Windows Ultimate Extras

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Windows Ultimate Extras are optional features offered to users of Windows Vista Ultimate and are available via Windows Update. Ultimate Extras replaced the market role of Microsoft Plus!, a product sold for prior consumer releases of Windows.^[1]

Windows Ultimate Extras have been discontinued as of Windows 7 without a successor planned;^[2] the operating system also removes all installed extras during an upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate.^[3]

Windows DreamScene – a utility that allows videos to be used as desktop backgrounds. DreamScene-compatible backgrounds are also available to download.
BitLocker and EFS Enhancements – two tools (Windows BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool and Secure Online Key Backup) that facilitate the use of security features in Windows Vista.
Hold 'Em – a version of Texas hold 'em with graphics matching built-in Windows card games.
Microsoft Tinker – a puzzle game with a custom level editor.
Multilingual User Interface language packs – add-ons that allow Windows to be displayed in another language.
Sound schemes – three sound schemes (Glass, Pearl, Microsoft Tinker) that can be set to play sounds while using Windows.

Proposed Windows Ultimate Extras

The following features have been proposed, but never officially released as part of Ultimate Extras:

A downloadable podcast creator
A game performance optimizer
Digital publications
Exclusive access to online content
Themes
Windows DVD Maker templates
Windows Movie Maker effects and transitions
Group Shot, a photo editing program developed by Microsoft Research.
More effects and transitions for Windows Movie Maker.

Despite not being considered Windows Ultimate Extras, the team additionally released two wallpapers (Start and Strands), based on the Windows Vista Ultimate retail packaging and intended for Windows Vista Ultimate users. The wallpapers were made available in three different display resolutions.^[4]

Reception

Microsoft has been criticized for not delivering many useful Extras after the launch of the Vista operating system and its most expensive edition. Some people even argued the Ultimate Extras team disbanded early.^[5] However, on July 2, 2007, a post on the Ultimate Extra blog stated that 20 more language packs would be provided along with the final version of Windows DreamScene by the end of the summer, as well as more Ultimate Extras “over the next couple of years”.^[6]

References

↑ Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "Windows Ultimate Extras Review". WinSuperSite. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016.
↑ Protalinski, Emil (February 6, 2009). "Microsoft: No Ultimate Extras for Windows 7". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023.
↑ Oiaga, Marius (February 11, 2009). "Windows 7 Kills Ultimate Extras, Even Vista's". Softpedia. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015.
↑ "Ultimate Downloads". Windows Ultimate. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007.
↑ Computerworld.com – Critics: Vista Ultimate's promised add-ons just broken promises
↑ Windowsultimate.com – Update on the Windows Ultimate Extras

External links

Windows Ultimate Extras at Wikipedia

	Wikipedia (article: Windows Ultimate Extras) This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).

[1] Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "Windows Ultimate Extras Review". WinSuperSite. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016.

[2] Protalinski, Emil (February 6, 2009). "Microsoft: No Ultimate Extras for Windows 7". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023.

[3] Oiaga, Marius (February 11, 2009). "Windows 7 Kills Ultimate Extras, Even Vista's". Softpedia. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015.

[4] "Ultimate Downloads". Windows Ultimate. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007.

[5] Computerworld.com – Critics: Vista Ultimate's promised add-ons just broken promises

[6] Windowsultimate.com – Update on the Windows Ultimate Extras

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