Over at the Windows Vista Blog they have started doing screencast like demo’s of Windows Vista features.

So far they have

Restoring Previous Files

Instant Search

Adding MSN Video Fees to Zune (Limited Appeal)

Windows Live OneCare 2.0

The microsoftie in charge of the Windows Vista Blog is Brandon LeBlanc who has done a great job of defending Vista on the site. A thankless job at times I Imagine.

So if you want to check out some Windows Vista Demo’s check the link below.

Link: http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/tags/Demo/default.aspx

I provide technical support for several hundred users both locally and remotely. In an ideal world they would have all their software repositories nice and organised.

Example: Envelopes with usernames containing all the CD’s, Licenses and Product keys that belong to that particular PC.

Sadly life isn’t like that and I am usually under pressure to quickly rebuild and redeploy on the same hardware say after a Hard Disk problem or Virus/Malware attack.

So today’s tech tip is for a download that exposes the current machines product keys.

On my USB key I keep install repositories for common software installations, I then grab the product keys from current machine using keyfinder (link below) and save time by not having to root about the customers cupboards.

Link: http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Microsoft took a bunch of XP users on a supposed test of the Next Version of Windows.

The punch line is they were actually testing Windows Vista and Microsoft duped them.

If some of the early reporting is correct Windows Vista got a high approval rating.

This does raise an interesting point that the negative PR that vista gets has tarnished it’s brand name.

Take “Vista” out of Windows and people have a different point of view.

There is one glaring problem with this experiment. They chose one hardware candidate the HP Pavilion DV 2000.

More than 99% of Windows Vista Users use something other than a HP Pavilion DV 2000.

It would have made for a much better experiment if they got those 120 users to bring their own machines in for the test. Then the approval rating would be more realistic.

I suspect this campaign may backfire. Lets wait and see.

I have learned something new….if you want a Windows Vista laptop get the HP Pavilion DV 2000.

Link: http://www.mojaveexperiment.com/

Here is a Windows Vista tip for those that still like going to the command line.

Windows XP had a Powertoy called Command Prompt Here.

This would allow you to open a DOS box at the desired folder location. This was handy as it saved you typing in really long path names.

Example: C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents etc

This feature ships with Windows Vista but it buried.

To use it you have to hold down the left hand shift button while you right click your folder you will see an extra option “Open Command Window Here”.

Microsoft have updated their How-to guide for tweaking the performance of Windows Vista.

Almost all of it is just common sense and reading the list most of their suggestions apply to earlier versions of Windows as well.

•Delete programs you never use
•Limit how many programs load at startup
•Defragment your hard drive
•Clean up your hard disk
•Run fewer programs at the same time
•Turn off visual effects
•Try restarting if there’s a problem
•Add more memory
•Check for viruses and spyware
•Check your computer’s speed
•Disable services you don’t need
•Check for updates from the manufacturer

So if Vista performance is getting you down check out the link below.

Link: Optimize Windows Vista for better performance