Que crafted this book to grow with you, providing the reference material you need as you move toward Vista proficiency and use of more advanced features. If you buy only one book on Vista, Special Edition Using Microsoft- Windows- Vista is the only book you need.--

• Tired of the constant barrage of spam, spyware, viruses and other Net nasties? We show you how to rebuke the onslaught of hacker attacks, protect your identity, and keep your sanity, all at the same time.

• ——— Is the new Vista interface making your trigger-finger itch? Ours too-that is, until we turned Windows inside out, shook out all the loose parts and figured out just what makes this beast tick. Learn from our pain and suffering.

• -If you finally broke down and purchased a Windows Media Center computer, or you think you have one and didn't even know it, then you are holding just the book for you. We show you how to get up to speed with your new computer, transforming it from the little PC that could into the media juggernaut you never knew it could be.

• Ready to upgrade? We provide from-the-trenches advice on upgrading to Windows Vista-including detailed rollout advice for IT managers. Plan and manage deployment of Windows easily and efficiently-whether you're upgrading just a handful of computers, or an entire corporation!

• Want to set up a network at work or at play? Check out our hands-on coverage of installing, configuring and surviving on a Windows Vista-based network. We not only show you how to set up Windows networking features, we show you how to install and setup basic networking hardware. No other Windows book goes as deeply into networking as the one you are holding.

• Do you like to fileshare, but wish you could share with the open source community and Apple users? The wait is over; share files with other platforms, such as Novell Netware, Unix, Linux, Macintosh, and other Windows flavors. No longer will the Macs in your network be segregated from the Windows users.

When you want to defend Windows Vista,it's good to know a PC Magazine expert

Unless a time machine just dropped you in the 21st century, you already know that protecting your computer is essential. Now, here's Vista—new enough that no one is sure exactly what security threats might arise to hijack your system. That's why the road map that Dan DiNicolo provides in this book is so valuable. Follow these steps, abide by the Golden Rules of Windows security, and you'll sleep better. We promise.

See at a glance what's critical for security

• Follow easy steps to implementing logon security, strong passwords, and firewall configuration
• Ensure that security holes are patched regularly
• Find out how to protect your Vista system against viruses—for free
• Recognize the difference between malware and viruses and install the right anti-spyware protection
• Implement parental controls to protect your kids online
• Explore additional layers of security, such as e-mail encryption and secure file deletion

Five Golden Rules of Windows security

1. Implement user accounts properly and protect them all with strong passwords.
2. Install a firewall.
3. Update your system regularly to be sure you have all security patches and Service Packs installed.
4. Use up-to-date anti-virus software and scan regularly for viruses.
5. Use up-to-date anti-spyware protection and scan regularly for spyware and related threats.

The Windows XP registry is behind almost every great feature in the operating system. Discover how to customize the registry—and how to take care of it—with this no-nonsense primer. Written for IT professionals and desktop power users, this eye-opening guide reveals little-known registry techniques, tricks, tips, and secrets to make your tasks easier. You’ll learn exactly how the registry works, why it works that way, and how to use it to customize Windows XP so that it runs the way you want—on one PC or on hundreds. You’ll also find best practices for how to hack, back up, restore, and maintain registry settings with confidence.

Microsoft introduced Visual Basic, Scripting Edition—commonly known as VBScript—inthe mid-1990s, positioning it as a native replacement for Windows’ aging command-line batch language, which was based on Microsoft’s earliest operating system, MS-DOS. VBScript was intended to be easy to learn, powerful, and flexible. The language was included as an add-on to Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0, was an optional installation component included in Windows 98, and was included in all editions of Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.

Software developers immediately seized upon VBScript for web programming, particularly in Active Server Pages, Microsoft’s rapid-development programming framework for the web. However, Windows administrators—one of VBScript’s initial target audiences—were left cold. VBScript seemed to be much more complicated than administrators’ beloved MS-DOS-based batch language, and many didn’t see the need to learn an entirely new batch language.

Take full advantage of the high-performance features available in Microsoft Windows Vista and experience the power of this integrated, next-generation operating system. Windows Vista: The Complete Reference shows you how to install and configure Windows Vista for optimal performance, customize the streamlined new desktop, display sidebars and gadgets, and enjoy all the entertainment capabilities, including music, movies, and games.

Find out how to manage your files, install software and hardware, and use the latest Internet technologies. You'll also learn to secure your system, back up and restore your files, and set up a Local Area Network (LAN) so you can share resources. Filled with clear screenshots and detailed explanations, this is your one-stop guide to mastering Windows Vista.

• Customize your desktop with new UI components
• Use the new User Account Control (UAC)  to prevent unauthorized changes to your computer
• Manage files and folders using Windows Flip 3D and Windows Live Taskbar thumbnails
• Protect your files using the Backup and Restore Center
• Manage and edit your photos with the new Windows Photo Gallery
• Keep track of your appointments with the new Windows Calendar
• Use Windows Media Center to record live TV and radio, view digital photos, play music, and burn CDs and DVDs
• Connect to the Internet and use Windows Mail, Internet Explorer 7, and Windows Live Messenger
• Secure your PC and use Windows Update
• Troubleshoot and tune Windows Vista for maximum performance

This book is for people who want to learn about Windows Server 2003, Micro$oft’s latest Windows-based network operating system. No experience with any prior version of Windows is required, although a familiarity with the Windows user interface is definitely helpful. You should have a basic understanding of computer networking, as Windows Server 2003 relies heavily on networking technologies. This book focuses on the many features of Windows Server 2003, including advanced topics like Terminal Services and Certificate Services. The purpose of this book is to teach you enough to begin working with Windows Server 2003 on a regular basis; only time and practice will make you an expert with such a complex product.

This book is designed to teach you the fundamental job tasks that most corporate network administrators need to know in just a single weekend. You’ll learn through a series of very short, very focused sessions that each teach you how to accomplish a specific, key job task.

This book jumps right in by showing you the various ways to install Windows Server 2003. From there, the sessions introduce the materials you’re most likely to need as an administrator of Windows Server 2003 computers, especially file and print services.

Later sessions introduce more advanced topics, like Terminal Services, security, and TCP/IP. I’ll walk you through all the major TCP/IP technologies, including DNS, DHCP, WINS, FTP, IIS, and more (don’t worry — all of those acronyms will make sense by Saturday evening). I’ll wrap up this Crash Course with really advanced topics, like Windows Clustering, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and Certificate Services.

This official first-look guide shows exactly what's new and improved in Windows- Server 2003, with all the information and tools you need to understand, evaluate, and begin deployment planning.

Welcome to Windows Architecture Training for Developers. This book presents the architectures and related services of the Microsoft® Windows® operating systems. By completing the lessons and associated exercises, you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to develop solutions for the Windows 95 and Windows NT® operating systems. This book addresses the objectives of the Microsoft Windows Architecture I (70-160) and Microsoft Windows Architecture II (70-161) exams. This self-paced course provides topical content that supports the skills measured by these exams.

This book will be useful for those administrators who currently work with Windows 2000 domains and for those who are planning to deploy Active Directory on Windows .NET servers. For an administrator, the new version of Active Directory does not have any new principle features, and all options that are only available on Windows .NET servers are specifically described in the book. Therefore, an administrator can deal with any version of Active Directory domains and compare the working environment's features with those that were on the old platform.

One probably would not even consider repairing a defective car or a complex electronic device without special additional tools and facilities. Nonetheless, administrators who work with Active Directory often forget that the problems which come up in the process of working with Active Directory are also impossible to eliminate without the help of the appropriate tools and utilities. Most of the tools that you need for working with Active Directory (and that are looked at in this book) are furnished along with the system, and are found in the Windows Support Tools pack. This book is dedicated, to a large extent, to working with exactly these tools. A few tools and scripts from the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit are also considered, since they work properly in the Windows .NET environment.