Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate - Review
ActiveWin have just posted their 72-page, 200+ screenshot (Part 1) review of Microsoft Windows Vista, ActiveWin's largest and most in-depth review in ten years. In the review, we have broken down the information into 28 different sections, including (but not limited to): Windows Activation, Pricing, Installation, Daily Usage, Media Center, Windows Mail, DirectX 10, Gaming, Defender, IE 7, ReadyBoost, Developer Technologies, Sidebar, Windows Media Player 11, and much much more.
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30.1.2007 34 Vista Ultimate MUI Language packs for Ultimate SP2 via HTTP from MS
Here are the complete links direct from the Microsoft Windows Update server
for 34 MUI language packs for Vista Ultimate with or without SP1 or SP2
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3.7.2009 Microsoft Launches New Windows Vista Ultimate Extras
Despite no announcement being made on UltimatePC.com, Microsoft have released a new sound scheme and a content pack for Windows DreamScene as part of its Windows Vista Ultimate Extras offerings for customers who purchased the Ultimate edition of Vista.
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22.4.2008 Microsoft to Release Vista Ultimate Extras on Windows 7
Remember Ultimate Extras from Windows Vistas era? Well, it seems like some of those Ultimate Extras are going to make a comeback on Windows 7, but this time in the form of free apps.
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11.11.2009 Microsoft Windows 7 RTM Review
This October Microsoft will release Windows 7 world-wide, the successor to Windows Vista and Windows XP (again), a major upgrade that promises to further improve the user experience on different PC form factors such as the popular Netbook.
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21.10.2009 Chinese Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition build 5840 Screenshot
This seems to be the current build that is in Escrow.
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24.10.2006 Microsoft submits Windows 7 for antitrust review
The latest status report in Microsoft's U.S. antitrust case mentions that the company has submitted a build of Windows 7, the next version of the PC operating system, for review by the technical committee involved in the case.
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11.3.2008 What buying Vista Ultimate means to Microsoft
Microsoft's plan to sell multiple versions of VistaBasic, Home Premium and Ultimatemay already be paying dividends.
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29.1.2007 Full Review: Windows Vista December CTP
Love-him-hate-him Paul Thurrot has released a four part in-depth review of Vista's December CTP. "I think people are going to be surprised by how good the Windows Vista December 2005 Community Technical Preview (CTP, or build 5270) really is.
After years of painful delays and an uncertain couple of months since the last CTP, Microsoft shipped a near-feature-complete Vista build to testers this week, and the prognosis is extremely positive. From what I can see, Vista has turned the corner. The December CTP is an exciting release, stable and full of new features. In this review, I'll examine those new features, and the features that have changed since the previous CTP, build 5231"
Part 1 |
Part 2 |
Part 3 |
Part 4.
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26.12.2005 Paul Thurrott's Windows Vista Review update
It's hard to put Windows Vista in perspective. On the one hand, the product has been in development for over five years, which means that Vista had one of the longest development cycles in the 20+ year history of Windows.
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18.12.2006 No Vista Ultimate upgrade: has Microsoft lost the plot?
Microsoft as predicted months ago finally announced last week that it would allow PC buyers from now until March when Windows Vista is released to the public to upgrade for a substantial discount or for free, depending on the version.
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30.10.2006 Microsoft evades promise of Vista Ultimate Extras
The Microsoft Corp. in January released Vista Ultimate, the priciest version of the company's new operating system, with the promise of additional downloadable "Extras," available only for the top-of-the-line product.
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2.7.2007 Microsoft Answers Vista Ultimate Extras Critics
Microsoft has finally commented on the much criticized Ultimate Extras. When we launched Windows Vista in January 2007, we identified Windows Ultimate Extras as a unique series of add-ons that would be available to Windows Vista Ultimate customers.
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3.7.2007 Microsoft to offer Vista Family Pack discount for Ultimate users
Even though the retail launch of Windows Vista just a couple of weeks away, Microsoft is still continuing to fine-tune its licensing and pricing details.
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16.1.2007 Microsoft Office 2007 - Review
Releases of Microsoft Office over the past 6 years have been considered evolutionary upgrades, delivering new features with each new version making life a bit easier for authors of Office documents.
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16.11.2006 The Microsoft reorg week in review
Its time, yet again, to update the ever-changing Microsoft org chart. Heres another piece to add to the seemingly never-ending stream of Microsoft reorg news: Developer Platform and Evangelism (DPE) Chief Sanjay Parthasarathy has given up his post (as of mid-December, 2007).
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11.1.2008 Review: Top 5 Improvements In Vista RC1
When the CRN Test Center last looked at Microsoft Windows Vista, it was obvious the operating system was far from complete, which wasn't a surprise because it was still a beta version.
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8.9.2006 Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 Review
A Little History
Virtualization software is nothing new, and dates back quite some time. One of the most popular examples for the end user was Connectix Virtual PC for the Mac. Since there are a pretty huge number of programs that are only available on Windows, this created a strong market niche to let Mac users run Windows programs, even if at reduced speed.
Virtual PC for the Mac, rather than emulating Windows, emulated the x86 architecture and the requisite peripheral devices, such as a video and sound card. This meant that emulation could work quite flawlessly, but also that any user would need to purchase a copy of Windows as well and then install it onto the Virtual PC. Virtual PC was a success and Connectix later created a Windows version which let you run most x86 OSes ? something quite useful for developers, enthusiasts, and IT professionals.
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22.1.2006 Microsoft Live "Academic Search" review
First, the overall concept of Microsoft Academic Search is similar to Google Scholar in that "it allows users to search across the Web for articles in academic journals, databases like PubMed and OA repositories".
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10.4.2006 Big review of Vista December 2005 CTP (Build 5270)
I think people are going to be surprised by how good the Windows Vista December 2005 Community Technical Preview (CTP, or build 5270) really is. After years of painful delays and an uncertain couple of months since the last CTP, Microsoft shipped a near-feature-complete Vista build to testers this week, and the prognosis is extremely positive.
From what I can see, Vista has turned the corner. The December CTP is an exciting release, stable and full of new features. In this review, I'll examine those new features, and the features that have changed since the previous CTP, build 5231.
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21.12.2005 Review: Vista, XP Users Equally At Peril To Viruses,Exploits
Thanks to pacpis for this article. After a week of extensive testing, the CRN Test Center found that users of Windows Vista and Windows XP are equally at risk to viruses and exploits and that overall Vista brings only marginal security advantages over XP.
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30.5.2007 Windows Vista Ultimate explained
Windows Vista comes in several different incarnations. But essentially there are two pathways -- the home user and the business user. However, at the very top of the pile is the Windows Vista SCU that gives you everything that is in both the top of the lines business editions and home editions -- Windows Vista Ultimate.
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10.1.2007 The Ultimate Windows Vista laptop
The most visible part of Windows Vista is the Aero interface, and while we can't deny that it looks very swish we find it very hard to get excited by a shiny new GUI. Instead, we're looking forward to new Vista hardware, which includes a new use for the humble USB memory key and much, much more. So what will the ultimate Windows Vista notebook offer?
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25.1.2007 Windows Vista Ultimate download
This is the final version of Vindows Vista.
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8.2.2007 Windows Vista ultimate serial
A lot of people are searching for some solutions, ni last days is one of most searched phrases
"windows vista ultimate serial".
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12.2.2007 Windows Vista Ultimate and WSUS
Just a quick one this time ("We've heard that one before" I hear you cry!) about Windows Vista Ultimate and WSUS. What is WSUS I hear you ask?
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18.4.2007 Windows Vista Ultimate Preactivated
This Is Preactivated Version Of Windows Vista Ultimate. So There Is No Need Of Any Serial No, Any Crack Or Activation. It Even Works On Windows Updates. This Is Not Dell edition. So This Version Works On All Computers.
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29.6.2007 The Ultimate Windows Vista Screensaver
A top notch Windows Vista screensaver is coming to your desktop, not from Microsoft's Ultimate Extras website, but courtesy of the design firm Jackson Fish Market.
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25.8.2007 Windows Vista Ultimate Could Cost $450
We have absolutely no way of confirming the information ourselves, but according to iTWire, we can expect to really pay out the nose for the most ultimate version of Windows ever conceived, Windows Vista Ultimate.
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30.5.2006 Two Windows Vista Ultimate Extras Released
The most complete edition of Windows Vistawith the power, security, and mobility features that you need for work, and all of the entertainment features that you want for fun
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29.1.2007No Ultimate Extras for Windows 7
Windows Vista Ultimate had an interesting feature touted by Microsoft before it's release, named Extras. This was intended to be an added extra
for the paying the hefty price of Ultimate, to give some bonuses to those who paid for it. Unfortunately, Microsoft didn't plan it very well, and
included very few with in the release of Vista Ultimate. This led Microsoft to publicy apologizing over the matter, and to this day not a great number
have been released. This led people to wonder about Windows 7 Ultimate. Would it feature Extras, or would Microsoft not worry about them this time
around?
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
07.02.2009Microsoft Launches New Windows Vista Ultimate Extras
Despite no announcement being made on UltimatePC.com, Microsoft have released a new sound scheme and a content pack for Windows DreamScene as part of
its Windows Vista Ultimate Extras offerings for customers who purchased the Ultimate edition of Vista.
After installing the sound pack
customers get Ultimate Extras Pearl and Glass sound schemes and additional Windows DreamScene Content.
For those who have been waiting for
Ultimate Extras perhaps this is a sign that more is to come from the software giant.
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23.04.2008RIP Ultimate Extras
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Back in
September of last year I wrote a piece about
how the Windows Ultimate Extras window from the RTM version of Windows Vista differed from the pre-release SP1 code that was floating about at the
time. Is Microsoft going to do right by Windows Vista Ultimate customers and start handing over the goodies or not? Looking at SP1, it seems that
Windows Ultimate Extras as good as dead.
OK, time for a little trip down memory lane. Heres what the Windows Vista Ultimate
screen looks like for Windows Vista Ultimate RTM...
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08.02.2008Microsoft set to release Vista Ultimate Extra games - free
Remember Vista Ultimate Extras? Well they are back according to Paul Thurrott, but this time they will be released for free in the form of two games,
Microsoft Tinker and Hold 'Em. Microsoft's failed Vista Ultimate Extras were a big promise from the company of "cutting-edge programs,
innovative services and unique publications." At least they were in Vista RTM, by the time Vista SP1 was rolled out nearly all references to Vista
Ultimate Extras were removed (shown below). Blogger Long Zheng called them the "ultimate con" at the time and in hindsight he was right. Microsoft
made several promises of more extras which resulted in the company launching UltimatePC.com which now redirects to the Vista home-page.
Read full story.....
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11.11.2009Windows Vista Ultimate explained
Windows Vista comes in several
different incarnations. But
essentially there are two
pathways -- the home user and
the business user. However,
at the very top of the pile is
the Windows Vista SCU that
gives you everything that is
in both the top of the lines
business editions and home
editions -- Windows Vista
Ultimate.
The main
attraction of Windows Vista
Ultimate is that users get all
the professional features of
Windows Vista Business like
domain logon, full backup,
full Remote Desktop support,
and so forth as well as the
full feature set of Windows
Vista Home Premium such as
Media Center, XBox 360
integration, etc.
But Microsoft sweetens the
deal for Windows Vista
Ultimate users in the form of
Windows Vista Ultimate Extras.
Ultimate Extras is an on-going
series of downloadable content
that allows Microsoft to
deliver some outstanding new
features to Ultimate users
even after release.
This week at CES, Microsoft
unveiled the first set of
Ultimate Extras including
Windows
DreamScene, a game, bit
locker support, a photo
manipulation application, and
multi-language on a single PC
support.
Microsoft
watcher Mary Jo Foley has more
details on this below.
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10.01.2007New Windows Ultimate Extras Now Available
Chris Flores: Today we are excited to announce that 3 new Windows Ultimate Extras are now available for installation via Windows Update! This is
the 6th wave of Ultimate Extras released by Microsoft exclusively for Windows Vista Ultimate users. Users will find the following Ultimate Extras
waiting to be installed:
Microsoft ® Tinker (TM): Microsoft Tinker is a casual game that provides players with short
puzzle game play sessions set in a warm, calming environment.
Ultimate Extras Sounds from Microsoft Tinker: Based on the
positive feedback we received from the release of additional Windows Sound Schemes in April, we've integrated the unique audio sounds from Microsoft
Tinker into a new sound scheme.
Windows ® DreamScene (TM) Content Pack #4 Windows DreamScene Content Pack #4 which
adds three additional nature-setting Windows DreamScenes.
Microsoft Tinker was developed for Microsoft as an Ultimate
Extra by our Partner
Fuel Industries.
Windows Ultimate Extras are only for Windows Vista Ultimate users and designed to add to their Windows experience. We will be
shipping new Windows Ultimate Extras in the near future and will post additional information here on the blog when that occurs.
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24.09.2008Microsoft talks about Office
2007 Ultimate
For those who don't know
about it yet, Microsoft Office
2007 Ultimate Edition is, as
Ultimate Edition, a sum of
every features of the product.
The actual Ultimate edition
contains the following
products:
-Word
-Excel
-PowerPoint
-Outlook
-Publisher
-OneNote
-Groove
-Access
-InfoPath
But
all those features have a
price, which is already
mentioned: 679 US$. We
currently don't know if it
will offer special services
like those that will be
available to Windows Vista
Ultimate Edition users.
..
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27.05.2006Microsoft Offers First Vista Ultimate Extras
Shortly before the operating
systems' launch Monday night,
Microsoft posted the first of
what it expects to be many
added extras for consumers
that have purchased its
top-of-the-line version of
Windows Vista, dubbed
"Ultimate."..
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31.01.2007Windows Vista 'DreamScene' Available
Microsoft on Wednesday made
available a beta of the second
"Ultimate Extra" for
Windows Vista, which is
available for download free of
charge for those who purchased
the Ultimate Edition of the
new operating system. Called
DreamScene, the extra lets
users put videos as their
desktop background...
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16.02.2007Windows 7 Beta: Quick Review
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, announced that Windows 7 beta is available from today to MSDN and Technet subscribers. A public preview version will be
available on Friday January 9th 2009. Over the next few weeks we will be looking into Windows 7 features, so far we have published the following
overviews:Windows 7 Federated SearchWindows 7 UACWindows 7 Calibrate MonitorOver the new few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows
7 including Touch, Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here
is a quick review of Windows 7 Beta.
Read full
story.....
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08.01.2009Remaining Ultimate Extra Language Packs Released
We are pleased to announce the release of the remaining 19 languages packs for Windows Vista Ultimate. This Ultimate Extras release brings the total
number of language packs for use with Windows Vista Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) to 35. Windows Vista Ultimate enables users install
multiple languages on their system and quickly switch between them by associating a system language with their login name.
MUI is
particularly useful in multilingual homes where multiple people use a single computer and choose different languages for their primary use. People who
wish to learn a new language will also find MUI to be a particularly useful feature. We are aware of a very large number of customers who have
purchased Ultimate for this feature specifically and are gratified that these customers can now realize the full benefit of Windows Vista Ultimate.
The languages we are adding today are as follows...
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24.10.2007Neowin Giveaway: Windows Vista Ultimate Boxed (RED) Edition
As usual we have something to give away to all our members worldwide, Windows Vista Ultimate (RED) Edition. Vista (RED) is enhanced with (PRODUCT)
RED wallpapers, gadgets, and a unique screen saver and DreamScene. For more information on Windows Vista and Vista (RED) please head to
Microsoft's Website. In order to enter the competition you simply have to reply to this post, we will select a winner at random and multiple
posts will not count so no need to go crazy folks. The competition opens NOW and ends on Wednesday 25th February at 23:59 GMT. The competition is
open to all members worldwide.
Read full story.....
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23.02.2009Remaining Vista Ultimate Language Packs released
Late yesterday Barry Goffe, Director of Windows Ultimate, today disclosed on
windowsultimate.com that the remaining 19 language packs have been made available via Windows Update.
A
multi-language user interface (MUI) pack allows a user to run Windows Vista Ultimate in one of 36 available languages. You can quickly switch among
languages on a single installation of Windows Vista by associating a system language with your login name.
The additional supported
languages are ->
Read full
story.....
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24.10.2007Microsoft says more Vista Ultimate add-ons are in the pipeline
Windows users who shelled out
extra to get the
top-of-the-line Vista Ultimate
SKU, your requests for an
update have been answered.
Microsoft hasnt abandoned its
promise to get more of the
expected downloadable add-ons
to Ultimate to you, after all.
Microsoft
posted an
update on the whereabouts
to the Vista Team Blog on July
2:
The
(Ultimate Extras) team
recognizes that theyve been
dark for some time on the
topic of Ultimate Extras, but
want to go on record that they
plan to deliver pending
DreamScene and Language Pack
Extras by summers end, and
expect to disclose a schedule
of further Extras releases
after that milestone,
blogged Vista Product Manager
Nick White.
No word
on what the further Extras
might include. So dont bother
asking.
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02.07.2007Windows 7: Vista Upgrade & Anytime Upgrade overview
So far, in our Windows 7 Overview series, we have published the following: Windows 7 beta quick review Windows 7: HomeGroup Overview Windows 7:
BitLocker To Go & Biometric improvements overview Windows 7: Easy Connect Windows 7: Problem Steps Recorder Windows 7: Action Center Overview Windows
7: User Account Control (UAC) Overview Windows 7: Calibate Your Display Windows 7: Federated Search Windows 7: Device Stage Windows 7: Internet
Explorer 8 Overview Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Windows 7 networking and media
enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here is an overview of Windows Vista to Windows 7 Beta upgrade.
Read full story.....
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13.01.2009The Ultimate con
Long Zheng: Even if the
Windows Ultimate team has fled to the International Date Line,
summer is officially over. Normally I wouldnt care what season it is in the northern hemisphere but today it proves this team is incapable delivering
anything and should never be trusted again.
Two months ago, after weeks of
pressuring for answers, Microsofts Windows
Ultimate group director Barry Goffe
finally
spoke out about the missing Windows Vista Ultimate Extras. As implied throughout most marketing materials including the
official website and even Window
Vistas own control panel, Ultimate Extras were suppose to be frequent and free premium products and services delivered to the customers who wanted it
all. And the truth is, customers are getting near to nothing. Although realistically not everyones equally upset at the lack of extras, some argue it
wasnt part of their choice to buy Vista Ultimate, which is fine but that doesnt help the people who did.
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23.09.2007Language Packs and Windows Vista SP1
Nick White: We have some information we'd like to share in regards to Windows Vista SP1 and folks running Language Packs. Some of you may have
noticed that after installing Windows Vista SP1 on Windows Vista Ultimate - the Language Packs fail to appear on Windows Update (
KB947875).
We will be releasing Windows Vista SP1 in two
"waves". The first wave will only provide Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista Ultimate PCs running the following 5 Languages: English, French,
German, Japanese and Spanish. The second wave will follow shortly after - supporting all 36 languages.
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04.03.2008Microsoft offers a Vista two-for deal
As 2007 rolls to a close, Microsoft isnt letting up on its efforts to push Windows Vista.
The latest promotion is aimed at subscribers Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) or
TechNet who provided Microsoft with Vista testing feedback.
As we approach the one year anniversary of launching Windows Vista we
want to remember you as one of the many people who downloaded and tested one of the Windows Vista Beta or Release Candidates through TechNet or MSDN.
YOU were a significant contributor to the development of Windows Vista. Your participation was extremely valuable to Microsoft, and we would like to
say, Thank You! according to an e-mail message I received about the promotion at the end of December.
Under terms of The Ultimate
Offer, testers can go to any retail or online store and buy a copy of Vista Ultimate (full or upgrade version) for full price and Microsoft will
match it with a second complimentary Vista Ultimate Upgrade product key.
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31.12.2007Windows 7: Action Center Overview
So far, in our Windows 7 Overview series, we have published the following, along with a quick Windows 7 Beta review: Windows 7: User Account Control
(UAC) Overview Windows 7: Calibate Your Display Windows 7: Federated SearchOver the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows
7 including Touch, Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here
is an overview on the new Windows 7 Action Center. Windows Vista Security Center Microsoft introduced the Security Center in Windows Vista where
users can find information about the system security and also troubleshoot security problems if any.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
09.01.2009Windows DreamScene coming soon on Ultimate
Windows Vista Ultimate users
began to receive the first set
of "Ultimate Extras". But
arguably the most anticipated
Ultimate Extra was not there
-- Windows DreamScene.
Windows client
director, Jeff Putt has
confirmed that this extra will
not be available in its final
form immediately after launch.
However, a technology preview
may be coming soon for Windows
Vista Ultimate users who want
to give it a try.
Windows DreamScene enables
users to use looping
high-definition video content
(MPEG, WMV) as an animated
wallpaper. Thanks to the new
3D accelerated desktop in
Windows Vista, the animated
wallpaper uses virtually no
CPU (just a little for
decoding the video).
Microsoft demonstrated
Windows DreamScene yesterday
at the launch event which
showed Windows DreamScene
using an animated wallpaper
created by
Stardock
. The wallpaper they showed
will be available exclusively
at Neowin.net's partner site,
WinCustomize
.com, in February.
More information on
public availability for
Windows Vista Ultimate users
is expected soon.
neowin.net -
30.01.2007
