Synopses & Reviews
Whether you're a system administrator responsible for hundreds of Windows clients, or a just a roomful of computers, this book will help you install, configure, and maintain Microsoft's newest OS. Written in jargon-free English that puts concepts in proper context, the book gives you a better understanding of Vista's innovations and capabilities, teaches you how to leverage Vista to increase worker productivity, and demonstrates how the system can best protect sensitive data.
Best of all, Windows Vista Administration: The Definitive Guide is a problem-solving reference that lets you quickly access the solutions you need, and helps you unlock certain features to improve system performance -- without forcing you to page through the entire book.
In part, the book's topics include:
- A tour of what's new -- including the Aero user interface, Sidebar, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Vista Search
- An overview of all five versions of Windows Vista
- Getting started -- with workgroup networks, user profiles, VPN connections
- Personalizing Vista -- with virtual folders, Flip 3D, the new Control Panel
- Working with software and hardware -- such as installing printers, storage devices, software
- Configuring Internet Explorer 7 -- phishing filters, cookies and privacy, popup blocker, RSS feeds
- Deploying Windows Vista -- installation, imaging software, modules, migrating data
- Optimizing performance -- memory, processor, disks, applications, network, command line administration
- Security -- auditing, disk quotas, account policies, user rights, group rights, IP security
- Troubleshooting tips -- Startup repair tool, frozen applications, remote assistance, backup and restore
And that just scratches the surface. Which new features will significantly improve the operating system experience, and which are mere eye candy? What new features make Windows Vista worth the investment? Author Brian Culp supplies the answers with information-packed chapters, including one on Cool Vista Tricks that explains how to write your own gadgets for Sidebar, how to disable IM and email notifications using Vista Presenter, and a lot more.
Synopsis
And that just scratches the surface. Which new features will significantly improve the operating system experience, and which are mere eye candy? What new features make Windows Vista worth the investment? Author Brian Culp supplies the answers with information-packed chapters, including one on Cool Vista Tricks that explains how to write your own gadgets for Sidebar, how to disable IM and email notifications using Vista Presenter, and a lot more.
Synopsis
In plain English that puts concepts in proper context, this book gives readers a better understanding of Vista's innovations and capabilities, teaches administrators how to leverage Vista to increase worker productivity, and demonstrates how the system can best protect sensitive data.
About the Author
Brian Culp is certified in MCSE and MCT, and is an experienced Windows teacher. He is author or coauthor of seven books, including Windows Vista Administration: The Definitive Guide, Windows XP Power Tools, Outlook 2003 Bible, Spring Into Windows XP with Service Pack 2, and several MCSE study guides. He has also authored several tutorials for the Virtual Training Company. Culp gives presentations for Microsoft on Windows XP, Vista, Small Business Server, and Office 2007.
Table of Contents
Preface; The Structure of This Book; How to Use This Book; Conventions Used in This Book; Using Code Examples; How to Contact Us; Safari® Enabled; Acknowledgments; Chapter 1: What's New in Windows Vista?; 1.1 The Vista User Interface; 1.2 The Sidebar and Gadgets; 1.3 Security Features; 1.4 User Account Control; 1.5 BitLocker Drive Encryption; 1.6 Windows Service Hardening; 1.7 New Ways to Search; 1.8 Search with Windows Explorer; 1.9 The New Task Scheduler; 1.10 Vista SideShow; 1.11 Vista's New Printing Options; 1.12 Summary; Chapter 2: A Look at the Different Versions; 2.1 Five Vista Versions; 2.2 Windows Vista on a Tablet PC; 2.3 Summary; Chapter 3: Networking with Windows Vista; 3.1 Joining a Windows Server Domain; 3.2 Configuring TCP/IP; 3.3 Vista Networking Tools; 3.4 Wireless Networking; 3.5 Using the Network; 3.6 Offline Files; 3.7 Creating a User Account; 3.8 Using Vista with Live OneCare; 3.9 Summary; Chapter 4: Personalizing Vista; 4.1 Controlling the Start Menu; 4.2 Controlling the Taskbar; 4.3 Controlling the System Tray; 4.4 Controlling Desktop Theme and Appearance; 4.5 Controlling the Display; 4.6 Summary; Chapter 5: Making Vista Easier to Use; 5.1 Changing Language and Regional Settings; 5.2 Using Handwriting Recognition; 5.3 Working with Speech Recognition; 5.4 Accessibility Options; 5.5 Syncing Devices; 5.6 Using Bluetooth Devices; 5.7 Summary; Chapter 6: Vista Startup and Shutdown; 6.1 Your Computer's Performance Rating; 6.2 System Power Up; 6.3 Startup Performance; 6.4 Logging On to Windows Vista; 6.5 Automatic Disk Defragmentation; 6.6 System Shutdown; 6.7 Vista Power Management; 6.8 Advanced Startup Options; 6.9 Improving System Startup; 6.10 Summary; Chapter 7: Working with Hardware; 7.1 Installing a Device; 7.2 Installing a New Hard Drive; 7.3 Printing in Windows Vista; 7.4 Managing Printing with Print Management; 7.5 Summary; Chapter 8: Working with Software; 8.1 Installing and Removing Software; 8.2 Installing Vista Components; 8.3 Starting a Program Automatically; 8.4 Setting Default Actions and Programs; 8.5 Using Speech Recognition; 8.6 Configuring Application Compatibility; 8.7 Summary; Chapter 9: Deploying Windows Vista; 9.1 Vista Deployment Overview; 9.2 Vista Deployment Scenarios; 9.3 Running an Attended Installation; 9.4 Deploying with Imaging Software; 9.5 Migrating User Information; 9.6 Summary; Chapter 10: Internet Explorer 7; 10.1 For the Audience; 10.2 Behind the Curtain; 10.3 Summary; Chapter 11: Optimize Performance; 11.1 Gathering System Performance Information; 11.2 Performance Subsystems; 11.3 Command-Line Administration; 11.4 Summary; Chapter 12: Securing the Vista Environment; 12.1 Why You Need Security; 12.2 Security Features in Vista; 12.3 Managing Auditing; 12.4 Protecting Against Malware; 12.5 File Encryption; 12.6 Managing Disk Quotas; 12.7 Network Security; 12.8 Other Data Safeguards; 12.9 Staying Current on Security Issues; 12.10 Summary; Chapter 13: Vista and Group Policy; 13.1 Windows Group Policies; 13.2 What You Can Manage with a Group Policy; 13.3 Summary; Chapter 14: Troubleshooting Essentials; 14.1 Automatically Updating Vista; 14.2 Troubleshooting the Hard Disk; 14.3 Using Remote Assistance; 14.4 Remote Desktop; 14.5 Troubleshooting Network Connectivity; 14.6 Backup and Restore; 14.7 Using the Vista Logs; 14.8 Getting Help from a Newsgroup; 14.9 Summary; Chapter 15: Vista Tips and Tricks; 15.1 Several Really Cool Things, in No Particular Order; 15.2 And Now, What I Would Have Changed About Windows Vista If Only...; 15.3 Summary; Colophon;