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Windows Vista Beta 1: Page 6 of 17

Navigating Folders And Virtual Folders

There's one last twist to the breadcrumbs functionality: It doesn't just navigate file system folders, it can also chart virtual folders and stacks. So if you open a folder window and then click the light blue All Documents virtual folder in the tree pane, the breadcrumbs show the path through the file system to the virtual folders, and then tunnel right into a given virtual folder and even a stack — neither of which is truly a physical object container.

The mixture of virtual folders and file-system folders can be a little confusing at first. But then, so was the whole idea of Aliases under the Mac and Shortcuts under Windows — or even the program icons under Program Manager in Windows 3.0. Remember that virtual folders and stacks are representational. They show collections of associated files, grouped not by their physical location on the hard drive but by how you think about them.

Explorer windows, including Computer, appear to be the furthest along in terms of the development of their functionality and user interface. This is where it all comes together: desktop search, new scalable icons that help convey what they are or what they contain, virtual folders, stacks, lists, graphical breadcrumbs, and more. In fact, there's so much going on in this heavily upgraded Windows structure that I'm going to stick to providing a glimpse of what's clear now, and hold off on the full explanation of what these new functions can do for you until I see them actually work properly in Beta 2.

About 95 percent of what I wrote about the Start Menu in my coverage of the WinHEC late alpha build of Windows Vista remains true in Beta 1; it just looks a bit different. And it's still nowhere close to being the final look and feel.





The new way to access the All Programs menu on the Start Menu is simple and effective: Just replace the contents of the main Start Menu with the All Programs submenu. No pop-ups, no need to turn the right angle with mouse movements. A good solution.



Click to Enlarge

This is a good change. It's less confusing and much easier to navigate. (When you actually see it in operation, you'll see what I mean.) A convenient Back button appears at the bottom so you can go back to the main Start Menu.