One of the more useful, and somewhat immediately noticable, changes in Windows Vista is the much improved behavior of the Run Dialog box.

Now, instead of being an actual dialog box, it is embedded into the Start Menu. Even better, it makes suggestions for programs and previously entered paths which start with what you are typing as you type. The Run Dialog up until now would only remember actual programs or locations you had previously run.

To try the new behavior, simply click the Start Menu and then in the text box immediately above the Vista logo type “cal” and you will notice options being listed at the top such as the calculator or the Windows Calendar.

This is a very handy feature of the OS and has become a shortcut I use often.