Product Description

The Ultimate Windows Vista Resource

Take full advantage of the high-performance features available in Microsoft Windows Vista and experience the power of this integrated, next-generation operating system. Windows Vista: The Complete Reference shows you how to install and configure Windows Vista for optimal performance, customize the streamlined new desktop, display sidebars and gadgets, and enjoy all the entertainment capabilities, including music, movies, and games.

Find out how to manage your files, install software and hardware, and use the latest Internet technologies. You'll also learn to secure your system, back up and restore your files, and set up a Local Area Network (LAN) so you can share resources. Filled with clear screenshots and detailed explanations, this is your one-stop guide to mastering Windows Vista.

• Customize your desktop with new UI components
• Use the new User Account Control (UAC)  to prevent unauthorized changes to your computer
• Manage files and folders using Windows Flip 3D and Windows Live Taskbar thumbnails
• Protect your files using the Backup and Restore Center
• Manage and edit your photos with the new Windows Photo Gallery
• Keep track of your appointments with the new Windows Calendar
• Use Windows Media Center to record live TV and radio, view digital photos, play music, and burn CDs and DVDs
• Connect to the Internet and use Windows Mail, Internet Explorer 7, and Windows Live Messenger
• Secure your PC and use Windows Update
• Troubleshoot and tune Windows Vista for maximum performance

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #125467 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 733 pages

About the Author

Margaret Levine Young is a software engineer and the bestselling author or coauthor of several computer books, including Internet: The Complete Reference.

John R. Levine is the bestselling author or coauthor of several books, including Windows XP: The Complete Reference.

Customer Reviews

Almost There
The knowledge in this book is "almost there."

I purchased "Windows Vista: The Complete Reference" to familiarize myself with Vista since I do not have a Vista machine but needed the knowledge for work. I had used the XP Reference book and found it very informative.

Prior to purchasing this book I purchased another Vista book published by Que: "Using Microsoft Windows Vista." Having started the Que book first I naturally compared the two. The XP Reference book leaves out some very important information on file encryption.

If you are a casual user of Vista, this book is written in a simple, user friendly manner and should suffice. A more advanced user should purchase the Que book.

Meets my needs
I've worked with WINDOWS for my entire 7 years working with PCs and I've always found these folks to be able to meet my reference needs consistently and concisely. The set-up of their books is logical and easy to use. I'm by no means a computer whiz or geek, and my troubled and faulty mind occasionally needs help in dealing with WINDOWS, especially after getting comfy with XP and previous versions. For some reason, despite the obvious user-friendly changes in VISTA, my poor feeble brain resists grasping a fair amount of changes easily (just chalk it up to my age & unwillingness to change) Anyway, this book & it's previous incarnations are the mainstay of my PC references and I recommend them without hesitation.

Not as complete as the XP version
When my new computer came with Windows Vista, I purchased several books on the Vista operating system. I relied heavily on "The Complete Reference Windows XP" for information about Windows XP. This book, although still useful, is not as good as its predecessor. It also does not include a CD of the text, as did the XP version.