This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Running Windows Vista
After Windows Vista is installed on their computers, users can begin to take full advantage of the new technologies and productivity enhancements incorporated into the operating system. Computers running Windows Vista can be part of a workgroup (an associated network of independently managed computers) or of a domain (a group of computers collectively managed by domain controllers and Windows servers). Some aspects of Windows Vista may be different depending on whether a computer is a member of a workgroup or a domain.
Logging On to a Windows Vista System
When the computer is a member of a workgroup, Windows Vista displays a logon screen at startup. If more than one standard user or administrator account has been created, all will be listed on the Log On screen. Logging on is a simple three-step process:
- Click the account name with which to log on.
- If the account is password protected, type the account password.
- Click the arrow button to log on.
When the computer is a member of a domain, Windows Vista displays a blank startup screen after initializing the Vista operating system. Logging on involves a few more steps than a workgroup logon. The logon process is as follows:
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to display the Log On screen. By default, Windows Vista will display the last account to log on to the computer. The user account format will be shown as computer\username or as domain\username.
- To log on to this account, type the password and then click the arrow.
- If this is not the account to log on with, click the Switch User button, press Ctrl+Alt+Del, and then click Other User. There are a few more options depending on the type of account being used. If the account is in the default domain, type the username and password. If the account is in a different domain, specify the domain and account name in the format domain\username; that is, companyabc.com\airjimi. If logging on to the local machine is desired, use .\username; that is, .\airjimi.
By design, Windows Vista stores user profile date in %SystemDrive%\Users\%UserName% (C:\Users\Airjimi). Within each user profile folder, there are individual folders called personal folders for each person who logs on to the system. Each personal folder contains several additional folders. The folders are as follows:
- Contacts—This folder is the default location for storing the user's contacts and contact groups.
- Desktop—This folder is the default location for storing the user's desktop.
- Documents—This folder is the default location for storing the user's document files.
- Downloads—This folder is the default location for storing information downloaded from the Internet.
- Favorites—This folder is the default location for storing the user's web browser favorites.
- Links—This folder is the default location for storing the user's web browser links.
- Music—This folder is the default location for storing the user's music files.
- Pictures—This folder is the default location for storing the user's picture files.
- Searches—This folder is the default location for storing the user's saved searches.
- Videos—This folder is the default location for storing the user's video files.
Using the Welcome Center
The Welcome Center provides new users of Windows Vista easy access to configuration tasks such as viewing computer details, transferring files and settings, managing user accounts, setting up devices, and personalizing Windows. As shown in Figure 1.3, the Welcome Center also contains a variety of offers and other downloads available from Microsoft. Some of the offers are free and some need to be paid for.
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Figure 1.3 Exploring the Windows Vista Welcome Center window.
The Welcome Center layout isn't designed just for novice users but also for users new to Windows Vista. It provides a one-stop area for users without any in-depth knowledge and encompasses most of the configuration choices that users of Vista might require when working with Windows Vista, whether they are new users or experts.
By default, when users log on, Windows Vista displays the Welcome Center. If displaying the Welcome Center is not desired, the feature can be disabled by deselecting the Run at Startup option in the bottom-left side of the screen. The Welcome Center can be reopened as necessary by using the following steps:
- Click the Start button and then select Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, click the System and Maintenance link.
- Click the Welcome Center link.
If you are using the Classic view of the Control Panel, the Welcome Center can be reopened by using the following steps:
- Click the Start button and then select Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, if necessary, scroll down and locate the Welcome Center icon.
- Double-click the Welcome Center icon.
Exploring Vista Product Keys and Activation
Although volume licensed versions of Windows Vista might not require activation or product keys, retail versions of Windows Vista will require both activation and product keys. Users can check the activation status with Windows Vista Welcome Center by checking the Activation Status contained in the View Computer Details screen. If the operating system has not been activated, the operating system can be activated by clicking Show More Details and then scrolling down in the View Basic Information About Your Computer screen and selecting the option Activate Windows Now under Windows Activation.
Microsoft changed its policy in regard to product-key entry and modification. Windows Vista product keys, contrary to previous versions of Windows, provide additional flexibility in accommodating different licensing plans and can be changed as needed. Changing the product key is fairly easy with the following steps:
- Open the System window in the Welcome Center by clicking Show More Details.
- In the System window, click Change Product Key, located under Windows Activation.
- Enter the new product key in the Windows Activation screen and then click Next.
Exploring Basics of User Account Control
Microsoft introduced User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista as an answer to user-community complaints about computer security. UAC helps prevent unauthorized changes to the computer by programs such as viruses, spyware, and malware. This feature enhances computer security by ensuring complete separation of standard user and administrator user accounts. By definition, a standard user is an account that allows most software and system changes that do not affect other users or threaten computer security. In contrast, administrator accounts have complete access to the computer and its underlying operating system to make any changes as required.
If a user is logged in as standard user or administrator, a security prompt will be displayed by default (dependent on Group Policy settings and account type) if an application is run that requires administrator privileges. When a user is logged on using a standard user account, the user is asked to provide a password for an administrator account. If the user is logged in to a workgroup, local computer administrator accounts are listed by name. The user must select an account and type the associated password and then click Submit.
In a domain environment, administrator accounts for users who have logged on to the computer are listed. Typically, these accounts are either local administrator accounts or domain administrator accounts. The user must select an account and type the associated password and then click Submit. In addition, the user has the option of choosing an administrator account other than those listed. The user does this by clicking on Use Another Account, then typing in the account name and password and clicking Submit.
If the user is logged in as an administrator account, a confirmation dialog box will appear, as shown in Figure 1.4. The user must click Continue to allow the task to be completed or Cancel to stop the task from being executed.
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Figure 1.4 Using User Account Control to confirm program installation.
Applications can also be run with an elevation of privileges. Elevation of privileges allows a standard application to be run with administrator account rights. After performing the following steps, a user can run applications using elevated privileges:
- Right-click the application shortcut or menu icon and then select Run as Administrator.
- When the User Account Control prompt appears, select Continue to allow the task to be completed or Cancel to stop the task from being executed.
Powering Down Windows Vista Systems
Typically, when a user turns off a computer running Windows Vista, the system enters sleep state rather than shutting down and turning off completely; the system saves all work, turns off the display, and puts the system into sleep mode. Sleep mode is a low-power-consumption mode where the system state is saved into memory and the computer disk drives and cooling fans turn off. By clicking the Power button on the Start Menu, most computers can be put into sleep mode. Waking up the computer can be accomplished by pressing any key on the keyboard or by pressing the power button on the computer itself.
Startup, Sleep, and Shutdown Performance
In Windows Vista, users can switch their computers between different powered states of low-power consumption and high-power consumption. Users can easily place their computers in a lower power sleep mode using the Power button on the Windows Start menu. In addition, if properly configured, the computer can be placed in sleep mode by pressing the computer's external power button. Sleep, a new power state in Windows Vista, combines the benefits of the standby (fast startup) and hibernation (data protection) features previously available in Windows XP. In sleep mode, the state of the operating system is saved in the computer's memory and although the hard drive and system fans are shutdown, the system can quickly be powered back up to a working state.
Some computers cannot be put into sleep mode because of the system hardware, system state, or applied power-saving configurations. If the system hardware doesn't support sleep mode, the system is completely powered off. If a computer has just completed installing new software updates requiring a restart or a new program has been installed, the system will also not go into sleep mode. In addition, if power options have been reconfigured and have set the Power button to use the Shut Down action, the computer cannot use sleep mode, and turning off the computer shuts it down completely.
With the new GUI enhancements in Windows Vista, it is easy to determine how the Power button works (see Figure 1.5). Windows Vista displays two different views for the Power button. If the Power button displays an amber icon with a circle with a vertical line through the top, pressing the Power button will turn the system off and put the system in a low-power-consumption state so the working session can be resumed quickly. If the Power button displays a red icon with a circle and a vertical line through the middle of it, pressing the power button will turn the system off completely.
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Figure 1.5 Viewing the Power button.