There are most users of Windows Operating System then any other OS alive and will be; perhaps, unless there would be any wicked revolution by open source hitting everybody from everywhere or Microsoft closes down for greater good of all or due to any other weird cause. People use Microsoft Windows but they do not love it. They are forced to use it because most of their programs run with Microsoft Windows easily. They have been using it for many years now and know it best. Usually they can tell instantly that when it is necessary to reinstall the windows. It could have been the best Operating System of the world or perhaps for Universe, but sadly it is not. Every professional who is using windows, is using it but when he looks at the Apple Mac user or Linux Ubuntu User, he sighs and thumbs him up with a cheeky face, wondering when he will be able to switch.

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User Account Control (UAC) is a new security component in Windows Vista. If you've used Windows Vista for more than 3 minutes, you know what UAC (User Account Control) is. Ever tried to install a software at Windows Vista but it prompts the following:

If you started this action, continue
or
User Account Control stops unauthorized changes to your computer, If you started this program then continue

You can disable annoying need your permission to continue prompts in windows vista. Seriously it has nothing to do with the security. Its just annoying. I mean there should be a prompt for any dangerous action of program but usually Windows Vista tend to alert before any installation of programs with these kind of messages. We can get rid of this message easily. There are number of way to do that including disabling via control panel, group policy editor, registry editor, msconfig and more...

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I have selected top quality High Resolution (1600x1200) wallpapers for your windows vista desktop. Download & Enjoy.

Vista Transformation Pack 7.0 - Easy, Simple and Robust

Transform your windows xp into windows vista style.

This release has overall improvements for features compared to previous versions and has a lot of user interface refinements for ease of use with end-user. You will find this program is amazingly easier comparing to all other shell packs. Let’s see the changelog of this release.

Changes in Version 7.0

-Added default system font option for recovery
-Added Docking support for preview and taskbar replacement
-Added DPI auto-detection in Machine Configuration
-Added hiding menubar option for Vista (Styler) toolbar
-Added information about KB925902 hotfix issues and solution on startup
-Added memory requirements checking for 3rd-party applications
-Added resetting DPI options and some extra information in Machine Configuration
-Added screen resolution auto-detection
-Added setting cleartype font automatically after the transformation
-Added Vista transformation “Express mode” (Make an appropriate setup configuration in single page!)
-Added ViStart (Vista Start Menu port for Windows XP/2003 with glass UI and search function)
-Added uninstalling existing components before updating
-Added WindowBlinds detection warning message (for user who is mistaken about glass border skin)
-Added Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 uxtheme patching support
-Fixed backing up system files bug on repair mode
-Fixed checking for Styler incompatibility with x64 edition OS
-Fixed fileversion checking bug that cause backup system files being overwritten by modified system files when update
-Fixed operating system checking bug (that allow user to install in Windows 2000 and below)
-Fixed Start Orb positioning bug
-Fixed Styler to execute Styler.exe only when user wants to hide menu bar to save up memory and some weird issues
-Fixed Styler to run in toolbar mode (prevent error and message popup)
-Fixed Vista (Styler) toolbar option with correction of menubar
-Fixed uninstalling bug with system drive icon
-Fixed uninstalling routines
-Fixed uxtheme.dll patching detection bugs on machine without any service pack
-Fixed Windows Live Messenger skin uninstallation bug
-Moved extra dialogs in the main dialogs process so user can make all decisions before transforming
-Removed customized open/save dialog due to bugs in some applications
-Replaced closeapp with pskill (some programs reported closeapp as virus though it isn’t)
-Replaced Blaero’s Start Orb with ViOrb (Auto positioning and snap over the start button upon taskbar shifting)
-Updated battery tray icons
-Updated Getting Started and Help and Support FAQ
-Updated LClock x86 to version 1.62b
-Updated Maintenance Center to be Welcome Center
-Updated minor UI graphic resources in themes
-Updated Segoe UI font
-Updated Shutdown/Logoff dialogs
-Updated Start Orb to full circle version
-Updated Thoosje’s Vista sidebar to version 2.1
-Updated transformation to use backup system file if it has the same fileversion during update
-Updated updating function to uninstall previous components before updating
-Updated Vista logon screen (Thanks to SoFtEcH for updating my logon)
-Added status message (Welcome, Shutdown, etc.)
-Fixed user account disapperance bug on lower resolution
-Fixed user account moving around when focused
-Moved shutdown button to right part
-Updated password panel resources
-Updated userpicture’s frame border
-Updated Visualtooltip to version 2.1

Screenshot
View screenshot

Download Link
Download Vista Transformation Pack

Website
http://www.windowsxlive.net

Inside Windows Vista, there’s a secret Administrator account, and it’s different from the normal administrator account you most likely have set up on your PC. This Administrator account is not part of the Administrator group. It’s a kind of superadministrator, akin to the root account in Unix, and by default it’s turned off and hidden. (In describing this hack, we’ll always use the capital “A” for the secret Administrator account, and a lowercase “a” for a normal administrator account.)

In versions of Windows before Windows Vista, the Administrator account wasn’t hidden, and many people used it as their main or only account. This Administrator account had full rights over the computer.

In Windows Vista, Microsoft changed that. In Vista, the Administrator account is not subject to UAC, but normal administrator accounts are. So the Administrator can make any changes to the system and will see no UAC prompts.

Turning on the Administrator account is straightforward. First, open an elevated command prompt by typing cmd into the Search box on the Start menu, right-clicking the command prompt icon that appears at the top of the Start menu, then selecting Run as administrator — or just use the shortcut you created in the previous hack.

Then enter this command and press Enter

Net user administrator /active:yesFrom now on, the Administrator account will appear as an option on the Welcome screen, along with any user accounts you may have set up. Use it like any other account. Be aware that it won’t have a password yet, so it’s a good idea to set a password for it.

If you want to disable the account and hide it, enter this command at an elevated command prompt and press Enter:

Net user administrator /active:no

Here is a list of those points which you should consider while upgrading to vista. If you are a professional than the Upgrade will be a decision that must be careful enough to know all the changes and differences which have been made in windows vista release because your previous hardware and software that you used to work on Windows XP may not be compatible with vista so you also need upgrade that.

This does also requires you to spend extra money just to use Microsoft’s new Operating System without any glitch.

Although you should know that vista is the most secure OS in Microsoft’s History. When Windows XP was launched it was targeted for Business use but vista is specifically designed for digital home entertainment (Vista home premium) also including many features for business (vista business edition) users also. When vista was launched many productive software were incompatible but now vendors have given updates and patches.

If you are running a PC with 512 MB RAM you could have some performance issues while using vista, you should consider upgrading to at least 1024 MB.

• You need to have compatible hardware
• You need to have compatible software
• Be prepared for learning the new features (as many things has been changed from Windows XP)

Windows Vista: Software And Hardware Compatibility

Now that Vista is installed, time to install some softwares on Windows Vista. Before anything else is installed, the most important thing software to install is an anti virus software. There are few anti virus software that works for Windows Vista:

1. AVG Anti Virus Free Edition works on Windows Vista. The AVG Anti Virus Free edition will not work on the 64-bit version of Windows. You’d have to buy the professional license.
2. Trend Micro is offering free 90-days trial to PC-Cillin Internet Security for Windows Vista beta testers
3. Avast Anti Virus

Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7
Firefox works well on Windows Vista but it has a funny twitching bug. The problem can be solved by either adding something to the bookmark bar or hide the bookmark bar.
Opera 9.02 Works.
iTunes 7 Works. The most important thing for me is iTunes can access and play shared music from another computer.
Quicktime 7 Works.
Foxit Reader 2.0 Works.
Skype Skype works, outgoing and incoming calls are working just fine.
Yahoo Messenger 8 (With voice) — Works.
Windows Live Messenger Works but incompatible with Windows Aero color scheme. When Windows Live Messenger is running Windows Vista will its color scheme to Windows Vista Basic.
mIRC Works.
TightVNC Works but very slow. It takes longer to view the desktop than usual. Perhaps disabling Windows Aero and removing desktop wallpaper will improve the speed.
UltraEdit Works.
FeedDemon Works. The reason I’m using FeedDemon is because of its ability to sync with NewsGator online so I don’t have to import my RSS subscription. I miss NetNewsWire already.
Putty Works.
Java Runtime Environment Version 5.0 Update 6 — Works. Azureus runs well on Windows Vista.
WinRAR 3.61 Works.
VLC Works.
Microsoft C# 2005 Express Edition Works.

Please note that all listings are subject to change and it is up to the user to make sure any hardware or software is compliant with Microsoft Vista before installation.
Most software and hardware is listed with which mode of Microsoft Vista i.e 32 bit or 64 bit the device or software is compatible with. See the distributor or manufacturers website for more details.

Please read from Microsoft themselves

Applications that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo...
See Vista Updates & Patches/Drivers sticky for more information on drivers and patches.

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0

Brief Description Of Upgrade Advisor 

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is designed to help Windows XP users identify whether their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista, which edition of Windows Vista meets their needs, and which features of Windows Vista will be able to run on their PCs.

File Name: WindowsVistaUpgradeAdvisor.msi
Version: 1.0
Language: English
Download Size: 6.6 MB
Estimated Download Time: 16 min 56K Dial-up (56K)DSL/Cable (256K)DSL/Cable (768K)T1 (1.5M) 16 min

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Service Pack 2
A minimum of .NET Framework 1.1 and MSXML 4.0

Download Upgrade advisor and test wether your computer is suitable for Windows Vista or not.

More detailed hardware and software compatibilities about WIndows Vista can be found over here at tom's hardware. 

Windows Vista can be installed, used and run without any license, product key or the need of activation for 30 days grace period, for purpose of trial or evaluation. Although Microsoft initially stressed that users should purchase a license with valid product key before the trial period expires, or else Windows Vista will lock into Reduced Functionality Mode. However, a “rearm” method has long since been discovered to be able to extend, or reset the remaining time for activation to another fresh 30 days, for up to 3 times.

Now Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Vista can be used and run for 120 days or 4 months (3 rearms), and extending the activation grace period is not a violation of the Vista End User License Agreement (EULA). All versions of Vista include Windows Vista Ultimate allow a 30-day free period without activation, except the corporate-oriented Vista Enterprise, which supports only a three-day trial.

To extend, reset or restart the initial OOB grace period of Windows Vista to another 30 days, use the following steps:

1. Click on Vista Start button and key in Cmd in Start Search box.
2. Press on Ctrl-Shift-Enter to open Command Prompt with administrative credentials (equivalent to “Run as Administrator”).
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter when done: slmgr -rearm or you can use sysprep /generalize
4. Reboot the computer.
5. Rearm again when the remaining activation grace period timer counts down to 0 days.

Rearm option resets the computer’s activation timer and reinitializes some activation parameters.