Windows Vista is Microsoft's most important software release in more than a decade. It offers users an abundance of new and upgraded features that were more than five years in the making: a gorgeous, glass-like visual overhaul; superior searching and organization tools; a multimedia and collaboration suite; and above all, a massive, top-to-bottom security-shield overhaul. There's scarcely a single feature of the older versions of Windows that hasn't been tweaked, overhauled, or replaced entirely.

But when users first encounter this beautiful new operating system, there's gonna be a whole lotta head-scratchin', starting with trying to figure out which of the five versions of Vista is installed on the PC (Home, Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate).

Thankfully, Windows Vista: The Missing Manual offers coverage of all five versions. Like its predecessors, this book from New York Times columnist, bestselling author, and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue illuminates its subject with technical insight, plenty of wit, and hardnosed objectivity for beginners, veteran standalone PC users, and those who know their way around a network. Readers will learn how to: Navigate Vista's elegant new desktop Locate anything on your hard drive quickly with the fast, powerful, and fully integrated search function Use the Media Center to record TV and radio, present photos, play music, and record any of the above to DVD Chat, videoconference, and surf the Web with the vastly improved Internet Explorer 7 tabbed browser Build a network for file sharing, set up workgroups, and connect from the road Protect your PC and network with Vista's beefed up security And much more.

This jargon-freeguide explains Vista's features clearly and thoroughly, revealing which work well and which don't. It's the book that should have been in the box!

Customer Rating:
Summary: A must have for anyone buying a new computer with Vista
Comment: I bought and read this book while I was waiting for my new Dell XPS to arrive, and I thank my lucky stars every day since that I did. When my computer was installed, I already knew where everything was so I just fell into it with no problem whatsoever. I've told a lot of my friends, if you're thinking of getting Vista, do two things. Get your computer made with a LOT of ram, no less than three gigs, a good sound card, a good video card, big hard drive, and READ THIS BOOK FIRST before you ever open the computer. It'll save you a lot of angst over VISTA. I'm sure most of the problems people report having with it are because they went into it without any real preparation beforehand. Vista is different, but it's not impossible once you've gone through this book. It's very long, but you're not trying to memorize everything in it, you're trying to help yourself make your way around a brand new and very beautiful operating system. As long as you have this book in your house, you'll be fine. HIGHLY recommended.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Windows Vista, The Missing handbook
Comment: The Missing Handbook is a great help in navigating the many complexities of Vista. It is written well and has an excellent index.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: helping beyond what you would expect
Comment: My review is simply a 5 star rating. It more than did the job. thanks Richard A G.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A much needed manual
Comment: I purchased this book for a friend and he told me that it was very helpful

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Here's the missing Manual
Comment: This is a great reference book. They're right, it should have been in the box. A must have to save time figuring out the little quirks Vista has. Very easy read.

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