The Windows Vista Readiness Assessment is an automated tool designed for customers and parters in the midmarket to assess their PCs' readiness for Windows Vista.

The consumer release of Microsoft's Windows Vista is just around the corner and we've got a complete guide to upgrading a computer to Vista or buying a new computer pre-loaded with Vista. You'll want to take a look at this before you do anything.

Windows A to Z

Mouse (IntelliPoint) and keyboard (IntelliType) Hardware beta device software for Windows Vista is now available.

Install this update to address an issue where a Windows XP-based portable computer may not have as long a battery life under certain circumstances when certain USB 2.0 devices are connected.

Installing this set of application programming interfaces (APIs) will enable you to create applications that can manage wireless LAN profiles and connectivity on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) using the native wireless functionality in Windows, called Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) service.

Installing this update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2007 due to revised Daylight Saving Time laws in many countries.

Internet Explorer 7 has been designed to make everyday tasks easier, provide dynamic security protection and improve the development platform and manageability. End user improvements include a streamlined interface, tabbed browsing, printing advances, improved search functionality, instant feeds (RSS), dynamic security protection, and more.

In Part 4 of my Windows Vista review, I look at the touchy-feely side of Windows Vista, the new user experiences that really set it apart from its predecessors.

Microsoft Windows User State Migration Tool (USMT) version 3.0 migrates user files and settings during deployments of Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista. USMT captures files and settings from the source computer and then migrates them to a new Windows installation.

Microsoft Location Finder is a client-side application that turns a regular WiFi enabled laptop, Tablet or PC into a location determining device without the addition of any separate hardware. When launched by a user, Microsoft Location Finder uses WiFi access points - or reverse IP lookup when WiFi is not available - to center and display the person's location on an Windows Live Local, enabling the user to quickly and easily search in their present location.

Download the November security updates for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft XML Core Services and Macromedia Flash Player .

A Sheffield man has won a refund from Dell for not installing Microsoft's Windows XP on a laptop he bought from the PC giant.

BBC.co.uk

Windows Media Player 11 offers great new ways to store and enjoy all of your digital media. It's easier than ever to access all of your music, video, pictures, and recorded TV on your computer. Play it, view it, organize it, and sync it to a portable device for enjoying on the go, or share with devices around your home - all from one place. Windows Media Player 11 is designed to work with all versions of Windows XP with Service Pack 2, including Windows XP Home Edition N and Windows XP Professional N.

An anonymous tipster sent in a direct link to the Zune software so that anyone can download and use it?even if you don?t have a Zune! I?m not sure where they found it or how long it has been available but I didn?t see a link on the Zune.net site.

In the third part of my Windows Vista review, I examine your various options for installing Windows Vista, and run through the clean install process, comparing it to that of Windows XP.

Windows Defender is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight version of SQL Server 2005. It is fast and easy to learn, allowing you to quickly develop and deploy dynamic data-driven applications.

The Sysinternals web site was created in 1996 by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell to host their advanced system utilities and technical information and Microsoft acquired Sysinternals in July, 2006. Whether you?re an IT Pro or a developer, you?ll find Sysinternals utilities to help you manage, troubleshoot and diagnose your Windows systems and applications.

In Part 1 of my epic Windows Vista review, I reflect on the past five years and try to put Microsoft's latest and greatest operating system in perspective.

Interested in seeing how the final version of Windows Vista looks? Check out this exhaustive set of screenshots of the RTM version of Windows Vista!