Part of the fun of working with a new operating system is learning all about the new features that come along with any major new OS release - and part of the frustration of working with a new OS is finding out that you can't do things the way you've gotten used to doing them! Let's face it, we're all creatures of habit, and looking for old familiar features that are either hidden or removed can be very frustrating!

Take the Run line in Windows, for instance. I personally use the Run line a great deal, especially for Telnet. I just open the Run line, type in the word "telnet" followed by the IP address of the router I need to connect to, and that's it!

Microsoft Vista doesn't quite see it that way, though. I recently purchased a Vista laptop and had been quite happy with the new features, and then I went to use the Run line... and it wasn't there!

While the Run line isn't present by default, it's quite easy to find and make available for future use. I've used the Windows Help and Support in Vista a few times so far, and I've been really impressed with how quickly I've found the answer to my questions. Microsoft was ready for this one as well, since the fourth option to my question literally was a link that said "What happened to the Run command?"

After telling you that the Search box on the Start menu has "much the same functionality", in their words, you're given directions on how to add the Run command to the Start menu. To do so, just follow these simple directions:

Open the Taskbar, then Start Menu Properties. Then just click the Start Menu tab, select Customize, and put a check mark next to "Run command". You're all set!

Alternatively, you can press the Windows logo key along with the letter R to bring the Run command up.

That's all there is to it! Microsoft Vista Help is light years ahead of earlier versions, and when you want to find a "missing" feature such as the Run line, that's a great place to start. You just can't expect to be able to use Help on Microsoft Vista certification exams, though!