Windows Archive

Windows makes it easy to quickly download files to iPods and other portable storage devices--a little too easy in the minds of many IT managers.

Microsoft had released a special registry key for large customers that delays Windows XP SP2's automatic download and installation for 120 days, to give companies time to prepare for the update. They have decided to extend that timeframe to 240 days, due to pressure from customers.

When the UK's defense contractor for the Navy decided to standardize on Windows, it "prompted strong internal opposition from some , who had a sound background in Unix and who had, despite resource starvation and a companywide policy to standardise on Windows, been investigating open source alternatives as a foundation for future combat systems. They lost."

"We evaluated the security features of Windows XP SP2 on a test machine, following a clean install of XP Pro with no configuration changes and no third-party software or drivers installed. We installed XP with the NTFS file system, choosing all of the factory defaults, then patched it with each recommended security update including SP-1 (required), before installing SP2." Read the rest at TheRegister.

While many applaud the timely release of Avalon & Indigo and MS' decision to "stop dreaming and wake up," others warn the company that it is eroding its credibility and letting Linux make usability gains.

After nearly two years on the market, makers of tablet PCs based on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition have yet to prove that the pen is mightier than the keyboard.

In order to get the next update of its Longhorn operating system out on time, Microsoft will delay some planned feature improvements, sources close to the company said Friday. Also, now that XP's SP2 has been released, Microsoft is considering what other changes are needed to the XP operating system.

The Device Emulator contains the emulator technologies featured in Windows CE 5.0. By using the Device Emulator, you can run emulated-based images created by Windows CE 5.0 without installing Platform Builder, its platform development tool.

Microsoft Corp. today announced availability of the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system, the successor to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition introduced in November 2002. Included as part of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (Windows XP SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies, this free upgrade offers Tablet PC users deeper pen-and-ink support including a redesigned input panel to create and enter text anywhere within Windows XP and familiar Windows XP-compatible applications.

Two software flaws could let virus writers and malicious hackers sidestep new security features.

Recently I upgraded my home PC and I thought, well, how about loading it with only freeware/open source software (On top of Windows XP)? So I started looking around and found some excellent freeware, along with a lot of trash. It took some work to evaluate all the applications but in the end, it was worth it.

Microsoft is delaying distribution of Windows XP Service Pack 2 via its Automatic Update service by at least nine days in order to give corporate customers more time to temporarily block automatic downloading of SP2 by their employees.

Get up to date on some of the new interface changes and features in Windows Server 2003, including a skinnable interface, folder compression to save space, built-in methods for CD burning, and remote desktop assistance.

Think Windows Firewall is tough enough to keep your system safe? Check FlexBeta's review. Elsewhere, the Express Install for WinXP SP2 is now available (90 MB).