Windows Archive

Up Close with the Latest Longhorn Build

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-07 Windows 25 Comments

The next version of Windows is still several years away, but PC Magazine offers a sneak peek. Take a guided tour of the 4072 build of Longhorn from the disc handed to WinHEC attendees in Seattle. PCMag has a preview too. Also, Microsoft plans to release versions of Longhorn, for Itanium and 64-bit extended systems as well as a 32-bit edition, a company spokesman said Wednesday.

Not all will see Longhorn in 3D

Submitted by Tudy Parghel 2004-05-06 Windows 33 Comments

The next version of Windows will sport some fancy, three-dimensional graphics, but for those with an older video card (as in the case of Mac OS X on non-QuartzExtreme capable gfx cards), Longhorn will look a lot like Windows 2000. Elsewhere, Microsoft seeks to merge Flash & hard drive storage.

Gartner: Worms Jack Up the Total Cost of Windows

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-06 Windows 72 Comments

Dealing with widespread worms like Sasser raises the cost of using Windows, a research analyst said Wednesday. Mark Nicolett, research director at Gartner, recommended that enterprises boost spending on patch management and intrusion prevention software to keep ahead of worms, which are appearing ever sooner after vulnerabilities in Windows are disclosed.

Some Legacy Subsystems Won’t Get Windows 64-Bit Support

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-06 Windows 33 Comments

The portable operating-system interface for Unix, 16-bit computing and the OS/2 subsystem will 'be lost' along with some legacy transport protocols, product manager for the Windows 64-bit client says.

Microsoft Plans Laptop Tune-up with Longhorn

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-06 Windows 24 Comments

With the next version of Windows, Microsoft is looking to add a number of laptop-specific features designed to make portable machines both more powerful and at the same time as easy to use as consumer devices such as portable DVD players.

DWM Enabled in Longhorn; Exploring Windows Longhorn 4074

Submitted by Gsurface 2004-05-05 Windows 34 Comments

It would appear that a little tinkering with Longhorn's DLL files allows users to enable a few DWM effects. These include fancy drop shadows on windows, and nice longhorn style icons are noticable on the left of the title bars. Also, animation is visible when opening windows. Also, this review takes a look at what is new in the recently released Longhorn build which was given to WinHEC attendees. Update: Screenshots of Longhorn Build 4074. MSDN subscribers can now download an ISO of the build.

Gates Promises Longhorn Beta In 2005; Speech Transcripts

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-05 Windows 29 Comments

Microsoft has recommitted to releasing Longhorn, its next-generation Windows client and server, into beta testing in 2005 even though its chairman acknowledged that security concerns threaten his dream of enabling seamless connectivity and Web services. Here is the transcript of Gates' speech yesterday and here is Jim Allchin's. Also, Microsoft combined the Windows CE, Windows Mobile departments.

Longhorn, Whidbey, Media Center Snag Prime Billing at WinHEC

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-04 Windows 12 Comments

In their keynotes at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, Jim Allchin and Bill Gates plan to stress the value of melding hardware and software innovation, as well as demonstrating what some of Microsoft's new technologies can do. In the meantime, Bill Gates confirms that there will be no AMD Windows 64 until Q4, but he calls for 64-bit software support.

Microsoft Sells 210 mln Copies of Windows XP

Eugenia Loli 2004-05-03 Windows 50 Comments

Microsoft Corp. said on Monday that retail and new PC sales of Windows XP, its flagship operating system, have grown to more than 210 million copies since the product was launched two and a half years ago. The world's largest software maker also unveiled on Monday the latest version of its anti-piracy software for digital files, music and movies, which it said would work with a wider class of online services and devices. In the meantime, a new generation of PCs based on Microsoft's next operating system won't arrive until perhaps 2006, but engineers at a conference in Seattle this week will learn how to build the new machines.

A virtual tour of Microsoft’s embedded “Device Alley”

Eugenia Loli 2004-04-29 Windows 2 Comments

In case you missed the recent Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco, WindowsForDevices presents a virtual tour down Microsoft's embedded "Device Alley," showcasing a wide range of next-generation cool gadgets and smart, connected devices that incorporate the company's embedded software platforms including Windows CE .NET and Windows XP Embedded. The slide show includes over 80 devices ranging from PDAs to set-top boxes, robots, and even a sewing machine.

Critical Update for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004

Eugenia Loli 2004-04-28 Windows 4 Comments

This critical update for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 enhances the stability and performance of Media Center Edition 2004 and resolves these issues.

Windows XP SP2 RC2 & RTM Delayed

Submitted by wCitizen 2004-04-28 Windows 7 Comments

According to WinBeta, Windows XP Service Pack 2 has just been pushed back a bit further than originally expected. These delays will effect both the second Release Candidate along with the Release to Manufacturing/Release to Web. The following are the new expected delivery dates: RC2: May 26th, 2004 (previous date was May 12th) and RTM: July 21st, 2004 (previous date was June 23rd). However, MSFN has different dates to report.

Windows Longhorn DCE 3718

Submitted by Gsurface 2004-04-27 Windows 45 Comments

DCE is short for Desktop Composition Engine which is the video-accelerated graphics engine in Longhorn which will be a part of the Aero User Interface. A few screenshots and video available here.

Windows Vulnerability Exploited; Worm May Be Next

Submitted by danjr 2004-04-27 Windows 29 Comments

Security experts are monitoring widespread use of exploit code that takes advantage of a recently disclosed vulnerability in Windows. A worm, although anticipated, hasn't yet been spotted.

Longhorn Server Back on Microsoft Roadmap

Eugenia Loli 2004-04-26 Windows 8 Comments

Microsoft Corp is doing a U-turn on its Longhorn roadmap, with plans for a server operating system version alongside the long-expected client due in 2006. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed Friday that there will be a Longhorn server sometime after the company delivers the Longhorn client OS.

Unofficial Win98 SE Service Pack

Submitted by Karl vom Dorff 2004-04-25 Windows 33 Comments

Majorgeeks.com has posted a link to an unofficial independent release of a Service Pack for Windows 98SE. While it does introduce some fixes and additional support, it is important to note that this is not official software.

DVD Forums Adopts Windows Media

Submitted by Claudio 2004-04-25 Windows 14 Comments

"The battle to create and own a proprietary industry standard generates rapid improvements in price and performance, at least until somebody emerges totally dominant. If fact, even after a monopolist emerges, there is still considerable pressure to innovate, because unless you can induce your installed base to upgrade frequently, you have a hard time continuing to grow." More at streamingmedia.com.

Security in Longhorn: Focus on Least Privilege

Eugenia Loli 2004-04-24 Windows 29 Comments

A least privileged environment is going to significantly increase the security of the "Longhorn" Windows platform. Get started today by writing managed code, first of all, and when building desktop applications, make them LUA (Logical Unit Application programming interface) compliant.

Highlights of the WinFS Data Access API

Eugenia Loli 2004-04-23 Windows 2 Comments

Mike Deem provides a quick look at the basic concepts of the WinFS data access API: objects based on schemas, powerful query support and support for WinFS concepts such as relationships.

New Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Development Software

Eugenia Loli 2004-04-21 Windows No Comments

Learn about what is new in Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software from a developer's point of view. MSMobiles also has more info, links and screenshots of the SE version of Windows Mobile 2003.