Fix problems in Windows Vista

Windows Vista was not well received when it was launched and it is telling that Microsoft rushed its replacement out of the door only two years later. Vista’s problems were not really that serious but there were enough in the first release to generate widespread criticism and many Windows XP users resisted upgrading as a result of the poor press.

To its credit, Microsoft addressed many of Vista’s issues with two interim Service Pack updates, but these still left many annoyances in place. The launch of the superior Windows 7 last year means they are now unlikely to ever be resolved, so does that mean people who upgraded to Vista are left in the lurch? Not quite.

If you are a Vista user who is regretting the move and eyeing Windows 7 with envy, don’t despair. A few tweaks can make this operating system much more user friendly and save you the hassle of upgrading.

Before you begin
Before you read any further about wrestling Windows Vista into submission, it is essential that you upgrade to Service Pack 2. This update, released last year, contains many improvements including fixes for laptop Wifi and compatibility problems with certain applications. To check if it is installed click Start, right-click Computer and choose Properties. The Service Pack should be listed under Windows Edition.

Service Pack 2 should have been installed as part of a regular Windows Update check, but if not, you can download it manually from the Microsoft website. You will need Windows Vista Service Pack 1 installed before you can install Service Pack 2, so if you have been remiss in your updates of late, you will need to set aside an evening to bring your PC up to date.

Windows Vista interface
Although Microsoft evidently liked it enough to keep it for Windows 7, Windows Vista’s user interface was not a hit with everyone. Missing menu bars left many users unsure how to work with files and the translucent window style made it difficult to tell which window was active when two were open side by side. Fortunately this particular annoyance can be fixed in mere seconds.

To remove the new look entirely, try reverting to the Windows Classic theme. You can change themes by right-clicking on an empty part of the Desktop and selecting Personalize. Then click Theme in the ‘Personalize appearance and sounds’ window that opens. Select Windows Classic from the Theme Settings dropdown menu and click the OK button to get the traditional look of Windows back in seconds.

Alternatively, to keep the new look but make it easier to use, change the colour of Vista’s Aero interface. Select Windows Colour and Appearance in the same ‘Personalize appearance and sounds’ window. Red and Orange show the biggest difference between active and inactive windows with transparency enabled, but you can fine-tune colours to your satisfaction using the ‘color mixer’ control.

Restoring Windows Explorer windows in Vista to a more familiar style is also simple. Open Explorer, click the Organize button on its toolbar, click Layout and enable the Menu Bar option.

Similarly, ‘Favorite links’ is a feature in Vista that allows users to quickly access frequently used folders, but you can hide this intrusion and display folders there instead. Open an Explorer window and hover the cursor over the top edge of the blue Folders bar at the bottom-right of the window. When the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow, click and drag the bar upwards until it fills the left side of the window.