By Mark Sikes
(1/31/07)
After years of anticipation, the much-ballyhooed release of Windows Vista has finally arrived. While the jury is still out on the new Windows operating system, Vista will definitely be coming to a desktop near you soon. For those already running Vista, peruse a collection of tools for software developers, IT professionals, and home users to enhance your new OS.
If you're ready to the make the jump from Windows XP, you can also download upgrades for Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Ultimate. For more news, reviews, video, and galleries of Windows Vista, see CNET's extended coverage.
Windows Vista Security Guide
This security download provides instructions and recommendations to strengthen the security of desktop and laptop computers running Windows Vista. It also includes tools, step-by-step procedures, recommendations, and processes that significantly streamline the deployment of Windows Vista for IT pros.
Windows Vista Step-by-Step Guides for IT Professionals
These guides from Microsoft provide detailed information about how to control device installation using Device Management and Installation (DMI), and how to manage ADMX files. They also provide instructions for protecting data using BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Windows Automated Installation Kit
This instillation kit is designed to help Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), system builders, and corporate IT professionals deploy Windows onto new hardware. The Windows AIK includes a new set of deployment tools supporting the latest release of Windows.
Windows Vista Readiness Hands on Lab
This Vista compatibility lab walks software developers through the specifics of the new OS. It focuses on solutions to help customers running third-party applications have a better experience on Microsoft Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Product Guide
Compiled by Microsoft employees who actually participated in the development of Windows Vista, this comprehensive feature-by-feature guide is the definitive resource for learning all the details about the OS.
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
Make sure your computer is ready for Windows Vista. This free download helps you determine whether your current hardware can run Vista, and it makes recommendations based on Vista's requirements. You also can use it to check whether your Windows Vista machine is capable of upgrading to a more powerful edition.
Vista Manager
This all-in-one app bundles 28 different utilities to optimize, tweak, and tune up your Windows Vista machine. Improve performance and security, clean Registry and junk files, optimize network connections, uninstall programs easily, and manage start-up items.
TweakVI Basic
Customize hidden features of Windows Vista to optimize your machine and micromanage the operating system to fit your specific needs. TweakVI bundles a slew of utilities in this suite, which combines both tuning and performance features.
