Crenk » Vista

Top 3 Tools To Make Windows XP Look Like Vista

Steven Finch — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:58:21 +0000

There has been a huge amount of negative buzz about Vista since its launch and it seems to be justified. However, if your using XP but was the sexy interface of Vista then here are a few ideas on how to get it!

VistaMizer

VistaMizer modifies about 400 of your system files, and when you reboot your system after installation you won’t remember how your old desktop looked like. It’s highly customizable and changes lots of stuff. What’s really good about is that it will keep backup of all the changes (so that you can easily revert it) and won’t replace/overwrite anything that would risk destabilizing your system.

Vista Start Menu

Vista Start Menu turns XP’s Start menu into one like on Vista. Not only do you get a better look but also many new features that are normally not there. These include: resizable start menu, zoom in/out, program launcher, desktop search, power buttons, tabs, and more. Another noteworthy aspect, Vista Start Menu does not change your system settings, thus making it easy to install, as well as simple to remove.

Vista Transformation Pack 7

VTP changes XP’s interface, including the Start menu, the Control Panel, system dialogs, icons, and more, to Vista style. Also includes a transparency function to mimic Vista’s Aero Glass functionality. It’s probably the most comprehensive package out of all, so be very careful with it. While I haven’t experienced any problems some folks reported difficulties in uninstalling it (see comments here). Here are some of the notable changes that will be made to your system.

[Update: Version 8 was released yesterday (Nov 28). It's seems to be better and much more stable. Read more here]

Boot screen / Welcome Screen / Logon Screen.
New desktop, file and toolbar icons.
Progress Dialogs.
New System Tray icons.
New Sounds scheme.
New interface visual styles.
Windows Media Player Skins.

Download Free Windows Vista E-Book from Microsoft

Steven Finch — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:10:42 +0000

Microsoft it offering a free download of the E-book “Windows Vista Resource Kit” written by Mitch Tulloch, Tony Northrup, and Jerry Honeycutt with the Windows Vista Team. Microsoft Press Books is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of with this “Free E-book of the Month” offer. For downloading you need to sign in with your Windows Live ID and register with Microsoft Learning.

Some of the core areas covered in this book are exploit new Group Policy features, settings, and ADMX templates, administer disks, file systems, file sharing, search, and Internet Explorer, manage IPsec, IPv6, wireless, and remote connectivity.

Download Windows Vista Free E-Book

Windows 7: Screenshots and Features Leaked, But Can It Hide The Pain Caused By Vista?

Steven Finch — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:33:39 +0000

Currently at the Microsoft PDC 2008 they are showcasing the new Windows 7, the latest Windows OS. Windows 7 is being demonstrated and also new user interface enhancements are introduced. The new Windows 7 desktop has many changes compared to Vista. It features a thicker taskbar, improved system tray and no sidebar. Here are some of the screenshots of Windows 7 from PDC 2008.

With the sidebar you can see that it is now a lot larger and actually shows the icons below the taskbar, instead of being an overlay which it is in Vista.

Apart from the basic taskbar being thicker, there isnt too many changes in the basic design.

Over at Sizlopedia they have been able to get leaked information about what new and improved features are going to be in the new Windows 7.

BitLocker Drive Encryption

Should your computer be lost or stolen, BitLocker protects your data by helping to prevent offline software attacks. Turning on BitLocker encrypts the hard drive where Windows is installed, including all information that is stored on that drive.

Device Information Retrieval

It downloads information from Microsoft for your hardware devices and displays it in the Windows 7 Devices and Printers control panel, and when you first install and use a device, in the Device Stage.

Driver Protection

Driver Protection helps prevent the operating system from starting drivers that are known to cause stability problems. These drivers are listed in a Driver Protection List database that is stored on your computer

Dynamic Update

Dynamic Update enables Windows 7 to perform a one-time check with the Windows Update website to get the latest updates for your computer while Windows is being installed. If updates are found, Dynamic Update automatically downloads and installs them so your computer is up to date the first time that you log on or use it.

Desktop Gadgets

Gadgets are programs that run on the desktop and provide at-a-glance information, and easy access to frequently used tools.

Homegroup

HomeGroup allows you to easily link Windows 7 computers on your home network so that you can share pictures, music, videos, documents and devices. It also makes them ready to stream media to devices on your home network such as a media extender.

Internet Printing

When you use this feature to print, you will first need to connect and authenticate yourself to an internet print server. Internet Printing makes it possible to use printers located anywhere by sending print jobs using HTTP.

People Near Me

This new feature allows you to send invites for programs to other people in the local networks.Users who are invited need to have it installed on the computer as well.

All these changes are very interesting but are they going to make Windows 7 be a smashing hit and leave all the worries about Vista behind them?

First Microsoft Ad, Featuring Seinfeld

Luis Sandoval — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:47:27 +0000

Ladies and Gentleman, it’s hard to watch, I know. I warn you, it’s painful. If some of you come away with your mouth open and an empty look on your face after all is said and done, you’re not alone.

In what was supposed to be the biggest coup in Microsoft news recently, their acquisition of comedian Jerry Seinfeld was supposed to herald the beginning of the end of those “vicious” Apple ads that have gained so much popularity. For almost two years Microsoft allowed Apple to take the offensive and for almost two years Apple planned to gain some ground in term of market share. Well it worked, and while Apple now sits at approx. 20% of consumer market, Microsoft has been blasted for their release of Vista, making most users stick toXP for the time being.

Well Microsoft decided enough was enough and planned to counter Apple’s negative ads and re-build their brand, but most importantly the trust of the consumer.

Please watch this video, the first commercial in what is sure to be a long line of painful, shake your head and cry attempts to fire back at apple.

Is this really the best Microsoft could do? I’m not even sure I understand the commercial. And the Spanish speakers was a little awkward. Was that their attempt to gain market share with our Spanish speaking brethren? I’m confused and you should be too.