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Microsoft to ease XP activation with SP3
29/12/2007

Microsoft Corp. will change how users activate Windows XP when Service Pack 3 launches in the first half of 2008, a company white paper said.

New installations of Windows XP SP3 will give users the same 30-day grace period currently offered to Windows Vista customers before they're required to enter a product activation key, the 25-character code that proves the copy is legitimate.

"As in Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows Vista, users can now complete operating system installation without providing a product key during a full, integrated installation of Windows XP SP3," the Microsoft paper stated. "The operating system will prompt the user for a product key later as part of Genuine Advantage."

With earlier editions of Windows XP, users must enter the activation key during the installation process itself; failing to do so, or using an invalid key, would result in the installation being blocked.

The white paper, however, noted that the change does not apply to existing Windows XP installations upgraded to SP3. Those copies, which have presumably passed the activation stage previously, will not request the key again, Microsoft said.

Microsoft to Release IE 8 Beta 1 in First Half of 2008
23/12/2007

The first beta of the next version of the Internet Explorer browser will be released in the first half of 2008, Microsoft says.

Microsoft plans to release the first beta of the next version of Internet Explorer in the first half of 2008, and said that IE 8 has passed a key Web standards test that ensures the browser won't "break" the Web.

IE8 has passed the "Acid2 Browser Test" from the Web Standards Project, which shows whether a browser renders a Web site in a certain way. If the browser renders the site correctly, it means the browser supports certain accepted Web standards.

Microsoft posted a video about the browser passing the test on its Channel 9 Web site.

Hachamovitch said Microsoft is taking a cue in lessons learned from making improvements to CSS in IE7 that "made IE more compliant with some standards and less compatible with some sites on the Web as they were coded." The key design goal for IE8, he said, is compatibility with existing Web sites and Web standards supported in other browsers to provide a premium user experience.

Microsoft said the final release of IE8 depends upon feedback received from the beta process.

Windows Server 2008 RC2 Confirmed?
16/12/2007

A few days ago I was reading an article over at the Realtime Windows Server Community where they were wondering whether Microsoft would release an RC2 build of Server 2008 prior to RTM. Well, thanks to the new Windows Server 2008 RC1 with Hyper-V Beta which is publicly available here, Microsoft may have inadvertently already answered that exact question. Since the Server 2008 build included with the Hyper-V Beta is a newer compile (6001.17119) than the originally released Server 2008 RC1 (6001.17051), Microsoft have included an updated EULA which directly mentions RC2 (See images below).

Of course this doesn't guarantee that Microsoft will definitely release an RC2 build however it probably is a pretty good indication of things to come.

Download: Windows Server 2008 RC1 with Hyper-V Beta (Build 6001.17119)

View Screenshot: Windows Server EULA
View Screenshot: Windows Server winver

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 1
12/12/2007

Today, Microsoft has made Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 1 available to the public.

This Service Pack includes several improvements to the operating system, including stability and performance fixes as well as many new features and enhancements. As with other Service Packs, also included are all previously released updates.

This pre-release pack expires after June 30th 2008. However, the final release is set for January 2008.

Download Vista SP1 RC1: Windows Update | Microsoft Download (x86) | Microsoft Download (x64)

Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 1
11/12/2007

Service Pack 1 for the Office 2007 Suite was today released through Windows Update.

On December 11, the Office System team at Microsoft will go public with the service pack, and plans are, of course, to serve it as a Critical update. With Office 2007 SP1, Microsoft plans to deliver support for Windows Server 2008 and to offer updates for Project and Project Server. "The use of Automatic Update (AU) Deployment has been a concern we have heard from many customers in recent months. Because of this, the 2007 Office System SP1 will not be released to AU immediately (I can confirm that at time of posting that this service pack is definitely available for download via Windows Update). Instead, the Microsoft Office System team will provide guidance as to a date at which we will begin throttling up so that you have time to educate yourself on what is in SP1 and determine the best method for you to deploy it in your environment," Rajunas added.

Initially, Office 2007 SP1 was planned to accompany Windows Vista SP1 in the first quarter of 2008. At that time, few details were offered regarding to what Office 2007 Service Pack 1 would bring to the table. The refresh will tweak the product's performance, reliability and security, but truth be told, Office 2007 has had an exemplary first year, although it has managed to do so while in the background of Windows Vista.

We can surely say that Office has beaten Vista and XP's Service Pack releases by a pretty hefty stretch. All we can do is provide the best fedback to ensure a reliable and decent final release for 2008.

Download Office 2007 Service Pack 1 via Windows Update.
View Description of the 2007 Microsoft Office suites Service Pack 1

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 1
11/12/2007

Windows XP SP3 RC1 has hit public release.

Microsoft has made available XP SP3 RC1 to MSDN and TechNet subscribers at the beginning of December. But, at the same time, the Redmond company reinstated the promise to drop a public variant of the third service pack for XP. Now, XP SP3 RC1 Build 3244 is available for download straight from Microsoft via a link that points to Windows Update. The Release Candidate 1 of XP SP3 is offered as:

windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu_a2ca583dedcd86837796111a632efa29a23f4cc0.exe.

"Windows XP SP3 combines all previously released performance, security, and stability updates. It also provides a limited number of new and enhanced functionalities, although it does not significantly change the Windows XP experience or bring functionality from newer versions of Windows to Windows XP", revealed Microsoft in the official Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Download: Windows XP SP3 RC1

Microsoft still short on details surrounding IE8
06/12/2007

With customers looking for some answers regarding what changes the next version of Internet Explorer will bring, Microsoft provided them with little more than a name.

In a post to the official Internet Explorer blog, general manager Dean Hachamovitch revealed the not-so-surprising detail that the next major release of Internet Explorer will be called IE8. But he failed to provide any details on actual features.

Microsoft's silence on the matter has left some customers with a bad taste in their mouths over not knowing what changes to expect in IE8. In comparison, Mozilla has been quite public about its Firefox roadmap. At a blogger roundtable with Bill Gates Wednesday some let their displeasure be known.

However, without any kind of promise that IE8 will be worthwhile enough to wait out, Microsoft's silence may put it in the unfortunate predicament of giving users another reason for considering Mozilla's open source and cross platform browser.

Announcing Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate
06/12/2007

Available for download via Microsoft Download next week.
Today we're making available the release candidate (RC) of Windows Vista SP1 via Microsoft Connect, and tomorrow subscribers to TechNet and MDSN will have access to those RC bits too. In addition, the RC will be available to the public next week via Microsoft's Download Center. The release candidate phase of beta software is typically the final phase before the RTM (release-to-manufacturing) of a product and indicates that the code has attained a significant level of performance and stability.

Let me call out several changes made since the Beta release of Service Pack 1 -- many of which came about as a result of direct feedback from our Beta-testing community (thank you!):

- The size of the standalone installers have decreased significantly. For example, the standalone installer packages consisting of all 36 languages (x86 and x64 chip architectures) are smaller by over 50%. The standalone installer packages consisting of just the 5 languages (again, x86 and x64) slated for initial release are more than 30% smaller in size.
- The required amount of disc space for SP1 installation has also decreased significantly. Furthermore, with the RC, if more space is required to install SP1, an error message will now display exactly how much space is needed to complete the installation.
- Previous SP1 versions left behind a directory of files that wasn't needed after installation and occupied about 1GB of space; the RC includes automatic disk clean-up to remove this directory.
- Installation reliability has been improved based on bug reports and error codes reported from Windows Update (thanks, Beta testers!). Testing shows that these improvements have significantly increased the proportion of successful installations of the RC.
- We've improved the user experience of installing SP1 via Windows Update. During the Beta release, users installed without much guidance from Windows Update. The RC now contains a series of screens with detailed information on SP1.

Windows XP Service Pack 3 White Paper
06/12/2007

Microsoft has released a white paper on Windows XP SP3, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft download center.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview.

Although at present XP SP3 is in RC1 stage and is available only at Connect and was also recently made available to TechNet/MSDN subscribers, this white paper has been released. This will be very useful for those who wants to deploy this service pack.

This white paper summarizes what's new in this service pack.

Vista SP1 to replace 'Reduced Functionality' with nagware
05/12/2007

A service originally designed to compel unpaid Vista users to obtain genuine licenses is apparently being scrapped in Service Pack 1, to be replaced with a more "in-your-face" approach.

In a prepared Q&A released by Microsoft this morning, corporate vice president for Windows product marketing Mike Sievert divulged that Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM)- a service that disables certain features of Windows Vista until the user activates the system, assuming she can, will be scrapped in Service Pack 1. In its place will be something that reduces the user's experience instead.

"They won't lose access to functionality or features, but it will be very clear to them that their copy of Window Vista is not genuine and they need to take action."

Microsoft has described the new approach as a "change of tactics". It said efforts to tackle piracy had seen numbers of fake copies of Vista at half the level of XP, the previous Windows operating system.

Microsoft said it had pursued legal action against more than 1,000 dealers of counterfeit Microsoft products in the last year and taken down more than 50,000 "illegal and improper" online software auctions.

Windows Server 2008 RC1 Released to Public
05/12/2007

The second release candidate (thus the number "1") for Windows Server 2008 is slated for availability this afternoon, and this version will finally include a new tool that Microsoft took an interest in back in 2005.

The latest RC1 for Windows Server 2008 will finally incorporate a tool Microsoft has had in its stable by way of acquisition for well over a year: What was once sold separately as PolicyMaker Standard Edition; a tool for extending the range and function of group policy objects, will now be incorporated into Windows Server, as Group Policy Preferences.

Windows Server 2008: Home page
Download and Evaluate

Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate: Now on MSDN and TechNet
05/12/2007

Microsoft made available on 3rd December for download the near-final Release Candidate (RC) of Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3.

The RC is available to all Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers. This isn't yet a generally available, "public" RC of XP SP3; that is still coming at some future date that Microsoft hasn't disclosed.

Microsoft provided an RC "preview" of XP SP3 to 15,000 testers in mid-November.

Microsoft is still on track to ship the final XP SP3 in the first half of calendar 2008. XP SP3 is a rollup of all previously released XP updates, according to Microsoft, "including security updates, out-of-band releases, and hotfixes."

Lately, Microsoft has been releasing XP SP3 and Vista SP1 builds in lockstep. (The same 15,000 testers that got XP SP3 RC preview also got the Vista SP1 RC preview.) Given that Microsoft told its own employees to expect the company to make the RC of Vista SP1 more broadly available some time this week, it seems logical that the Vista SP1 RC is right around the corner, too.

Eight Year Old Windows Bug Resurfaces
04/12/2007

Microsoft acknowledged the discovery of an exploitable bug in the way one of its services handles domain name resolution; a bug it thought it fixed in 1999.

At a so-called "ethical hacker conference" in New Zealand last week, a programmer named Beau Butler revealed a method whereby a malicious user could intercept and re-route Internet traffic throughout a network, using a man-in-the-middle-attack. The method involved being able to masquerade as something called Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WDAP), whose purpose is to automatically detect whether a system utilizes proxies for domains higher than the second level.

Microsoft thought it had solved this problem in 1999, and at one level, it actually had. But as Butler discovered, the fix the company had deployed only enabled malicious middlemen to be discovered for networks using the .com TLD. For any other TLD, the exploit was wide open -- including for Butler's home country TLD, .nz.

Yesterday, Microsoft issued a security advisory acknowledging the flaw, but treating it with kid gloves as though it were recently discovered. It impacts Windows versions dating back to Windows 2000 XP4 and Windows XP SP2, and users of all versions of Internet Explorer dating back to 5.01. But while the company credited Butler with the discovery, it gingerly avoided any mention of the exploit's age.

Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta - Testing Restored
28/11/2007

Microsoft have reinstated Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta for Connect testers. Today, testers noticed that their 'Pending' status on Microsoft Connect had changed to 'Active' and were able to download the current build 9.0.1407.1107 Beta0.
There was a short delay, causing all sorts of rumors amongst the tech communities. There are currently 5,000 testers for this release and we will be sure to let you know when Microsoft decide to allow nominations.

The main changes in this are currently: [With screenshots!]

- Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations - You asked for it, now you have it! You can now sign into Messenger from more than one computer at a time, up to four at once. Simply sign into Messenger from one computer, install Messenger on another computer and sign in using the same account. If you're worried about anyone using the other computer you're signed into, you can remotely sign out of a location (Only works if all computers are running Messenger 9.0 Beta. Currently enabled only for users whose Windows Live ID country is US or Canada.)
- Signature sounds – Pick your own personal sound that your contacts will hear when you sign into Messenger (only works if you and your contacts have Messenger 9.0 Beta). Also implemented is a new sound scheme.
- Per contact sounds - Pick unique sounds for each of your contacts. You will be able to tell from across the room who is sending you a message.
- SPIM Reporting - If users send you unsolicited messages or invitations that you consider spam, you can block them and report them as spammers. If you report a user as a spammer, the messenger service will collect this data and put appropriate restrictions on the spammer accounts. All reports of spammers are kept confidential.
- Animated Display Pictures – Show your moves! Messenger now supports animated .gif files as display pictures.
- Links in Personal Status Message – URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list.
- Behind the Scenes Changes – Architectural changes that modified how things work but shouldn’t have changed how things look
- Changes to sign-in, connectivity, presence, sending text IM’s, voice & video features
- Windows Live Contacts Server – wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts’ information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster.

These are the only features we are going to disclose at the moment. Because of recent events, we're going to take the NDA pretty serious. We don't want to risk Microsoft putting a hold on the releases now do we?

There are no changes to the User Interface so far, enjoy none the less.

Are there any particular features you want to see in the final public release? Tell us and we'll be sure to pass on the feedback!

Connect Testers invited to Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta
20/11/2007

Today, Microsoft Connect Testers has been invited to test the next version of Windows Live Messenger, version 9.0.

I was surprised, as were many others, after checking my inbox to see an e-mail from the Windows Live Team at Microsoft inviting me to beta test the latest verson of their Windows Live Messenger client, 9.0.

"Hello from the Windows Live Messenger Team!

We've been hard at work building the foundation for Windows Live Messenger 9.0, we'd like to give you a look at what we've built and ask what you think. We're running a small private beta to get early feedback on the new features we've built and get wider test coverage of the build."

"As a beta tester you'll have access to an early 9.0 build, a private newsgroup just for Windows Live Messenger beta testers, and the ability to send bugs directly to the product team. The build you'll be beta testing with is a very early build, so it may be less stable than beta builds you've tried in the past. We're telling you this upfront so you know what you're getting into. If you're not sure about trying a not-quite polished build, maybe this beta isn't for you. If you're ready to dig in and explore this build with us, follow the below instructions to nominate yourself."

I know what you're all thinking; It wasn't long ago since the final release of version 8.5, so what could possibly be new in this one?
Well, we'll be sure to keep you posted on exactly that.

UPDATE:
Some of the features and updates new to 9.0
- Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations up to four at once,
- Signature sounds,
- Per contact sounds,
- SPAM Reporting,
- Animated Display Pictures - supports animated .gif files as display pictures,
- Link in Personal Status Message - URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list,
- Behind the Scenes Changes - Architectural changes that modified how things work but shouldn't have changed how things look,
- Changes to sign-in, connectivity, presence, sending text IM's, voice & video features,
- Windows Live Contacts Server - wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts' information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster.

Windows Live Wave 2 Released Today! Windows Live Messenger 8.5 FINAL
06/11/2007

Windows Live Wave 2 (previously announced for release tomorrow) has released today.
One thing I noticed about the new version of the common installer is the removal of forced updates for existing installations. And I can't confirm this, but programs are likely to be updatable via Windows Update as well. The new installer is compatible with Vista x64.

Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302 itself doesn't show any clear changes, but there must be some. We'll keep you posted.

UPDATE: Patchou has let us know that the current version of Messenger Plus! Live works perfectly with the new build.

Download links are below. These are the Standalone installers for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Final (for those of you who don't want the full Windows Live Suite installers)

NOTE: You might have to uninstall your previous client first.

>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (English)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (Spanish)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (Dutch)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (Italian)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (French)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (German)
>> Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 (Portuguese-Brazil)

Download links courtesy of Mess.be
Thanks to Mess.be for the rapid news!

Let your friends IM you from the web
06/11/2007

During TechEd Europe today, a new IM control for the web was released by Microsoft. The IM control allows you to put a special control on your website that allows anyone to send you IMs or see your status. The IM control is of course ideal for letting people contact you from your Windows Live Space (or any other blog, for that matter).

Visitors of your site can send you either anonymous messages, or they can opt to sign in via Windows Live ID (formerly known as Passport). To prevent spammers from sending you unwanted messages, a visitor has to pass a CAPTCHA test (filling out the letters/numbers in an image) before a new conversation is started. Of course, no one will see your actual IM address, so you don't have to worry about strangers adding you to their contact list.

Creating an IM control couldn't be easier: simply check a box on your settings page, and then copy/paste the generated HTML into your website. This is of course a great step towards integrating IM with the web and I'm sure we can expect more from the guys at Microsoft soon.

>> Create your own IM Control!

Windows Live Wave 2 - Coming this Wednesday?
05/11/2007

Checking over at Mess.be revealed a bit more about the previous (possible) release of a new (final?) Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Build, as well as other Windows Live features.

"A "mysterious" counter has appeared on Microsoft properties around the web (and now on Mess.be as well) which counts down to November 7th (0:01 AM). The included images of a letter, an emoticon, a folder and a photograph, are enough a hint that this countdown refers to the official launch of Windows Live Wave 2, and that we can expect the final versions of Windows Live Mail, Photo Gallery, Family Saftey, etc. within about 30 hours.

This includes, of course, the final release of Windows Live Messenger 8.5, although the lack of Beta-tags in the most recent version made it look as if it was already out of beta. Let's hope the issues covered in the knowledge base articles posted earlier today will all be fixed."

Note that the countdown is based on your system clock and is unlikely to be accurate unless you live in the United Kingdom or a similar timezone. I tried to trick the countdown by setting my current time to the future, but it didn't reveal anything special yet.
The full countdown can be found here.

Let's hope that all feedback has been taken in to consideration and that the most severe of the bugs have been fixed.

Windows Vista RC Preview (not) Released to MSDN Consumers
04/11/2007

Microsoft posted to its Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) site on November 2 a note saying the company had made available for download a preview of the near-final Release Candidate (RC) version of Windows Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 via MSDN.

But the note was posted in error. According to a message from a Vista spokeswoman:

“The MSDN notice about a Windows Vista SP1 RC Preview was posted mistakenly. No code was released today and the MSDN notice has since been removed from the MSDN site. We do expect to issue a Release Candidate for SP1 and are still on target to deliver the RTM in Q1 of 2008; however, we have no other news to share at this time. “

While the code isn’t yet available, the erroneous posting means - to this Microsoft watcher, at least - that the broader SP1 beta is imminent. Perhaps we’ll see the code next week... Microsoft won’t say, however.

Vista SP1 is slated to remedy a number of reliability and performance issues which have plagued Vista users since Microsoft delivered the operating system late last year. SP1 also includes a couple of new features, including support for new hardware and emerging standards.

Microsoft made a closed test build of Vista SP1 available to about 12,000 testers in late September.

SP1 is slated to be released in final form in the first calendar quarter of 2008. Microsoft announced in late October that it has sold 88 million copies of Vista (to its channel partners) to date.

Windows Mobile 6.1 Coming With New Interface?
21/10/2007

Pocketinfo.nl had reported that Microsoft would be announcing Windows Mobile 6.1 in February, devices shipping in May. The story has since been pulled (interesting), but the scuttlebut is that the main feature of 6.1 will be a new interface very similar to what Microsoft and Vodaphone developed for the Treo 500v: a carousel.

The carousel (check out The Unwired Video of the interface) is actually really cool. You move left or right to switch between different "zones" and then up and down to choose an "action." The idea is that instead of thinking in terms of "applications," you can think in terms of "what do I want to do today?" (Ah, Microsoft slogans, how I love them). So instead of having to go into the Tasks app to make a new task, you just flip to the proper portion of the carousel to do it directly.

6.1 is apparently going to be a vertical scroller with horizontal options in place of the 500v's horizontal scroller. Improved WiFi, Exchange integration, and Bluetooth are also in the mix.

Let's just hope that there will be some sort of update for the current Windows Mobile 6.0 devices!

Windows XP SP3 Beta Released to Testers
05/10/2007

Recent testers of Windows Vista SP1 and Server 2008 are urged to check their e-mail inboxes.
In an email sent to selected testers telling them they have been accepted to begin testing XP SP3, Microsoft has also informed them that this will be the final Service Pack for the now aging OS.

"As is standard practice for operating systems nearing the end of their sales period, Microsoft will be releasing a final Service Pack for Windows XP in the first half of 2008. Microsoft is pleased to announce the availability of Windows XP Service Pack 3 Beta Preview, to Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 beta testers."

Therefore it will be quite fitting to see the final Service Pack for XP – arguably one of the most stable platforms Microsoft has created so far, landing around the same time as Service Pack 1 for Vista it’s much maligned latest OS.

WGA-Free Internet Explorer 7 Installer
05/10/2007

According to IEBlog, Microsoft are updating the IE7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users. With today’s “Installation and Availability Update,” Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users. If you are not already running IE7, you can get it now from the Internet Explorer home page on Microsoft.com, get a customized version from a third-party site, or, if you haven’t already received it via Automatic Updates, this version will be delivered to you as described previously. If you are already running IE7, you will not be offered IE7 again by Automatic Updates.

Additionally, Microsoft have made minor changes to IE7 for Windows XP based on customer feedback:

- The menu bar is now visible by default.
- The Internet Explorer 7 online tour has updated how-to’s.
- The “first-run” experience includes a new overview.
- New MSI installer that simplifies deployment for IT administrators.

Windows Ultimate Extras 'DreamScene' Released
25/09/2007

After months of Windows Ultimate users wondering when the next update would be, some of them even wondering if the next update would ever appear; Microsoft has released the final version of one of their long awaited Windows Ultimate Extras features; 'DreamScene'.

"While I can understand how community sites and bloggers may have read the new definition and assumed that Microsoft is not shipping any more Extras, in reality the opposite is true.
In addition to the remaining Language Packs, we plan to ship a collection of additional Windows Ultimate Extras that we are confident will delight our passionate Windows Vista Ultimate customers. We will shed more light on these plans once the Language Packs are finally dislodged from our delivery pipeline" states the official Windows Ultimate Extras blog; reassuring customers (that they have not been conned?)

DreamScene is available through Windows Update (Windows Vista Ultimate version only)

Windows Server 2008 RC0 Released
24/09/2007

Despite denials from members of its own server development team on blogs last week, Microsoft announced today that it is indeed making Release Candidate 0 of Windows Server 2008 available for download tomorrow, if not sooner, as a community technology preview.

With it, multiple sources are confirming that the first preview code for Viridian; Microsoft's highly anticipated built-in hypervisor platform for what will be called Windows Server Virtualization, will be included as part of RC0.

At the time of this writing, only Beta 3 - released last April - was the latest preview edition to be publicly available. There appears to be no further delay for the release window of Windows Server 2008, which was bumped last month to the first quarter of next year.

Update: Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate can be downloaded here

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Beta Build 16659 Released
24/09/2007

To much surprise, participants of the Windows Vista SP1 TechBeta program were finally greeted with an official download for the first beta, build 16659, of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 on Microsoft Connect.

There are two downloads available to testers, a full ISO which is approximately 2.95GB for the X86 client, 2.89GB for the X86 Europe (n) client and 3.79GB for the X64 client, or stand alone installers which are approximately 1.22GB for testers to install on their systems currently running RTM.

The sizes and builds for this release are as follows:

Full ISO
6001.16659.070916-1443_x86fre_Client_en-us-FB1CFRE_EN_DVD.iso 2,943.68 MB
6001.16659.070916-1443_amd64fre_Client_en-us-FB1CXFRE_EN_DVD.iso 3,787.71 MB

EXE Files (Standalone Installer)
Wave1_Windows6.0-KB936330-X64.exe 1,778.91 MB
Wave1_Windows6.0-KB936330-X86.exe 1,308.64 MB

The Windows Vista Blog lists a few changes. A notable one is the removal of the Search option (right hand side of the start menu). Microsoft recently released a KB Article that gives a more in-depth review of changes to Vista's Search feature.

Update: Screenshots! (Big thanks to David over at JCXP for these!) #1 | #2 | #3 | #4

Download: Microsoft Connect (Testers Only)

Vendors XP Alternative to Vista
22/09/2007

While Microsoft is still pushing Vista hard, the company is quietly allowing PC makers to offer a "downgrade" option to buyers that get machines with the new operating system but want to switch to Windows XP.
The program applies only to Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions, and it is up to PC makers to decide how, if at all, they want to make XP available. Fujitsu has been among the most aggressive, starting last month to include an XP disc in the box with its laptops and tablets.

"That's going to help out small- and medium-size businesses," Fujitsu marketing manager Brandon Farris told CNET News.com.

Hewlett-Packard also started a program in August for many of its business models. "For business desktops, workstations and select business notebooks and tablet PCs, customers can configure their systems to include the XP Pro restore disc for little or no charge," HP spokeswoman Tiffany Smith said in an e-mail. She said it was too soon to gauge how high customer interest has been. "Since we've only been offering (it) for about a month, we don't really have anything to share on demand."

Mandatory Update for Messenger Users
13/09/2007

Microsoft instant-messaging users who aren't yet running version 8.1 (or higher) of Windows Live Messenger, take note: Your days are numbered.

As reported by LiveSide.net, some time in the next few weeks, Microsoft is going to require all Messenger users to upgrade, in the name of security.
Security product manager "Anand" blogged:

"We will soon configure the service such that any user on Windows XP or later system has to use Windows Live Messenger 8.1. When a user using an older version of Messenger tries to login, the client will help the user with a mandatory upgrade to Messenger 8.1. Some of you might feel this inconvenient, but in order to protect you and protect the health of the network we have chosen to take this step."

Anand cited a security vulnerability affecting MSN Messenger 6.2, 7.0 and 7.5, as well as Windows Live Messenger 8.0 as proof that users would be best served by upgrading. That vulnerability is detailed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-054, which Microsoft published on September 11.

Windows Live Messenger 8.1 is the currently available version of Microsoft's consumer IM client, but select testers also are dabbling with Live Messenger 8.5.

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 'Beta 2' Public Release
29/08/2007

The latest version of Windows Live Messenger 8.5 was released yesterday. This new build, 8.5.1288.816 is now being dubbed as 'Beta 2'

So, what can we expect in this build? For one, we're not really expecting major visual changes (apart from the removal of the beta tag?). The main user reported issues have been addressed however.

The new release is now incorporated in the new Windows Live Installer. Most of you who don't want any of the other offered Windows Live programs can use this standalone installer.

Download WLM8.5 Beta 2
Submit your feedback

WGA glitch - Dubbed 'human error'
29/08/2007

Microsoft said Tuesday that the glitch that caused Windows Genuine Advantage servers to fail this past weekend was due to human error. According to a post on the WGA blog, pre-production code was released on a production server, causing a domino effect of failures. About 12,000 Windows users were affected. The company said that it did not consider it an outage, since when the servers are down, the system is designed to default to "genuine."

"The production servers had not yet been upgraded with a recent change to enable stronger encryption/decryption of product keys during the activation and validation processes," Microsoft said. "The result of this is that the production servers declined activation and validation requests that should have passed."

Wndows Genuine Advantage servers encounter glitch
26/08/2007

It seems Microsoft's Genuine Validation servers encountered a glitch today, after users started to report that they were booting up their systems only to find them in reduced functionality mode.

Windows Genuine Advantage program manager, Phil Liu, confirmed the issue today on the Microsoft Community Forums that users running Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system may find their systems stuck in reduced functionality mode, where users are left with nothing more than an Internet Explorer window and Activation capabilities.

The issue is expected to be resolved by either Monday or Tuesday, but for those who have already encountered the issue, there is a quick fix; simply visit the Windows Genuine Advantage site to revalidate your copy of Windows. Those who have yet to encounter the glitch, it is suggested that you do not fully shut down your systems and simply put them into Sleep mode until the issue is resolved.

If you use Windows, do your best to avoid anything that requires a ping to WGA. That means you should stay away from patches and add-ons until the coast is clear. WGA will not reach out across the Internet and deactivate your copy of Windows, but you should avoid talking to a WGA server for any reason.
For those of you doing installations and upgrades this weekend, we recommend that you avoid activation at this time. Remember that you can run Windows legally for 30 days without activating.

If you attempt a validation and it fails, your install may be marked as non-genuine, which could lead to several annoyances.
First things first, do not reboot a Windows machine that has been marked as non-genuine. Once you do so, you will lose functionality and the Aero interface. It would be best to wait until this problem has been resolved.
This afects both Windows Vista AND Windows XP running either 32 or 64-bit platforms.

Update: Seems as though the matter has been resolved, lasting just under 24 hours. Company officials have yet to comment on possible causes.

Revalidate Your Copy of Windows Vista

Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 1 released to TAP
16/08/2007

Microsoft is still hot with updates to release. We've seen service packs for both Windows Vista and Windows XP. Now, Office 2007 has stepped in line for its Service Pack.

If you were a member of the Microsoft Office Product Evaluation TAP, you should now have access to the Microsoft Office 2007 System Service Pack 1 Technical Preview. Just log into Connect, and check under Microsoft Office. This is going to be a short preview. Microsoft is only accepting feedback for about 30 days, so start downloading now!

The current build string for this Service Pack is Microsoft.Office.2007.SP1.Beta.Build.12.0.6207.1000

Screenshots courtesy of member 'BoInTheMix' over at JCXP.net: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5

Windows Live Hotmail gets yet another update!
14/08/2007

Even though Windows Live Hotmail went out of beta last spring, it seems that Microsoft didn't give up on the frequent updates that users of the beta have been used to, because an update is already being released right now!

The update adds mostly small improvements that have been long requested by users, such as bigger storage capacity (from 2GB to 5GB), even more performance increases, and better reliability, along with the following features:

-Longer period where your junk/deleted messages are kept
-"Contact De-duplication", which merges different e-mail addresses from the same person into one contact
-Easier content unlocking: you can click on a blocked object to unblock it in e-mails
-Hebrew and Arabic support
-Smaller header, using the newer Windows Live design
-Improved e-mail forwarding
-Meeting Requests alerts directly into Hotmail
-Vacation replies
-Possibility to turn off the "Today" page and enter directly to your inbox.

Windows Live SkyDrive (Beta)
12/08/2007

Microsoft has renamed its online storage service from Windows Live Folders to Windows Live SkyDrive, concurrently adding support for those in the United Kingdom and India. The "SkyDrive" name is designed to indicate that stored files exist in the "cloud" of the Internet.

Alongside the name change, Microsoft has updated the Web-based service with a new user interface, thumbnail images, drag and drop support, and the ability to embed files and folders in other pages with some HTML code. Due to the URL change, previous links will need to be updated. Microsoft is accepting beta signups from the Windows Live SkyDrive Web site.

For those who don't know what Windows Live SkyDrive is; it's an online storage system, formerly known and Windows Live Folders. You create and customise your folder how you like. A limit of 500MB overall storage space is in place, along with a 50MB limit per file. You can protect each folder so that either just you can view the contents, or share them with the world.

Beta signups are no longer required, just simply sign in using your Windows Live ID.

Windows Live SkyDrive homepage

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 released to small group of testers
08/08/2007

As Mary Jo Foley forecasted, a Windows Vista SP1 drop was made in mid-July. We're hearing, however, the drop was made to a small group of random testers for "pre-beta" testing. Pre-beta testing is usually conducted to test software that is more mature than a first-stab, annihilate-your-machine alpha (VS2008 anyone?) but doesn't quite implement all the required functionalities to be labeled a true beta.

The service pack comes labeled with a build string matching its recently released WDK brother and smells of Server 2008 kernel, which is A Good Thing™ -- 6001.16549(longhorn_sp1beta1.070628-1825).

Queried Microsoft and beta participants are denying the program's existence, as expected. We'll have to suffer with our malfunctioning Windows Vista installs for just a tad longer.

There are many leaks floating around the Internet of this, unfortunately this is a 3.2GB Windows Vista installation DVD with SP1 integrated. So no standalond installer for us, yet.

Update: More screenshots courtesy of WinBeta: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |

Windows XP Service Pack 3 released to small group of testers
08/08/2007

Microsoft has just recently (few days ago) dropped a copy of Windows XP Service Pack 3 in the lap of a small group of testers.

Coming in at less than 350MB, the service pack includes fixes for over 900 reported problems, some of which have already been resolved with post-Service Pack 2 hotfixes.

For the hardcore build string collectors, this build is tagged 5.1.2600.3180 (xpsp.070718-2058)

We'll let you know if we hear of a more solid release date.

Some screenshots, courtesy of WinBeta: #1 | #2 | #3
I think that we can ignore the (custom?) visual style.

Windows Vista Performance & Reliability Packs released [Official]
07/08/2007

Microsoft has released a variety of updates for Windows Vista in the form of, what they are calling 'Performance and Reliability Packs'. These packs offer to fix many bugs as well as improve the performance and reliability of the Operating System.
Full list of fixes available here.

The packs have been officially released, the download links as follows:
Note that if you have the the previously leaked version of these packs installed, there is no need to install these.

Download:
32-bit
Update for Windows Vista (KB938979)
Update for Windows Vista (KB938194)

64-bit
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB938979)
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB938194)

KB Articles:
KB938979
KB938194

Windows Vista Performance & Reliability Packs released
30/07/2007

Microsoft has released a variety of updates for Windows Vista in the form of, what they are calling 'Performance and Reliability Packs'. These packs offer to fix many bugs as well as improve the performance and reliability of the Operating System.
(Click 'Read More' to view the full list of fixes)

These updates should be available officially during the usual second Tuesday Windows Updates.
File details as follows:
? Windows6.0-KB938194-x64.msu @ 3.65mb
? Windows6.0-KB938194-x86.msu @ 2.13 mb
? Windows6.0-KB938979-x64.msu @ 14.15mb
? Windows6.0-KB938979-x86.msu @ 9.86mb

Windows Vista - 60 Million Copies Sold!
28/07/2007

By the end of the first 100 days of its availability, Microsoft reported it had sold 40 million copies of Windows Vista (to its channel partners, not customers, mind you). By now, that number is probably closer to 60 million, I'd guess. Can 60 million buyers be wrong? (Some might argue that they don't have a whole lot of alternatives, especially when buying new PCs preloaded with it, if they aren't interested in becoming Mac users, but I digress.)

With Vista, "We've eclipsed the entire Apple installed base in the first five months of sales," Kevin Turner, Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer, told attendees of FAM.

Turner shared other new Vista statistics on July 26, including:
? 2.1 million devices now work with Vista
? More than 11,000 Vista-logo'd devices are now on the market
? 2,000 applications now have earned the Windows Vista logos
? More than 70 business-focused enterprise applications have been made Vista-compatible since the product launched in late January
? More than 42 million Vista seats are now covered under volume licensing deals. (However, "Windows Volume Licensing annuity penetration" is only at 19 percent currently, Turner admitted. Microsoft is pushing hard to grow this number, he said.)
? Over the next three years, Microsoft expects more than half of Windows PC unit growth to come from emerging markets.

There's been a lot of negative press around Vista in mainstream media and blogs, as of late. Microsoft is well aware it needs to pull out the stops to counter perceptions that the product has been a flop.

< Backdated news imports start >

Yet another trick for @live.* e-mail addresses
19/07/2007

Again, some crafty fellow (this time over at Liveside) has found yet another hack to get your very own @live e-mail addresses.

This trick, unlike the previous ones is pretty simple. Just do the following:
1. Browse to www.hotmail.com and click sign up.
2. Choose to sign up for the free account
3. In the address bar, find and change "hmnewuser.aspx" to "newuser.aspx"
4. Locate and delete the following: "&hm=1"
5. Press enter. Enjoy your new @live.* address!

It has also been reported that changing your browser's language can provide you with a country specific domain.

Enjoy!
Update: This hack no longer works

Windows Home Server readies for RTM
16/07/2007

Microsoft announced on July 16 that it has finished development of its Windows Home Server (WHS) product and has released the code to manufacturing.

"Woo-hoo! We did it. Today we are announcing that Windows Home Server has been released to manufacturing (RTM). We have finalized the software and now handing it off to our OEM partners. The evaluation version (with 120 day evaluation period) and the system builder version are also heading into the distribution channels and will be available in the next couple of months. French, German and Spanish versions will be finalized shortly, and OEM products will hit retail shelves this fall."

"There's more to come! The partner community is blossoming. We now have six OEMs on board, including Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, HP, Iomega, Lacie and Medion. The ISV support and software Add-ins keep rolling in, and the Code2Fame contest should drive even more cool 3rd party products.
Lastly, I'd like to extend a Big tip-of-the-hat to the enormous passion and contributions from our beta testers and community. 100,000+ participants, high volume of forum discussions, 1 million+ views/month on this blog, etc. all attest to the fact that Windows Home Server addresses a big need out there. The right product at the right time!"

Windows Home Server is designed to act as a central hub for storage of music, photos, and other files. It will include automatic backup and restore, as well as remote file-access capabilities. The product will be sold exclusively through OEMs and system builders.
It was first announced as the 'Quattro' Project in February 2004. As we can see, it has come a long way since then!

Windows Home Server Homepage

Windows Vista SP1 Beta set for Mid July
09/07/2007

Mary Jo Foley, addresses in her note about Vista's forthcoming Service Pack, that it may be sooner than we think; the planned release of SP1 Beta 1 could be as soon as the week of July 16th!

"Word (from various sources who asked not to be named) is Microsoft is gearing up to drop Vista SP1 some time the week of July 16. And despite what Microsoft seemingly led Google, the U.S. Department of Justice and other company watchers to believe, the final version of Vista SP1 is sounding like November 2007."

Along with this final release towards the end of 2007, if the Softies are sticking to sched, Microsoft are also set to simultaneously RTM Windows Server 2008 (formerly known as Windows Code Named "Longhorn" Server).

Enough said, what can we expect to see in Vista SP1?

Microsoft is expected to emphasize that SP1 is more about fixes than new features. Most of the elements of SP1 are expected to enhance or supplement features that are already part of Vista, sources said.
In addition to desktop-search modifications, here’s a list of other fixes likely to make it in:
- Performance tweaks lessening the amount of time it takes to copy files and shut down Vista machines (Yeah, I know Microsoft said Vista shutdown speed wasn’t an issue. Guess users weren’t so crazy, after all.)
- Improved transfer performance and decreased CPU utilization via support for SD Advanced Direct Memory Access (DMA)
- Support for ExFat, the Windows file format for flash memory storage and other consumer devices
- Improvements to BitLocker Drive Encryption to allow not just encryption of the whole Vista volume, but also locally created data volumes
- The ability to boot Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) on an x64 machine
- Improved success rate for firewalled MeetingSpace and Remote Assistance connections

Windows Live Messenger Windows Update
21/06/2007

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Beta has received it's (first?) update via Windows Update.
This update, titled "Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Beta 1 Update 1" brings no changes to Messenger itself. The build number however, has been updated to 8.5.1238.0601. Only time will tell what the next (Windows?) updates will bring.

Windows Home Server RC1 Released
12/06/2007

Windows Home Server Release Candidate 1 has been released to it's testers on Microsoft Connect.
This release is reported to have many bug fixes and improved features and capabilities.

For those of you who are participating in the beta, you can download WHS R2 here: Connect
Read more about WHS: Windows Home Server Connect hompage

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Official Public Beta
30/05/2007

Not long after the leak of WLMessenger 8.5 Beta, Microsoft has officially released it; through a public beta.
This released build still carries the same build number (8.5.1235.0517) and has no new features, but is now available in multiple languages (not to mention an official download source!).

Forget the dodgy download links for the leaked build, download the official release here

Just to add a note about the installation- If you have previously installed the leaked build, you will have to uninstall it. Also, remove the folders 'Windows Live Installer' and 'WLInstaller' from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data (Windows XP) or C:\ProgramData (Windows Vista)

If you run into any problems with this build, like any other beta; just reinstall the previous version.

As it's the same build, I wont bother with new screenshots- just see for yourself!

Download now: 8.5 Public Beta (English)
Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Beta homepage

Windows Live Messenger 8.5 LEAKED! Build 8.5.1235.0517
27/05/2007

An internal build of Windows Live Messenger 8.5 was leaked by Messenger Addictos, a site dedicated to Windows Live Messenger and related products.

The new build includes a completely new installer system (though it appears it might need some tweaking). Messenger itself also got a complete overhaul, featuring a new UI that combines the best of Windows Live and Vista. The new build also includes several minor new features, some of which are still unknown. Unfortunately support for Plug-Ins (or "Add-Ins") has been dropped.
The installation directory has also been changed to "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\" making the transition from MSN Messenger to Windows Live Messenger complete.
For those of you thinking this build is fake- it has been digitally signed by Microsoft; greatly reducing the chances of it actually being fake.

Although the leaked build in only available in Spanish, there is a simple work around to get the English language.

Note that the language file in the screenshots below has been changed from the original Spanish to English. Due to using the mslang.dll from the 8.1 build, this also changes the name tag (as you will see in the 'About' dialog and on the 'Sign in' window).

> About Windows Live Messenger dialog
> Installer
> Sign-in window
> Contacts list main window
> Conversation window
> Sign-in Toast