Vista Compatible Firewalls

Free

• Windows Firewall (Windows Vista Firewall is part of Windows operating system and includes both inbound and outbound protection) (32 and 64 Bit)

Free and Full Feature Pay Versions

• Avira Premium Security Suite (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• BitDefender family (32 and 64 Bit)
• Comodo (32 and 64 Bit) Not Recommended (Warning: Includes Ask Toolbar disguised as Surfsafe Toolbar!)
  
• EQSecure (32 Bit)
• Jetico Personal Firewall (32 and 64 Bit)
• Online Armor (32 Bit)
  
• PC Tools family (32 Bit)
  
• Privacyware solutions (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• ProSecurity (32 Bit)
• System Safety Monitor (32 Bit)
• Webroot Desktop Firewall (32 Bit) (Requires Registration)
• Zone Alarm (32 Bit) (Warning: Ask Toolbar Pre-checked for installation on Free Version, identified as ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker)
  

Pay Versions

• AhnLan family (32 and 64 Bit)
• Avanquest System Suite (32 Bit)
  
• BullGuard family (32 and 64 Bit)
• CA Family (32 and 64 Bit)
• DefenseWall HIPS (32 Bit)
  
• ESET Smart Security (32 and 64 Bit)
• F-Secure Internet Security (32 Bit)
• FortKnox Personal Firewall (32 Bit)
  
• G DATA AntiVirusKit InternetSecurity (32 Bit)
• iolo Personal Firewall (32 Bit)
  
• Kaspersky family (32 and 64 Bit)
• Lavasoft Personal Firewall (Note: Based on Outpost Firewall Pro engine) (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Look 'n' Stop (32 Bit and 64 Bit)
  
• McAfee family (32 Bit)
• NetLimiter (32 and 64 Bit)
• NetOp Process Control (32 Bit)
  
• Norman family (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Norton family (32 and 64 Bit)
• Outpost Firewall Pro (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Panda family (32 and 64 Bit)
• PCSecurityShield – (Note: Based on Comodo Firewall Pro engine) (32 and 64 Bit)
• Quick Heal family (32 and 64 Bit)
• Rising family (32 Bit)
• Safe'n'Sec (32 Bit)
• Sophos family (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Steganos Internet Security (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Trend Micro (32 and 64 Bit)
• TZ Personal Firewall (32 Bit)
  
• Windows Live OneCare (32 Bit)

Compiled from data provided by Matousec

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Features and Tutorials

64-Bit Support

• Correct Disk Cleanup shortcut for Windows Vista 64-bit (Kristan M. Kenney)
• Solution for Updating the BIOS on Windows Vista x64 Machines (Robert McLaws)
• Steve Gibson's Securable
• Switch to Windows Vista 64-bit painlessly (HOW-TO)

Backup and Recovery Center

• Backup and Restore in Windows Vista (James M. Fisher, MVP)
• Using Windows Vista System Restore (The How-To Geek)
  
• Windows Complete Backup and Restore (Microsoft)
• Windows Vista System Restore Guide (Bleeping Computer)
  

Fixing Windows Vista (Five-Part Series by Ed Bott)

• Part 1: one machine at a time
• Part 2: Taming UAC
• Part 3: Top Troubleshooting Tools
• Part 4: Get smart about services
• Part 5: Faster, smarter search
  

General Information + Tips & Tricks

• Change the permissions and take ownership of your files and folders (Vista4Beginners)
  
• ITsVISTA Tips
• Manage Windows Vista Application Compatibility (How to) Information Week
  
• Shrink and Extend NTFS Volumes in Windows Vista (How to)
• 10 top tweaks for Windows Vista (1-5, Ed Bott)
• 10 top tweaks for Windows Vista (6-10, Ed Bott)
  
• Uninstall a Program in Windows Vista (How to)
• Vista Run Commands
• Vista's Keyboard Shortcuts
  
• Windows Vista Feature Guide
• Windows Vista Help Demos (Microsoft)
  
• Windows Vista TCP/IP Properties (SimpleHelp)
  
• Windows Vista Tutorials, Tips and Classes (c|net Learning Hub)

Search

• Customize the Start Menu Search Box (Vista4Beginners)
• Demo: Instant Search in Windows Vista (Windows Experience Blog)
• Explorers (Microsoft)
• Instant Search (Microsoft)
• Instant Search Tutorials (Vista4Beginners)
  
  1. Understanding Instant Search
  2. How to Improve Instant Search
  3. How to Customize the Start Menu Search Box
• Operators to Help You to Create More Defined Searches (Advanced Search) (MSDN Blog)
• Understanding Instant Search (Vista4Beginners)
  
• Using Search Folders (Advanced Search) (MSDN Blog)
  
• Windows Desktop Search: Advanced Query Reference for 3.x (Microsoft)
  

Setup and Installation

• Creating A Bootable WinPE 2.0 USB Key
• Dual-Boot Vista and XP
  
• Install Windows Vista from a high speed USB 2.0 Flash Drive (How to) (Kristan M. Kenney, Canucky.net)
• Windows Vista no longer starts after you install an earlier version of the Windows operating system in a dual-boot configuration (KB 933179)
• Windows Vista RTM FAQ and Quick Start Guide - March 2007 Edition (Andre Da Costa)
  
• Windows Vista Upgrade FAQ (Adrian Kingsley-Hughes)

Windows Easy Transfer

• Use "USMT and Easy File Transfer" to migrate your system to Windows Vista if profiles are outside the system drive
• Using Windows Easy Transfer to transfer your data to a new computer

Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D

• What's Flip 3D?
• Windows Vista Feature Focus: Windows Flip and Flip 3D (Paul Thurrott)

Windows ShadowCopy

• Demo: Previous Versions of Files in Windows Vista (Windows Experience Blog)
  
• Shadow Copy
  

Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT)

• How does Performance Rating in Windows Vista Work? (TechNet)
• WinSAT Reference (MSDN)
• WinSAT: Vista's Built-in Benchmark (ExremeTech)
  

Windows Vista Defrag Tool

• Know when to defragment your drive
  

Windows Vista Snipping Tool

• Windows Vista Snipping Tool (How to use the)

Windows Vista Speech Recognition

• Vista's Speech Recognition (ExtremeTech)
• Vista Speech Saver 1.0.1.1 (Greg Duncan)
• Windows Help and How To Set Up Speech Recognition (Microsoft)

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Vista Security Features

BitLocker Drive Encryption

• A Real-world Windows Vista BitLocker Tip
• BitLocker Drive Encryption
• BitLocker Drive Encryption Frequently Asked Questions (Microsoft TechNet)
  
• BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool
• Keys to Protecting Data with BitLocker Drive Encryption (TechNet Article)
  
• Why won't Bitlocker read my USB token on boot? How to use Bitlocker without a Trusted Platform Module(TPM)

Data Exception Prevention (DEP) (32 Bit)

• How DEP Can Protect Your PC (Scott Dunn, Windows Secrets)
  

Encrypting File System Enhancements

• Encrypting File Systems

Internet Explorer Protected Mode

• Internet Explorer Protected Mode

Parental Controls

• Family Safe Computing & Microsoft (MSDN Blog)
• How to configure Parental Controls in Windows Vista (3.5MB) (Vista4Beginners Video)
• How to view the Activity Reports (1.5MB) (Vista4Beginners Video)
  
• Internet Explorer Parental controls
• Parental Controls for Windows Vista (MSDN)
• Parent's Guide to Microsoft's Windows Vista (The Road to Know Where)
• Setting up Windows Vista Parental Controls (Bleeping Computer Tutorial)
• Use Windows Vista to help enforce limits on your children's computer use (Microsoft "Security Tips & Talk")
  

PatchGuard (Kernel Patch Protection)

• An Introduction to PatchGuard Protection

User Account Control (UAC)

• Confusion about Vista Features: What UAC Really Is (Jesper's Blog)
• How to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista (Microsoft KB 922708
  
• Inside Windows Vista User Account Control (TechNet Article)
  
• Manage User Accounts (Vista4Begnners)
  
• UAC Prompt Triggers (Ed Bott)
• Understanding User Account Control in Windows Vista (Microsoft)
• Understanding Windows Vista's User Account Control (William R. Stanek, Paul Marquardt)
• User Account Control (Microsoft)
• User Account Control (Paul Thurrott)
• Windows Vista User Account Control Step by Step Guide (TechNet)

Windows Defender

• Getting Started with Windows Defender
• Windows Defender (Home)
• Windows Defender (Microsoft Feature Review)
  
• Windows Defender Review (Paul Thurrott)

Windows Firewall

• Exploring the Windows Vista Firewall (TechNet Article)
• Getting Started with Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (Microsoft TechNet)
  
• How to allow a program through the Windows Vista Firewall (Simple Help)
• Windows Firewall (Microsoft)
• Windows Firewall (Vista4Beginners Tutorial)
  
• Getting Started with Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (Windows Vista TechCenter)
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security—Diagnostics and Troubleshooting (Windows Vista TechCenter)
• Windows Vista Firewall and IPSec Enhancements (Steve Riley’s TechEd Europe Presentation)
• The New Windows Firewall in Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn" (The Cable Guy)
• Windows Vista Firewall Virtual Lab

Windows Security Center

• Security Center
• Understanding Windows Update and Extras in Windows Vista
• Windows Vista Update List
  

Security-Related Topics

• How to see hidden files in Windows Vista
• Solving "Windows is not genuine" error
• Using a Hosts File
• Notes On Vista Forensics, Part One
• Security Enhancements in Windows Vista™ (Microsoft Whitepaper)
• Security Best Practice Guidance for Consumers (Microsoft)
• Windows Vista Security Groups
• Windows Vista Security Guide (Microsoft)

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Windows Mail & Calendar

Windows Calendar

• Internet Calendars for Windows Vista Calendar (Microsoft)
• The complete guide to the Windows Calendar (3-part tutorial) (Vista4Beginners)
  
• Windows Calendar (Microsoft)
• Windows Calendar Publishing (Microsoft)

Windows Live Hotmail

• Email Support Space
• Windows Live Support (Submit Support Incident)

Windows Live Mail

• Making Your Windows Live Contacts work with Windows Contacts (Windows Vista Blog)
  
• Managing Your Contacts (Microsoft)
• Outlook Connector
• Windows Live Hotmail Mobile
• Windows Live Hotmail Desktop (Outlook Express Replacement)
• Windows Live Mail (Blog)
• Windows Live Mail (client) Support Team Space
• Windows Live Support (Submit Support Incident)
  

Windows Mail

• Migrate from Outlook Express to Windows Mail (Vista4Beginners)
• Windows Contacts (Vista4Beginners)
• Windows Mail (Features & Tutorial) (Vista4Beginners)
• Windows Mail keyboard shortcuts (Vista4Beginners)
• Windows Mail (SimpleHelp)
  

Windows Mail Custom Dictionary

• Custom Dictionary Editor for Windows Mail (Winhelponline)
  
• How to add the UK English Spell Check Option in Windows Live Mail (Winhelponline)
• Remove misspelled words from the custom dictionary in Windows Mail (Winhelponline)

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Vista Compatible Antivirus Software

Free for Personal Use Versions Available:

• Avast! (32 and 64 Bit)
• AVG (Warning: AVG 8.0 includes Toolbar) (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Avira AntiVir (32 and 64 Bit)
  

Subscription Antivirus Software

• Avast! (32 and 64 Bit)
• AVG (Warning: AVG 8.0 includes Toolbar) (32 and 64 Bit)
• BitDefender (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• CA Antivirus (32 and 64 Bit)
• F-Secure (32 Bit)
  
• K7 AntiVirus (32 Bit)
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• McAfee (32 and 64 Bit)
• NOD32 (32 and 64 Bit)
• Norton (Warning: Not Recommended!)
  
• Panda Antivirus (32 and 64 Bit)
• Sophos (32 Bit)
• TrendMicro (32 and 64 Bit)
  
• Windows Live OneCare (32 and 64 Bit)

Note: Unless specifically stated in system requirements that 64 Bit supported, it is assumed the product only supports 32 Bit systems.

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Blogs and Communities

• ActiveWin Windows Vista Infocenter
  
• Dell's Windows Vista Center
  
• Ed Bott's Windows Expertise
• Extended64.com
• ITsVISTA
  
• PROnetworks
• The Elder Geek on Windows Vista
  
• The Road to Know Where
• Vista4Beginners
• VistaRewired
• Windows Connected
  
• Windows-Now
  
• Windows Talk
  
• Windows Vista Forums
  
• Windows Vista Magazine
  

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Office 2007 and More

General

• 2007 Microsoft Office Security Guide
  
• An Office User Interface Blog
• Classic Menu for Office 2007 (Addintools)
• LiveSide - everything Windows Live
• Microsoft Office 2003 to 2007 Guides:
  
  • Word 2007
  • Excel 2007
  • PowerPoint 2007
    
• Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007
• Microsoft Office Recent Documents Gadget for Windows Sidebar
• Microsoft Office Word Team Blog
  
• Office 2007 Downloads
• Office UI Bible (MS MVP Patrick Schmid)

Microsoft Office Outlook

• Calendar
• Adding Holidays to Your Outlook Calendar
• The Daily Task List
• Publishing a calendar using Office Online
• Sharing a calendar via email

• To-Do Bar

• Introducing the To-Do Bar...
• Make the To-Do Bar work for you!
• Removing items from the To-Do Bar
  

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Windows Vista Customizations

Desktop Wallpaper

• Desktop Wallpaper
• Microsoft Exchange Team Wallpaper
  
• Hamad Darwish | World of Photography: Windows Vista Desktop Wallpaper Pack
  
• NZ Bliss Desktop Wallpapers
• Silverlight Desktop Wallpapers (Microsoft Silverlight Team)
• Silverlight Dusk DreamScene (Microsoft Silverlight Team)
• Windows DreamScene Content Pack - via Windows Update
• DreamScene FAQ's
  

General Customizations

• Customizing Vista's Taskbar and Start Menu
• Five Ways to Bend Windows Vista to Your Will
• Just Joe
  
• MSBeta.org
• Vista Ultimate
• Win Customize

Screensavers

• Registry hacks for the Windows Vista screensavers (Long Zheng: Ribbons, Bubbles, Mystify Screensavers)
• Windows Vista Aurora Screensaver Settings (Kristan M. Kenney)
  

Sidebar Gadgets

• Inside Microsoft: Sidebar Category
• Sidebar Gadgets (Donavon West, LiveGadgets)
  
• NZ Sidebar Gadgets
• Outlook 2007 Gadgets for Windows Sidebar
• Useful Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets (Rick Broida, Lifehacker)
• Windows Sidebar - the complete guide
• Windows Vista Sidebar Gallery

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