Some special features of Windows Vista

There are quite a few features which Microsoft has introduced in Windows Vista operating system. Though most of the features depend on the version that is purchased (Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate), some of the common features are as follows:

1. Ease of Access Center feature
This feature is accessible from the Control Panel and is basically meant to ease the computer operations. You can also press ('Windows' icon + U) to bring up the Ease of Access box. They are four items namely On-Screen Keyboard, Narrator, Magnifier, and Set Up High Contrast. Narrator is a text-to-speech program which reads out descriptions of the various menu items as you point your mouse towards them. You can also choose to read aloud text as you type or announce system messages. On-Screen Keyboard lets you use the mouse, rather than the keyboard to input letters from a visual keyboard which pops up on the screen. Magnifier is a magnification program built into Windows Vista for magnifying part of the screen and to track the mouse or keyboard. Finally, the Sep Up High Contrast is for increasing the color contrast.

2. Windows Defender
Increase security with Windows Defender, which protects your computer from viruses, hijackers and other harmful files.

3. Windows DVD Maker
You can write to DVDs using the Windows DVD Maker. Other entertainment applications are Windows movie maker and Windows media center. Also, adjust the brightness of screen, sound, power etc. in the Windows Mobility Center of Control Panel ('Windows' icon + X).

4. Games
Lots of free games are included. Apart from the usual Solitaire and Minesweeper, you can play games like Mahjong Titans, Inkball, Hearts etc.

5. Firewall
Windows Vista has a built-in firewall to give added protection to your computer. To check the status of the firewall, you can go to Control Panel-> Security->Windows Firewall.

6. Sleep and Hibernate
These features allow the computer to lower the power consumption. Choosing 'Sleep' will indicate the computer to write all the desktop content onto the temporary memory while Hibernate stores the current session and turns off the computer.

7. Quick Launch Shortcut keys
Keyboard shortcuts are automatically assigned to applications on the quick launch bar. For Eg, if the first icon next to the Start button on the Quick Launch bar is that of Internet Explore, you just need to press ('Windows' icon + 1) to invoke IE, the next would have the key ('Windows' icon + 2) etc.