eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Vista Pre-RTM

Windows Version Six–a.k.a. Windows Vista.

User Account Control makes us safer, trading small, short-term annoyances (like extra clicking) for big, long-term annoyances (like malware removal).

Integrated Search means faster access to files, programs and people.

Mobility Center collects laptop and tablet options. Its open to OEMs–lets hope they give our system trays a break and actually use it.

Expanded support for file metadata can help make integrated search more useful.

Stack it, sort it, group it–Windows Explorer offers new ways to look at our stuff.

Restore a previous version of the document you lost–and leave IT alone.

Thumb through your e-mail using Windows Explorer–provided youre running one of the supported Microsoft mail clients.

The variety of gadgets out there for Windows Sidebar has so far been underwhelming. Wed really be impressed by support for Mac OS X gadgets.

We have no love for the new system tray networking icon. It sports a bunch of new right-click options, none of which were interested in, and it doesnt let you directly view available wireless networks, DHCP connections and adapter status (as Wind

With the right graphics adapter, Vista will let you shuffle fancifully through your open Windows.

It doesnt make up for the browsers lack of search-while-typing functionality, but Internet Explorer 7s tile tabbing is a handy feature we hope to see soon in Firefox.

From a usability standpoint, one of Vistas real strengths is the way it makes the Windows Control Panel more accessible and more context-sensitive than its been in the past.

The Windows Start Menu has become more useful and more configurable under Vista.