management - Windows Vista focuses on time savings and ease of use for both end users and administrators. It is claimed there will be less restarts, more drivers included in Windows or available on Internet, new types of installations, diagnostics, automatization, automatic error correction, backup, higher security and many new tools. All features are supposed to bring more effective and easier IT administration, as well as lower costs (TCO).
• Administration of documents - Emphasis is placed on security, searching, administration and sharing of documents. It is recommended that users combine the system with the new Office 2007. The new XPS format has also been mentioned.
• Ease of work - new searching features, administration of documents and other elements included in the graphical interface. Lower security danger of viruses and spyware makes the work easier.
• Development support - Most developers prefer to develop applications for the latest operating systems. In Vista, there is, e.g. a new Directx 10. It also contains .NET Framework 3.0 (alias WinFX) originally coming from .NET Framework 2.0, including Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF alias Avalon), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF alias Indigo), Windows Workflow Foundation (WF alias WinOE) and Windows CardSpace (WCS). The installation of .NET Framework 3.0 is planned for Windows XP, as well.
• Performance - Higher HW requirements does not mean wasting of HW resources. HW optimalization is the main effort. The core has been rebuilt, the system automatically alerts problematic elements, support of 64-bit platforms is implemented. The product is being developed, so the particular builds differ. Huge differences are coming with drivers and system core debugging. Benchmark results presented on internet, such as memory turn on/off in seconds and memory usage, can highly differ in percentage from the final version. As a new feature, the system enables user customization - features for customizing the system according to user's needs. We will try to introduce new technologies, such as SuperFetch, Readyboost, ReadyDrive and others, which are claimed to bring improved performance, in some of our following articles.
• HW requirements - Windows Vista is not designed for older computers as the system requires more RAM resources, space on the disk, higher performance of the processor and graphic card. More extensive improvements of PC are required. Most of the average computers that have been purchased since 2005 should meet the requirements.
• Price - The price has not been announced, however, it is supposed to be the same as for Windows XP or a bit higher according to edition and license. Microsoft claims that new features and lower costs can convince many companies to invest in the new system.
• Windows Vista Business - Suggested retail price for full package product, $299 USD. Suggested upgrade retail price, $199 USD.
• Windows Vista Enterprise - The Windows Vista Enterprise edition is only available to Microsoft Volume License customers, it is not available for retail purchase.
• Windows Vista Home Premium - Suggested retail price for full package product, $239 USD. Suggested upgrade retail price, $159 USD.
• Windows Vista Home Basic - Suggested retail price for full package product, $199 USD. Suggested upgrade retail price, $99 USD.
• Windows Vista Ultimate - Suggested retail price for full package product, $399 USD. Suggested upgrade retail price, $259 USD.

Dates of release:

• The list is only orientational and contains just the most important editions. In the course of development, particular subeditions are issued (usually once a month). According to unofficial sources, the development started in 2002.
• PDC - September 2003 - developer engagement
• WinHEC - April 2005 - OEM IHV engagement
• Beta1 - August 2005
• PDC - September 2005 - continued developer engagement
• Beta2 - May 2006
• RC1 - September 2006
• RC2 - October 2006
• Officially, Windows Vista should appear on the market by the end of 2006 for business editions and by the beginning of 2007 for end-user editions.
• There are many speculations about the release date. The release has once been postponed and any further delay is unwanted. If there are any further delays, Microsoft will disappoint many customers, even financially, who bought the Software Assurance which assures them to obtain the new system version until a specified date.
• Even after the release, the development will continue. During the development, Microsoft decided not to introduce some new technologies in Windows Vista (e.g. 1. Command line administration or Monad alias MSH - Microsoft Shell). They will probably be included in following Service Packs. 2. The new WinFS file system based on SQL will come with Vista.
• Actual build: RC2 (5744-16384)(October 25, 2006)

Editions (SKU)

Home users:

• Windows Vista Home Basic - Basic version designed for home use, Internet and games.
• Substitute for Windows XP Home.
• Windows Vista Home Premium - For more demanding home customers who require extended multimedia features - Media Center (support for Xbox 360™), Tablet PC, AERO and DVD Burning.
• Substitute for Windows XP Media Center, Tablet PC.
• Windows Vista Ultimate - the most comprehensive edition for home entertainment, as well as for business users. It contains all features available in Home Premium and Enterprise. It is intended for users who use their computers at work and at home, as well.
• Substitute for Windows XP Media Center + Tablet PC +  Professional

Business users:

• Windows Vista Business - Designed for all businesses.
• Substitute for Windows XP Professional
• Windows Vista Enterprise -  brings more security with the Bitlocker feature, Virtual PC express, Subsystem for unix based application (SUA) and Multi-Language User Interface (MUI).
• Substitute for Windows XP Professional + significant innovations in security and lower administration costs. Only for customers using SA/EA (Software Assurance/Enterprise Agreement).
• Bitlocker™ Drive Encryption - a feature for encrypting data on the disk and to protect sensitive information against loss and theft. It provides 2 modes of operation to be used with the TPM chip and 1 mode to be combined with USB. !Be careful not to forget the password! http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/c61f2a12-8ae6-4957-b031-97b4d762cf31.mspx
• Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA) -  Support for starting Unix applications directly in the Windows system.
• Virtual PC express - An integrated tool which increases compatibility with previous Microsoft Windows versions. It enables to run single virtual machines. It is ideal for traveling, technical support and some older applications. For those who are interested in running virtual disks, I recommend that they use programs, such as Virtual PC or Virtual Server 2005 R2, both by Microsoft. Users can also use programs by third-party manufacturers, e.g. VMware. Virtual PC enables to run Windows Vista as a guest under Windows XP (which is the host), without the need of formatting the disk and other proceedings. It is important to have a powerful PC and to find some space on the disk for the virtual disk (I recommend a 2 Ghz processor, 10GB+ of free space and min. 1GB RAM).

For third-world countries:

• Windows Vista Starter - designed for less powerful computers, especially in less developed markets (sometimes dubbed as "version for Africa"). Low price should ensure using legal SW. It will not be launched in most of the developed countries. Many limited features: only 32-bit version, no AERO (Vista Basic appearance), limited max. resolution, max. 3x application running at once, limited network support. All other features are similar to the Basic version.
• Substitute for Windows XP Starter.

In the European Union, some editions will ship without Media Player, marked with "N", e.g. "Vista Business N".

(The European Commission decided some time ago that removing of WMP from Windows XP would help to open the market to third-party multimedia player manufacturers).

The merchantability of those editions is a matter of speculations.

HW requirements

The Capable and Premium Ready labels are used to mark suitable HW.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx

• The DVD-ROM can be an external drive (does not have to be implemented in the system).
• To launch the installation, you need more than 10GB of space on your disk. Microsoft states a 20-GB disk as a minimum and at least 15GB of free space (a 40GB disk for Premium). If there is not enough space in the system, an error message displays: Setup was unable to locate a locally attached hard drive suitable for holding temporary setup files
• A motherboard supporting ACPI is a necessity. If there is only APCI, the system cannot be installed.
• Aero requires: DirectX 9 capable graphic processor + support of the WDDM driver + support of the  Pixel Shader program 2.0 using hardware + support of 32 bits/pixel. + appropriate graphic memory. : 64 MB graphic memory supporting a monitor with the  resolution lower than 1 310 720 pixels,  128 MB graphic memory supporting a monitor with the resolutions lower than from 1 310 720 to 2 304 000 pixels, 256 MB graphic memory supporting one monitor with the  resolution higher than 2 304 000 pixels. It meets the requirements for the bandwidth for graphic memory according to the requirements of the Windows Vista Upgrade Wizard running under the  Windows XP version
•  Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta - is used to find out if your computer is ready for Windows Vista under Windows XP. After launching, the advisor offers you features you want to use and helps you find which version is suitable for you.

Windows System Assessment Tool

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/vista/winsat.mspx

• The Winsat program launched in the command line is designed for detailed check of the performance of the graphic card and other hw elements.

• help for winsat -help (it is recommend that you use this command in the command line in the administrator account)

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