8
Part I:
Getting to Know Windows Vista
Figure 1-3
Changing the product key
Using Windows Vista in Workgroups and Domains
You can use Windows Vista in workgroup configurations and domain configurations.
Work-
groups
are loose associations of computers in which each computer is managed separately.
Domains
are collections of computers that you can manage collectively by means of domain
controllers, which are servers running Windows that manage access to the network, to the
directory database, and to shared resources. Typically, home users will use Windows Vista in
workgroup configurations and businesses will use Windows Vista in domain configurations.
Although all versions can be used in workgroup configurations, you cannot use the home ver-
sions in domain configurations.
Understanding Log On, User Switching, Locking,
and Log Off in Windows Vista
In a workgroup configuration, Windows Vista displays the Log On screen at startup. All stan-
dard user and administrator accounts that you’ve created on the computer are listed on the
Log On screen. To log on, you click the account name. If the account is password protected,
you must click the account name, type the account password, and then click the arrow button.
In a domain configuration, Windows Vista displays a blank startup screen after initializing the
operating system. You must press Ctrl+Alt+Del to display the Log On screen. By default, the
last account to log on to the computer is listed in
computer\username
or
domain\username
for-
mat. To log on to this account, you type the account password and then click the arrow but-
ton. To log on to a different account, click the Switch User button, and then click Log On As
C01622841.fm Page 8 Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:24 AM
