Windows Vista one year on

When Windows Vista was released a year ago today, we asked our readers to tell us their favourite features of the new operating system. One year on we caught up with those readers, who unsurprisingly, have found new parts of the operating system which help them on a day-to-day basis.

Here’s what they said:

Ernie Hartley:

Ernie was one of the first readers to come forward and offer his thoughts on Windows Vista during the early period of the release candidate. His first impression was the improved layout on features in the new operating system.

“I like the new Control Panel. It’s better laid out and has more features than Windows XP,” he said.

A year on Ernie has gone far beyond simple cosmetic changes, and is reaping the rewards of the improved system tools, and the advanced use of tagging in Windows Vista.

“One of the best additions for me is System Restore, unlike hit and miss system restore in Windows XP, the one in Windows Vista actually works. I had to use it as a rouge piece of software decided to have a bite at my registry,” Ernie said.

“Importing pictures is my absolute favourite, if Windows Vista cannot recognise the camera it will recognise the memory card within the camera. It will import into a folder you have named (tagged) The cool thing it also tags the individual files the same name as that folder. So no more searching around for weird named files like MVC00001 or whatever your camera names them.”

Gary Duffield

Reader Gary Duffield initially found the transition to Windows Vista a struggle, in terms of getting used to the new systems, but soon used the changes to his advantage. When Windows Vista was released, Gary found the snipping tool to be his favourite feature.

“The snipping tool is a great way to grab screen shots and is much better that Paint and Print Screen,” he said.

However in the last year he has adjusted to the new features Windows Vista has to offer.

“With over 12 months experience of using Vista every day under my belt, my favourite feature has changed. I’ve allowed the new interface to creep into my comfort zone and under my skin, to the point where, on the odd occasion I use XP it seems, well,  so 2005!”

“The previously static address bar is now a major boon for file system navigation. It was a while before it became second nature to use it – but now it saves me many clicks. Little things like shift right click, open a command prompt here all help speed up the navigation.”

Kiya Byers

One reader, Kiya Byers, has been really impressed with the impact Windows Vista has had. He said:

"Microsoft said "the wow starts now", and it hasn't stopped! I've loved Windows Vista ever since January 30th - I didn't love it before then because I couldn't have it. But now I have it  I'm confused why a minority of people bad-mouth it. I know XP was a favourite but the world moves on, and nothing has been as good as Windows Vista. Sleek, attractive, useful and enjoyable, Windows Vista has become part of my life."