Home > Store

How Microsoft Windows Vista Works

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

How Microsoft Windows Vista Works

eBook (Adobe DRM)

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
  • About Adobe DRM eBooks
  • This eBook requires the free Adobe® Digital Editions software.

    Before downloading this DRM-encrypted PDF, be sure to:


    • Install the free Adobe Digital Editions software on your machine. Adobe Digital Editions only works on Macintosh and Windows, and requires the Adobe Flash Player. Please see the official system requirements.
    • Authorize your copy of Adobe Digital Editions using your Adobe ID (select AdobeID as the eBook vendor). If you don't already have an Adobe ID, you can create one here.
Not for Sale

Description

  • Copyright 2007
  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Edition: 1st
  • eBook (Adobe DRM)
  • ISBN-10: 0-7686-6733-X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7686-6733-2

Windows Vista is the long-awaited upgrade to the Microsoft Windows operating system, and it's a lot different from the Windows you're used to. What's new in Windows Vista–and how do all those new features work?

How Microsoft Windows Vista Works is the first book to take you inside the new Windows Vista operating system and show you how all the pieces and parts work. With clear and simple explanations and illustrations that say, "You, too, can understand this," How Microsoft Windows Vista Works gives you detailed information on the hidden workings of Windows Vista–from the new Aero interface inside to the Windows kernel. It's a four-color, highly visual explanation of everything that matters about Windows Vista, including:

  • How Windows Vista differs from Windows XP
  • How Windows controls your computer
  • How User Account Control protects your system
  • How virtual folders and instant search work
  • How Windows Vista renders graphics
  • How the Aero interface and the Windows Sidebar work
  • How Internet Explorer 7's tabbed browsing works
  • How Windows connects to a wireless network
  • How the new Windows Photo Gallery manages your digital photos

Contents 

Introduction  xi

Part I: What Windows Vista Is–and What It Does  2

Chapter 1      Understanding Windows and Other Operating Systems  6

Chapter 2      How Windows Vista Differs from Windows XP  14

Chapter 3      What Windows Vista Does  26

Part II: Basic Operations  32

Chapter 4      Powering On and Powering Off  36

Chapter 5      Managing System Resources  48

Chapter 6      Managing System Information  62

Chapter 7      Managing Users  70

Chapter 8      Managing Data  76

Chapter 9      Managing Applications  92

Part III: Windows Vista Graphics  100

Chapter 10     Understanding Vista Graphics  104

Chapter 11     The Vista Interface  112

Chapter 12     The Vista Desktop  122

Part IV: Digital Media  130

Chapter 13     Windows Media Center  134

Chapter 14     Digital Music  150

Chapter 15     Digital Images  166

Chapter 16     Digital Video and Movies  174

Part V: Networking and the Internet  182

Chapter 17     Windows Vista and the Internet  186

Chapter 18     Windows Vista Networks  204

Part VI: Security and Maintenance  220

Chapter 19     Windows Vista Security Features  224

Chapter 20     Routine Maintenance  238

Glossary  252

Index  266

Sample Content

Table of Contents

    Introduction  xi

Part I: What Windows Vista Is–and What It Does  2

Chapter 1    Understanding Windows and Other Operating Systems  6

Chapter 2    How Windows Vista Differs from Windows XP  14

Chapter 3    What Windows Vista Does  26

Part II: Basic Operations  32

Chapter 4    Powering On and Powering Off  36

Chapter 5    Managing System Resources  48

Chapter 6    Managing System Information  62

Chapter 7    Managing Users  70

Chapter 8    Managing Data  76

Chapter 9    Managing Applications  92

Part III: Windows Vista Graphics  100

Chapter 10  Understanding Vista Graphics  104

Chapter 11  The Vista Interface  112

Chapter 12  The Vista Desktop  122

Part IV: Digital Media  130

Chapter 13  Windows Media Center  134

Chapter 14  Digital Music  150

Chapter 15  Digital Images  166

Chapter 16  Digital Video and Movies  174

Part V: Networking and the Internet  182

Chapter 17  Windows Vista and the Internet  186

Chapter 18  Windows Vista Networks  204

Part VI: Security and Maintenance  220

Chapter 19  Windows Vista Security Features  224

Chapter 20  Routine Maintenance  238

    Glossary  252

    Index  266

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020