First Look: Microsoft Windows Vista

22 October 2005

Windows Vista – the replacement for XP – may be arriving more slowly than expected and it might not have everything that was once planned. We get the latest word from Windows co-president of platforms, Jim Allchin, who maintains "It's a big deal".

Among the features in the OS are security improvements, some snappy new graphics, and a new means of searching and organizing information. Rather than having to remember the single folder where something is stored, users will be able to put documents in any number of virtual folders. They can also establish folders that will automatically update, such as "files edited in the last week" or "documents from Ian".

In addition, Microsoft is trying to simplify an array of other tasks, such as adding a PC to a home network or connecting a laptop to a projector.

Availability

Microsoft has promised that Vista will be widely available on computers at some time in 2006. A beta programme is already underway. The server version is scheduled for 2007. Microsoft has not said whether it will come in the same editions as in the past, such as Home, Professional and Tablet editions. Jim Allchin said Microsoft is close to a decision there, but not ready to talk about it. "We are moving features around," he said. Pricing has yet to be decided.

Key Features

Vista  – what used to be called Longhorn – has evolved quite a bit since Microsoft first demonstrated an early version in 2003. The company has dropped plans to include its all-new WinFS file system and has also changed the way it's implementing a new Web services architecture, known as Indigo, and a new graphics engine, dubbed Avalon.

Among the key features of Vista as it currently stands are: security enhancements, a new searching mechanism, lots of new laptop features, parental controls and better home networking. There will also be visual changes, thanks to Avalon, ranging from shiny translucent windows to icons that are tiny representations of a document itself. On the business side, Microsoft said Vista will be easier for businesses to deploy on multiple PCs and will also save costs by reducing the number of times computers will have to be rebooted.

Among the other features Microsoft has publicly confirmed are: broad IPv6 support, improved client-side caching of data stored on a server, whole-volume encryption, a revamped synchronization engine, the ability to support laptops with an auxiliary display, automatic hard drive optimization and a secure boot-up process that helps prevent someone from gaining access to your data if your PC is lost or stolen. There's also probably a ton of stuff we haven't heard about yet.

Having said all of that, Allchin has said that getting Vista out on time is more of a priority than including every last feature. So if the team hits a stumbling block, some features could be on the chopping block.

System Requirements

That depends on how recently you bought it. Allchin said that he expects Vista will need about 512MB of memory and "today's level" of processor. The ability to display all the fancy new graphics will depend on what type of graphics card one has. On some older machines, the graphics may look similar to today's Windows.

Screenshot Gallery

Here are some screenshots of the latest Windows Vista beta version. Click on the thumbnails to display the image full size in a new window.

A redesigned Start Menu in Windows Vista lets users start typing the name of the application they wish to open.	The Virtual Folders feature in Windows Vista allows users to view documents that share a specific criterion, such as "edited in the last week" or containing the word "budget".	The Pictures and Video folder in Windows Vista contains new information about a picture, including the type of camera used and a user-assigned rating.	A Windows Vista screenshot shows improved desktop search abilities.