Chapter 3. Windows Components, Features, and Settings

This chapter provides a listing of the most useful components, features, and settings that make up Windows Vistaan encyclopedia, if you will, of everything you can do with Windows out of the box. Some of the more prominent applications and utilities that come with Windows Vista are available through shortcuts on the Start menu, but many useful tools aren't as conspicuous, available only to those users who know where to look.

In Windows, there is usually more than one way to accomplish any task. So, each entry in this chapter starts with the format name of the component as it appears on the screen and the executable filename, which can be typed into the address bar, the command prompt, or the Start Search box. Then, its location in the interface (if applicable) is shown with standard path notation, followed by a description, tips, command-line options, or other applicable helpful information.