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Now is the best time to switch to Windows Vista because of its all new better features, improved security and overall performance and experience.

Features

Windows Vista has many new and improved features as compared to Windows XP.

• Windows Aero : Vista’s interface has a completely different look. It is much cleaner, has an improved graphic quality, it has Live icons with new 3D Window Flip feature. But to enjoy this feature Windows Aero requires a higher version of video graphic card, if you do not have a higher version Vista is displayed using Windows Basic. To check for the compatibility, you can use Windows Vista Advisor to check if your video card meets Windows Aero`s requirements.

• Windows Sidebar : If you are using Windows Aero, then Vista offers a panel which would display your selection of Windows gadgets which performs useful function which include – a clock, a calendar, a Microsoft Office Inbox representation and also a currency exchange tab.

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  Windows Sidebar

• Microsoft Windows Media Player11 : Though it can also be downloaded for XP, this latest Media Player was designed for Windows Vista. Windows Media Player 11 with its new graphics oriented interface, has dumped the feature of text oriented look and field of previous versions.

• Windows Search : This is one if the most helpful feature in Vista. With this feature any file can be searched from anywhere. This feature cannot be found in Windows XP.

Security

Security is one of the important features these days. This feature has been taken seriously in Windows Vista.

• · Parental Control : By setting you as an administrator Vista sets highly specific boundaries for its other users. This includes separate standard user accounts for family members. You can restrict or allow access to web sites for the users as set by you. Same can be done by access to applications and folders.

• · User Account Control (UAC) : This is a new security feature introduced in Vista. It lets you operate this OS as a standard user than as a true administrator in which you have full access.

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• Firewall : New Vista features two different firewalls, it involves firewall which was available in Windows XP and Windows Firewall with added advanced features. Windows firewall includes a bidirectional filter which scans both incoming and outgoing data.

Better User Experience

• New Start Menu : The new Start menu displays everything in context of a single menu. You do not require to scroll through a list of all applications.

• Improved Folders : Various folders such as My Documents, My Music, My Videos etc. are very simplified and appear as simple Documents, Music etc.

• Live Icons : If you are using Windows Aero, you can hover the mouse over open windows in the task bar and view a live representation of anything running in them. The same feature is offered by Windows Flip 3D feature.

These reasons might attract you to Windows Vista. But these were a handful added features. There is a lot that can be explored in Vista.