Just installed vista and have some questions! Other Vista Discussions Discuss Just installed vista and have some questions! in the Windows Vista forums; Hello, I just installed vista on my computer and have some questions. I installed basic home edition 32 and it backed my files from xp into a folder called windows....

[kmk42019]

Hello,
I just installed vista on my computer and have some questions. I installed basic home edition 32 and it backed my files from xp into a folder called windows.old. I already backed all my files I wanted on dvd+r's, so I deleted the folder. Are the files still in my registry? Also I backed all my music onto the dvd+r discs but its not showing them when I insert the disc into my drive. They are in UDF form and my discs are full but its not allowing me to view or do anything with the music files. Please help! Thanks!

[Snuffy]

If you delete an application directly from the Program Files folder instead of using ... path and uninstall information will still remain in the registry. ...
so it depends how you DELETED the Folder.

You can use a VERY GOOD recovery program and recovery the LOST FILES.
You can also install the UDF drivers into vista so that you can read UDF files.

[effalump]

Yes...me too. Although I have different problems. I bought Vista home premium and I might just have well thrown the £219 in the fire!. I have given myself a week to get used to it and find it is horribobble. The first gripe is the inability to dump windows defender.. No matter how I try.

Secondly, they have taken away the thumbnails option from picture viewer. What is the point of that? I need to be able to see the thumbnail so that I can put a pic in the right folder.

Thirdly, when you extract a zip file it disappears to Lord knows where. Always says "this folder is empty"

I am still evaluating but I don't like all the fripperies and prettification that they have included in the thing. That is all only a waste of CPU resource [[Yes, I do have it set for "best preformance"

When will microsoft learn that all most folk want is a stable o/s that will make a pc/laptop run WITHOUT all the software they seem to think folk want.

Let US decide which Anti-virus, firewall, media player we want to install/use WITHOUT having to go through all the rigmarole of un-installing the default first. Don't supoose MS will take much notice so I won't hold me breath.

Regards to all..........Effalump.

[Vistanoob]

Hi, A couple of hints.Windows Photo Gallery has a good thumbnail feature. Maybe try that. To find almost anything, all you have to do is type the name, or even part of it into the search bar on the start menu and it will come up. As far as Windows Defender, in my opinion, it's not that hard to live with as it seems pretty light on system resources and the scans are quick. From what I know it seems to get along well with other anti-malware apps.

[felix8406]

To Kmk42019: The windows.old is a backup folder for your previous Windows installation; these files will not be part of the registry. Once the folder is deleted, all its content is gone. One thing that I recommend is to copy this folder to a CD as it contains data that you may need later on. Also, this folder can be used to recover your previous Windows installation if you decide to uninstall Vista and go back to Win XP.

I'm not sure if this will work, but you may try System Restore to get your PC back before the deletion of the windows.old folder.

To Effalump: You can't remove Defender, but you can select not to use it. Windows Defender > Tools > Options > Scroll down and under Administrator options, untick Use Windows Defender.

To view thumbnails option of pictures (like Vistanoob suggested): Open the folder that contain the pictures > Click the dropdown arrrow next to Views > Move the slider to change the size of the thumbnail.

As for unzipping Zip files, I recommend you create a folder. Open the zip file, then drag its content to the folder you created.

[effalump]

Thanks Gents for the suggestions. I have tried the picture view thing and there is NO thumbnail option in the drop down view list. Ony Icons [ all sizes] and details. As I have installed Vista twice [upgrade then clean install] and this has occurred both times I am at a loss. By far the biggest bugbear is [as with ALL previous windows mixes] the necessity of having to reboot every time you install something or other. I hope the MS do something about that with the next recipe.

Regards............Effalump

[Snuffy]

Thirdly, when you extract a zip file it disappears to Lord knows where. Always says "this folder is empty".

I also have unchecked use Windows unzip, and use the program of my choice. which is not ZIP.
I prefer to use EXTRACT TO: then tell it exactly where I want it extracted to.
Using UNZIP-Vista.

Unzip (Uncompress) Files and Folders
You can unzip a file a few different ways.

Double-click the Zipped File

The easiest way to unzip a file is to double-click it. A window with the zipped files contents will open. You can click Extract all files or drag the files out of the window to the desired location (example: the desktop).

If you choose to click extract all files, the files will be extracted (unzipped) in the same location as the original file unless you specify a location in the Select a Destination and Extract Files box that appears when you choose to extract them.

Right-click the Zipped File

Right-click the zipped file and select Extract all. The Select a Destination and Extract Files window will open and let you choose if you want to save the files in the same location as the original zipped file or you can choose where you want to save the unzipped files by clicking browse and choosing a new location.

Bit Defender - You can not get rid of. since it preforms very well with all know AV's, works fast, uses little to no resources, works silently. If it really upsets you open task manager --> services locate it and click STOP. or STOP using Security Center...

Find which 3d party tweak program you used to TURNOFF thumbnails, and reactive it. or To make this change, click the Organize button on any folder, and choose Folder and Search Options from the menu --> Click the View tab, and then un check the Always show icons, never thumbnails checkbox. OK and it should start to show thumbnails again.

[effalump]

Many, many thanks to all who replied. Problems solved. I also seem to have got shot of Windows defender too. I found 2 ways to do it. Either Snowcamel absolute delete or System mechanic 7 pro. I did a system search for defender and deleted EVERYTHING pertaining to it including startup. Then triple checked to see if there were any remains and there seem to be none.

The reason I wanted shot of it is because it was conflicting with the AV in System mechanic even if disabled.

Once again,,,,many thanks.............. Effalump