Introducing Windows Vista - Microsoft Windows Vista Manual

Chapter 1

Introducing Windows Vista

In this chapter:
Introducing the Windows Vista Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Getting Started with Windows Vista. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Using Windows Vista in Workgroups and Domains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Turning Off and Shutting Down Computers Running Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . 12
Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest workstation version of the Windows operating system
and is designed for both home and business users. MSN Encarta describes a vista as a scenic
or panoramic view, and that's exactly what Windows Vista provides. Not only does Windows
Vista have an all-new look, complete with stylish graphical visualizations, easier-to-navigate
menus, and enhanced personalization capabilities, but the operating system is also the
first version of Windows in which the user experience scales to the hardware capabilities
of the computer on which Windows Vista is installed. Although the graphical bells and
whistles are excellent, many of the most powerful features in Windows Vista are those
that you won't see at first glance, including the many enhancements for reliability, security,
usability, and mobility.
In this chapter, we'll look at the issues and features you'll need to know about to start using
Windows Vista effectively. The chapter begins with a look at the versions of Windows Vista
that are available and then continues with a discussion of getting started using Windows
Vista. Next, the chapter discusses using Windows Vista in workgroup and domain configura-
tions, focusing on the differences between these environments and how permissions for user
accounts have changed between this and previous versions of Windows. Last, the chapter dis-
cusses the important procedure changes for turning off and shutting down computers run-
ning Windows Vista.
Note
This book was written using the Windows Vista Beta to provide an early introduction
to the operating system. More so than any other area of Windows Vista, the security features
discussed in this book are subject to change. Some of the features might not be included in
the final product, and some of the features might be changed substantially.
3