Windows Archive

Windows plan underscores Microsoft struggle

Eugenia Loli 2004-02-02 Windows 33 Comments

A move by Microsoft to extend support for an older version of Windows underscores a new reality for the software giant: Convincing customers to upgrade is becoming much more difficult.

MSDN TV: 64-bit CLR and the .NET Framework

Submitted by Neil Laverty 2004-01-31 Windows 14 Comments

The next release of the .NET Framework will include both 32- and 64-bit native support. CLR 2 is allready ported to Itanium (and AMD-64). Christopher Brown discusses how developers writing managed code today will be able to easily port and, in many cases, just copy existing applications to this new environment. The video requires Windows and MS Media Player.

WinFS: Microsoft’s Data Management Vision

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-30 Windows 27 Comments

Over the past year, Microsoft has managed to create a perfect smokescreen around its new WinFS file system. It has spent this time touting a new, database-supported filing system to replace NTFS and FAT. Compatibility doubts were not long in bubbling to the surface. During the PDC (Professional Developers Conference) held in Los Angeles at the end of October, we spoke with Microsoft brass to gain an exclusive insight into the planned technological advance. Read the article at Tom's Hardware.

Microsoft Pitches ‘Human Side’ of Windows Server System

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-30 Windows 10 Comments

Microsoft Corp. will put a more human face on its upcoming global multimillion dollar advertising program for its Windows Server System. The company, which is set to announce the new ad campaign at its Silicon Valley campus on Thursday afternoon, will spend tens of millions of dollars on this worldwide campaign, which will feature specific IT staffers from enterprise and mid-level firms that use the Windows Server System solutions.

SP2 Presents Windows XP Security Dilemma

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-30 Windows 13 Comments

Users will have to balance their IT security requirements with potential Java and .net performance problems if they are to take advantage of the features being introduced in Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Longhorn Overview at MSDN TV

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-29 Windows 24 Comments

For almost 20 years, Windows has been an ever-evolving graphical environment which has focused on providing users, as well as developers, easy access to the latest technologies, hardware, and services. "Longhorn", the codename for the next version of Windows, represents a significant jump in the definition of what a Windows Application is, and is capable of achieving. In this episode of the .NET Show, MSDN TV provides a general overview of the larger technology "pillars" of Longhorn, introducing their concepts, as well as showing some of the coding techniques for gaining access to them. Use Windows Media Player on Mac/Windows or Win32_Codecs on Unix/Linux to view the videos.

Windows Sequel Gets Set to Entertain

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-28 Windows 14 Comments

Microsoft plans to start testing a new version of its Windows XP Media Center edition, a customized operating system designed for entertainment-oriented PCs.

Microsoft Shines More Light on Longhorn

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-27 Windows 31 Comments

As Microsoft prepares developers and independent software vendors for Longhorn, the next version of its Windows operating system, the company wants to wean them off older Windows programming models. Elsewhere, Microsoft's Bill Gates took centre stage at yesterday's software developer day in London to convince UK software developers to stick with Microsoft, even though Longhorn, its next-generation operating system platform, is two to three years away.

Fake Longhorn on your Windows XP with Desktop Sidebar

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-27 Windows 49 Comments

The aim of Desktop Sidebar is provide you with instant access to some of your most important daily information, however some may run it just to fake the Longhorn's sidebar. Whichever your intent is, this seems to be like a nifty utility with enhancements for Windows users.

Ten More Ways To Make Windows XP Run Even Better

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-27 Windows 15 Comments

In the original "Ten Ways To Make Windows XP Run Better" Langa covered many fundamental tweaks and adjustments that can help you to move XP out of its bland and sometimes limiting default settings and into a configuration that better fits your own personal needs, preferences, and work style. Fred Langa now examines free add-ons and utilities that further refine and improve your operating system.

Preview: Inside the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-25 Windows 52 Comments

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 Hoek Talk Longhorn

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-23 Windows 14 Comments

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.

Cutting Windows down to size

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-20 Windows 60 Comments

A Melbourne-based software outfit has come up with a tool for getting rid of the bloat on Windows systems and literally cutting one's system down to size. LitePC has developed software which it markets as XPLite and 2000lite, which users can use to remove practically any component of Windows.

Light On Longhorn: Avalon, WinFS, Indigo

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-18 Windows 22 Comments

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

Microsoft Boosts 32-Bit Performance on 64-bit Systems

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-14 Windows 10 Comments

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.

Tablet PC XP 2004, codename “Lonestar” Beta Coming March

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-13 Windows 2 Comments

According to Tablet PC Talk Microsoft has announced at CES that they will release a beta copy of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2004 (Lonestar) upgrade in March 2004.

Windows 98 Gets Support Reprieve

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-12 Windows 23 Comments

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 Expands Opteron Windows Test

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-11 Windows 18 Comments

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.

Windows XP SP2 Allows Concurrent Sessions

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-11 Windows 51 Comments

XP Pro SP2 seems to support conncurrent use of XP via remote desktop and via console. (previously only a single session was possible on XP). If you run XP sp2 beta 1, you can enable it now, the setting taken from win2k3 enables it for WinXP Pro-SP2.

Windows XP Handheld Due Later This Year

Eugenia Loli 2004-01-10 Windows 41 Comments

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.