Tag: WINDOWSVISTA

Every version of Windows from 3.0 to XP used the same type of help file format. HLP files were basically modified RTF documents that could be viewed using the WinHlp32.exe application. But Microsoft decided to leave that application out of Windows Vista to encourage developers to use more up to date help file formats. There's just one problem. When you buy a new computer or a new operating system ...

Jim Louderback leaves PCMag and Ziff Davis after 16 years as an editor and on his way out tells us what he really thinks of Microsoft Vista. In his words, "The litany of what doesn't work and what still frustrates me stretches on endlessly." Need new computers for your small business but are unsure what OS to put on them? Take a hint from Dell. For a while, Dell pushed Vista but after hearing ...

Microsoft has announced plans for Windows Vista SP1. As we've previously noted, a small group of PC users have been testing a pre-release version of SP1. Apparently this is pre-beta stuff, as Microsoft now says it will launch a private beta within the next few weeks. The full version of Windows Vista SP1 is scheduled for release during the first quarter of 2008. There will probably be a public ...

It looks like we might be one step closer to an official Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Microsoft seems to have released an updated beta of Vista SP1 to a select group of testers, and at least one of the less trustworthy beta testers appears to have allowed the file to find its way onto your usual suspect shady BitTorrent trackers. The previous version of Vista SP1 included a complete ...

We're big fans of little applications that let you tweak your Windows system settings without mucking around in the registry. Stardock's TweakVista has a pretty comprehensive set of registry hacks, but only some are available in the free version. And it's kind of nice to have a tiny file that works with no installation required. While XdN Tweaker doesn't offer as many options as the free Vispa, ...

We took a pre-release version of Stardock's TweakVista for a spin back in June, and we were suitably impressed with this OS tweaking tool. Now the company has released version 1.0 in two varieties. One will set you back $20 while there's also a free version with a few features shaved off the top. Both versions let you identify and disable Windows processes, update display drivers, configure User ...

Now that a few folks have got their grubby little paws on beta versions of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, we can tell you a bit about some of the updates. There's still no way to download and install Vista SP1. It's only available as a 3.2GB DVD ISO which you can burn to disc and use to install a full version of Windows Vista. But APC Magazine and I Started Something have taken a look under the ...

It looks like Microsoft has officially released the Window Performance and Reliability Pack and Vista Compatibility and Reliability Pack. We first told you about these Vista update packs last week when unofficial versions made their way onto the net. Here are some of the issues the update addresses: When you copy or move a large file, the "estimated time remaining" takes a long time to be ...

Word on the street is that Microsoft may be sending out pre-release beta versions of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. If the rumors are true, and they may not be (despite a series of screenshots making the rounds), the Windows XP service pack weighs in at about 350MB and offers up about 900 solutions to reported problems. Many of those fixes have been addressed via ...

Although Microsoft claims that Windows Vista sales in China are better than previously reported, the company has reduced the price of its latest operating system in order to spur sales. On Wednseday, the company has cut the price of Windows Vista Home Baisc to just under $66 US dollars, which is about 1/3rd the price it had been selling for. The price of Windows Vista Home Premium has also ...

When logging on to a corporate network from a remote location, you're usually required to authenticate against the Windows domain. For years that's been accomplished by using 2000 or XP's "Logon via Dialup connection" checkbox. But it's not there in Vista, so what do you do? Fear not, there is a way to make this happen in Vista, it's just not obvious. The setting is located in the Control Panel's ...

Microsoft beta testers have been playing with a few major updates for Windows Vista for a few days now. It's not quite a full service pack release, but the Vista Performance and Reliability Pack and the Vista Compatibility and Reliability Pack do include quite a few bug fixes that should make Vista slightly more bearable. The packs should be available to all users through Windows update on August ...

"Performance tip" is the easiest way to describe this link, but the truth is that it's really a way to avoid an ugly problem in Windows Vista. It turns out that if you're a power user, and tend to have a lot of windows open on your desktop, you could very well run into what appears to be a flaw in Vista's memory handling when it comes to the "desktop heap". If you have no idea what that means, ...

Those of us on a Mac have been fortunate enough to enjoy Apple's Zero-config technology Rendez-Vous Bonjour for years, however people are often surprised to know it's available for Windows too as a download from Apple.com. Now, there's probably some of you wondering what on earth Bonjour is as, at least in our experience, it's little known by Windows users. Thankfully, Apple answers that question ...

Looking for a way to customize your Windows Vista boot experience? Ok, you probably weren't, fair enough. However, if you want to spend a few minutes tinkering to while the day away, here's a great time waster. Windows Vista has a "hidden" boot screen, and you can enable it in a few easy steps. First, type "msconfig" into the search box. Second, Once MSconfig starts, click the "Boot" tab ...