Windows Archive

Microsoft will release Service Pack 2 for Windows XP (both Home and Professional) in the first half of 2004. PCMag's look at the beta version, released to testers in December, revealed a number of interesting security enhancements in Web browsing, e-mail, and networking.

Hillel Cooperman and Tjeerd ("cheered") Hoek are two of the key figures in the Windows User Experience team at Microsoft, and they've worked on some the company's more advanced user interface projects over the past several years. This interview is the first in a series highlighting the personalities behind the technology.

MSDN posted three articles describing the new features found on Longhorn and the next VisualStudio.

Intel and Microsoft on Tuesday released software designed to improve the performance of Windows applications designed for 32-bit processors when they are running on Intel's 64-bit Itanium 2 processors. Download it here.

Although support for the older operating systems was due to end shortly, Microsoft has announced that it will be extended Microsoft has extended support for Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows ME. The software giant has extended support for the operating systems until 30 June, 2006. During that time paid over-the-phone support will be available, and "critical" security issues will be reviewed and "appropriate steps" taken.

Microsoft is offering an open beta version of its Windows Server 2003 for systems using the Advanced Micro Devices 64-bit Opteron processor. The beta version of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems has been available to a small group of testers in a "technical beta" since October. With this release, the software is available to anyone interested in trying it out through a customer preview program, says John Borozan, a Microsoft product manager.

Devices will be size of a handheld, have a hard drive, Wi-Fi and VGA display, vendor claims. A new type of mobile device that is barely larger than a standard handheld but runs Windows XP on an i86 processor was unveiled this week at the CES. Vendors said the device, which they are dubbing the ultra-personal computer (UPC), will be available in the second half of this year. Development of the device is being encouraged by Transmeta, which has a line of i86-compatible processors that is small enough and has sufficient heat dissipation to be put into devices without cooling fans.

When Microsoft pulls the plug on Windows 98 support next Friday, it will offer a free CD designed to help users "make the most" of the aging operating system, without any further assistance from the software giant.

Members of the "xbox-windows project" recently announced that Windows CE .NET is now booting on the Xbox. "Currently, we have a partial BSP for CE .NET 4.20, and working PCI, USB, Display, and Mouse drivers. Most of the "important" parts of the BSP are done, however some features are still lacking or bug ridden. We also have a simple, preliminary bootloader based on xbeboot from the xbox-linux project. With these in place, CE loads and runs properly, but is not yet very useful." WindowsForDevices contacted the project's originator, who prefers to be known by the pseudonym "Artifex", to gain insight into the project's origins, goals, and plans for the future. The result is this interview.

On the eve of the giant annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Microsoft is set to deep-six its short-lived Windows XP Media Center Edition, according to industry reports received by The Register.

Preview sports new file system, gee-whiz graphics, and some security fixes. The next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, is still in the early stages of its journey to the retail corral, but PCWorld's hands-on look at a preview reveals features we'd love to have now--while raising some intriguing questions.

This post focus around new security features in Windows XP Service Pack 2. With screenshots.

Windows CE.NET was ported to Xbox when the device is modded. The basic kernel subsystem is in place. The IoCtl is about 90% done. ISR/IST is up and working. PCI enumeration happens properly. USB initializes and enumerates devices (but hangs if there's a gamepad connected). Mouse driver loads. Keyboard driver loads but is missing a layout, so it's not quite functional yet. A very simple video driver is in place. Screenshots here and here.

"When it comes to security predictions for next year, basically everyone says it's going to be worst than this year despite the increased spending on security and some progress made when it comes to security awareness. Let's take a look at some interesting happenings that made the news during 2003 when it comes to Microsoft security and perhaps you'll be able to judge for yourself what 2004 will bring." Read the article at Net-Security.