1. Setting Up, Customizing, and Tuning Windows Vista

   1. Chapter 1 Getting Started with Windows Vista

      1. Getting to Know Windows Vista
      2. Navigating Windows Vista Editions
      3. Starting and Using Windows Vista
      4. Working with Windows Vista
      5. Logging On, Switching, Locking, Logging Off, and Shutting Down

   2. Chapter 2 Optimizing Windows Vista's Interface

      1. Customizing Windows Vista's Desktop
      2. Using Gadgets and Windows Sidebar
      3. Customizing Menus and the Control Panel

   3. Chapter 3 Fine-Tuning Windows Vista's Appearance and Performance

      1. Balancing Appearance and Performance
      2. Understanding User Account Control and Its Impact on Performance
      3. Understanding Windows Vista Personalization
      4. Personalizing Windows Vista
      5. Optimizing Performance

   4. Chapter 4 Installing, Configuring, and Maintaining Software

      1. Software Installation: What's Changed
      2. Software Installation: What You Need to Know
      3. Installing and Running Your Software
      4. Managing Software Once It's Installed

   5. Chapter 5 Customizing Your Computer's Hardware Devices

      1. Hardware Installation: What's Changed
      2. Hardware Installation: What You Need to Know
      3. Learning About Your Computer's Hardware Devices
      4. Customizing Your Computer's Input Devices, Regional Settings, and Date/Time
      5. Installing and Managing Hardware

2. Mastering Your Data and Digital Media

   1. Chapter 6 Mastering Windows Explorer and Searching Your Computer

      1. Windows Explorer: What's Changed
      2. Navigating Your Computer with the Address Bar
      3. Searching Your Computer
      4. Indexing Your Computer for Faster Searches

   2. Chapter 7 Navigating the Web with Internet Explorer 7

      1. Getting Started with Internet Explorer 7
      2. Getting Around the Web and Using Internet Explorer 7
      3. Protecting Your Computer While Browsing

   3. Chapter 8 Creating Your Media Library with Windows Media Player

      1. Getting into Your Multimedia
      2. Playing Your Media
      3. Building Your Media Library

   4. Chapter 9 Capturing and Managing Your Digital Pictures and Videos

      1. Getting Started with Windows Photo Gallery
      2. Organizing Your Gallery
      3. Building Your Photo and Video Gallery
      4. Sharing Your Photo and Video Gallery

   5. Chapter 10 Making Video DVDs and Movies

      1. Creating Video DVDs with Windows DVD Maker
      2. Creating Movies with Windows Movie Maker

   6. Chapter 11 Securing and Sharing Your Data

      1. Securing Your Data
      2. Controlling Access to Your Data
      3. Sharing Your Data

   7. Chapter 12 Setting Up Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines

      1. Installing Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines
      2. Sharing Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines
      3. Configuring Printer, Scanner, and Fax Machine Properties
      4. Managing Print, Fax, and Scan Jobs

   8. Chapter 13 Making the Most of Your Computer's Accessories

      1. Capturing Screens and Windows with the Snipping Tool
      2. Getting Your Computer to Listen
      3. Using Laptop and Tablet PC Extras
      4. Making Your Computer More Accessible

3. Connecting and Networking

   1. Chapter 14 Setting Up Your Network

      1. Understanding Home and Small-Business Networks
      2. Mapping Your Networking Infrastructure
      3. Networking with TCP/IP
      4. Advanced Networking Concepts
      5. Troubleshooting Common Problems on Small Networks

   2. Chapter 15 Protecting Your Computer with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall

      1. Navigating the Computer Security Maze
      2. Introducing the Windows Security Center
      3. Using Windows Defender
      4. Working with the Windows Firewall

   3. Chapter 16 Using Windows Mail, Calendars, and Contacts

      1. Using Windows Mail
      2. Using Windows Contacts
      3. Using Windows Calendar
      4. Using Windows Meeting Space

   4. Chapter 17 Mastering Dial-Up, Broadband, and On-the-Go Networking

      1. Configuring Dial-Up, Broadband, and On-the-Go Networking
      2. Wireless Networking

4. Managing and Supporting Windows Vista

   1. Chapter 18 Managing User Accounts and Parental Controls

      1. Managing Access to Your Computer
      2. Managing Your User Account
      3. Managing Access Permissions with Group Accounts
      4. Keeping Your Family Safe While Using Your Computer

   2. Chapter 19 Managing Disks and Drives

      1. Configuring Disks and Drives
      2. Preparing Disks for Use
      3. Using Compression and Encryption

   3. Chapter 20 Handling Routine Maintenance and Troubleshooting

      1. Maintaining Your System Configuration
      2. General Maintenance Tools
      3. Scheduling Maintenance Tasks

   4. Chapter 21 Getting Help and Handling Advanced Support Issues

      1. Detecting and Resolving Computer Problems
      2. Creating Backups and Preparing for Problems
      3. Recovering After a Crash or Other Problem
      4. Getting Help and Giving Others Assistance
      5. Troubleshooting Windows Vista Programs and Features

5. Advanced Tips and Techniques

   1. Chapter 22 Installing and Running Windows Vista

      1. Comparing Windows Vista Features and Versions
      2. Installing Windows Vista
      3. Upgrading Your Windows Vista Edition

   2. Chapter 23 Exploring the Windows Boot Environment

      1. Introducing the Windows Vista Boot Environment
      2. Working with Boot Configuration Data
      3. Managing the BCD Data Store
      4. Managing the Boot Sector for Hard Disk Partitions

   3. Chapter 24 Understanding Windows Vista Security Changes

      1. Identifying Password Policy Changes
      2. Identifying User Rights Assignment Changes
      3. Identifying Security Options Changes

   4. Chapter 25 Mastering Windows Media Center

      1. Understanding Windows Media Center Requirements
      2. Selecting the Correct Hardware for Windows Media Center
      3. Installing and Configuring Windows Media Center Using the Wizard
      4. Navigating Windows Media Center
      5. Fine-Tuning the Settings for Windows Media Center
      6. Troubleshooting Problems with Windows Media Center

   5. Chapter 26 Using Group Policy with Windows Vista

      1. Exploring Group Policy in Windows Vista
      2. Working with Multiple Local Group Policy Objects
      3. Updating Active Directory Group Policy Objects for Windows Vista

   6. Chapter 27 Navigating Windows Vista Policy Changes

      1. Navigating Windows Vista Policy Changes

   7. Chapter 28 Navigating Internet Explorer 7 Policies

      1. Getting Started with Internet Explorer 7 Policy Settings
      2. Using Internet Explorer 7 Policy Settings

   8. Chapter 29 Desktop Tips and Tricks with Keyboard Shortcuts

      1. Using and Creating Keyboard Shortcuts
      2. Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Vista
      3. Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Explorer and Windows Sidebar
      4. Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Photo Gallery
      5. Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Media Center
      6. Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Media Player
      7. Keyboard Shortcuts for Internet Explorer 7
      8. Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Movie Maker

1. About the Author

2. Colophon

The animal on the cover of Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide is a European common frog (Rana temporaria), also known as the "brown frog" or "grass frog." This species inhabits Europe from the Pyrenees to the Urals and West Siberia. It can be found in just about any damp habitat within this range, including lowland and mountain forests, meadows, swamps, ponds, lakes, rivers, gardens, backyards, and parks.

The European common frog has a small, squat body and a wide, flat head. The frog is typically brown or grayish in color but can also have yellowish or red hues. The lower segments of its backbone are fused into a stiff rod called the urostyle, which, along with its strong pelvic bones, helps provide strength and firmness to the rear of the body. The frogs have powerful hind legs and webbed feet, which contribute to their excellent jumping and swimming abilities.

The males of the species tend to be slightly smaller than the females and are identifiable by whitish swellings on the inner digits of their front feet. During breeding season, these swellings support dark "nuptial pads" that enable the male to grasp the female more effectively. The male can be very vocal when trying to attract a mate, even croaking underwater. Once he has attracted a female, he climbs on her back and embraces her in a tight, sometimes suffocating grip called amplexus, which can last up to two days. He fertilizes the eggs as the female lays them. In recent years, scientists researching the species in the Pyrenees have discovered a behavior known as "clutch piracy," in which gangs of males search for newly laid eggs to fertilize them again. The researchers have found evidence of fertilization from as many as four males in a single clutch of eggs.

Although huge numbers of eggs are laid, few frogs survive to adulthood. Tadpoles are preyed upon by both terrestrial and aquatic animals, and adult frogs count grass snakes, kingfishers, and herons among their many predators. Additionally, many frogs are caught by humans for the purposes of education, medicine, and science. Overall, however, this particular species is neither declining nor threatened.

The cover image is from Wood's Reptiles, Fishes, Insects, &c. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed.