Diskeeper 11 Build 709t
Diskeeper is a disk defragmenter for Microsoft Windows. Diskeeper 2007 represents a quantum leap in system performance, enabling you to run your computer at the height of its potential, 100% of the time, and for the life of your systems.
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27.5.2007 Diskeeper 2007 Home Server Trial Edition
Now this is pretty cool. We’ve been tracking the development of Diskeeper for Windows Home Server over the past few months, since it was announced at CES in January.
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16.9.2007 Windows Server activation flaw negates activation requirement
A flaw in how Microsoft Windows Server 2008 calculates the time remaining until it must be activated could enable users to potentially run the server for years before activation. The defect is a consequence of Microsoft failing to assess its virtualization strategy, says an analyst.
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23.2.2009 Coders, Search For Code With Google Code Search
Search engines for searching code bases is nothing new, but this time Google did it with
Google Code Search.
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5.10.2006 Code Posted for IE Attack
New software has been published on the Internet that could be used to exploit a known flaw in Internet Explorer.
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27.3.2007 IE Beta Code Leaks onto Net
Images and code from the latest build of Microsoft?s Internet Explorer 7 browser show up on web sites.
Images and programming code from the latest beta test version of Microsoft?s upcoming Internet Explorer 7 browser have already emerged on the Internet, apparently in leaks from developers.
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25.1.2006 A Microsoft Code Name a Day: Cosmos
I’m resuming my Microsoft Code Name a Day series that I started in December 2006. The goal: To provide the back story, each day in August, on one of Microsoft’s myriad code names.
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9.8.2007 A Microsoft Code Name a Day: Avalanche
I’m resuming my Microsoft Code Name a Day series that I started in December 2006. The goal: To provide the back story, each day in August, on one of Microsoft’s myriad code names. Some of these code names might be familiar to Microsoft watchers; others (hopefully) will be brand-new.
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10.8.2007 Microsoft Code Name a Day: Harmonica
I’m resuming my Microsoft Code Name a Day series that I started in December 2006. The goal: To provide the back story, each day in August, on one of Microsoft’s myriad code names.
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16.8.2007 A Microsoft Code Name a Day: Magellan
I’m resuming my Microsoft Code Name a Day series that I started in December 2006. The goal: To provide the back story, each day in August, on one of Microsoft’s myriad code names.
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22.8.2007 A Microsoft Code Name a Day: Stirling
I’m resuming my Microsoft Code Name a Day series that I started in December 2006. The goal: To provide the back story, each day in August, on one of Microsoft’s myriad code names.
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27.8.2007 Securing Code for Windows Vista
Writing Secure Code for Windows Vista
Enlarge picture
Following the release of what Microsoft has always considered the most secure version of the Windows client to date, and with the threat environment suffering a consistent shift to third-party applications designed to run on top of the platform, the Redmond company emphasized the need for developers to secure their code.
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6.1.2009 Microsoft: Code to the Power of Windows 7
Via the Code7 Contest Microsoft is inviting software developers to build an application tailored to Windows 7.
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15.7.2009 Microsoft Trims Source Code Licenses
Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it was reducing the number of Shared Source licenses it offered from more than 10 to just three. The new licenses will serve as templates for product groups within Microsoft to release source code and connect with developers.
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Hackers publish code for critical IE bug
Security experts are warning Internet users to be careful where they click, thanks to a nasty unpatched bug in the way Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser handles the JavaScript computer language. The bug is of particular concern because security researchers in the U.K. have now published "proof of concept" code showing how hackers could exploit the problem and possibly take over a Windows system.
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22.11.2005 MS Source Code Seller Gets Two Years
A Connecticut man convicted of selling stolen portions of Microsoft's source code for its Windows operating system was sentenced to two years in prison by a federal Judge on Friday. William Genovese Jr., 29, pleaded guilty in August to the crime after being charged in February 2004.
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28.1.2006 Windows Server Code Name "Centro" CTP soon
I just got this email, revealing that a CTP for Windows Server "Centro" is underway:
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20.6.2007 Hackers exploit poor website code
Web designers making very old mistakes are letting malicious hackers hijack visitors to their sites, say experts.
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14.4.2008 Windows Shell Code-Named Monad Beta 3
Despite being separated from Windows Vista, Monad is on track to be ready before Microsoft's next-generation operating system. Redmond developers on Tuesday delivered a feature complete beta 3 of Microsoft's command line shell, which includes support for a new snap-in model and cmdlets.
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12.1.2006 Sun Opens Java Source Code Under GPL
Hoping to increase usage of the programming language, Sun said Monday that it would be using the GNU General Public License (GPL) to open source the Java platform. Beginning today, source code would be available for both the Standard (Java SE) and Micro (Java ME) editions.
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13.11.2006 Microsoft Nabs First Licensee in Code Sharing Deal
Microsoft on Thursday signed its first software licensee under a nearly three-year-old arrangement with the European Union. Microsoft said signing up Quest Software -- a company that helps businesses manage their different IT systems -- was an important part of its efforts to comply with regulators' demands.
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11.3.2007 Microsoft Code Name "Acropolis" Community Technology Preview 1
Thanks to pacpis for this download. Microsoft Code Name “Acropolis” is a set of components and tools intended to make it easier for developers to build and manage modular, business focused, client applications for Microsoft Windows on the .NET Framework.
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5.6.2007 New attack code crashes Windows XP & Vista
Security researchers have released attack code that will crash Windows XP and Vista PCs that are susceptible to a recently patched bug in the operating system.
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19.1.2008 Microsoft to offer code protection, validation to other software developers
Microsoft is planning to deliver on October 1 to third-party software developers a set of technologies that will allow them to add code protection and activation mechanisms to their own software.
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13.7.2007 Windows 7 RC API Code Pack for .NET Framework
Windows API Code Pack for Microsoft .NET Framework is designed to permit developers to access a range of features associated with the next iteration of Windows that are not available in .NET Framework, in managed code.
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8.5.2009 Microsoft unleashes 20,000 lines of Linux code
Microsoft is releasing three Microsoft-developed Linux drivers to the Linux community for possible inclusion in the Linux source tree.
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20.7.2009 Botnet Authors Crash WordPress Sites With Buggy Code
Webmasters who find an annoying error message on their sites may have caught a big break, thanks to a slip-up by the authors of the Gumblar botnet.
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7.11.2009 Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office IntelliSense Code Snippets
IntelliSense code snippets allow developers to easily create and distribute their own customized code libraries. Using the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment and the power of IntelliSense, inserting these commonly used pieces of code is an effective way to enhance your productivity.
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18.1.2006 Microsoft Gets Novell Linux Code Ahead Of Open Source Community
SEC document shows that Microsoft is entitled to receive key technical documentation from the Linux distributor -- even if that documentation is not generally available to open source software developers.
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3.6.2007 Windows Server Code Name Centro Community Technology Preview (CTP)
Back in October I announced the Windows Server Code Name “Centro” Beta 1 release and provided a way for people to sign up for the beta: So, what is "Centro" you ask? Thanks to pacpis for this info.
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1.7.2007Two fired for not becoming Scientologists
The former CIO at Diskeeper has filed a lawsuit claiming that his work forced him to take Scientology training courses, in order to keep his job at
Diskeeper. Alexander Godelman and Marc Le Shay were both dismissed at their job for refusing to participate in a training course titled "Basic Study
Manual", where both employees were told that they would be more intelligent and his personal life would improve drastically. Godelman filed a
complaint with the Los Angeles Superior Court, stating that Scientology training was a condition of employment, and their refusal to take part in the
training session, lead to their dismissal.
Read full story.....
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21.12.2008Hackers Find New Vista Activation Crack
With all the talk about
Microsoft's stepped up
efforts to curb piracy through
Vista's new activation
methods, it may all be for
naught after some crafty
hackers figured out a way to
crack the Vista Activation
Server...
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09.12.2006Microsoft to ease XP activation with SP3
Microsoft Corp. will change how users activate Windows XP when Service Pack 3 launches in the first half of 2008, a company white paper said.
New installations of Windows XP SP3 will give users the same 30-day grace period currently offered to Windows Vista customers before they're
required to enter a product activation key, the 25-character code that proves the copy is legitimate.
Read full story.....
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28.12.2007Windows Server activation flaw negates activation requirement
A flaw in how Microsoft Windows Server 2008 calculates the time remaining until it must be activated could enable users to potentially run the server
for years before activation. The defect is a consequence of Microsoft failing to assess its virtualization strategy, says an analyst...
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18.02.2009The Windows Vista Activation Forum
Do you have questions or issues regarding Windows Vista Activation? Then the
Windows Vista Activation forum is the thing
for you. The forum offers a new dedicated resource to assist in answering both technical and licensing questions regarding MAK, VAMT, KMS, planning,
deployment, operations and other aspects of Volume Licensing Activation v 2.0 in Windows Vista.
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23.09.2008iPhone Activation and Syncing Video
Besides announcing rate plans
today, Apple
has
also posted a video
demonstrating how to activate
and sync the iPhone.
The iPhone is activated
through iTunes. Activation
works for both existing and
new AT&T customers, and allows
users to transfer their
existing phone number to the
iPhone.
The syncing
portion of the video
demonstrates how to sync email
accounts, address, safari
bookmarks and more...
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27.06.2007Microsoft cites human error in anti-piracy malfunction
Last week's malfunction of Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy mechanism was caused when new software code was accidentally put on the
servers running the system, before those servers had been made ready for the code, according to
a post last night by Alex Kochis, WGA senior product
manager. Kochis writes:
"Nothing more than human error started it all. Pre-production code was sent to production servers. The production servers
had not yet been upgraded with a recent change to enable stronger encryption/decryption of product keys during the activation and validation
processes. The result of this is that the production servers declined activation and validation requests that should have passed."
Kochis
explains in the post that the problem made some computers fail the anti-piracy validation and activation processes, causing them to lose advanced
Windows features and get a "This copy of Windows is not genuine" message, until the WGA system was fixed and people were able to properly activate
and validate their computers.
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29.08.2007Official Way to Use Vista without Activation 120 Days
Official Way to Install and
Use Windows Vista without
Activation for Free for 120
Days
By default,
Windows Vista can be
installed, used and run
without any license, product
key or the need of activation
for 30 days grace period, for
purpose of trial or
evaluation. Although Microsoft
initially stressed that users
should purchase a license with
valid product key before the
trial period expires, or else
Windows Vista will lock into
Reduced Functionality Mode.
However, a "rearm" method
has long since been discovered
to be able to extend, or reset
the remaining time for
activation to another fresh 30
days, for up to 3 times.
Now Microsoft has
confirmed that Windows Vista
can be used and run for 120
days or 4 months ( 3
rearms ), and extending the
activation grace period is not
a violation of the Vista End
User License Agreement (EULA).
All versions of Vista include
Windows Vista Ultimate allow a
30-day free period without
activation, except the
corporate-oriented Vista
Enterprise, which supports
only a three-day trial.
Read full story.....
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22.02.2007Product Activation for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
All editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are required to complete activation within the first 30 days of use. This bulletin helps
customers and partners better understand the technologies used by product activation for editions distributed through retail, original equipment
manufacturer, and volume licensing channels. Also discussed is how the hardware hash component of the installation ID is created and the scenarios in
which a copy of Windows may have to be re-activated due to a substantial hardware modification.
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07.11.2007Another Vista Activation Crack Appears
Buzz about a Windows Vista
zero-day vulnerability is
troubling enough (although
probably overblown). Now,
there appears to be a second
product activation hack, this
one designed to fool the
activation timer into not
counting down. The activation
hack is quite different from
the first one, which involved
setting up a Key Management
Service server. Microsoft also
released an update blocking
hybrid testing/final Vista
"Monster" code that could
bypass product activation.
"Recently it has been
reported that activation of
Microsoft's Windows Vista
operating system has been
compromised," a Microsoft
spokesperson said in a
statement in response to a
Microsoft Watch inquiry.
"Microsoft is investigating
this reported activation
breach; however, there is no
concrete evidence that this
breach has been automated to
the point that it is widely
deployable." The not "widely
deployable" statement, while
likely true, isn't denial of
an actual activation breach.
I've read
instructions, which I won't
link to, and comments from
people successfully trying the
so-called Time Stopper hack; I
haven't tested it and
wouldn't because of possible
security breach when applying
a downloaded crack as part of
the process. As the Microsoft
spokesperson acknowledged,
there are reports about the
crack, which requires setting
a computer's BIOS clock to
2099. The hack does work on
32-bit Windows Vista
installations but not
necessarily 64-bit versions.
The process requires some
other Windows changes and
eventual clock reset from
within Vista leading to a
perpetual state of 30 days to
activation.
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28.12.2006Microsoft changes 'Windows Genuine Advantage' name
Microsoft will be changing to name of it's activation and validation system from "Windows Genuine Advantage" to "Windows Activation
Technologies" according to a report by Mary-Jo Foley. However, the "Genuine" brand isn't completely disappearing. A press release states that
Microsoft will continue to deliver genuine updates and notifications for XP users. The program has been criticized for its punishment tactics and
false-positive results, even though Microsoft has fixed some of these problems in Vista SP1. According to Microsoft, Windows 7's activation will
be built on the same software protection platform that was part of Vista, with some minor tweaks made for Windows 7.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
08.05.2009Microsoft quietly halts sales of third-party activation offering
Microsoft has halted - temporarily, according to company officials - sales of its Software Licensing and Protection (SLP) Services product.
SLP Services is set of technologies designed to
allow third-party developers to add code
protection and activation mechanisms, akin to those Microsoft embeds in Windows as part of its
Genuine Advantage technologies, to their own software.
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08.10.2008Volume Activation 2.0: Another Potential Vista Gotcha?
Windows Genuine Advantage
(WGA) isn't the only
Microsoft anti-piracy scheme
that might raise the hackles
of future Vista customers.
Volume Activation 2.0 is
worrying some Vista testers
who've had a chance to dabble
with early versions of that
technology.
Potential false positives -
Microsoft labeling legitimate
copies of Windows as
"pirated" - akin to those
which have been documented in
WGA by Windows expert Ed Bott
and others, are just one
problem business users are
anticipating with Volume
Activation 2.0. Increased
costs resulting from the
management of Volume
Activation systems is another,
they say.
For those
who've yet to hear about it,
Volume Activation is a new
digital-license activation
technology aimed at
businesses. It's part of the
larger "Software Protection
Platform" that Microsoft is
constructing to combat piracy.
In short, Microsoft is not
going to allow enterprises to
operate on an honor system,
when it comes to proving how
many copies of Windows
they've paid to license. Just
like it does with individual
Windows users, Microsoft is
going to start requiring
companies to authenticate
their new versions of Windows
within 30 days of
installing.
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03.10.2006Microsoft Responds to Reported OEM BIOS Hacks
The WGA team have finally
provided a written response to
the reported OEM BIOS Hacks
regarding Vista:
I
know many of you are aware of
reports of hacks that attempt
to exploit our OEM BIOS based
activation. We're aware of
this type of hack and I wanted
to take a minute to describe
how these work and how we plan
to respond.
First, what is OEM BIOS
based activation?
Here's a little more
information on how OEM BIOS
based activation works. This
form of product activation is
also known as OEM Activation
or just OA, which is how
Microsoft refers to it and how
I will refer to it in this
post. Back at the launch of
Windows XP when Microsoft
introduced Windows Product
Activation, we recognized that
as easy as end-user activation
is, it still represented an
extra step.
neowin.net -
12.04.2007IE Automatic Component Activation Now Available
Jefferson Fletcher: The IE Automatic Component Activation (IE ACA) update is now available as part of the
April 2008 Internet Explorer Cumulative Update. The
"click to activate" behavior, formerly required for ActiveX controls embedded in some webpages, is now permanently removed from Internet Explorer.
For detailed information on IE ACA, see our
blog
post from last November announcing this update.
This update replaces the IE ACA previews released in December 2007 and February
2008.
neowin.net -
09.04.2008Troubleshooting KMS Activation - Part 1, the client
Windows activation is simple and straightforward if you understand the components. I have had a few customers that stumbled when getting a KMS online
and in every case it has been an issue with name resolution, network connectivity, or they simply did not understand how to use the keys.
Activation is designed to help you with deployments and sustain your environment even in the event a key gets lost. KMS is the simplest
of all the activation methods because you only need to worry about putting a key in one machine. You can then deploy new machines without having to
ever worry about keys unless your device will be off the network for more than 6 months.
This is the first of a two part series
to break down KMS troubleshooting in to a process that should help identify exactly what is at fault. I don't want to mislead or instill fear to
those who are just starting out - the process is normally simple by design. However, for those who have run in to trouble, I'd like to publish a
guide that will help you isolate and correct the issue you've encountered without spinning your wheels. Part 2 will be published next week with a
focus on troubleshooting the server.
winbeta.org -
08.10.2007Pirated Vista may be useless, Microsoft says
Microsoft said supposedly
pirated copies of its new
Vista computer operating
system "will be of limited
value" to those who use them.
Microsoft responded Tuesday to
reports that some Web sites
have been circulating pirated
copies of Vista and the Office
2007 applications suite.
The pirated Vista
comes with a product key that
users can enter to activate a
version of the products on
their computers without paying
for them, according to a
report on the Web site of The
Sydney (Australia) Morning
Herald newspaper. A product
key is a unique serial number
tied to each package of a
software product.
A second download, called an
"activation crack," can then
be applied that bypasses the
activation process intended to
guarantee that the Vista OS
being downloaded is
legitimate, the Herald
reported. Pirated copies of
Office 2007 can be downloaded
just with the product key with
no second activation code
required. But Microsoft said
in a prepared statement that
those pirated copies of the OS
won't work for long.
neowin.net -
16.11.2006Microsoft releases activation exploit detection update
Microsoft has released an update for Windows Vista designed to detect activation exploits that bypass product activation and that interfere with usual
Windows operation. This update is tagged as KB940510.
According to Microsoft "when the update is installed, no functionality of your
operating system will be affected. If no exploits are detected, the update silently exits. If exploits are detected, you will be provided a link to a
Web site that describes how you can remove the exploits. When the exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate your
copy of Windows. If you do not want to remove the exploits, Windows may disable the exploits and then ask you to use a valid product key to activate
Windows."
neowin.net -
27.02.2008Launch woes turn iPhone Parousia into activation apocalypse
Although the enthusiasm about waiting in line for an iPhone for days at a time was dampened a bit this time around thanks to worldwide launches
outside the US, buzz was still renewed by this morning among Apple fans. Lines had formed at Apple and AT&T stores across the country, despite last
year's revelation that there was plenty of stock to go around and no line-waiting was needed. A number of Ars staffers, as well as loyal readers and
friends, partook in iPhone Day "celebrations" in order to get a feel for the reception of the iPhone's second incarnation. Unfortunately, the
second coming of the iPhone has turned into something akin to an activation armageddon.
winbeta.org -
11.07.2008Vista Update Fingers Activation Cracks
Microsoft has announced an update available to consumers next week which will detect two cracks commonly used to activate pirated copies of the
operating system. One of the cracks refered to as Grace Timer, extended Vista's activation grace period, upto 2099. The other called as OEM BIOS,
modified system files and the PC's BIOS to mimic the product activation done by computer-makers at the factory. If the sniffer detects an
activation hack, it will pop up a warning that includes a link to the removal tool. Although SP1 will block these two cracks, " it's important
to note that this update does not disable the exploits it finds, " says
Alex Kochis. " It
simply alerts customers that exploits exist. " However, MS will release a separate crack-removal tool at the same time that it rolls out the
detection update.
neowin.net -
23.02.2008
