Microsoft Windows Vista RC1 is a publicly available Release Candidate of the upcoming Windows Vista operating system. While not the same as the finished version, Vista RC1 is far enough along in development as to be almost indistinguishable from the final release version.

Windows Vista RC1 actually contains all of the versions of Vista that Microsoft plans to make available. This includes Vista Ultimate, Vista Business, Vista Home Premium, and Vista Home Basic, as well as a few additional configurations. During installation, you can choose the version you want to install. Before you select Vista Ultimate, though, consider this: If you install a version now that is different from the version you will ultimately purchase, you may not be able to upgrade directly from RC1 to that version. For example, you cannot upgrade from the Ultimate Edition to the Home Basic Edition; you would have to completely reinstall the OS. To save yourself time and trouble in the long run, select the version that you are likely to purchase later.

Microsoft provides two basic requirement levels: Windows Vista Capable PC, which is an absolute minimum level, and Windows Vista Premium Ready PC, which in our opinion is the real minimum if you want to enjoy using Vista.

To get a good idea of how your computer will fare running Vista, run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx). This handy little free tool from Microsoft will evaluate your computer, make recommendations for upgrades to your computer for better performance and check that all of your devices, such as printers and scanners, have the proper drivers available.

Vista's installation procedure is completely different from the method used by earlier versions of Windows. First off, the whole process is performed with a GUI (graphical user interface) front end; there's no longer a cryptic terminal-type display to deal with. Instead, the installer works in a two-part process. The first phase is to gather necessary information, including licensing. When the information has been collected, the installer will begin the installation and configuration process. Installation requires a few restarts, but the installer handles this automatically for you, so you can go off and have coffee or lunch while your computer does all the work.

The Vista Desktop is both familiar and different. If your computer has the necessary memory and graphics adapter, Vista provides a graphical user interface called Aero, which gives objects on the Desktop a translucent, glass-like look and feel. You can dimly see the Desktop through any windows you place on the Desktop. Likewise, a background window will show dimly through a window you place on top of it. Other Desktop objects and icons look more colorful and polished than in previous versions of Windows. If you don't have the necessary memory and graphics card, the Desktop will have a flatter, stale look, similar to Windows XP.

The Taskbar hasn't changed much, although there are new icons present. A window that has been collapsed to the Taskbar now displays a Live Taskbar thumbnail of the window's contents when you let the mouse hover over it.

The Start menu is one of the biggest changes in Vista. Although Microsoft still refers to it as the Start menu, you won't see the familiar Start name on the Taskbar; instead, you will see a Vista logo. Clicking the logo opens the Start menu. The Start menu is a little larger than in the past, and is divided into two distinct panes. The right-hand pane holds static icons that represent commonly used places and services, such as the Control Panel, Printers and Faxes, Documents and Pictures. The left-hand pane is dynamic, and displays recently used applications, pinned applications, or the results of clicking on All Programs and any subsequent folder in the All Programs list. The bottom of the Start menu has a search field, and the usual options to sleep, restart and shutdown your computer.

The Start menu also features an integrated desktop search function called Instant Search that provides quick access to a new search tool built in to Vista. If you are familiar with Apple's Tiger OS (OS X 10.4.x), you will notice distinct similarities between Windows Desktop Search and Tiger's Spotlight search system. Searches are performed quickly, providing results even as you type.

Windows Explorer features new key elements, including the integration of Instant Search into every Explorer window. You can now display files and folders using Live Icons, which show a thumbnail view of the file. For example, a music file may display album cover art.

Vista includes many new security-related features. All versions include Windows Defender, which offers built-in spyware protections; Windows Firewall, to protect your computer and network from intrusion; Internet Explorer 7, which includes an anti-phishing filter to keep malicious web sites at bay; User Account Control, which allows individuals to use an application without having administrative access to the computer; and Windows Security Center, to protect your computer from viruses and other malicious attacks.

Windows Vista RC1 provides a good sneak preview of the upcoming release versions the Vista operating system.


Pros: Allows you to try out any version of the new Vista operating system; Aero offers improved ease of use as well as an attractive interface; includes new levels of security, anti-phishing, and anti-spyware capabilities
Cons: You won't get the full benefit of Vista unless your computer meets steep system requirements; release versions of Vista will have high price tags; no family user package; many of the new features are already available from third-party developers.

Specifications:
Available for: IBM PCs and compatibles.

Minimum requirements (PC):
Windows Vista Capable PC:
A modern processor (800MHz or better)
512MB system RAM.
Graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable

Windows Vista Premium Ready PC:
1GHz processor or better.
1GB system RAM.
Graphics card that supports DirectX9 and has at least 128MB of graphics memory and supports Pixel Shader 2.0
40GB hard drive
DVD-ROM.
Audio capabilities.
Internet access.