Introduction

Overview

Introducing Microsoft Windows Vista presents Microsoft Windows Vista, the latest version of the Windows operating system, and provides a comprehensive overview of the new Windows features for power users, administrators, and developers. This book has been written using the Windows Vista Beta to provide an early introduction to this powerful operating system.

Writing a book to a beta product has many benefits but also some drawbacks. Microsoft is able to publish the first edition of this book prior to the official release date of Windows Vista, which allows you to get advance information about the operating system. This will not only help you get a head start on learning the new Windows features, but it should also help you install, work with, and manage Windows Vista in the future.

Because I am writing this book based on a beta product, features are subject to change, especially with regard to the user interface and screens. For example, I might discuss the Network Center, Network List, and Network Map tools as separate features, while in the final product these features might be combined into a single tool with multiple views named Network Center, Network List, and Network Map. Or I might show a screen that has a Make Fonts Large Or Smaller option, and in the final product this option might be renamed Adjust Font Size.