Entered CNET Catalog: 10/19/2005
SKU: CNETWINVISTANOVBUILD
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 12/19/2005
• See the Windows Vista December CTP slide show
It's always fascinating when the world's most popular (and unpopular) software company along with the world's richest man decide to let you peek into what they have planned for the future of personal computing. With today's release of Windows Vista (beta 1)'s December CTP, we get another glimpse at what many of us will buy with our next computer, whether we want it or not. Code-named Longhorn early in its infancy, Microsoft started out with plenty of lofty goals for its new OS. Since then many of those plans have been scrapped or scaled back. More recently, Windows Vista has appeared to be playing catch-up, touting features, such as 64-bit computing, that are already available in Mac OS Tiger and Linux.
Vista promises better search that will hopefully match or exceed the search functionality already available through Mac OS Tiger's Spotlight and SuSE Linux's Beagle, not to mention the free ealier Vista coverage, we told you about the improved search functionality, the 64-bit support, and other features, such as the new version of Internet Explorer that Vista will harbor (which will boast tabbed browsing and RSS support, features already available in Firefox and Safari).
December's CTP offers us a peek at a few features we haven't seen yet, such as Windows Defender, BitLocker, single-button on/off, and Media Player 11.
Windows Defender
Formerly known as Windows AntiSpyware, Windows Defender is Microsoft's spyware and malware scanner and removal tool. The version of Windows Defender built into the December CTP of Vista is based on a new engine that Microsoft claims can detect and remove more potentially unwanted programs, or PUPs, than before. This version of Windows Defender also offers real-time protection that catches PUPs in the act, before they can be installed onto your computer.
BitLocker drive encryption
BitLocker is Vista's attempt to protect laptop users from having both their data and their computer stolen. In essence, BitLocker is a hardware-based encryption scheme capable of encrypting your entire hard drive or any volume in your computer. The trick with BitLocker is that the encryption key can be stored directly on the motherboard, in a chip called a TPM, or Trusted Platform Module. This gives IT professionals a valuable tool to lock down even lost or stolen computers. BitLocker is currently slated for the Enterprise edition of Vista only and is best thought of as a power tool for IT pros.
Device-driver locking
Another power tool targeted at IT pros is Vista's ability to block the installation of removable storage devices based on group policy. Basically, this feature lets IT administrators control who is permitted to install storage devices on the computers and who is not. In certain circumstances, allowing a user to install a removable storage device could pose a security risk, since it creates a convenient means of moving sensitive data on or off the network. For more on this type of functionality, read our review of DeviceLock.
Internet Explorer 7
Microsoft released its beta version of Internet Explorer Vista in its last CTP, but since then, the company has added support for international domain names. This should not only create a better user experience for those who frequently visit international Web sites, but it also will add a key component to the antiphishing technology built into Internet Explorer 7, which detects spoofed URLs.
Parental controls
With recent concerns about the effect of violence in games on children, it's not surprising that Microsoft would build parental controls into Windows Vista. Some of the features in December's CTP release allow parents to view reports of their children's computer usage, though of course it will be possible to use this feature to spy on spouses and employees, as well. You'll also be able to control the Web sites a user can visit and restrict access to games based on title and ratings issued by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, or ESRB.
Firewall filtering
In a rather surprising move, December's CTP release of Vista includes both inbound and outbound firewall filtering. We've long pointed out that the lack of outbound filtering in Windows XP's firewall gives users a false sense of security. Vista's new firewall may make it unnecessary for you to add a third-party firewall to your system. We'll let you know after we've had a chance to test the final version.
Single-button on and off control
As part of its effort to bridge the gap between PCs and TVs, Microsoft has built a single-button on and off control into its December CTP release of Windows Vista. The button will also be programmed for a new fast-off mode that will essentially cycle the computer through sleep and into hibernation automatically.
SuperFetch
SuperFetch is an algorithm that automatically loads your most commonly used programs into memory for a faster computing experience. In this December's TCP release of Windows Vista, SuperFetch has added the ability to reach into external storage devices as part of its memory cache.
Windows Media Center and Media Player 11
Microsoft has included a new version of Windows Media Center in the December CTP of Windows Vista, as well as a new version of Windows Media Player, but the company has chosen to shroud these topics in mystery, preferring instead to unveil the new operating system features and media-player functionality at CES during the first week of January.
It's easier to understand Vista's long development cycle when you look at the full range of change Microsoft targets. Let us not forget that Microsoft is also a dominant force in server software and is probably designing Vista to take full advantage of its server offerings, perhaps expanding browsing and messaging capabilities in ways we may not even see until well after Vista is officially launched in late 2006. With Microsoft's new push for hosted services, we expect the software giant's Live offerings, such as Windows Live Local, to grow substantially, both in number and in functionality, over the next few years. Vista will play a key role in bringing these services to your desktop, including entertainment-related services through Vista's incarnation of Microsoft's Media Center OS.
One of the questions the long development cycle of Vista raises is whether it's smart for an operating system to be, well, so smart. Given the fact that software applications already exist that can do most of what Microsoft is painstakingly building into Vista, might it make more sense for Microsoft to focus on the operating system portion of the operating system and not weigh the OS down with such a barrage of applications and utilities?
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
User Rating: 
9/10
Looks like it is easy to use
Pros: Having so many tools to easily access
Cons: Another Windows OS
User Rating: 
6/10
Good, Beta looks promising, new features, new UI, some improvements under the hood
Pros: New features/apps, more security, even more user friendly
Cons: hardware requirements, learning curve for novice users
User Rating: 
3/10
not too soon
Pros: Nothing to tell -there have not been on the market that long
Cons: Why change?
User Rating: 
7/10
Windows Vista
Pros: It's New OS
Cons: Expensive to switch from XP
User Rating: 9/10
This is the best OS ever!!!
Pros: The new OS from Microsoft is really good with visual style, Window media player 11, internet explorer 7, faster start-up and faster hibernatin (like stanby speed)
Cons: you will need at least 2.0GHZ of speed and min 512 mb of ram or the OS will be very slow.
I got this OS by downloading from the internet with a software. It took me like 1 week for the download. I really like the new window media player 11, the visual style and the sidebar. But you will need a really goo computer for this OS: at least 2 GHZ and minumum 512 mb of ram. Never buy softwares and psp games from the stores, download them like i did for everything in my laptop and my psp (I have 82 games for psp for free
)I got this OS downloading and its really good. I also got the keygen/crack for the activation! You must try that man, much better than windows XP!!!
User Rating: 
5/10
Most of us will purchase it when it comes out
Pros: WOW A New Version of Windows!!!
Cons: It's not here yet !!!
Peace out.
User Rating: 
2/10
It is Windows... WINDOWS
Pros: Centralized security features
Cons: Not much better
User Rating: 
10/10
I think it sounds promising...
Pros: I like they way Microsoft is adding popular add-ons.
Cons: Concerned with OS bloat
I think the majority of the people who give bad scores to reviews like these are just trying to be "cool" and join in the Microsoft bashing. Most (not all, mind you) barely know the difference between hardware and software but still like to jump on the "down with Microsoft" bandwagon. Without Microsoft we wouldn't be here at this level of personal computing, and low cost PCs, like we are today.
Three cheers for Bill Gates! By the way, he's the head of the single most generous charity on the planet...yeah, we SHOULD hate him (that's called sarcasm).
User Rating: 9/10
Windows Vista was change everything
Pros: They are finally implementing all the programs I download anyway
Cons: The major improvements are mainly below the surface and are therefore hard to measure without using it
I can't believe my opening sentence has the word was instead of will.
User Rating: 2/10
My Opinion
Pros: Pretty New Interface w/Extras
Cons: None of the new features we were promised.
User Rating: 
8/10
I love how people rate something they've never used or seen.
Pros: Tons of Pro's, Not to mention, this windows release will easily compete with Tiger, leopard, Mut, Alley Cat (whatever). The best feature being its programming API and ease of use for lackluster users.
Cons: Still In Beta, Long Dev Time..For IT Pros like myself, I can tell you its a good thing MS has taken so long. Tired of upgrades.
Vista is a great platform for Developement. You want to compare anything, it should be the API's. MS may not have innovated in a lot of ways. But the Dev Platform BLOWS AWAY any other platform and thats where they will dominate. Time to market for new apps will be shorter than any other platform. xcODE tOOLS? No Skanks.
Wait [RTM]
User Rating: 5/10
Reviews on unreleased product is bogus
Pros: No direct experience of this OS means I don't directly know of any
Cons: No direct experience of this OS means I don't directly know of any
At this point in time how can anyone have a valid opinion about the merits of Vista without having used it even briefly??
I grudgingly use XP Pro which actually is a pretty good OS, but will probably jump ship to Linux before Vista arrives, if for no other reason than the expense of the new OS..
(I enjoy building my own pc's and therefore do not get the advantage of a software/hardware bundle.)
You can bash microsoft or extoll its virtues as you prefer, but lacking any direct experience of the product being discussed makes remarks essentially meaningless.
User Rating: 9/10
a new generation of software
Pros: great security, features, a totally new system
Cons: still in beta....
User Rating: 
1/10
Vaporware!
Pros: It doesn't exist.
Cons: It doesn't exist.
User Rating: 2/10
Niche product for media mavens
Pros: Looks Ok for home multi-media use
Cons: No compelling reason to upgrade
MS had its day in the sun. CNET, its online and print competitors, and a few Windows fanboys are the only ones left hanging on Bill Gates' every word. The rest of the world merely tolerates MS and its massive marketing (not technical) innovations.
User Rating: 2/10
winVista = winXP + apps
Pros: Nothing !!!!!!!!
Cons: Everything !!!!!!!
User Rating: 9/10
Why does Cnet let you review/rate something that is not even out?
Pros: Im sure there are
Cons: im sure there are
User Rating: 2/10
ok feature, but useless
Pros: It has feature which allows you to zoom out of all your windows, and scroll through them, a small window appears when tabbing allowing you to see whats in them all,
Cons: Need a new (expensive) monitor for the OS, need 4GB memory (RAM, not HD), expensive, not too many other good features worth paying the extra money for
User Rating: 2/10
ok feature, but useless
Pros: It has feature which allows you to zoom out of all your windows, and scroll through them, a small window appears when tabbing allowing you to see whats in them all,
Cons: Need a new (expensive) monitor for the OS, need 4GB memory (RAM, not HD), expensive, not too many other good features worth paying the extra money for
User Rating: 3/10
NO MORE MS JUNK
Pros: It will be like the XBox 360 -- A big hype with a lot of bugs
Cons: MS products always have bugs in it
Windows XP has been a good OS so why mess up a good thing?
User Rating: 10/10
Can't wait
Pros: Better than OS X
Cons: File sharing needs to get easier
User Rating: 9/10
Perfect, Just what Ive been Waiting for, a powerful media center
Pros: Lots of features, got to love the one button shut-off
Cons: not much to say, except they need to add much more features for IE 7
User Rating: 3/10
Open-source already has these features and is secure
Pros: Well... Microsoft is at least trying to play catch-up
Cons: It's Windows
I agree it is an improvement but they should focus on the underlying structure of the OS rather than building in tools to help compensate for the holes in Windows. This OS is definately going to be bloated abd hog CPU, but I guess it looks kinda pretty
P.S.
Linus Torvalds owns Bill Gates LIFE!
User Rating: 9/10
Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pros: Windows, New Features, more secure, new look
Cons: Doesn't include Ms Office when you but the os
User Rating: 6/10
Can't wait for MCE Vista
Pros: Well...we will see soon
Cons: Well....we will see soon
Can't wait for the CES in the first week of January.
User Rating: 6/10
its microsoft.......
Pros: will let you be using what 95 percent of the planet is using
Cons: will also expose you to 99 percent of the viruses, spyware and hackers out to make a name
