Page--front.tpl.php not working - Tao theme
I think I see a Windows specific issue here.

Notice how block.tpl only has the extension tpl and your new file page--front.tpl.php has php as extension in the filename?

Maybe Windows hides the php extension when you list files (and instead shows it under Type)?

Try removing .php from page--front.tpl.php and see if it still under the Type column shows up as php. If so clear cache and carry on :)