Add breadcrumbs to XP's folder paths. If you're using Windows XP, you may need a few add-ons to update that OS's version of Explorer to match Vista's file manager.
An example is Vista's "breadcrumb" style of displaying folder paths. Click any folder name in the path to navigate back to that folder instantly. Click one of the arrows separating folder names to see a pop-up menu of subfolders to navigate the other direction.
Explorer Breadcrumbs from Minimalist lets you add an Explorer toolbar with this same feature to Windows XP, 2003, or 2000.
Explorer Breadcrumbs Download Page