Windows Preinstall Environment (Windows PE)

Windows PE replaces MS-DOS as a pre-installation environment, and includes a variety of tools and features that make it easier to deploy Windows Vista. It's built from Windows Vista components, and so can run graphically, and run many Vista applications. It allows for a highly automated deployment process, and can work in concert with WIM to help enterprises deploy Windows Vista. Under Windows XP, Windows PE was available only to Microsoft Software Assurance customers, but under Vista it's available to all corporate customers.

Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0

One of the most difficult tasks for businesses is getting a handle on all their installed applications. Vista's ACT 5.0 is designed to help organizations herd these cats with tools to identify installed applications, collect system information and pinpoint compatibility issues with User Account Control.

Improved trouble warning, diagnostics and recovery