A few weeks ago I invited readers to throw some Windows Vista questions and comnments my way. Here are a few answers.
David writes:
I really dislike the UAC prompt seems to appear in diffrent places of the screen depending on where the action occured that created it. For example, move to a program files folder and select “organize>new folder.” Why am I prompted to continue in the upper left corner, why not the middle of the screen. It should be in the middle, in my book.
As far as I can see, the UAC prompt appears directly over the element you clicked. This makes perfect sense if UAC is acting as it’s supposed to and is immediately displaying a permission dialog box. Some video driver bugs in current builds cause some pretty severe delays, which can be annoying to say the least.
Another question from David:
Ok, so I run with an administrator account, I have no created a limited user. I with the UAC had a bit more flexibility in it’s configuration regarding the prompts I receive. For example. I use an explorer replacement. I’ve checked the box under the shortcut that I want the program to run in admin mode. Why am I still prompted to “allow” it to run. I knew what I did when I checked the box, don’t prompt me.
This behavior is the same as in Wiindows XP. Selecting that checkbox says that you want to be prompted to enter a different set of credentials when you run the program. It sounds like what you’re asking for is the ability to declare certain programs or features as being exempt from UAC; that won’t happen. sorry to say.
Kishore asks:
I read earlier (probably, not from this site) that Vista is going to include symbolic links. Is this feature implemented? Is it exposed in explorer or cmd.exe?
Symbolic links, aka symlinks are also known as aliases (to Mac users) or junction points (in the Windows NT family). They’re similar to shortcuts but much more powerful in that a symbolic link looks and acts as if it were part of the file system instead of being a pointer. You make and manage symlinks with the MKlink command. We’ll have several pages on this in Windows Vista Inside Out.
I’m wondering if you can comment on something I just read. In this document [IT Showcase: Explorer 7 Protected Mode] it says that Protected mode is only available for Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate. Everything else I’ve read says Protected mode is available in Vista, implying it would be part Windows Vista Basic.
I just checked with Microsoft and they say that’s a mistake. Protected Mode is part of every Vista version, no differences from one to the other.
From Desert Weary:
Just installed Vista Build 5384 and am wondering why SELECT.EXE process is constantly running at 85 – 94% of CPU in task manager. What’s going on? Is this normal?
No, that’s not normal. That process is not a part of Vista, so it sounds like you’ve got a third-party application that isn’t playing nice.
That’s all the time for questions today. Keep ’em coming and I’ll answer some more next week.
Ed Bott 
Hi Ed,
I’m running the CPP ver 5384 from a DVD I received on a dual boot with XP. Love it.
I understand we’ll be able to receive the RC1 when its released.
Do you know how we’ll get it. MS obviously has my email address.
Ed, does this mean that the Windows XP folks who also asked XP questions in response to a similar invitation a few weeks ago aren’t far behind? 🙂
Why yes! Yes, it does!
Ed, as always, you da man.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to sign up to get any of the CPPs, Betas or Tech releases. So one thing I’ve seen NOBODY mention is Monad or the highly improved, incredible, super-sexy ultra cool command line for Vista. I’ve heard that this was axed (why? Some sort of security concern??) but I was wondering if anyone could comment on the state of the command prompt in Vista.
I’ve found absolutely nothing on it, and I bet it would make a great blog entry/read.
hi…i don’t speak english very well but i try…
in Ca security center i see antivirus (protected) other not install,
and when i click install it i download a program and when i want to install them write me this can’t install in windows vista only XP and older…why ?…where can i download anty-spyware and spam and firewall for windows vista….tnx…
I have been testing vista for a while now..
At the start it was fantastic, i call it the shiny toy syndrome..
However as time went on and programs were not available.
And the glitches, they didn’t seem to make sense.
Followed by the why the hell am i running vista..
Vista tries to stop files from being patched, cracked and hacked, with an arsenal of security.
And the UAC, Permission’s. Ya mean GMH (give me headache)
Question
What happens to the every day user that gets a virus that badly patches the kernel on purpose ?
If this happens, Vista basically commits suicide
That’s just one hypothetical out of thousands
And then there is the issue of Vista limiting the sites that you can visit, easy to bypass for now. But for how long I wonder.
And the lets report all the bad guys through our browser, mp3, hacking, phishing and so on
And don’t get me started on the Digital Rights Management
I think it should have been called Vista-Federal-No rights
I hope the shiny toy syndrome comes back, and actually lasts.
I don’t wish to be forced in the future to use a very un shiny and poor operating system.
The only hope I can see is for computer technicians that are going to make a fortune maintaining the everyday users Computer that is running vista, Or at least trying to run it
And I wanna be in control
Ed please tell me there is hope..
Brett