Versions:
There are at least five versions to start, Home Basic and Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate. Features listed in a version appear in all later versions.
Home - Backup, Files Wizard, Movie Maker
Premium - adds Aero graphics, Backup Scheduler, Tablet PC
Business - Complete Backup and Restore, Dual Processor support, Encryption File System, Fax and Scan, Group Policy, Dual processor, IIS, Remote Desktop, Shadow Copies
Enterprise - BitLocker, drive encryption, Unix subsystem, Multi-lingual
Ultimate - Enhanced games, online subscriptions, enhanced support
The following features are included in Premium and Ultimate editions only.
Premium Games , Windows DVD Maker, Windows Media Center
Firewall
Microsoft has long been criticized for not having a firewall that monitored outgoing traffic. The Vista firewall includes this feature, but it is turned off by default!?
UAC
Universal Access Control. If you have multiple users divided into Administrators and Users, UAC is a good thing. If you are a single user or all users are Administrators, UAC can be a nusance. You can switch UAC on and off by going Start - Run - msconfig - Tools Tab
Play with XP
Getting XP and Vista to share files in a non corporate network is an uphill battle. You can do it with Public Folders, but getting a specific non public folder shared is still a headache. The following items are necessary, but not necessarily sufficient to establish the connections.
1. All computers on the same workgroup (they are not by default)
2. NetBIOS on TCP/IP is on.
3. The sharer account with username and password are on the sharing computer.
4. The folders are designated for sharing with full permissions.
5. Sharing wizard off.
6. Stop sharing scheduled tasks (a speed issue).
7. Designate network as private.
8. Install Link Layer Topology Discovery responder on all xp computers, this is the file name: WindowsXP-KB922120-v5-x86-ENU.exe
9. Open firewall ports
a. Network discovery of Vista: UDP 1900 3702 TCP 2869 5357 5358
b. Network discovery of XP: UDP 137 138 1900 TCP 139 2869
Shadow Copy
Shadow Copy runs at startup making a backup of the windows drive for use with Complete PC Backup and Restore. The trouble is Complete PC Backup and Restore is only available in the Business, Enterprise and Ultimate editions of Windows. So Home and Premium editions use all the processing time and disk space making data backups that cannot be used!?
Start Menu
The Start Menu has two columns with Internet, Mail, and your stuff on the left and their list on the right. The Classic Menu has a single column with the single addition of the Run option. Why didn't Microsoft make a single menu and put everything in one place?!
Vista under the Hood
Checking Performance
Use key combo Winkey +E - System Properties - Windows Experience Index - Advanced Tools
Problems with drivers, startup, and shutdown are at  the top of the list. Select any item for detailed information.
Speed and Performance
Control Panel - System and Maintenance - Performance Information and Tools - View and Print Details
Information is shown on Processor, System, Storage, Graphics, and Network.
Task Manager
use hotkey combo Cntl + Shift + Esc
Select Show processes from all users (botttom left).
Click the CPU heading to sort on processes placing highest demand on CPU.
Select View - Select columns - chech PID (Process ID number)
Click the PID heading to group like processes
Click the Performance Tab - Resource Monitor and see CPU, Disk, Network and Memory displays.
Vista Websites
Vista Tweaks Customize Interface, Tips, Performance, Software, Downloads, and Links
Vista Help with forums on installation, networks, drivers, SP1, and more
Vista Vitals a blog with Folder, Windows Explorer, SP1, and Miscellaneous categories
Vista Support John Barnett MVP, FAQs, Life Savers, Guides, Reviews,etc
Vista RIP Resources and Info, Vista, Home Server, Server 2008, Office 2007, Drivers, Legacy Windows
Vista Tips Speedup, Errors,Security, Files, Devices, Internet, Network, Sys Admin, Appearance, Gerneral
Vista Club Features, Tips, Security, Downloads, etc

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