Windows Vista

Windows Vista (codenamed Windows Longhorn) is a discontinued version of Microsoft Windows, a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft. This version was focused on use on desktop computers in homes and offices, laptops, tablets, and media center computers.

The development process ended on November 8, 2006, and over the next three months it was delivered to hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and distribution channels. It was released worldwide on January 30, 2007 and was made available for purchase and download from the Microsoft Windows website.

The appearance of Windows Vista came more than five years after the introduction of Windows XP, at the time it was the longest time between two consecutive versions of Microsoft Windows, but was surpassed by the time between Windows 10 and Windows 11 The launch campaign was even more expensive than that of Windows 95, which occurred on August 25, 1995, because it also included other products such as Microsoft Office 2007 and Exchange Server 2007. The successor to Windows Vista was Windows 7, which It was released worldwide on October 22, 2009.

New features

Windows Media Center

It is an application that, as in the Media Center Edition version, allows recording and viewing of music, images, videos and recorded television. It comes incorporated in the Home Premium and Ultimate versions. This program can be used by means of remote control and controls for the Xbox 360 video game console and whose graphic interfaces are created by means of the MCML format language. Through the multimedia center users can access the content of their computers from the screen of their television and control the audio and video of the same by means of a remote control of the type used to control televisions, VCRs and other devices. of this type. Although in Windows XP there were special editions that included the multimedia center, with Windows Vista this has been modified from the ground up and is now included in some of the normal editions of the operating system, instead of requiring a special edition of the system to be able to use it as it was with the previous version of Windows. Not included in Starter, Home Basic, or Business editions.

Windows Aero

It is a new graphical interface that allows transparency in windows. It includes "Flip 3D", a mini-application that allows you to switch windows by pressing the Windows key and tabbing. In addition, it allows you to have a preview of the open windows, just by passing the mouse over the buttons on the taskbar. It is included in editions starting with Home Premium.

Windows Anytime Upgrade

It is an application that consists of upgrading to a higher edition of Windows Vista. Update packs were previously sold through Windows Marketplace but Microsoft announced that it would no longer sell update packs. In Windows Vista, unlike Windows 7, you could not enter an alpha-numeric code (known as Serial Key) and the user had to purchase an upgrade. Currently via DVD you upgrade to a higher edition of Windows Vista.

Internet Explorer 7

This is the new Internet browser included with Windows Vista (although a version for Windows XP SP2 is also available for download), which enables tabbed browsing and the "Quick Tabs" button, which display views in thumbnail on all open pages. It also includes security enhancements such as antiphishing warnings and protected mode (Vista only) that prevents websites from executing code without the user's permission. Internet Explorer 8 is the successor to this version and is already available to download in Spanish from the Microsoft website for this system. There is currently a new version of this browser, Internet Explorer 9, which can also be downloaded from the Microsoft website.

Windows Sidebar

The Windows Sidebar is a tool that sits stationary on the right side of the screen. This application allows you to run small programs (gadgets) on the desktop, without having to open physical windows. Some run basic functions, such as the time, the weather, or searching for information on Google or Wikipedia. Vista comes pre-installed gadgets, however, it is also possible to download them from the Internet, which are not only provided by Microsoft but also by third parties. However, it is advised to disable it due to security concerns of legitimate Windows gadgets.

Windows Media Player 11

It's the new media player for Windows. Its changes from previous versions is the removal of the "Skin Selector" button (although it is still accessible by simultaneously pressing the Control and number 2 keys). In Windows Vista, the normal window has a transparent layout that matches Windows Aero; except when zoomed to maximized window, as it changes to theme color, no transparency. Allows you to change copy formats, without resorting to the “Options” command from the “Tools menu”. The music library allows the metadata system (which now includes the album art of the artist in question). As a bonus, you can now handle image and video files.

WinFX

An API intended to replace the current API called Win32. This, along with Avalon and Indigo, are the mainstays of Windows Vista.

Other

• Windows Vista is the first Microsoft operating system designed to ensure total compatibility with EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), the technology called to replace the BIOS arks that for more than two decades have been an indissoluble part of personal computers, so it will not use MBR (Master Boot Record), but GPT (GUID Partition Table).
• Windows drawn with vector graphics using XAML and DirectX. To do this, a new API called Windows Presentation Foundation would be used, whose code name is Avalon, which requires a 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX.
• Native capacity to record DVD.
• A command line interface called Windows PowerShell, which was finally offered as an independent download for Windows Vista and Windows XP SP2.
• A new database extension was announced to the file system called WinFS. The development of such file system has been abandoned by Microsoft, so it will not be included in Windows Vista, for the time being, being compensated by an indexing-based search system.
• It includes sources such as the Segoe UI and the Calibri, with the ClearType family, which was previously replaced by Trebuchet MS (for Windows XP) and Verdana, including bitmap sources for previous versions.
• Integrates a RSS feed reader directly into the system (Really Simple Syndication, for its English acronyms.
• The system restoration utility has been updated and implemented as a login tool, thus facilitating the rescue of the system.
• A unified communications system called Windows Comunication Foundation, whose code name is Indigo.
• A system antispyware called Windows Defender, which was also released for Windows XP with SP2 (although it requires system validation).
• Add to firewall system ability to block connections that leave the system without prior authorization.
• Windows Mail is an email client, which allows the handling of email accounts. In functions, it is the replacement of Outlook Express.
• Windows ReadyBoost is included, which is a disk cache technology first included in the Windows Vista operating system. Its goal is to speed up those computers that run with the aforementioned operating system by pendrives, SD cards, compactFlash or similar.
• The tool has been incorporated BitLocker Disc Encryptorfor the protection of lost data in Enterprise and Ultimate versions.
• User Account Control, is a system feature that limits the operations of certain types of users on the computer. Unlike previous versions of Windows, new Windows Vista users (with standard account) do not have default admin rights such as installation and modification of system records. It is characterized by having a variant of the Windows flag in two colors, light blue and yellow in the lower right corner of each button or installation file. To perform administrative tasks, the monitor is darkened, any mouse or keyboard order is blocked; and a confirmation window appears, which only authorizes accepting the order or typing a password. It only allows the activation or deactivation of this.
• Includes a Sync Center for Windows Vista synchronization with Pocket PC without installing the Active Sync.
• Windows Dreamscene, unique in Windows Vista Ultimate, consists of a wallpaper dynamic based on a video. It is downloaded by the Update of the OS itself.
• It incorporates a protection system called Windows Software Protection Platform (WSPP) which is more powerful than the current Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA). When you detect that the copy is illegal, the first thing you will do will be to warn the user and if the user fails to get an authentic copy the program will begin to deactivate system options, such as the Aero or Windows Defender until you only leave the most basic as the browser.
• Load applications 15 % faster than Windows XP thanks to the SuperFetch feature.
• It reduces by 50% the amount of times you need to restart the system after updates.

Editions

On February 26, 2006, the Microsoft company announced that the next version of the new Windows would include 6 editions. All editions are available for 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, except for Windows Vista Starter, which is only available in 32 bits, since it is an edition with lower benefits.

• Windows Vista Starter: is an edition that only has the basic features of Windows Vista. Only available in emerging countries.
• Windows Vista Home Basic: is an edition that has very few features of Windows Vista. Works properly
• Windows Vista Home Premium: is designed for households for the inclusion of applications like Media Center.
• Windows Vista Business: is for companies. Instead of Media Center it has various utilities.
• Windows Vista Ultimate: is the sum of Home Premium + Business.
• Windows Vista Enterprise: only available for large companies. It is similar to Ultimate with some added features.

Updates

Service Pack 1

Service Pack 1 (SP1) was a general update that Windows Vista received on February 4, 2008, and addresses issues that it encountered in the initial release. SP1 contains specific changes focused on addressing performance, reliability and security issues, support for new types of hardware, better memory management, solving the problem with power consumption in laptop batteries, as well as adding support for several emerging hardware and software standards, among them exFAT file system support, 802.11n wireless networks, IPv6 in VPN connections, and the SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling) protocol. The system kernel SP1 (6001) is consistent with the release version of Windows Server 2008.

Two areas that have seen big changes in Service Pack 1 are due to feedback from developers and software vendors. One of these is desktop search; users will be able to change the default search program to one provided by third parties instead of the Windows Desktop Search that comes with Windows Vista, and the search programs can be seamlessly coupled with the operating system's own services. These changes are partly due to complaints from Google, whose Google Desktop Search app didn't get preferential access to it like Vista's native search system.

An update to DirectX 10, called DirectX 10.1, makes many previously optional features mandatory on Direct3D 10 hardware devices.

SP1 enables support for hot-patching, a technology designed to optimize load time and reduce reboots. Its operation allows Windows components to be updated (or patched) while they are used by a running process. Hot update packages are installed using the same methods as traditional update packages, and will not require a system reboot.

Service Pack 2

Service Pack released on April 28, 2009 and available on Windows Update since May 26, 2009.

Some main features being added are:

• Windows Search 4.0.
• Support for Bluetooth 2.1.
• Allows to record on Blu-ray without additional software.
• Integrates Windows Connect Now to simplify Wi-Fi connections.
• Improves support for exFAT files that supports UTC Timestamps.
• It improves up to 10% energy efficiency on laptops.
• It reduces the time the system needs to recover the Wi-Fi connection when it comes out of hibernation mode.
• Increases the limit of available TCP connections.
• Reduction in the use of resources gadgets.
• Hyper-V inclusion.

Security and vulnerabilities

Although according to Microsoft, Windows Vista is one of the "most secure" versions of Windows (after Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10), some security flaws have been detected, and even the antivirus company Trend Micro has said that certain crackers have sold exploits for as much as $1,000.

Another weakness found has been a bug in the voice recognition system known as shout hacking. This security flaw was reported on the ZD Net site by George Ou.According to this report, he was able to enter the start menu and run programs using voice commands through the system's speakers.

Even so, and with these reports, Windows Vista has received half as many vulnerabilities as its Windows XP counterpart in the same period of time.

Reception

Criticism

Initial reception of Windows Vista was mostly negative from both sides. The expert pages in technology and computing and the users themselves. The main complaints were due to the high consumption of operating system resources, which were considered excessive to achieve good performance. Others were due to system instability, lack of hardware compatibility, high prices, and slower running of programs and tasks related to Windows XP. Sites such as CNET, PC Mag, and MIT Technology Review highlighted the news about Windows XP, but they admitted that they were very little essential for the common user, in addition to criticizing the excessive consumption of resources. Some more positive reviews acknowledged that the system was able to function properly on a computer that meets the recommended requirements. In November 2007, CNET rated Windows Vista as one of the worst technology products ever.

Although many of these problems were solved with the released Service Packs and with the development of more powerful computers, Microsoft recognized the failure of Windows Vista in a short time, which led to the authorization to make a downgrade to Windows XP and hasten the launch of the next version, Windows 7. In 2008, in order to improve the image of the operating system, the company carried out the Mojave experiment, which consisted of testing an advance of the next version of Windows to users who considered Windows Vista a "bad" system; after audiences responded positively to Mojave, it was revealed, to their astonishment, that the system was actually Windows Vista itself.

In August 2013, outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer admitted that Windows Vista was his "most regrettable thing". Various technology outlets also called Windows Vista one of the worst failures of the company.

Launch and hosting

Microsoft launched a huge campaign to publicize its new operating system, whose slogan was "The Wow starts now" (The Wow starts now in English) to imply that it would leave all those used it. Many billboards appeared in different cities with the tagline modified as a reference to a function, such as Protect your wow in relation to security. Despite the large campaign (the most expensive since Windows 95), shortly after launch the ad campaign ended abruptly.

Within a month of releasing it to the public, 20 million Windows Vista licenses were sold, double the sales of Windows XP during the same period. However, it subsequently failed to take off with much success. After half a year of being released, Windows Vista had a share of only 4.52%, while Windows XP had a share of 82% of the market. By November 2007, it had a share of 8.52%.

Since 2007, computer manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo, and HP began selling computers with a Windows XP disc after slow sales of computers with Windows Vista factory-installed. In addition, Microsoft authorized the downgrade to Windows XP in the versions of Windows Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate.

In March 2008, Windows Vista had a 11.02% market share. According to StatCounter, it had a 16.02% market share in July 2008 and 20.15% in February 2009.

According to Netmarketshare, in October 2009 Windows Vista reached its maximum market share, obtaining 18.83%, while according to StatCounter it was 25.02% in the same month, which made Windows Vista the the second most used operating system in the world. However, the figure was much lower than that of Windows XP, which was 70.48%. On October 22, Windows 7 was released and after its success, the number of Windows Vista users dropped sharply. Ultimately, this was superseded in July 2010 by Windows 7.

Hardware requirements

Computers capable of running Windows Vista are classified as Vista Basic and Vista Premium. Computers that can run Windows Vista are classified as Vista Basic, knowing that the Home Basic version can work perfectly. However, the same performance is not guaranteed for other versions, nor are certain functions of other versions of Vista (for example, the Aero Vidrio graphical interface) working correctly because these may require more hardware resources. However, what you can be sure of is that the operating system will work, and with a very easy upgrade to the equipment (add RAM memory, change the video card and others), we can move to the Vista Premium category. In the latter, we will be sure that the Home Premium version and above will work fully and will be able to take advantage of all the features of Windows Vista.

Prices

The approximate prices of Microsoft Windows Vista according to the Microsoft website, but without confirming, are:

If you purchase a volume license, the price is reduced. They all suffered a change when they were reduced by 40% in March 2008.^{[citation required]}