Anilrgowda

I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of components available in or originally developed for Windows Vista that are also available for Windows XP (most of these are also available for Windows Server 2003). When you look at the full list here, it looks like Windows XP is going to be with us for a long time to come.
First up are the most obvious applications and those that will most likely be installed in enterprise environments:

• Windows Internet Explorer 7.0
• Windows Media Player 11
• Windows Defender 1.1
• .NET Framework 3.0
• Windows Desktop Search 3.01
• Remote Desktop Connection 6.0
• Windows PowerShell
• Image Mastering API v2.0: API for burning images to CD/DVD
• Windows Script 5.7: (Release notes)
• Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder: makes Windows XP machines visible in the Windows Vista Network Map (KB922120)

There are several important components from Windows Vista to be included in Windows XP Service Pack 3, due for release early next year:

• Network Access Protection Agent: this version does not offer exactly the same feature set as Windows Vista, for example this version does not talk to Cisco’s NAC.
• Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module
• Black hole router detection
• No product key required during setup: a favourite feature of mine.

The Windows Live team have created a couple of applications, based on their Windows Vista equivalents, which actually make considerable improvements on those earlier versions. These two applications are excellent additions to Windows XP:

• Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Windows Live Mail

As well as specific Windows Vista components listed above there are a number of other applications that are not Windows Vista specific, but are worth including in this list:

• Microsoft Management Console 3.0: although previously made available as a part of Windows Server 2003 R2, this update is included in Windows Vista.
• Silverlight
• Windows Live Messenger
• Virtual PC 2007: originally slated to be a feature of Vista called Virtual PC Express, Virtual PC is now free for everyone.
• Windows Remote Management: an update is available that supports the latest ws-management standard.
• Network Diagnostic Tool: this tools replicates some of the network troubleshooting functionality available in Windows Vista.

I have previously posted on automating the deployment of a number of these components, Unattended Windows Vista tech. on Windows XP/2003, and I’ll update that post with most recent round of updates available. If I’ve missed anything in this list, be sure to let me know.



Source:stealthpuppy / Windows Vista components available for Windows XP

------------------