Windows Vista

Windows Vista is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a line of graphical operating
systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook
computers, Tablet PCs, and media centers. Prior to its announcement on July 22, 2005,
Windows Vista was known by its codename "Longhorn". Development was completed
on November 8, 2006; over the following three months it was released in stages to
computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and retail channels.
On January 30, 2007, it was released worldwide to the general public,[2] and was made
available for purchase and downloading from Microsoft's web site.[3] The release of
Windows Vista comes more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor,
Windows XP, making it the longest time span between two releases of Windows
versions.

According to Microsoft,[4] Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features; some of the
most significant include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed
Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as
Windows DVD Maker, and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display
sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines
on a home network using peer-to-peer technology, making it easier to share files and
digital media between computers and devices. For developers, Vista introduces version
3.0 of the .NET Framework, which aims to make it significantly easier for developers to
write high-quality applications than with the traditional Windows API.

Microsoft's primary stated objective with Vista, however, has been to improve the state of
security in the Windows operating system.[5] One common criticism of Windows XP and
its predecessors has been their commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall
susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows. In light of this, then Microsoft
chairman Bill Gates announced in early 2002 a company-wide 'Trustworthy Computing
initiative' which aims to incorporate security work into every aspect of software
development at the company. Microsoft stated that it prioritized improving the security of
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 above finishing Windows Vista, significantly
delaying its completion.[6]

During the course of its development, Vista has been the target of a number of negative
assessments by various groups. Criticism of Windows Vista has included protracted
development time, more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new
Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected
digital media, and the usability of new features such as User Account Control.
Microsoft started work on their plans for "Longhorn" in May 2001,[7] prior to the release
of Windows XP. It was originally expected to ship sometime late in 2003 as a minor step
between Windows XP (codenamed "Whistler") and "Blackcomb" (now known as
Windows "Vienna"). Gradually, "Longhorn" assimilated many of the important new
features and technologies slated for "Blackcomb," resulting in the release date being
pushed back a few times. Many of Microsoft's developers were also re-tasked with
improving the security of Windows XP.[6] Faced with ongoing delays and concerns about
feature creep, Microsoft announced on August 27, 2004 that it was making significant
changes. "Longhorn" development basically started afresh, building on the Windows
Server 2003 codebase, and re-incorporating only the features that would be intended for
an actual operating system release. Some previously announced features, such as WinFS
and NGSCB, were dropped or postponed, and a new software development methodology
called the "Security Development Lifecycle" was incorporated in an effort to address
concerns with the security of the Windows codebase.[8]

After "Longhorn" was named Windows Vista, an unprecedented beta-test program was
started, which involved hundreds of thousands of volunteers and companies. In
September 2005, Microsoft started releasing regular Community Technology Previews
(CTP) to beta testers. The first of these was distributed among 2005 Microsoft
Professional Developers Conference attendees, and was subsequently released to
Microsoft Beta testers and Microsoft Developer Network subscribers. The builds that
followed incorporated most of the planned features for the final product, as well as a
number of changes to the user interface, based largely on feedback from beta testers.
Windows Vista was deemed feature-complete with the release of the "February CTP,"
released on February 22, 2006, and much of the remainder of work between that build
and the final release of the product focused on stability, performance, application and
driver compatibility, and documentation. Beta 2, released in late May, was the first build
to be made available to the general public through Microsoft's Customer Preview
Program. It was downloaded by over five million people. Two release candidates
followed in September and October, both of which were made available to a large
number of users.

While Microsoft had originally hoped to have the operating system available worldwide
in time for Christmas 2006, it was announced in March 2006 that the release date would
be pushed back to January 2007, so as to give the company – and the hardware and
software companies which Microsoft depends on for providing device drivers –
additional time to prepare. Microsoft also argued that some manufacturers selling PCs via
retail said they would not be able to have Vista machines on sale in time for Christmas,
whereas direct PC suppliers such as Dell would be able to ship Vista almost immediately;
a delay was therefore necessary to create a "level playing field".

Through much of 2006, analysts and bloggers had speculated that Windows Vista would
be delayed further, owing to anti-trust concerns raised by the European Commission and
South Korea, and due to a perceived lack of progress with the beta releases. However,
with the November 8, 2006 announcement of the completion of Windows Vista,
Microsoft's most lengthy operating system development project came to an end.