Windows Archive

Microsoft overhauls Longhorn plans

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-27 Windows 106 Comments

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.

Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Device Emulator

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-27 Windows 10 Comments

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 preps XP push, mulls Longhorn ‘priorities’

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-26 Windows 13 Comments

With a long-awaited security update to Windows XP now complete, Microsoft is preparing a holiday season push for the 3-year-old operating system--and is set to revisit ambitious plans for the next major revision, News.com has learned. Also, Microsoft is expanding a plan to draw mainframe customers to Windows for high-end applications.

Microsoft Announces Release of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

Submitted by OSNews Witness 2004-08-25 Windows 2 Comments

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.

Researchers find holes in XP SP2

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-19 Windows 65 Comments

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

Windows XP/Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Updated

Submitted by Philipp Esselbach 2004-08-18 Windows 5 Comments

Updated builds of Windows XP/Windows Server 2003 64-Bit are now available for download: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Customer Preview and Windows Server 2003 for 64-Bit Preview.

Freeware Suggestions under Windows

Guest post by Manish Bansal 2004-08-18 Windows 129 Comments

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 delays SP2 auto update

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-17 Windows 16 Comments

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.

Programs that may behave differently in Windows XP Service Pack 2

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-16 Windows 68 Comments

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) introduces a number of new features that help increase the performance and the security of your system. These changes also affect the operations and functionality of some programs.

Interface Changes in Windows Server 2003

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-15 Windows 22 Comments

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.

How Secure is Windows Firewall?

Submitted by Gsurface 2004-08-14 Windows 73 Comments

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).

XP SP2 Receives Mixed Marks from IT Pros

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-13 Windows 66 Comments

Installation reports for Microsoft's new security-focused upgrade range from trouble-free to complete system failures. Our Take: I had one random reboot and one freeze since I installed SP2 this week. The _only_ other time in the past that my XP had crashed was when I plugged-in a SONY external DVD-+RW drive to a USB 1.1 port last month. Except that DVD-RW incident last month, my XP was crash-free for 2.5 years (which might have been a SONY issue, I give the benefit of the doubt to MS). But with the SP2, I had two crashes in 4 days. Unforgivable. SP1 was really solid, can't say the same for SP2.

Steer away from Win XP Starter Edition?

Submitted by Fletch N.S. 2004-08-13 Windows 16 Comments

Microsoft on Wednesday announced plans to launch the cheap, easy-to-use version of Windows XP in five emerging markets. In a report published this week, Gartner analysts Dion Wiggins and Martin Gilliland noted that missing features in the Windows XP Starter Edition would frustrate users. Also, Gartner has labeled Microsoft's upcoming version of Windows for developing countries as a product with good intent but poor execution.

Overview of Next Generation Printing in Longhorn

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-12 Windows 54 Comments

The new print path in Longhorn, called the NextGen print path, addresses many limitations of the current print path, which is based on the Windows GDI. The NextGen print path will also coexist with the GDI print path. This coexistence ensures applications and devices a smooth migration over time by providing critical backward compatibility.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 – Security Information for Developers

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-12 Windows 9 Comments

With Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Microsoft is introducing a set of security technologies that will help improve Windows XP-based computers' ability to withstand malicious attacks from viruses and worms. These technologies include: Network protection, Memory protection, improved email security, safer browsing.

Microsoft lets companies block SP2 upgrade

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-12 Windows 35 Comments

Although Microsoft recommends that consumers turn on Automatic Update to get the latest version of Windows, the company is offering to let companies temporarily block such upgrades.

Microsoft Announces Windows XP Starter Edition Pilot Program

Submitted by OSNews Witness 2004-08-11 Windows 41 Comments

Microsoft announced Wednesday it would offer a low-cost starter edition of its Windows XP operating system in Asia starting in October, as it strives to hold onto market share facing erosion from the open-source Linux system and software piracy.

Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Development Kit 1.7

Eugenia Loli 2004-08-11 Windows 3 Comments

The Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Development Kit facilitates building ink-enabled applications for Tablet PC. The combination of software and hardware in a Tablet PC enables these methods of user interaction and allows for a rich, interactive, and productive computing experience for users.

Analyst: Microsoft Rules Another Market With Small Biz Server

Submitted by OSNews Witness 2004-08-11 Windows 37 Comments

Microsoft's Small Business Server is a remarkable hit, said a research firm Monday as it released the results of a survey that claimed an astounding 86 percent of small- and mid-sized businesses either use the server bundle or are planning to deploy it.

Slipstreaming Windows XP SP2 and Bootable CD Guide

Submitted by gogo 2004-08-10 Windows 14 Comments

This guide will describe the easiest way possible to slipstream (also known as 'Integrate') a Service Pack into Windows 2000, XP or 2003. To do this, we will only need one program - MSFN's very own popular nLite created by one of our members nuhi. While nLite is primarily aimed to remove components to slim down a Windows CD, it has the required tools to do just an automated Service Pack slipstream as well as create a CD image.Slipstreaming Windows XP SP2 and Bootable CD Guide