Whether you're a system administrator responsible for hundreds of Windows clients, or a just a roomful of computers, this book will help you install, configure, and maintain Microsoft's newest OS. Written in jargon-free English that puts concepts in proper context, the book gives you a better understanding of Vista's innovations and capabilities, teaches you how to leverage Vista to increase worker productivity, and demonstrates how the system can best protect sensitive data. Best of all, Windows Vista Administration: The Definitive Guide is a problem-solving reference that lets you quickly access the solutions you need, and helps you unlock certain features to improve system performance — without forcing you to page through the entire book. In part, the book's topics include:

A tour of what's new — including the Aero user interface, Sidebar, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Vista Search

An overview of all five versions of Windows Vista

Getting started — with workgroup networks, user profiles, VPN connections

Personalizing Vista — with virtual folders, Flip 3D, the new Control Panel

Working with software and hardware — such as installing printers, storage devices, software

Configuring Internet Explorer 7 — phishing filters, cookies and privacy, popup blocker, RSS feeds

Deploying Windows Vista — installation, imaging software, modules, migrating data

Optimizing performance — memory, processor, disks, applications, network, command line administration

Security — auditing, disk quotas, account policies, user rights, group rights, IP security

Troubleshooting tips — Startup repair tool, frozen applications, remote assistance, backup and restore

And that just scratches the surface. Which new features will significantly improve the operating system experience, and which are mere eye candy? What new features make Windows Vista worth the investment? Author Brian Culp supplies the answers with information-packed chapters, including one on Cool Vista Tricks that explains how to write your own gadgets for Sidebar, how to disable IM and email notifications using Vista Presenter, and a lot more.