02_097137 ftoc.qxp 1/23/07 7:43 PM Page viii Preface..........................................................................................................................................xxi Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................xxvii Introduction ..............................................................................................................................xxix Part I: Getting Started with Windows Vista Ultimate . 1 Chapter 1: Introducing the New Windows Operating System ........................................................3 Chapter 2: Installing Windows Vista Ultimate ..............................................................................17 Chapter 3: Navigating Windows Vista Ultimate ............................................................................69 Chapter 4: Basic Settings You Can’t Overlook................................................................................89 Chapter 5: Customizing Vista’s Look and Feel ............................................................................121 Chapter 6: Games and Programs Included with Windows Vista Ultimate....................................149 Part II: The Windows Vista Interface. 177 Chapter 7: Choosing an Interface................................................................................................179 Chapter 8: Exploring Interface Features ......................................................................................199 Part III: Support, Stability, and Security . 231 Chapter 9: Getting Help..............................................................................................................233 Chapter 10: Keeping Windows Vista Stable ................................................................................245 Chapter 11: Keeping Windows Vista Secure................................................................................271 Part IV: Networking and the Internet . 299 Chapter 12: Building a Home Network ......................................................................................301 Chapter 13: Internet Applications ..............................................................................................335 Part V: Gaming and Multimedia Enhancements . 371 Chapter 14: Gaming and Audio Enhancements ..........................................................................373 Chapter 15: The NewCOPYRIGHTED DirectX .................................................................................................... MATERIAL 395 Chapter 16: Windows Media Center ..........................................................................................409 Chapter 17: Windows Media Player 11 ......................................................................................435 viii 02_097137 ftoc.qxp 1/23/07 7:43 PM Page ix Part VI: Music, Movies, Video, and Audio . 459 Chapter 18: Digital Music Guide ................................................................................................461 Chapter 19: Watching Video Through Vista ................................................................................507 Chapter 20: Editing Video with Windows Movie Maker..............................................................527 Part VII: Gaming on Windows Vista Ultimate . 565 Chapter 21: Introduction to Windows Vista Gaming ..................................................................567 Chapter 22: Installing Games (and Other Programs) ..................................................................589 Chapter 23: Optimizing Games for Performance and Visuals ......................................................603 Chapter 24: Game Options, Conventions, Controllers, and Updates ..........................................629 Chapter 25: Game Compatibility Issues ......................................................................................667 Chapter 26: Integrating Windows Vista with the Xbox 360 ........................................................679 Part VIII: Under the Hood: Tweaking Windows Vista . 693 Chapter 27: Optimizing for Gaming and Multimedia..................................................................695 Chapter 28: Tweaking Windows Vista Ultimate for Peak Performance ........................................705 Appendix: Maintaining Windows Vista Ultimate ........................................................................725 Index ..........................................................................................................................................733 ix 02_097137 ftoc.qxp 1/23/07 7:43 PM Page x 02_097137 ftoc.qxp 1/23/07 7:43 PM Page xi Preface . xxi Acknowledgments . xxvii Introduction . xxix Part I: Getting Started with Windows Vista Ultimate 1 Chapter 1: Introducing the New Windows Operating System . 3 The Vista Interface ................................................................................................................4 Windows Aero ............................................................................................................5 The Windows Sidebar ................................................................................................8 Improved Safety and Security................................................................................................9 User Account Control..................................................................................................9 Windows Firewall and Windows Defender..................................................................9 Parental Controls ........................................................................................................9 Better Applications ..............................................................................................................10 Multimedia and Gaming Enhancements..............................................................................12 Windows audio stack ................................................................................................12 Multimedia organization............................................................................................12 New games................................................................................................................13 DirectX 10 ................................................................................................................13 Performance Rating and Tools ..................................................................................13 Windows Ultimate Extras....................................................................................................14 Flip 3D......................................................................................................................14 Summary ............................................................................................................................15 Chapter 2: Installing Windows Vista Ultimate . 17 The Installation Process: An Overview ................................................................................18 Preparing for the installation ....................................................................................18 Performing the installation ........................................................................................19 Finishing the installation ..........................................................................................19 Official Hardware Requirements Versus Reality ..................................................................19 Installing Vista on a Newly Formatted Hard Drive ..............................................................21 Booting the DVD ......................................................................................................22 Giving the installer some information........................................................................23 Letting the installer do its job ....................................................................................28 Providing more information ......................................................................................29 xi 02_097137 ftoc.qxp 1/23/07 7:43 PM Page xii Contents Upgrading from a Previous Version of Windows..................................................................36 Backing up your files ................................................................................................37 Uninstalling or deactivating applications ..................................................................37 Streamlining the file system ......................................................................................38 Checking the hard drive with ScanDisk or CHKDSK ................................................38 Downloading Vista modem or network interface drivers ..........................................38 Performing the upgrade ............................................................................................39 Performing the Finishing Touches ......................................................................................48 Establishing Net access..............................................................................................49 Updating and activating Windows Vista ....................................................................49 Updating your device drivers ....................................................................................57 Getting Started ....................................................................................................................65