I still can`t get used to Vista, I still think XP was better, and I`m still annoyed I`m having to learn a load of new stuff (to clog my already full brain) just because Microsoft want to sell a "NEW" product.....

On XP there`s a page which lists all the files you`ve used (My Recent Documents) and I find it helpful. I can`t find it on Vista. howtogeek.com does show how to find a list of "Recent Items" on Vista but it isn`t list all of them like it does on XP.

XP (and every other Windows) had a search bar in the start menu which just searched all the computer files, but the Search function on Vista seems to go onto the internet, not just search the files on the PC which is what I want it to do. What am I doing wrong ?

Is it possible to load Wordpad onto my Vista PC ? I find the preinstalled "Word Office 2007" too complicated...... My two XP machines had Wordpad preinstalled so I don`t seem to have a CD or anything.

"Recent Items" as far as I am aware is the only list of recently used items. To be honest I haven't noticed any differences between that and the one in XP. If you go to the Start menu and in the "Start Search" box enter "Wordpad" it should find it and let you run it.

"Recent Items" as far as I am aware is the only list of recently used items. To be honest I haven't noticed any differences between that and the one in XP. If you go to the Start menu and in the "Start Search" box enter "Wordpad" it should find it and let you run it.

Thanks for that I`ll try it whan I get home tonight.
Does your "Start Search" box tend to use the internet like mine does ?
It brings up some kind of Google search and goes on the internet.
My XP search only searches the PC, which is what I want it to.

IMHO Vista does need a break neck PC compared to XP.....

I have it installed on 3 PC's

P4 1gig (Painfully Slow)
Duo 2gig (Just about useable, as fast as XP on the P4)
Quad 2gig (Rocket Fast, feels like XP on the Duo)
:o|
clear as mud

just drop vista in the bin and go to windows 7....way better.

Probably would but at the mo its not compatible with all the shizzle going on inside the quad, and I don't fancy buying it 3 times (which I would feel compelled to do).

I still can`t get used to Vista, I still think XP was better, and I`m still annoyed I`m having to learn a load of new stuff (to clog my already full brain) just because Microsoft want to sell a "NEW" product.....

But Vista has been around for ages now? Windows 7 is new.

If you liked XP why are you complaining about and using Vista? XP OEM copies aren't really expensive so just put that on.

But Vista has been around for ages now? Windows 7 is new.

If you liked XP why are you complaining about and using Vista? XP OEM copies aren't really expensive so just put that on.

It depends what one`s definition of "old" is.
What is an "Old" TV ? (http://www.aerialsandtv.com/tvrepairs.html#WhatIsAnOldTV)

I`ve got XP on CD. Unfortunately the lap top is brand new we were told that if we got rid of Vista and put XP on it we`d invalidate the warranty, and we bought it from Coles so it`s got a two year warranty.

"Recent Items" as far as I am aware is the only list of recently used items. To be honest I haven't noticed any differences between that and the one in XP. If you go to the Start menu and in the "Start Search" box enter "Wordpad" it should find it and let you run it.

Fantastic, tried it last night and it went straight to Wordpad !
Thanks for that.
Is it possible to add a shortcut on the desktop ? I tried to, but couldn`t work out how to do it.

I would love to know where 'start search' is when I go to start there is nothing there for searching! I have Vista Home Premium if that makes any difference.

I would love to know where 'start search' is when I go to start there is nothing there for searching! I have Vista Home Premium if that makes any difference.


have you changed to classic menu ?


right click on ur blue task bar at bottom a menu should pop up go to properties

then another menu will show look at top and go to start menu then select {classic start menu } is much better hope this helps

have you changed to classic menu ?


right click on ur blue task bar at bottom a menu should pop up go to properties

then another menu will show look at top and go to start menu then select {classic start menu } is much better hope this helps

also on that properties bit you can find an option for it to list recently used files...make sure its ticked if thats what you need

To add a shortcut in Vista just right click your mouse when the program or web page etc is open and you will see Create a shortcut just click it to put a shortcut on your desktop.

Hi, anyone knows why I don't have aero property on my Vista? I searched all over, followed all teh steps from internet and I don't have this property. And I really would like to have this as I like it, I saw it on my friend's pc and liked it so much.... :d

are you running vista basic?
aero is not on the basic edition

I have vista premium and have never heard of aero property - what is it??

are you running vista basic?
aero is not on the basic edition

Well, thanks, didn't think it doesn't work on vista basic.. :lol:
I tried many times at Window Color and Appearance and didn't find aero anywhere....:loopy:

I`m not sure what you call it, but when on the internet how do you get the toolbar at the top (with buttons File Edit View Favourites Tools Help) up on Windows Vista ?

Usually just a case of pressing F12

Hmm converted all my PC's to W7 Ultimate yesterday, couple of XP P4 3g's, Duo 4.2 and Quad 10g. So far so good with no extra drivers required.
I'd say though, if you can't get your head around Vista then W7 isn't much better.

[QUOTE=Justin Smith;5671819]I`m not sure what you call it, but when on the internet how do you get the toolbar at the top (with buttons File Edit View Favourites Tools Help) up on Windows Vista ?[

Top of page click tools and then click toolbars then put a tick in box at the side of Menu bar .

Usually just a case of pressing F12


I`ve tried F12 and it makes no difference.
This is one of the reasons I hate Vista, and them changing things around, I`m wasting my time, and yours, trying to work out how to do things I knew how to do before on XP. That said it may not be down to Vista it may just be a newer version of Explorer, I don`t know but the same thing applies :

Why can`t they just leaves things alone.......

[QUOTE=Justin Smith;5671819]I`m not sure what you call it, but when on the internet how do you get the toolbar at the top (with buttons File Edit View Favourites Tools Help) up on Windows Vista ?[

Top of page click tools and then click toolbars then put a tick in box at the side of Menu bar .

Thanks for that it`s worked.
I can`t help thinking that should be the default setting, but at least it`s OK now.

Why can`t they just leaves things alone.......

You didn't have to get a new version of Windows... You could have told Coles to stuff their warranty and bought your laptop from somewhere which doesn't require you to keep Vista on it, and installed a copy of XP.

Product development has been occuring since the beginning of time, including making changes which people at the time complained about. If we didn't keep developing we would still be living in caves and cooking by camp fire.

I can`t help thinking that should be the default setting, but at least it`s OK now.

All of the functionality from the old menu bar is now in the small toolbar below - most functions are under the Page and Tools buttons. Even the developers of Firefox have agreed this is a good thing and are copying this for the next releases.

I didn't think that Browsers differed from one Microsoft OS to the other (i.e., XP,Vista, 7) - the (small) toolbar is supposed to be blocked on the network - circumvented by pressing F10!

You didn't have to get a new version of Windows... You could have told Coles to stuff their warranty and bought your laptop from somewhere which doesn't require you to keep Vista on it, and installed a copy of XP.

Product development has been occuring since the beginning of time, including making changes which people at the time complained about. If we didn't keep developing we would still be living in caves and cooking by camp fire.

On the first point you`re absolutely right, but I didn`t know, when I purchased the PC, that Vista would be so different to XP. In fact I did ask the chap in Coles but he said they were virtually the same, or words to that effect.

On the second point not all product development is actually a development in the positive sense.
XP did what I wanted it to, so for me Vista gives me nothing but negatives.
On a broader point many people think that Brunel was the greatest engineer ever, but he went up a few blind alleys (the atmospheric railway, the Great Eastern, and even, arguably, the broad gauge) which cost his investors a hell of a lot of money, people forget that.....