Microsoft

Microsoft is making it worthwhile for consumers to pick up a new Vista PC. Those who buy one can receive a guaranteed free copy of Windows 7 once it becomes available in October. The offer runs between June 26 and the end of January. The catch is ... that some PC makers may tack on an additional shipping and handling charge for the updates. Which PCs Qualify for Windows 7 Upgrade? PCs equipped with Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate will qualify for the offer. Any reservations about your current system should be directed to a local computer retailer or tech service provider. A ... (view more)

Facing the rising popularity of rival browsers Firefox and Opera, Microsoft has launched its first-ever advertising deal with Live Nation (a concert ticket search engine) to promote Internet Explorer 8. The agreement promises to make consumers happy ... by offering free content with every download of IE8. Fans of popular Canadian rock band Nickelback will be most pleased with the deal. The agreement means that Internet Explorer 8 and Microsoft have signed on as the main sponsor for the rock and roll crew's Dark Horse tour, named after the band's platinum album of the same name. Something in Your ... (view more)

If you have a friend or relative that is always surprising you with things that they assume you will like (and for the most part, you don't) -- then you can probably relate to consumers disgruntled over 'forced' Windows updates that install without ... consent of the PC owner. Phantom Updates: Started June 9, 2009 According to the Windows Secrets newsletter, a number of people have noticed that their PCs have newly-installed updates and security patches once their machines are turned on or rebooted. These "phantom updates" have appeared as early as June 9th, 2009. (Source: windowssecrets.com ) ... (view more)

Microsoft is now offering users in six countries Windows 7 at around half the standard price -- for a limited time, of course. The deal is open to existing Vista owners and involves paying now then getting the upgrade when Windows is released. In ... the United States, the offer means customers can get an upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium for $49, and from Vista 7 Professional to Windows 7 Professional for $99. That compares with standard upgrade prices of $119.99 and $199.99 respectively. Surprisingly, Windows 7 Ultimate, the other main retail edition of Windows Vista, is ... (view more)

The old adage is still very much relevant today: there is no such thing as a free lunch. The meaning, of course, is that while something may appear to be free, there is almost always going to be strings attached. Such is the case concerning ... Microsoft with their latest "free" antivirus offering. The new software, Microsoft Security Essentials (also codenamed "Morro") was introduced under the assumption that millions of people would soon get a chance to experience a more secure PC, laptop or netbook . But as the wait time for the beta version release dwindled down to mere hours yesterday, ... (view more)

Don't delay too long if you're thinking of downloading the highly sought after Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC). According to a recent statement from Microsoft, it plans to shut off the downloads on August 15. Installation After Cutoff Date The ... August cut off date -- about seven weeks from now -- doesn't mean that those who've downloaded the Windows 7 RC will all of a sudden lose the ability to use it. In fact, Microsoft says that it can still be installed even after that cut off date. "The [Release Candidate] download program closes August 15. After that, you won't be able to get the ... (view more)

Microsoft has acquired another all-star executive from one of its rivals. This time it's former Yahoo vice president of operations Kevin Timmons, who will now take control of Microsoft's Data Service organization within the company's wider Global ... Foundation Services (GFS) division. The hiring is part of Microsoft's plan to construct a cloud computing network complete with efficient data centers. When with Yahoo, Timmons headed that company's data center strategy and pushed hard to increase the PUE, or Power Usage Effectiveness metric. The PUE metric is used to measure energy efficiency -- it ... (view more)

After being criticized for their plans to limit sales of XP systems, Microsoft has reportedly decided to extend Windows XP's lifespan to as late as April 2011. Michael Silver of Gartner Research, along with numerous others, scolded Microsoft for ... limiting users downgrade rights from Windows 7 to Windows XP for only six months after Windows 7 makes its first appearance. Short Window for 'Downgrade' Option Windows 7 is currently scheduled to launch on Oct. 22, 2009. Originally, Microsoft was only going to allow PCs to be downgraded to Windows XP until April 22, 2010. Enterprises who wait for a ... (view more)

While many are expected to snap up Windows 7 when it becomes available in October, there may still be a few of you reluctant to trade in your more familiar Vista or XP operating systems. If you are one of those people that believe you can fine-tune ... these older models to perform almost the same functions as Windows 7, think again. Here are a few compelling reasons why Win7 is unlike any other Microsoft operating system to date: Device Stage: Device Recognition The first feature is something known as Device Stage. This pertains to camera, phone, printer and other external device recognition. ... (view more)

Tired of paying $50 a year or more for anti-malware software? Then this will likely appeal to you: Microsoft is about to release the beta for its highly-anticipated and free Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Codenamed ' Morro ,' the anti-malware ... product will eclipse its mostly unpopular Live OneCare suite with a new, simplified alternative. Microsoft Security Essentials beta will be available next Tuesday, and will run on the company's most popular operating systems, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, and the upcoming Windows 7. A number of versions will be available for international ... (view more)