Technical features new to Windows Vista: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:01, 22 June 2025

Latest revision as of 12:31, 22 June 2025

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===Other audio enhancements===

* A new set of user interface sounds have been introduced, including a new startup sound. The new sounds are intended to complement the [[Windows Aero]] [[graphical user interface]], with the new startup sound consisting of two parallel melodies that are played in an intentional "Win-dows Vis-ta" rhythm. According to [[Jim Allchin]], the new sounds are intended to be gentler and softer than the sounds used in previous versions of Windows.<ref name="WindowsVistaSounds">{{cite web |url=http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/11/09/the-sounds-of-windows-vista.aspx |title=The Sounds of Windows Vista |last=Allchin |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Allchin |date=November 9, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110152317/http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/11/09/the-sounds-of-windows-vista.aspx |archive-date=November 10, 2006 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Windows Vista Team Blog |access-date=April 25, 2015}}</ref> Microsoft engineer and musician Steve Ball created the user interface sounds,<ref name="VistaSoundsQ&A">{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Chris |date=June 13, 2008 |title=Windows Vista Sounds Q&A |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/06/13/windows-vista-sounds-q-a.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509105254/http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/06/13/windows-vista-sounds-q-a.aspx |archive-date=May 9, 2009 |website=The Windows Blog}}</ref> while the startup sound is a collaboration between three people: [[King Crimson]]'s [[Robert Fripp]] composing the melody and soundscape, [[Tucker Martine]] creating the rhythm, and Microsoft engineer and musician Steve Ball handling the harmonization and orchestration.<ref name="Channel9Fripp">{{cite web |url=http://channel9.msdn.com/Blogs/scobleizer/Robert-Fripp-Behind-the-scenes-at-Windows-Vista-recording-session |title=Robert Fripp - Behind the scenes at Windows Vista recording session |last=Scoble |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Scoble |date=January 4, 2006 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[Channel 9 (Microsoft)|Channel 9]] |access-date=April 25, 2015 |archive-date=March 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312122309/http://channel9.msdn.com/Blogs/scobleizer/Robert-Fripp-Behind-the-scenes-at-Windows-Vista-recording-session |url-status=live }}</ref> Ball also used Fripp and Martine's materials to create the new [[Windows Media Center]] startup sound.<ref name="VistaSoundsQ&A"/>

* The new Volume Mixer displays a percentage value showing the current system volume while the volume level is being changed. Previous versions of Windows only displayed a volume meter.

* Windows Vista also allows controlling system-wide volume or volume of individual audio devices and individual applications separately.<ref name="AudioImprovements"/><ref name="Softpedia">{{cite web |url=http://archive.news.softpedia.com/news/The-Windows-Vista-Volume-Mixer-41882.shtml |title=The Windows Vista Volume Mixer |last=Oiaga |first=Marius |date=December 7, 2006 |publisher=[[Softpedia]] |access-date=April 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214074429/http://archive.news.softpedia.com/news/The-Windows-Vista-Volume-Mixer-41882.shtml |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> This feature can be used from the new ''Volume Control'' windows or programmatically using the overhauled audio API. Different sounds can be redirected to different audio devices as well.