By now a lot of you will have experienced the 'All-in-One Omnipotent Start Menu' thing that was first introduced with Windows Vista and can now be found in Windows 7. It combines My Computer, My Documents and your installed programs into one big, gribbly menu.

Some people love it. Some hate it. Personally, I like the all-in-one search/run input box... but that's about it. I much prefer the old drop-out menu, even if it is a bit stupid when you've got 500 programs installed. I still use icons on my desktop, rather than getting at everything through my Start Menu.

There have been a few tools that replicate the old Start Menu, but this one(aptly called 'Classic Windows Start Menu'), unlike the others, also works with the Windows Aero theme. Sadly, as you can see in the screenshot below, there still seem to be some bugs with the display (ironically, probably when you have a lot of stuff installed), but otherwise it all seems to work as intended!


So if, for some reason (and I'm sure there are lots of possible reasons) you don't like the Vista/7 Start Menu, why not grab this tiny little app?

Direct download link / developer's site (it ain't pretty, but you can find other-language versions there, if you don't want it in English)

[via Into Windows]

At long last -- and some would wonder why now, after the release of Windows 7 -- DirectX 11 is finally available for Windows Vista.

This means, while still taking a performance hit for running Vista, you could in theory divert that $100 you would spend on Windows 7 into a new, DirectX 11-enabled graphics card!

To obtain it, you need to download the 'Platform Update' which includes a lot of other updates for the Windows Vista and Server 2008 operating systems -- but other than the addition of DirectCompute (which I discussed in my previous feature on DirectX 11), there isn't a whole lot to report. Currently there is also no redistributable package -- something they have always done for previous versions of DirectX. I'm sure it will follow soon.

[via DailyTech but by God, be warned: their site takes about 5 minutes to render...]

Windows 7 cannot come fast enough! The New York Times is reporting that Intel has decided against upgrading its 80,000 employees to Windows Vista. An Intel spokesperson told the Times that Vista is being tested and deployed in certain departments, but not company-wide.

Although the enterprise push to upgrade to Vista has fallen short of expectations, this is a particularly brutal blow. Intel is one of Microsoft's oldest and most important partners; both companies became industry leaders in large part because of that partnership.

Although the Times' Intel source made efforts to say that the decision wasn't about "dissing Microsoft," we doubt that will make Steve Ballmer feel any better. Can you imagine what that conversation is going to sound like?

Despite the lack of widespread corporate adoption, the install base for Windows Vista is 140 million worldwide -- hardly peanuts. Still, with large corporations declining to upgrade their systems, Microsoft has had to extend support for Windows XP through 2014.

Thanks Mike!

Parallels for Mac, the crazily popular utility for Mac users to run Windows on their Apple computers in...a window has said the product's user base has hit 1,000,000 users.

That's a really nice pace for a piece of software not blessed by Mr. Jobs himself we'd say.

Right now the company's running a special where you can get 2 copies for $129. Kind of cool if you have multiple Macs around the house like a lot of you do.

Our question is this though:

Do a lot of people get Parallels and run Windows because they want to, or because they have to? Do people secretly love Windows XP (or egads Vista) but want to feel like a cool kid by having a shiny sexy Apple product?

Tell us what you think in the comments, if you're one of the 1,000,000 users of Parallels, why do you run Windows at all anymore?

As expected, the Microsoft Windows Vista Team has released an early version of Vista Service Pack 1 to a selected group of testers. Brandon LeBlanc at the Windows Vista Blog has been running SP1 for a little while already and shares these thoughts:

• The update will show up through Windows Update, and will show a size range from 51MB to 680MB. Because the update includes a number of hotfixes and compatibility packs that you may have already downloaded and installed, we're guessing your download will be on the lighter side if your PC is pretty much up to date.
• There's also a standalone installer for IT administrators who don't want to download the same file 400 times.
• LeBlanc reports that his updated computer is more responsive when logging into a network.
• The updated Disk Defragmenter will let you choose which volumes to work on.
• Vista Enterprise and Ultimate users will be able to choose which hard drives to encrypt using the BitLocker Control Panel.
• LeBlanc says his computer is a bit more responsive overall.
• Copying files from one directory to another is better.
• His laptop battery lasts longer.
• His PC performs better when resuming from Sleep or Hibernation modes.
• Windows Vista SP1 also lets users change their default desktop search provider. If you like Microsoft's desktop search product you'll have to reenable it. But you can also set Google Desktop as your default desktop search engine.

We don't expect to see a full release until early next year, but it's possible a public beta might be released before that time.

Every version of Windows from 3.0 to XP used the same type of help file format. HLP files were basically modified RTF documents that could be viewed using the WinHlp32.exe application.

But Microsoft decided to leave that application out of Windows Vista to encourage developers to use more up to date help file formats. There's just one problem. When you buy a new computer or a new operating system you don't buy all new software. So there's probably more than a few applications you run that were designed for Windows XP or earlier. And you can't read their help files using Windows Vista. Not out of the box, that is.

It turns out there are two pretty simple ways to add support for HLP files to Windows Vista. First up, you can download and install an "update" from Microsoft. It weighs in at a hefty 601KB, so I can see why the company left it out.

If you've got an XP machine lying around, or if you're running a dual boot system, you can also just copy WinHlp32.exe from the Windows directory. When putting it on your new machine, you should probably stick it in Program Files or another directory, not Windows. In order to associate HLP files with the application, you'll need to find an old one, right click it and select "open with" to select the default program.

[via CodeJacked]

Jim Louderback leaves PCMag and Ziff Davis after 16 years as an editor and on his way out tells us what he really thinks of Microsoft Vista. In his words, "The litany of what doesn't work and what still frustrates me stretches on endlessly."

Need new computers for your small business but are unsure what OS to put on them? Take a hint from Dell. For a while, Dell pushed Vista but after hearing customer feedback, is now offering XP machines again. The sound and fury of Microsoft ceasing support of XP in early 2009 may make you quake in your virtual boots; however, that seems to be myth and support will continue until at least 2014. See Microsoft's Support Lifecycle Policy and their backtracking on short-support for Windows XP Home (XP Pro is in a different product category and enjoys longer support).

But what if you need machines now? Which OS can you choose and be safe?

Dell's new business machine, the Vostro line, is offered with either XP or Vista operating systems (talk about listening to your customers!). Offered for businesses who don't want Vista – or for whom Vista doesn't work with their required software applications – Vostro boasts not what is on it but what was left off: trialware. It comes with a 30-day money back guarantee with no restocking fee, a 1-year online backup system and North American telephone tech support [some features cost extra]. It sounds like someone is reading those Dell consumer surveys we fill out and good for them.

You can make your hardy XP machine Vista-like with cool cursors and enjoy the experience without upgrading. After doing a Vista Business upgrade on a pretty darned fast Windows Home machine and watching the % meter for 20 hours inch forward, I am pretty against upgrading at all; do a clean install because you're going to have to reload a bunch of software anyway (hey, Adobe/Macromedia, what IS it with Dreamweaver 8 running under Vista?).

When clients inquire about Vista (often when staff starts buying home computers with Vista and want it at work as well), we dissuade them unless the entire office moves to Vista and MS Office 2007, which is, I guess, what Microsoft wanted in the first place. For many customers, we're planning 2008-2009 tech upgrades for everything, including operating systems, office apps, and yes, server software (SBS 2007 has to come out some day!). Because many computers need upgrades to handle the new OS, the cost is significant, especially for small businesses.

We have a short list of guidelines for small businesses moving toward Vista:

1. Take an inventory of your machines and determine which have to be replaced and which can be upgraded to use Vista.
2. Seriously consider not buying OEM copies of Office or Vista from the hardware manufacturer and buy managed licenses instead. If your current old computer has Office 2003 OEM from, say, Dell, you can't install it on a new computer. It's considered part of the machine. Your lawyer may vary; check into it.
3. Upgrade all machines to at least 1Gb of RAM. Consider more. Check out the video card at the same time: does it work with everything Vista offers?
   
4. Will your current network software support Vista machines? (Trust me, we have NT networks that we still work on.)
5. Do you NEED or WANT Vista now? What are you going to do with (or what will it do for you) that makes the pain of cost and planning worthwhile?
6. Don't try to push a doorstop of a computer onto the receptionist so turning the machine on takes 12 minutes and opening Word takes another 15. That's not a technology plan.
7. Got any Macs in the house?
8. Office 2003 works fine under Vista. Office 2007 is way cooler (but doesn't create .doc files unless you've got a savvy user so sharing files is a daily frustration). It takes a good long time to upgrade from 2003 to 2007 so consider formatting all machines and then clean-loading Vista and Office 2007 and wait for all those users to complain about their missing software, license codes and other crying-jag inducing moments.
9. Have a technology upgrade plan. Hire a professional. This isn't your father's upgrade.
10. Lock 'em down. Don't let small business users start tweaking or you won't be able to support the mess of machines on your network. The business owner owns the computers. Let folks change colors but that's enough for a while.

Small businesses facing a technology upgrade should proceed with caution, take their time and consult professional computer engineers who do this every day. You'll learn a lot (and save unexpected costs) from their experience.

Microsoft has announced plans for Windows Vista SP1. As we've previously noted, a small group of PC users have been testing a pre-release version of SP1. Apparently this is pre-beta stuff, as Microsoft now says it will launch a private beta within the next few weeks. The full version of Windows Vista SP1 is scheduled for release during the first quarter of 2008. There will probably be a public beta somewhere between the private beta and the final release, but no word on when we can expect that.

So what's included in Windows Vista Service Pack 1? Microsoft has published a white paper on that topic, and here are a few highlights:

• All of the updates that had been previously offered through Windows Update
• Improved reliability and compatibility with newer graphics cards
• Improved reliability when working with external displays on a laptop
• Improved reliability of systems that were updated from Windows XP to Vista
• Improved printer driver compatibility
• Increased reliability and performance when entering and returning from sleep mode
• Includes APIs by which third party security and malicious software detection applications can work with kernal patch protection on x64 versions of Vista
• Improves the security of running RemoteApp programs and desktops by allowing Remote Desktop Protocol files to be signed
• Enhances BitLocker Drive Encryption to offer an additional multifactor authentication method that combines a key protected by the Trusted Platform Module with a startup key stored on a USB storage device and a user-generated PIN
• Faster copying and extracting of files
• Improves the time to become active from Hibernate and Resume modes.
• Reduces Internet Explorer 7 CPU utilization and speeds up JavaScript parsing
• Improves battery life by not redrawing the screen as often on certain computers
• Support for exFAT file system which will be used in forthcoming flash memory storage devices
• Support for Secure Digital Advanced Direct Memory Acces
• Support for Direct3D 10.1

Service Pack 1 will be about 50MB if installed using Windows Update. As you can see, there aren't many new features included, but there are a ton of fixes that should improve compatibility with your hardware and generally make Vista run more smoothly.

It looks like we might be one step closer to an official Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Microsoft seems to have released an updated beta of Vista SP1 to a select group of testers, and at least one of the less trustworthy beta testers appears to have allowed the file to find its way onto your usual suspect shady BitTorrent trackers.

The previous version of Vista SP1 included a complete installation disc. There was no way to upgrade an existing Windows Vista installation. it appears that the latest build is a 684MB executable file that can be used to upgrade your existing system.

Of course, we probably don't have to remind you that this is pre-release beta software. On the one hand, it might be incredibly tempting to grab the update and install it as soon as possible to see if it addresses problem's you've been having with Windows Vista. On the other hand, Windows Vista itself offers a good demonstration on why you might want to let others test out new Microsoft software for a while before installing it on your computer.

We're big fans of little applications that let you tweak your Windows system settings without mucking around in the registry. Stardock's TweakVista has a pretty comprehensive set of registry hacks, but only some are available in the free version. And it's kind of nice to have a tiny file that works with no installation required.

While XdN Tweaker doesn't offer as many options as the free Vispa, XdN Tweaker weighs in at just 516KB. It supports Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista and has a handful of tweaks including:

• Enable or disable the User Account Control for different users
• Enable or disable right-click Windows Media Player context menus
• Restore the file menu in Internet Explorer 7
• Change the default number of folder views (personalized settings for how to view folders) that Windows remembers
• Add a "take ownership" option to Vista right-click menus that lets you change files that read "you need permission to perform this action."

As with any of these tweaking programs, it's possible to achieve most of the same results with a few registry hacks. But XdN Tweaker is a lot more user-friendly than the Windows registry. And more importantly, most of the hacks can be undone from within the program's interface.

[via gHacks]

We took a pre-release version of Stardock's TweakVista for a spin back in June, and we were suitably impressed with this OS tweaking tool. Now the company has released version 1.0 in two varieties. One will set you back $20 while there's also a free version with a few features shaved off the top.

Both versions let you identify and disable Windows processes, update display drivers, configure User Account Control options, and analyze your computer's carbon footprint.

The premium version includes an auto-update option, configuration options for a larger number of services, and identifies programs that may be slowing your computer's boot process.

TweakVista isn't the only Windows Vista optimization application around, but it's definitely one of the more comprehensive applications we've seen.

Now that a few folks have got their grubby little paws on beta versions of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, we can tell you a bit about some of the updates.

There's still no way to download and install Vista SP1. It's only available as a 3.2GB DVD ISO which you can burn to disc and use to install a full version of Windows Vista. But APC Magazine and I Started Something have taken a look under the hood.

First up, there are a few visual tweaks. For example, the startup splash screen has been tweaked to match the screen you get when resuming from hibernation. And above you can see the sound properties menu for Windows Vista. Service Pack 1 is on the left, and has a slightly more refined look than the original Windows Vista sound properties menu on the right.

The only new feature in SP1 is a new "create a recovery disc" tool. Otherwise, most of what you get are bug fixes. Four hotfixes are included with about individual packages. APC Magazine reports that their test system seemed to run more smoothly after an update. Of course, performing a fresh install of Windows always creates that illusion. But we're cautiously optimistic. Hopefully this release will be available through Windows Update in the not to distant future.

It looks like Microsoft has officially released the Window Performance and Reliability Pack and Vista Compatibility and Reliability Pack. We first told you about these Vista update packs last week when unofficial versions made their way onto the net.

Here are some of the issues the update addresses:

• When you copy or move a large file, the "estimated time remaining" takes a long time to be calculated and displayed.
• The screen may go blank when you try to upgrade the video driver.
• The computer stops responding, and you receive a "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered" error message.
• A memory leak occurs when you use the Windows Energy screen saver.
• If User Account Control is disabled you cannot install a network printer.
• You experience a long delay when trying to exit the Photos screen saver.
• It takes your computer a long time to show the logon screen after resuming from hibernation.

We don't blame you if you were nervous about installing an update obtained from a non-Microsoft source. But since it looks like at least some computers aren't downloading the update automatically through Windows Update, you might want to go ahead and download the pack from Microsoft now that it's available.

[via jkOnTheRun]

Word on the street is that Microsoft may be sending out pre-release beta versions of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3.

If the rumors are true, and they may not be (despite a series of screenshots making the rounds), the Windows XP service pack weighs in at about 350MB and offers up about 900 solutions to reported problems. Many of those fixes have been addressed via various Microsoft hotfixes since Service Pack 2 was released. But it's nice to have everything in one place.

As for Windows vista Service Pack 1, it appears that it's only available as a DVD ISO, not as a standalone updater. Again, take this all with a grain of salt. For all we know someone doctored a few screenshots just to get us excited about the possibility of a less buggy version of Windows Vista. One thing we can tell you. Those reliability packs released prematurely into the wild last week are not Service Pack 1.

[via All About Microsoft]

Although Microsoft claims that Windows Vista sales in China are better than previously reported, the company has reduced the price of its latest operating system in order to spur sales.

On Wednseday, the company has cut the price of Windows Vista Home Baisc to just under $66 US dollars, which is about 1/3rd the price it had been selling for. The price of Windows Vista Home Premium has also received a 50% price cut. It now retails for about $120 US.

Any way you look at it, the new prices make it a lot cheaper to buy legal copies of Windows Vista in China than in the US. But it's still hard to compete with free, or next to it. China has long been a hotbed of software piracy, and word on the street is that you can pick up a copy of Windows Vista for about a buck.