Essential Vista utitlity software

Firewall: My favourite firewall, zonealarm, is not compatible with Vista yet, so I have opt for a new one: PC tools firewall (see its help here). It is working great, and the rule-based access permissions of it for sure is more advanced. Vista's firewall now supports both inbound and outbound control and should be sufficient when behind a firewall router already, but seems not strong enough for a laptop.

Keyboard shortcuts: A list of very handy and useful shortcuts to make life easier. To a complete list see Windows Vista Help Keyboard shortcuts. A brief list is as follows:

Managing Windows
Win+Tab Flip 3D
Ctrl+Win+Tab Persistent Flip 3D
Win+T Cycle through applications on taskbar (showing its live preview)
Win+M Minimize all open windows
Win+Shift+M Undo all window minimization
Win+D Toggle showing the desktop

Starting Programs
Win+1 Open the first program on your Quick Launch bar
Win+2 Open the second program on your Quick Launch bar
Win+n Open the nth program on your Quick Launch bar
Win+U Open the ease of access center
Win+F Open the search window
Win+E Open Explorer
Win+R Open the Run window
Ctrl+Shift+Esc Open Windows Task Manager

Logging In And Out
Win, RightArrow Sleep
Win+L Locks computer
Viewing Folders With Explorer
Alt+LeftArrow Go back
Alt+RightArrow Go forward
Alt+UpArrow Go up a directory
Alt+D Move focus to address bar
Alt+D, Tab Move focus to search bar
Ctrl+Mousewheel Change the view type (extra large, small, list view, detail, etc.)

Windows Sidebar And Gadgets
Move focus to Sidebar Win+Space
Cycle through visible gadgets Win+G