Course Overview
As operating systems become more complex, the need for skilled IT support staff to remain current in the latest technological advancements increases. Windows Vista offers features to increase reliability, functionality and security for every organisation, regardless of size.
In this course, you gain the fundamental knowledge and skills to install and configure Windows Vista in your organisation.
Audience
This course is valuable for PC technicians, IT and desktop support staff, systems administrators and power users.
Skills Gained
- Preparing a Windows Vista image
- Organising files into virtual folders
- Performing diagnostics with built-in tools and utilities
- Configuring ACPI power plans
- Backing up and restoring system data
- Creating and managing local and domain users and groups
- Recovering critical files, folders and registry settings with WRP
- Customising Windows Defender to provide a tailored security environment
- Sharing files, folders and printers
- Configuring network security, protocols and discovery options
- Correcting application compatibility problems
Prerequisites
Prior experience with Microsoft Windows or a similar operating system is assumed.
Course Outline
Introduction to Windows Vista
- Evaluating Windows Vista editions
- Examining hardware requirements
- Selecting an installation method
- Licensing and activation issues
Exploring the User Interface
Configuring the desktop
- Investigating Windows Aero and Flip 3D
- Populating the Sidebar with Gadgets
- Supporting multilingual environments
Organising user data
- Navigating the file system
- Creating virtual folders
- Grouping files via search queries
Configuring Windows Vista
Keeping systems current
- Customising automatic updates
- Installing service packs and hotfixes
- Maintaining device drivers
Leveraging system tools
- Diagnosing performance issues
- Recovering from start-up failures
- Exploring Control Panel applets
Managing advanced features
- Selecting power options
- Modifying registry settings
- Safeguarding system and user data
Administering Users and Groups
Implementing local and domain accounts
- Creating users and groups
- Nesting role and resource groups
- Interacting with User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista
Applying security policies
- Improving password security
- Restricting access to the system
- Defining Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
Securing Local Resources
Benefiting from advanced technologies
- Investigating Windows Resource Protection (WRP)
- Encrypting drives with BitLocker
- Protecting privacy with Windows Defender
Configuring system security
- Auditing files and folders
- Granting and denying access permissions
- Improving physical and data security with TPM technologies
Managing Network Connectivity
Fine-tuning network configuration
- Optimising network settings
- Providing data mobility
- Resolving problems using Windows Network Diagnostics
- Analysing network maps
Sharing printers and folders
- Choosing the best method of sharing
- Leveraging the Network and Sharing Center
- Locating shared volumes and printers
Interacting with the Internet
- Securing inbound and outbound connections with Windows Firewall
- Customising the Internet experience
Supporting User Applications
Installing and maintaining software
- Deploying Microsoft Installer (MSI) packages
- Coping with problematic processes
- Auditing application behaviour
Improving software compatibility
- Generating patches with the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)
- Overcoming permission barriers
Enhancing User Productivity
- Publishing with Windows Calendar
- Collaborating with Windows Meeting Space
- Interacting through Speech Recognition and Microsoft Narrator
