Backup and restore.

Backing up is one of the most commonly ignored, yet most important, features of Windows Vista. All your photos, music, videos and documents can be lost in a split second it takes for a hard drive to corrupt, and the sentimental devastation takes a lot longer to get over. And insurance companies do not cover the cost of lost data. Make sure you use the backup and restore center to safeguard your files. It enables you to integrate pretty much any medium for file storage you can think of, and it can takes only a few seconds to setup your backup. You can even schedule it to take place at night so it doesn't affect the use of your PC and, in the event of a crash, your data will be safe.

Tag your photos.

If you've been using Windows Vista for a while the chances are you'll have loads of photos stored on your PC, and you've probably dumped them into folders and not touched them since. If you have some spare time, why not tag all your photos? Tagging brings a whole new life to your photos album, enabling you to search the people in your photos, as well as the occasion, date taken and various other criteria. Go to the folder containing your photos and either select one or highlight multiple, then click the field at the bottom to enter your tag. You can add as many as you like; the more you use, the more powerful your searches will be. Windows Vista makes it even easier by remembering the tags you've just used, so you can just click on them from a drop down list.

Sort your music.

If you're still using that record player to listen to your records, then make your leap to digital technology. If you haven't done this yet you're missing out on enjoying your music using Windows Media Center, making great playlists and compilations as well as using services, such as Last.fm, which help you discover new tracks based on your existing tastes and collection. If you haven't transferred your music collection to your PC yet, then get started today. When you put a CD into your computer, Windows Media Player will do the rest, by finding the names of your tracks and copying them directly onto your hard drive. If you plan to copy your files to an iPod, you should change the format from WHA to MP3 by going to Tools> Options> Rip Music.

Speed up your PC.

Has your computer been on a bit of a “Go Slow” lately? When you write to your hard drive, the disk stores your data in nice sequential blocks but, when you start creating space by deleting and refilling your drive, your data gets spread out, and the hard disk has to search far and wide to find your information. Speed up your loading times by using Disk Defragmenter in Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Defragmenter. Ever since Windows 98, a disk defragmenter tool has been included in the system folder, to take all your data and recorder it to speed up your loading times. Now, Windows Vista allows you to schedule your defrag for the middle of the night, so you can let it work its magic while you are sleeping, and wake up to an optimised PC.

Keep it updated.

Windows updates used to be less than regular, and the majority of changes came in large service packs that made critical improvements to the system. In Windows Vista things are different, and the applications Windows Update delivers the latest changes to your PC as soon as they are available. This ensures that your PC is protected from the latest security threats, and your performance and reliability are at maximum. This year, makes sure you check and install the latest updates. Just type Windows Updates into the search facility and check that you have the latest additions. You can set the updates to run automatically.

Use the search.

Old habits die hard, and it's all too easy to find yourself navigating through Windows Explorer looking for a program you use 10 to 20 times a day. Use the start search function, one of the biggest time savers in Windows Vista. Press the Windows key and start typing the name of the application, song, picture or document you're looking for. The start menu will adapt to the results, saving you time.

Have some fun.

Windows Vista is a great work tool, but it's also packed with fun and interesting programs. Promise to use tools like Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker to turn your photos and home movies into great memories. Windows Movie Maker comes with Windows Vista Home Premium, and enables you to edit movies, intersect them with photos or even make picture disks, to play slideshows of your favourite memories. Gone are the days of bundles of photos passed around your friends' living rooms, now you can entertain, or bore! In glorious DVD quality!

Use RSS feeds.

While saving time using your start search, make a pledge to start using RSS feeds instead of embarking on your daily commute through your favourite web sites. An RSS feed takes all the headlines for items on a web site and delivers them to a central location. Handily, Windows Vista provides several locations to send these feeds to, such as the favourites Center in Internet Explorer, the Windows Sidebar feeds gadget, Windows Live Mail and Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. Next time you go to a web site you check regularly, look for the orange RSS logo on the Toolbar, and click on it. When you add feeds to Internet Explorer 7 they will automatically gather in Windows Live Mail or Office Outlook 2007. Wherever you choose to receive your feeds, just look there instead of tracking down and visiting the web site. Don't worry; each feed will take you directly to the site if you're interested in the headline.

Manage start-up.

If you've spent the last few months installing lots of programs, you might notice your start-up getting sluggish. This is because lots of programs are designed to open automatically when you start your PC, and more often than not, this is totally unnecessary. Get on top of this by using Windows Defender to manage your start-up, and stop unwanted programs from opening. Once this is done, make a resolution to keep on top of your installed programs and stop things from slowing down your PC. Remember to use the programs and features menu to monitor unused or unwanted programs and banish them if necessary. Just use the Start Search to get on top of what's on your PC.

Clean your PC.

It's important to keep your computer clean on the outside, too. According to research the keyboard is one of the dirtiest parts of a computer, and it's a haven for germs. You should keep your desk and keyboard clean and free from detritus. Stubborn marks should be given a wipe with a slightly damp cloth, and a soft brush can be used to clean the dust from inside the workings. This kind of maintenance can improve the life of your computer, help it run better by freeing air intakes from dust clogging, and provide relief for allergy sufferers. Make sure the computer is off when carry out the cleaning process!

Upgrade your security.

Windows Vista is one of the most secure operating systems ever created, and protects against 80 per cent of Internet threats. However, the improved functions, such as Windows Firewall and Windows Defender, will still not provide a complete security solution. If you haven't already, make sure you invest in a decent security system, such as Norton 360 or Windows Live OneCare. Both these packages double up on the existing firewall security in Windows Vista, and provides vital anti-spyware and anti-phishing tools to help keep your data safe. While most people have adequate security, keeping it updated is another matter. Make sure you keep security software up to date, and run regular scans to make sure your PC hasn't been invaded by viruses.

Watch TV.

Analogue signals are starting to be phased out. Get ahead of time and use your PC to watch TV instead. All you need is a media streamer to transfer Windows Media Center from your PC to your living room television and the rest is easy. Just plug in a digital receiver into your TV card, and the extender will do all the hard work. Now you will have the ability to use your PC as a digital recorder, pause and rewind live TV, as well as having access to all your music, photos and movies without even having to get up from your sofa. This really is the future of home entertainment.