Windows Archive

Microsoft Scrutinizes WSUS Patch Snafu

David Adams 2008-07-02 Windows 2 Comments

"Microsoft Monday confirmed it is investigating two-week-old reports from users unable to update client PCs using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), but said that it is "premature" to assume the snafu had the same source as another patch glitch the company has grappled with since mid-June. . . The WSUS bug was outlined nearly two weeks ago by Cecilia Cole, a WSUS program manager."

Windows XP Officially Out of Retail

Thom Holwerda 2008-06-30 Windows 25 Comments

We've already said quite a few words on this one already, so we are going to leave it at a short announcement today. Today, Monday 30 June 2008, marks the last day of sales for Windows XP, the seven year old operating system a lot of people really don't want to let go. Windows Vista is Microsoft's sole desktop operating system now, whether people like it or not. Windows XP will still be available via backdoors and on netbooks, but it won't be available at retailers anymore (some might still have some stock left, though). Feel free to place your obituary in the comments. To me, Windows XP was like cheese: it got better with age.

‘Pirated Windows More Impressive than the Real Thing’

Submitted by Dan Warne 2008-06-30 Windows 30 Comments

Through all the Windows and Microsoft bashing on the intertubes, it's almost easy to forget that Windows does, in fact, have quite a few positive aspects as well. One of those aspects is the modularity of its installation system, which allows you to create your custom installation image of Windows - with relative ease. Sadly, Microsoft decided to keep this ability away from normal users, making it a sort of OEM tool only. Lucky for us, there's a tool called vLite/nLite which allows us to slipstream fixes, applications, and drivers into the installation image as we please. This functionality of course also made its way to the 'underground' community, who used it to produce something called TinyXP. APCMag decided to take a look at it.

Windows Could Use a Rush of Fresh Air

Adam Scheinberg 2008-06-29 Windows 92 Comments

"Microsoft Windows has put on a lot of weight over the years" writs Randall Stross in a recent New York Times blog entry on Windows' legacy code. "Beginning as a thin veneer for older software code," he continues, "it has become an obese monolith built on an ancient frame. Adding features, plugging security holes, fixing bugs, fixing the fixes that never worked properly, all while maintaining compatibility with older software and hardware -- is there anything Windows doesn't try to do?" Does Microsoft have the business savvy or guts to rewrite Windows?

Reports: Intel to Skip Vista Upgrade

Submitted by Ager Ignis 2008-06-27 Windows 47 Comments

For any given release of Windows, there are companies that choose to skip it. But when the company is Intel, it's a big deal. Intel's IT department "found no compelling case" for upgrading to Windows Vista.

Submitted by Flatland_Spider 2008-06-25 Windows 54 Comments

We're really on the subject of software installation issues on OSNews lately, and this story, making its rounds on the internet, fits in quite well. Back in the day, during the antitrust lawsuits against Microsoft, Microsoft had to make a whole slew of corporate email public. In light of Gates' imminent withdrawal from Microsoft, SeattlePI dug up a little gem among these emails, one in which Bill Gates goes on a full-blown rant about the difficulties he had trying to download and install Windows MovieMaker, back in 2003.

Submitted by google_ninja 2008-06-25 Windows 38 Comments

We already know some of the directions Windows 7 will be exploring: a system-wide multitouch user interface framework, a focus on performance, all while building on top of the groundwork Windows Vista has laid out. While off-hand remarks have been made concerning the operating system's release date, it appears Microsoft now formalised the release date of Windows 7.

The Vista ‘App Gap’ Doesn’t Exist

Thom Holwerda 2008-06-24 Windows 28 Comments

Analysts continue to trump the lack of applications being developed for Vista. Yet, as Randall Kennedy points out, "developers who write for Windows rarely target a specific version. Rather, they select a particular API framework and proceed from there." The supposed Vista 'app gap' is a straw man, Kennedy argues. "The real question should be: Why aren't developers leveraging the various iterations of the .Net framework?"

Microsoft Unveils First OS for Portable Navigation Devices

Submitted by Anonymous 2008-06-18 Windows 5 Comments

Microsoft has introduced its first-ever embedded OS for portable devices that use GPS (global positioning system) and maps to get people where they want to go. Windows Embedded NavReady 2009 is aimed at companies building handheld electronic navigation devices and includes several features to make them Web-friendly, such as easy connections to online services and the Internet, as well as links to mobile phones via Bluetooth, and to Windows-based PCs. The aim of the new OS is to spread the popularity of portable navigation devices (PND) by adding or enhancing new features such as Internet connectivity and services. PNDs are among the hottest electronic devices this year.

Windows Embedded ‘Quebec’ Due in 2010

Thom Holwerda 2008-06-09 Windows 16 Comments

Windows Embedded? Windows CE? Windows Mobile? I must admit I lost track long ago of which Windows is what in the mobile and/or embedded space, but fact is Microsoft is working hard on bringing new releases in those spaces. It's working on a new Windows XP-based Windows Embedded release, dubbed Windows Embedded Standard 2009, but the company is also working on a Windows Vista-based embedded release.

Submitted by estherschindler 2008-06-05 Windows 51 Comments

While I can personally attest for the gains Microsoft made when it comes to Windows Vista's performance between its release-to-manufacture November 2006 and now, there is no denying the fact that Vista simply isn't made for running on lower-specced computers. In addition, while Vista brings interesting new features and massive overhauls of many subsystems, a lot of people simply don't like it. Sadly for them, Windows XP is going out-of-sale 30 June. However, there are plenty of loopholes - PC World listed them.

Don’t Wait for it, Says Microsoft

Thom Holwerda 2008-06-05 Windows 92 Comments

Microsoft is hard at work trying to battle the public and businesses' perception about Windows Vista. They already published a whitepaper named "Five Misunderstood Features in Windows Vista", detailing some of what they believe are misunderstandings. Now, they also published a document wit five reasons to deploy Windows Vista - and why you shouldn't wait for Windows 7.

‘You Already Have MinWin’

Thom Holwerda 2008-05-30 Windows 99 Comments

We have learnt quite a lot about Windows 7 this week, and one of the things was that Windows 7 would not get a new kernel. The call for a new kernel has been made a few times on the internet, but anyone with a bit more insight into Windows' kernel knows that there is absolutely no need to write a new kernel for Windows - the problems with Windows lie in userland, not kernelland. While the authenticity of the Shipping Seven blog is not undisputed, the blogger makes some very excellent points regarding the kernel matter.

Free Book Explains Windows CE Development

Submitted by DeviceGuru 2008-05-30 Windows 3 Comments

Microsoft has published a free 335-page book in .pdf format that explains all the details of developing for the Windows CE platform. "The kit, implemented as a 335-page book, provides valuable technical information for developers wanting to know more about Windows CE, regardless of whether they plan to take Microsoft's certification exam. The book is available for download - without cost or registration - as nine PDF files."

Gains System-Wide Multitouch, Dock

Thom Holwerda 2008-05-28 Windows 59 Comments

I personally doubted that Windows 7 would make an actual appearance during the Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer joint interview up on stage at the D6 conference, but as it turns out, it has made an appearance. During an interview conducted by Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher about Ballmer and Gates' past, present, and future, a short demo was given of Windows 7.

No New Kernel, Builds on Vista

2008-05-27 Windows 57 Comments

So far, Microsoft has been very tight-lipped about Windows 7, carefully trying to prevent another Longhorn PR disaster where the company promised the heavens and more for Longhorn, but in the end ditched Longhorn to make way for Vista. Chris Flores (Windows Client Communications Team) as well as Steven Sinofsky, has broken the silence a little bit to talk about Windows 7. In addition, it is believed Windows 7 will make its first official debut at the D6 All Things Digital conference today, during a keynote held by Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates.

Submitted by stonyandcher 2008-05-27 Windows 51 Comments

In spite of (or, thanks to?) Windows Vista, a recent release and all, Windows 7 has been getting a lot attention all over the web - even in the non-tech mainstream and print media. Since Microsoft is holding its cards close, people try to get by on little droplets of information, side remarks by Microsoft employees, slip-of-the-tongues, and, of course, plain-old forgery. PC World thinks these screenshots come from a scheduled May 2008 Windows 7 build, but if you look at them with a little more attention to detail, you will easily spot they are - at best - random mockups from Microsoft, or, - most likely - fake.

Advanced Process Monitor for Windows

Submitted by Pierre 2008-05-27 Windows 13 Comments

Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell have released a new version of a real-time process monitor for Windows (tentatively called 'Process Monitor') that combines the features of Regmon and Filemon. There is a whole set of new features too, of course.

Submitted by stonyandcher 2008-05-22 Windows 8 Comments

A lot of Windows XP users experienced SP3 aches and pains. This tutorial on PC World has some timely tips on what to do when SP3 installation doesn't go well.

Microsoft: ‘Five Misunderstood Features in Windows Vista’

Thom Holwerda 2008-05-21 Windows 20 Comments

Vista has not exactly been a massive market success. Sales numbers might be satisfactory due to OEM agreements, but press and public reception have been terrible, and there are several recurring themes in the complaints from people. Microsoft took five of these recurring themes, and addressed them in a document called 'Five Misunderstood Features in Windows Vista'.