Microsoft launches Windows Vista

Windows Vista is “dramatically more secure than any other operating system released”, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has told.

Almost six years after its last upgrade, Microsoft has finally unleashed `Vista’, the new version of its ubiquitous personal computer operating system, Windows.

Microsoft launched Vista in London, with more than 100m computers predicted to be using it within 12 months. 

Mr Gates said the security features in the new operating system were reason enough to upgrade from Windows XP.

The four versions of Vista will be available from this week for consumers (that is, the non-enterprise sector): a starter edition that will only be available pre-loaded on entry level PCs that start at Rs. 22,000; the home basic version; the home premium for those who want to exploit the multimedia features similar to the earlier Media Center Edition and Vista Ultimate which combines the full array of home, entertainment and business-oriented features. 

Mr Gates also defended the pricing of Vista, which is twice as expensive in Europe compared to the US.

Mr Gates said security in Vista would mean it would be “much, much harder” for malicious hackers to attack computers running the operating system.

“For anybody worried about safety, whether it is phishing or malware or parental control type issues, Vista brings that to a whole new level of capability,” he added.

Security analysts have praised the improved tools in Vista but many feel that holes in the operating system eventually will be exposed and that Microsoft will continue to need to update it through online patches.

“It’s crucial for corporate reputation and revenue that Vista proves more secure and stable than XP,” he said.

Not all PCs will be able to run Vista – Microsoft recommends machines have at least 512Mb of RAM, a 800Mhz processor and 15Gb of hard disk space.

Microsoft has pledged to continue support for XP users until 2011.

The features where Vista will provide a significantly improved experience, Microsoft executives said, were: an integrated desktop and Web search tool; enhanced security against spam and malware; tight parental control on what their children do on the Net — and some visual `eye candy’ like video desktop background themes and 3-D aero effects where multiple windows appear to stand up on the screen, like so many see-through glass walls.

In a separate function, domestic PC maker Zenith tied up with California based Vu Technologies to launch `India’s first Vista PCs’… ranging in price from Rs. 35,000 for an entry machine to Rs. 1.50 lakh for a Vista-Ultimate-based Digital Home solution complete with a 37 inch LCD TV screen.