Microsoft has chosen a completely different path for XP and it's boot features by trying to incorporate as much support for newer fastboot BIOSes that are on most current motherboards.
They built XP in such a way as to make it able to take advantage of features in these new BIOSes, and one of the coolest things is a small application called bootvis. bootvis.
Bootvis watches everything that loads at boot time, from the moment the OS begins to load just after POST (Power On Self-Test) to the moment you get to a usable Desktop.
Some programs, most notably Norton AntiVirus 2002, suck up valuable seconds before you can actually DO anything even though you're at the Desktop. bootvis generates a trace file that you load and can then "see" a visual representation of what's happening. Every file, driver, hard drive read/write, etc., is recorded. You can then use bootvis to optimize the loading of files during the boot sequence. bootvis will rearrange the ways these very files are stored on the hard drive, thereby improving the boot time dramatically.

The Windows logo key, located in the bottom row of most computer keyboards is a little-used treasure. Don't ignore it. It is the shortcut anchor for the following commands: Windows: Display the Start menu Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer Windows + F: Display Search for files Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Center Windows + R: Display Run dialog box Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog box Windows + shift + M: Undo minimize all windows Windows + L: Lock the workstation Windows + U: Open Utility Manager

1. If you’re annoyed by Internet Explorer’s incessant barking that you’ve lowered your security settings (like, if you’re a non-paranoid expert), launch “gpedit.msc” from either the Run command or Start Search field, navigate through Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / Internet Explorer. In the rightmost pane, double-click “Turn off the Security Settings Check feature” and set it to Enabled.
2. If Internet Explorer’s Information Bar also annoys you, you can turn it off (again) in the Group Policy Object Editor (gpedit.msc) through Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / Internet Explorer / Security Features. In the rightmost pane, double-click “Internet Explorer Processes” and set it to Disabled. Hallelujah!
3. I’ve just mentioned two tweaks that are buried inside the Group Policy Editor. Jim Allchin pointed out that there’s a Group Policy Settings Reference spreadsheet available. Makes for great weekend reading.
4. Read the Background on Backgrounds if you’re a performance junkie. Don’t set your wallpaper through Internet Explorer ever again! Now that Windows supports JPG wallpapers, there’s absolutely no need (or excuse) for using BMPs anymore.
5. If you insist on keeping UAC (User Account Control) turned on for yourself, you might care to make the elevation prompts a bit less visually jarring. Brandon told me about this one, even though I have UAC turned off. Launch the Local Security Policy manager (secpol.msc), and navigate through Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options. In the rightmost pane, scroll to the bottom and double-click “User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation.” Disable it, and you can keep UAC turned on without getting turned off by the embarrassingly craptacular Aero Basic theme.
6. Vista can send you emails! The Computer Management tool can still be accessed by right-clicking “Computer” and selecting “Manage” from the menu. However, now you can attach a task to any event. Try navigating through System Tools / Event Viewer / Windows Logs / Application. Now, go ahead and select an event - then look to the rightmost pane and click “Attach Task to This Event.” Name it whatever, describe it however, click through the next step, then in the Action step, you’ll see the “Send an e-mail” option.
7. The Windows Task Manager gives you a lot more troubleshooting information in Vista. Flip to the Processes tab, and in the View menu, click “Select Columns” and add Description, Command Line, and Image Path Name. Moreover, when you right-click a process, you can select either “Go to Service(s)” or “Open File Location.” These are all long overdue options.
8. This one’s interesting. Open up the Date and Time Control Panel applet. Flip to the “Additional Clocks” tab. There, you can configure two more clocks from different time zones. They’ll appear in the tooltip when you hover over the Taskbar clock. No additional software (or silly sidebar widgets) necessary.
9. Applicable in other versions of Windows, I’m going to throw it in here for good measure. Create a shortcut to RegSvr32.exe in your SendTo folder. To get there quickly, enter “shell:sendto” in the Run command dialog or Start Search field. Now, when you wanna register a DLL or OCX file with the system, you can select it/them and “Send To” the RegSvr32 shortcut.
10. I figured I’d round out my first set of Windows Vista tips and tricks with a tiny bit of eye candy. It doesn’t beat Picasa, but the Windows Photo Gallery is better than nothing. Once it’s indexed all your photos, click the icon next to the Search field and turn on the “Table of Contents.” That’s kinda nifty.

If this list doesn’t make Lifehacker, nothing will.

software, tips, tweaks, vista, vista ultimate, windows, windows vista

Do u have any ?
Then...

Windows Explorer helps you manage your stuff (documents, settings, programs etc) and this is why it's important to learn the basics and some of the Explorer tricks.

In the image bellow you can see the basic features that Windows Explorer was equipped with:

Navigation Pane: this pane contains two sections: Favorite links - that provides access to some of your favorite links like Documents and Pictures - and Folders, which displays the location you are currently browsing.

Details Pane: detailed information (Date Modified, Au this, Size) about a certain file of folder is displayed in the Details Pane. You can also add you own tags and you own categories, which can help you when searching for that specific file/folder.

Preview Pane is located on the right hand side and it allows you to view to content of a file without opening it

Command Bar gives you the option to Organize your files and folders, change the View and even Print or Burn a file/folder on a cD/DVD Address Bar displays the location you are currently in and you can also type a URL and have the explorer display a web page

Search Box allows you to search files and folders on you computer

The Navigation, Details and Preview panes are optional and can be turned ON/OFF by clicking on Organize – Layout

Until now, third party tools were needed for taking accurate screenshots but Vista comes with a build-in accessory called Snipping Tool. The tool lets you select a certain area on your screen and copies the image intro you system clipboard. You can either save the picture directly from the Snipping Tool making no modifications to it, or you can export it a photo editing software like Photoshop.

Using Vista's Snipping Tool

To launch the Snipping tool follow the instructions bellow:

• Open the Start Orb
• Type "snip" in the search box
• Select the Snipping Tool when this appears

When you start the tool for the first time, it will assume that you would want to capture a portion of the screen right away. You can cancel this auction by clicking the Cancel button.

Whenever you are ready to take a screen shot, click on the arrow besides New:

You now have 4 choices:

1. Free-form snip – allows you to capture an irregular shape

2. Rectangular snip – capture a rectangular area

3. Windows Snip – to capture a single window
4. Full-screen snip – to capture the entire screen

To actually take a screen shot, select one of the options above and drag the pen around the area you want to take a screen shot of. The image is now hidden in the Windows clipboard and you can import it in your favorite image editing software. Open the program, go to Edit and select Paste.

If you are talking a lot of screenshot on a regularly basis we recommend ,a more elegant and efficient tool.