At the time of release of Windows Vista many home PC users are possibly surprising if now is right time to make jump to Microsoft's most recent version to Windows. Some are possibly worried about security and stability, while many are possibly surprising why they must even switch to Windows Vista, because Microsoft Windows XP looks to be doing the job.

The answer is that there are some reasons for upgrading that Windows Vista has:

• New features
• Improved security
• Better overall user experience

Discover new features in Windows Vista


Windows Vista presents a significant many new and enhanced aspects over XP. Some of these great new features contain:

Windows Aero: Windows Vista aspects a fully different looks for its interface a cleaner, transparent look with remarkable graphic quality, not to mention Live Icons and new Windows Flip 3D feature. Windows Aero needs a higher-end video graphics card; or else, Windows Vista is shown using Windows Basic. Verify with your PC company, or utilize Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to see whether your video card is prepared for Windows Aero.

Windows Sidebar: Windows Vista presents a panel that shows your choice of Windows gadgets mini-applications that do obliging functions, like a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Outlook inbox representation, and money exchange.

Microsoft Windows Media Player 11: As you can download it for Windows XP, this newest and greatest version of Windows Media Player is intended for Windows Vista and must not be missed. With its new graphics-oriented interface, Windows Media Player 11 abandons the text-oriented look and field of earlier versions. Did I mention that you can also utilize Windows Media Player 11 to share your media over your private home network?

Windows Search: One of the most useful new aspects in Windows Vista, you can now search for files or applications from about anyplace. Unlike in Windows XP, with Window Search, you can just type some letters of your search request, and results show on the fly a useful aspect when looking for a file or application from Start menu. E.g. type fir and Windows Firewall entries show in Start menu.

Enjoy better security


People are worried about security these days not only Windows security but also how to protect themselves and their families when using their home PCs. Microsoft has addressed both of these problems head on in Windows Vista. Some of the enhanced security features in new operating system contain:

Parental Controls: Windows Vista contains Parental Controls that permit you as PC administrator put highly particular boundaries for other users, including separate standard user accounts for family members, particularly children. You can place rules like which sites a certain user can or cannot access and hours during which a particular user can utilize PC; you can limit access to particular applications and view where other users have been on your PC and on Web.

Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC): UAC is a latest security aspect that allows you operate Windows Vista more as a standard user than as a true administrator, where you have full access to all. Aspects that UAC protects, denoted with a multi-colored shield, need your permission or validation before you can access them.

Windows Firewall: It has two firewalls first standard firewall that was accessible in XP and Windows Firewall with Enhanced Features. Next the firewall protection, containing bidirectional filters, meaning that together incoming and outgoing data are scanned.

An improved user experience


In general user experience in Windows Vista goes further than what is available in Windows XP. Some of the things that I have found actually pleasant are:

The new Start menu: It shows all within context of a single menu. Rather than having to scroll during a list of applications, you can now look a single, collapsible Start menu.

Improved folders: My Documents, My Music, My Videos, and so on are basic and show easily as Documents, Music, and Videos. These folders offer when you search folders. E.g. if you are in Documents folder, folder representations of Music, Videos, Searches, and so on, show on left side of Documents folder.

Live Icons: When you are using Windows Aero, you can move mouse over open windows in task bar and notice a live representation of what is running in them. You can obtain similar preview by using Windows Flip 3D feature or even by pressing ALT+TAB to toggle windows and folders, which creates navigation simpler.