windows

Microsoft has finally set the official date for the release of its much-anticipated Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), due February 22nd, 2011. A service pack is a cumulative collection of bug fixes, patches, updates, and includes major changes to the ... operating system. In a recent announcement, Microsoft said Windows 7 Service Pack 1 was at the Release To Manufacturing (RTM) stage in its development, meaning the code is currently being shipped to PC and server makers. (Source: betanews.com ) Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Download For those who can't wait, Microsoft says subscribers to its TechNet ... (view more)

Microsoft has finally put the brakes on a feature in Windows XP and Vista designed to automatically run applications (and virus infections) on a USB drive. The feature had been open to abuse by virus creators and was blamed for helping the wide ... spread of the Conficker virus, which wreaked havoc PCs back in January of 2009. Back then, it was estimated 9 million PCs were infected with Conficker, which was first discovered only 3 months prior . Automated Virus Infection as Easy as 1-2-3 The exploit involves two separate technologies: Windows AutoRun, which automatically runs a setup program as ... (view more)

Microsoft plans to release fixes for twelve security bulletins tomorrow, three of which have been deemed "critical". Those who don't bother with the update could find themselves vulnerable to several remote code execution threats. Microsoft started ... the year quietly with a small set of patches for its January Patch Tuesday. That's changed this month, as the company now prepares to fix three "critical" and nine "important" bulletins. Flaws in Every Version of Windows Addressed Arguably, the most serious issue addressed on Tuesday will be a much-needed fix for Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) ... (view more)

Update 2012/01/16: : The 37% discount expires this coming Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 @ 11:59PM EST. Reserve your copy before the deadline and you'll also receive System Tweaker software as a free bonus! Satisfaction guaranteed for 30 days or your ... money back. Details at the end of the review. Are you looking to speed up your computer, but are on a tight budget? Do you enjoy learning about computer hardware and how it interacts with software? If so, you'll find this software review highly informative. -- I get asked all the time, "Dennis, what can I do to make my PC faster?" The simple answer ... (view more)

Microsoft has issued a formal warning that all versions of the Windows operating system (OS) are vulnerable to a new exploit. The vulnerability could allow attackers access to sensitive data (such as passwords) after a user unknowingly clicks on a ... malicious web link. The flaw is related to the way online content is viewed via the web browser Internet Explorer (IE). According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft late last week admitted that the vulnerability exists and that it affects every version of Windows, from Windows XP to Vista, Windows 7 and even Windows Server. Malicious Web Link ... (view more)

An Italian consumer agency is suing Microsoft because it experienced difficulty getting a refund for an "unwanted" copy of Windows 7 which came pre-bundled with a new PC. If it gets as far as a verdict, it could set a legal precedent. The case ... involves Vincenzo Donvito, a man which resides in Florence, Italy. He bought an ASUS Eee PC netbook that came pre-bundled with the starter edition of Windows 7 already installed. Donvito later decided he did not want to use Windows 7 Starter and instead wanted to replace it with an alternative operating system (OS) for his Eee PC. (Source: ... (view more)

Just a week after Microsoft's cloud computing leader Bob Muglia announced he would soon be departing, another MS executive has revealed that he too will be leaving for greener pastures. Corporate Vice President of Windows Consumer Marketing Brad ... Brooks will soon be joining Juniper Networks. Not the First MS Exec to Jump to Juniper Juniper is an Internet Protocol products and services company with headquarters in sunny Sunnyvale, California. It's a growing firm that has acquired important Microsoft employees in the past, most notably former head of the Redmond-based company's Platforms and ... (view more)

A Russian Microsoft blog has revealed that the first Service Pack for Windows 7 may be on its way soon. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) will bundle all of the updates and improvements made to the operating system (OS) since its October 2009 release ... into a single download. Late last week, the headline "Released Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2" was found on the Microsoft TechNet blog "Russian Windows Virtualization Discussion". The blog promised more discussion of the Service Pack would follow in the coming days. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Release Date On Track News of a ... (view more)

Update 2011/11/23: We've contacted PCTools and were able to finagle a generous 30% discount for Registry Mechanic 2011 (PC optimizer) for our Readers. This offer expires Wed, Dec 07, 2011 at 11:59PM EST, so don't wait! This most excellent deal ... includes a 3 PC license (you can use it on 1, 2, or 3 Windows PCs: both 32 *and* 64bit supported). An fantastic bargain, indeed! Proceeds from this sale support our website. Access the 30% discount here , or continue reading the review below. The Registry Mechanic 2011 download + 30% discount link are also at the end of the review. Excellent news for ... (view more)

Microsoft has confirmed that a zero-day vulnerability exists in Windows XP, Vista, as well as Server 2003 and Server 2008. The bug, which first emerged in mid-December 2010, has evolved since the exploit was posted publicly. The bug was first ... discussed on December 15 at a security conference in South Korea. Since no one had yet exploited the vulnerability, there was not significant cause for concern. That's changed now that researcher Joshua Drake has released an exploit module via open-source penetration testing project, Metasploit. Exploit Opens Door to Total System Takeover Metasploit has ... (view more)