• Network and Sharing Center: In previous versions of Windows, there wasn’t a
    single place to go to view, configure, and troubleshoot networking issues. Windows
    Vista changes that with the new Network and Sharing Center, which provides
    access to new and improved tools that take the guesswork out of networking.
  • Seamless network connections: In Windows XP, unconnected wired and wireless
    network connections would leave ugly red icons in your system tray, and creating
    new connections was confusing and painful. In Vista, secure networks connect
    automatically and an improved Connect To option in the Start Menu provides an
    obvious jumping-off point for connecting to new networks.
  • Network Explorer: The old My Network Places explorer from previous versions
    of Windows has been replaced and upgraded significantly with the new Network
    Explorer. This handy interface now supports access to all of the computers, devices,
    and printers found on your connected networks, instead of just showing network
    shares, as XP did. You can even access network-connected media players, video
    game consoles, and other connected device types from this interface.
  • Network Map: If you are in an environment with multiple networks and network
    types, it can be confusing to know how your PC is connected to the Internet
    and other devices, an issue that is particularly important to understand when
    troubleshooting. Vista’s new Network Map details these connections in a friendly
    graphical way, eliminating guesswork.
  • Network Setup Wizard: If you’re unsure how to create even the simplest of home
    networks, fear not: Windows Vista’s improved Network Setup Wizard makes it easier
    than ever thanks to integration with Windows Rally (formerly Windows Connect Now)
    technologies, which can be used to autoconfigure network settings on PCs and compatible
    devices. This wizard also makes it easy to configure folder sharing (for sharing
    documents, music, photos, and other files between PCs) and printer sharing.
  • Folder and printer sharing: The model for manually sharing folders between
    PCs has changed dramatically in Windows Vista, but Microsoft has intriguingly
    retained an alternate interface that will be familiar to those who are adept at
    setting up sharing on XP-based machines. I’ll show you why this type of folder
    sharing is, in fact, easier to set up than Vista’s new method. Printer sharing,
    meanwhile, works mostly like it did in XP.