Test Windows Vista - part 2

File encryption

Just like in Windows XP, Vista will be able to encrypt the contents of certain files, to prevent them from being read by unauthorized people.

Called Bitlocker Drive Encryption, this tool can also encrypt the entire contents of a Hard Disk Drive to protect the files.

Better still, by using the TPM (trusted Platform Module) chip available in certain motherboards, Vista can encrypt these same files by using hardware methods. Thanks the TPM encryption chip, you can be sure that your files will have double protection.

Note: Support for this encryption method will only be available on Windows Vista professional.

TPM functionality not supported by our motherboard

To finish with the new software features, we would like to state that some versions of Windows Vista (the more expensive ones) will have a tool integrated into them that has until now only been used on Windows Server 2003.

Called Shadow Copy, this tool is designed to prevent the loss of your protected files from the risk of being deleted (in the event of a crash, a cut in the electricity or a shock to your hard drive – provided the heads of the hard disk still function).

Shadow copy creates a complete "image" of all files present on your hard drive. Regularly, it updates this "image" but only those files that have been modified (the backup is also quick and doesn’t take up much place). Different "images" are stored on your hard disk, and this allows you in the case that your files are accidentally erased, to easily restore the files.

Shadow Copy Function

Note: You should not confuse this tool with the system restore tool that is already present in Windows XP that allows you to create restoration points, allowing you to restore your Windows to a previous state.