- Lesson 1 - Introduction
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In this lesson you will be introduced to the Windows Vista course along with your instructor, Scott Skinger.
- Lesson 2 - Windows Vista Overview
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Which version of Windows Vista is right for you? Microsoft has released so many different versions of Vista that they have made it difficult to choose. I will walk you through all of the different versions and compare and contrast the features with you to make sure that you are able to make a wise decision when choosing a version for you or your company.
New Features in Vista
Windows Vista is packed with new features and enhancements over Windows XP. I will go through all of these features and discuss how they impact the version of Windows Vista you choose. You will learn about the new Start Menu, Instant Search, Windows Aero interface, User Account Control (UAC), Parental Controls, Security enhancements, Networking enhancements, BitLocker, File System enhancements like ReadyBoost, ReadyDrive, and SuperFetch, and the new Applications including Windows Mail, Calendar and Meeting Space.
- Company Scenario
- Network Diagram (Before/After)
- Course Setup
- Vista Overview
- Vista Versions
- Vista Home Versions
- Vista Business Versions
- Recommended Internet Sites
- Upgrades and Pricing
- Lesson 3 - Windows Vista Installation
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Installing Windows Vista the right way is a very important skill to learn if you want to get the most out of your operating system and keep it secure. I will explain the differences between an upgrade and a clean installation, the best way to partition your hard drive, and cover the minimum and recommended hardware requirements for installing Windows Vista.
- Scenario Overview
- Installation Overview
- System Requirements
- Installation Options - Old PC
- Installation Options - New PC
- Upgrade to Vista Overview
- Upgrade to Vista Walkthrough
- Clean Installation of Windows Vista Overview
- Install Windows Vista Walkthrough
- After Installation Procedures
- Lesson 4 - Windows Vista Aero Interface
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Windows Vista has a sleek, cool, new look that is powered by the AERO interface. I will show you how to control and manipulate settings and demonstrate AERO thumbnails, Flip and Flip 3D. I will also show you how to setup and edit the Windows Sidebar. Windows Search is a great new feature in Windows Vista that I use on a daily basis. I will teach you how to use this powerful new tool and show you how you can save time and become more proficient in Vista by using it.
- Welcome Center
- Start Menu
- New Search Feature
- Start Menu Log Off and Power Management Features
- Customize the Start Menu
- Task Bar
- AERO Interface
- Side Bar
- Control Panel
- Lesson 5 - Users and Groups
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Setting up users and groups in the proper manner is one of the most important things you can do on your Vista computer. This allows you to set permissions and control what certain users can and can't do. In this course I am going to show you the best way to setup your users and groups on a local system and in a domain environment.
Parental Control
Are you looking to stop kids (or employees!) from visiting certain websites or downloading inappropriate content to their computers? Parental control is for you then. I will show you how to use this handy program to control what your users are able to do on their computers.
User Account Control
User Account Control (UAC) is a new feature in Vista that is designed to make your computer more secure by requiring elevated (administrator) credentials for more sensitive computer operations. I will show you the best ways to use it AND a group policy that will disable it if you don’t want to use it.
- User Account Overview
- Vista User Account Information
- Local Versus Domain Accounts
- User Account Control
- User Management
- Fast User Switching
- User Account Password Management
- User Profile Tasks
- Parental Controls
- Groups Policy
- Lesson 6 - Networking
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What good is a computer without connecting it to a network? We’re going to take an in-depth look at the new Network Sharing Center in Vista - it takes some getting used to, but it is a huge improvement over Windows XP. I am also going to show you how to get your Vista machine setup in a domain environment and some important things to watch out for.
Transfer Data from one computer to another using the Easy Transfer Wizard
One of the toughest and most frustrating things to do is transfer your program settings and data from an old computer to a new computer. In Windows Vista, the Easy Transfer Wizard makes this task much easier. I will show you the most efficient and effective ways to get all of your information (Microsoft Office settings, IE Favorites, Important files, email, pictures, desktop preferences, etc.) from one computer over to another computer.
- Network and Sharing Center Overview
- Customize Network Settings
- Local Area Connection Status
- Sharing and Discovery
- Network and Sharing Center Tasks
- Manage Network Connections
- Diagnose and Repair Network
- Network Troubleshooting Commands
- Cakehouse.local Domain Overview
- Amy’s Cake House Network Diagram
- Steps to Convert to a Domain Walkthrough
- Create User Accounts
- Verify IP Address (DNS) Settings
- Join a Domain
- Logon to the New Domain
- Transfer User Profile
- Lesson 7 - Mobile PC and Wireless Networking
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We all have sensitive files on our PCs or Laptops? Whether you need to encrypt one file or encrypt your entire drive, you have options in Vista. I am going to show you how to configure EFS and you will see how it has been revamped from the version in Windows XP. I will also show you how to set up Vista’s new drive encryption feature Bitlocker, beginning with the system requirements necessary to enable this feature.
- Mobile PC Settings Overview
- Windows Mobility Center
- Power Options
- Table PC
- Data Encryption Overview
- Configure Encrypted File System
- Bitlock Configuration
- Offline Files and Mapped Network Drives
- Offline Files and Mapped Network Drives Demo
- Sync Center Walkthrough
- Offline File Options
- Wireless Network Configuration
- Lesson 8 - Disk Management and File Systems
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- Disk Management Overview
- Disk Management Tool
- Basic vs. Dynamic Disks
- How to Setup Partitions
- One Way Conversion to a Dynamic Disk without Data Loss and Formatting
- New Disk Performance Features
- Windows ReadyBoost
- Windows ReadyDrive and SuperFetch
- File and Folder Management
- New Search Feature in Vista
- Lesson 9 - Shared Folders and Permissions
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If you are working in a network environment you will need to know how to share files locally and over the network. We’ll take a look at Basic and “Advanced” folder sharing and how to set up a folder share, how to assign NTFS permissions to a file or folder and the differences between share permissions and NTFS permissions, and how to map a network drive. This is a great in-depth look at shared folders and permissions for a first time user and a detailed refresher course for those of you that remember permissions from Windows XP.
- Shared Folders and Permissions Overview
- Ad Hoc Network
- Public Folder Sharing
- Sharing a Folder
- UNC Paths
- Advanced Sharing Method
- Sharing Folders Using the Computer Management Console
- Server 2003 Shared Folders
- Administrative Shares
- Share vs. NTFS Permissions
- NTFS Permissions Overview
- NTFS File Permissions
- NTFS Folder Permissions
- NTFS Permissions Demonstrations
- Cumulative Permissions
- Inheritance
- Notes on Inheritance
- Ownership
- Determine Effective Permissions
- Lesson 10 - Security in Windows Vista
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Keeping your system secure has never been more important than it is today. I am going to show you the security features you will use most by focusing on end user security.
We will take a look at the Security Center, which includes Windows Update settings, configuring Windows Firewall, and configuring a Windows Defender custom scan.
I will also show you anti-virus software, brand new in Vista, called OneCare. You will see what your options are to keep your Windows Vista PC secure.
- Security Center Overview
- Windows Update
- Windows Firewall
- Windows Defender
- Anti-Virus Overview
- Windows Life OneCare
- Lesson 11 - Internet Explorer 7
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Some of you may be familiar with Internet Explorer 7 and some of you may not be but it does have some excellent new features that I will explore. We’ll take a look at Tabbed Browsing, a feature designed to organize multiple browsers in Internet Explorer 7, RSS feeds, and how to configure Options and Security.
- New Features in Internet Explorer 7
- RSS
- Internet Options Overview
- Security Tab in Internet Options
- Privacy Tab in Internet Options
- Content Tab in Internet Options
- Connections Tab in Internet Options
- Programs Tab in Internet Options
- Roboform
- Programs Tab in Internet Options (cont.)
- Advanced Tab in Internet Options
- Lesson 12 - Running Software in Vista
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Installing and running software in Vista can be a bit tricky when it comes to compatibility and compliance. It is important to make sure new software is compatible with Vista, so I’ll show you how to install an application using the Application Compatibility Wizard. We’ll take a look at legacy applications including what they are and how they run and for you administrators I’ll show you how to run specific software as an administrator.
- Programs and Features
- Default Programs
- Programs in Vista Overview
- Windows SlideShow
- Windows Sidebar Properties
- Windows Calendar
- Windows Contacts
- Windows Mail
- Windows Meeting Space
- Snipping Tool and Other Programs
- Program Classifications Overview
- Vista Compliant Software
- Standard User Application
- Legacy Applications
- Installing Software
- Application Elevation Prompts
- Application Run Levels
- Troubleshooting Applications
- Lesson 13 - Administering & Troubleshooting Windows Vista
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Whether you are the most advanced user or a novice, when it comes to operating systems, inevitably you are going to run into some problems. That is why I will show you how to implement multiple troubleshooting techniques. I always say that the biggest part of troubleshooting is preventative maintenance; making sure you attack potential problems before they occur.
I will show you the tools you will need to use to make this possible, including the Task Manager, Task Scheduler, Disk Tools like Defrag, Compression, and Cleanup, Performance Monitor and Event Viewer. I’ll show you some common problems you will run into with Vista and how to troubleshoot these. We will also take a look at troubleshooting hardware, along with the installation of new devices and preexisting devices.
I’ll show you how Vista handles hardware a little bit differently than previous operating systems, so that you can avoid compatibility issues. Finally, we will take a look at the Backup and Restore Center, and other options for backing up your system.
- Remote Desktop Configuration
- Remote Assistance
- Services in Windows Vista Overview
- Manage Services
- Windows Firewall Properties
- Dependencies
- Manage Services in Windows Task Manager
- Task Scheduler
- Schedule a Basic Task
- Disk Quotas
- Disk Cleanup
- Error-Checking and Disk Defragmenter
- Disk Compression
- System Properties
- Performance Monitor
- Reliability and Performance Monitor
- Event Viewer
- Lesson 14 - Hardware and Printing
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- Hardware in Vista Overview
- Hardware Installation - Pre-Existing Devices
- Hardware Installation - New Devices
- Device Manager
- Driver Signing
- Unsigned Drivers Controlled Through Group Policy
- Add Hardware Wizard
- Troubleshooting Hardware
- Installation of a Wireless Network Card
- Network Card Properties
- Basic Procedures in Device Manager
- Uninstall a Device
- Rollback Driver
- Add Legacy Hardware
- Control Panel l Options - Display Settings
- PC Cards and USB Devices
- Hardware and Sound
- Clock, Language, and Region
- Ease of Access
- Printing Overview
- Printer Setup
- Add a Network Printer
- Microsoft XPS Document Writer
- Lesson 15 - Backing Up Your System
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- Backups are Important
- Backup and Restore Center Overview
- Windows PC Complete Backup and Restore
- Backup Files
- Restore Files
- Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore
- System Protection
- System Restore
- Previous System Restore Versions (Shadow Copy)
- Troubleshooting Windows Problems
- Other Backup Options
- Lesson 16 - Group Policy in Windows Vista
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If you are in a business or education setting you know how important it is to define how a system will perform and what a system will look like for a specific group of users. I will show you Group Policy features specific to Vista and we will explore the difference between Local Group Policy and Group Policy in Active Directory.
We are going to take a look at some Group Policy examples so that I can show you what can be configured and how you can enforce it. This includes an overview of the Group Policy Management Console.
- Group Policy Overview
- Group Policy vs. Local Policy
- Group Policy Specifics
- Group Policy Examples
- User Account Control Settings
- Disable Windows Mail and Side Bar
- Multiple Local Group Policy Objects
- Group Policy Management Console