Microsoft primary announced the “Longhorn” in July 2001, even earlier than the launch of Windows XP in October the same year. At first, Longhorn is estimated to go on sale at the range in 2003 as a stepping stone between Windows XP and “Blackcomb” (now known as “Windows 7“). Gradually, “Longhorn” in fact built with many features and new technologies from “Blackcomb”, so its release date was repeatedly delayed. Microsoft then announced on August 27, 2004 that the company has made significant changes. Development “Longhorn” is repeated again and based on the base Windows Server 2003. Some previously announced features, such as WinFS, was canceled.

After “Longhorn” was named to Windows Vista, a beta-test program started, concerning hundreds of thousands of volunteers and companies. In September 2005, Microsoft began to launch a Community Technology Previews (CTP) for the regular-beta testers. The first release is build 5219, invitations were distributed to those present at the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference (PDC) 2005, and was also released to Microsoft Beta testers and MSDN subscribers.

In the next CTP-CTP, Microsoft has introduced many skin tone plans for the final product, such as the number of changes to user interface, which is based of the proposed feedback from the beta-testers.

Windows Vista is well thought-out to have a full feature with the release of build 5308 CRT, which was released on February 22, 2006. Work to the programmers to date Microsoft will release the final version will likely be focused on stability, performance, application and driver compatibility, and documentation.
James Allchin in an interview stated that there will be no version of “Release Candidate” (RC) as done on Windows versions earlier. Microsoft on the other hand will only send CTP until the product is ready for the market. Only in the release of Windows Vista Beta 2 to testers on May 23, 2006, and for the public on June 7, 2006 through Microsoft’s Customer Preview Program (can be downloaded directly or to order a DVD), Microsoft provides advice that will be release candidate for Windows Vista by promising a Release Candidate 1 DVD kit for the Beta 2 to order DVDs.
In the roadmap for Microsoft apparently plans to the manufacturer’s release date is on or before October 25, 2006.

Features new and updated
Windows Vista has a long list of hundreds of new features, features that changed, and features improved. At this time the list of features is not yet fully published by Microsoft. However, many features will be included in Windows Vista is already introduced by several publications.

Features End-UserWindows Aero: a new design of the user interface, short for Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open. This new interface is intended to be more aesthetic and cleaner than previous Windows interface, including translucent windows, animated, and look good. Animations in Windows Aero can be seen at the time the application is closed, and also on the recommendations.

Windows Shell: The new Windows shell is quite different from Windows XP. For example, the Start menu has changed, even the word “Start” also has been replaced with the Windows “Pearl” new blue.
Facility Search (Quick Search):
Windows Sidebar:
Internet Explorer 7 +:
Windows Media Player 11:
Windows Media Center:
Windows Live Show:
User Account Control:
Windows Firewall With advanced security:
Windows Defender:
Windows Mail:
Windows Update:
Parental Control:
Windows SideShow:
Speech recognition:
New Fonts:
Games:
Windows Calendar:
Windows Photo Gallery:
Windows DVD Maker:
Windows Collaboration:
SuperFetch:
ReadyBoost:
ReadyDrive:
Touchscreen:
Problem Reports and Solutions:

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