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Capture Windows 7 and Vista SP2 Images with ConfigMgr 2007 SP2 Beta

Capturing Windows 7 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 images, but also client assessment, updating and deployment are tasks that can be performed with System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
windows - comments - 15.6.2009

Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2 download

Microsoft has released a standalone installer for Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 today.
download - comments - 27.5.2009

Notable Changes in Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista SP2 RC

Microsoft® continuously improves the Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008 operating systems by providing ongoing updates while working with software and hardware vendors to help them deliver improved compatibility, reliability, and performance. These updates are provided to customers by Microsoft’s hardware and software partners, as well as directly from Microsoft in the form of regularly distributed updates delivered via Windows Update. Updates to Windows are also delivered directly to some affected customers and preinstalled by PC manufacturers.
windows - comments - 1.3.2009

Want the Enterprise Version of Microsoft Windows Vista?

If so, you'll have to sign up for the Microsoft Software Assurance licensing program.
Businesses that want the Enterprise Edition of Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Vista operating system will have to sign up for its Software Assurance licensing program, the company announced today.
windows - comments -

Vista: Should I Install 64bit or 32bit Version?

Deciding which Vista version to install can be a difficult decision and can really limit what you can do with your system. Here are practical hints which should help a user decide which version to install. I decided to write this guide after installing 64-bit and 32-bit vista systems on several test boxes.
windows - comments - 12.1.2007

New Test Version of Windows Vista SP1 Available

But you won't get a download! Microsoft made a new test version of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 available. The Redmond company is in full throttle with the development of the first service pack for Vista as the refresh will be delivered for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers by mid September.
windows - comments - 4.9.2007

Microsoft To Ship All OS Bits With Every Version Of Vista

Microsoft plans to market several versions of Vista but will distribute all of the OS bits with every product shipped so users can easily unlock and step up to more full-featured versions using electronic keys, sources said.

"No matter which edition you buy you get all the bits and a key to unlock it. Everyone will have all the bits," said one source familiar with Microsoft's plans. "Right now we maintain master images for each version of Windows XP and it's a lot of work. Now there's just one master image."
windows - comments - 9.1.2006

Microsoft: Vista is last version of Windows for 32-bit

It's the end of the line for 32-bit operating systems, Microsoft has proclaimed at its annual Windows Hardware Engineering conference.
windows - comments - 18.5.2007

Microsoft Says EU Version Of Windows Vista A Dud

Company officials say no PC manufacturers have chosen to license the special editions of its operating systems, which are available only in Europe, that lack the Windows Media Player media playback software.
microsoft - comments - 21.5.2007

Windows Vista: Multi-Version Investments in Group Policy

As it turns out, the most "killer application" that utilized Active Directory back in 2000 was as the identity store for Exchange Server.
windows - comments - 15.12.2006

New Build of Vista SP1 Beta Available – Version 6.0.6001.16633

Microsoft is in full throttle with the evolution of Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Having released the first wave of pre-beta builds to a select pool of testers in mid July, the Redmond company is hard at work on the development of the operating system's first refresh.
windows - comments - 22.8.2007

Do not make Win 7 too Mac-like

Blogger Paul Thurrott has written a couple of interesting posts about the difference between “simple” and “easy” in the context of Windows 7.
windows - comments - 4.12.2008

Win 7 changes coming in the next build

Windows 7 testers wanted more feedback from Microsoft. It looks like they’re getting it.
windows - comments - 26.2.2009

Microsoft Serves the Official Version of the Hack Used to Access Windows Vista SP1

Do you remember a time when Windows Vista SP1 was not available as a public download? In the pre-Release Candidate Stages of Vista SP1, Microsoft restricted the access to the service pack only to selected testers.
windows - comments - 12.12.2007

The 5 Reasons Why Blu-Ray Will Win

This week Stephen Speicher and his engadget column The Clicker discusses the five reasons why he believes Blu-Ray will win the battle against HD-DVD. Some of the major points made are format security, computer manufacturer support, and overall capacity.
common - comments -

Why Windows 7 will win the netbook war

There’s been much debate recently on whether Linux will be able to strive in the netbook war once Windows 7 is released.
windows - comments - 2.2.2009

Businesses to get final Win 7 in July

Microsoft officials have said the company expects to release Windows 7 to manufacturing before the end of this month.
windows - comments - 10.7.2009

Netbook users not happy with Win 7?

Microsoft has pulled an update tool for Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store site after a report indicating that the tool incorporated open-source code in a way that violated the GNU General Public License.
common - comments - 10.11.2009

Microsoft's Big Bet: Win Within the Web

Although the latest version of Microsoft Windows is more than six months from shipping, company brass already have christened Vista as the best and biggest Windows release since Windows 95.

The company is making bold predictions, claiming Vista will be preloaded on as many as 200 million new personal computers in the first 24 months that the product is available. Windows 95 shipped on a mere 67 million new PCs during its first two years. These numbers are important. The prospects of nearly every product Microsoft makes ride on maintaining the ubiquity of Windows, which has in excess of 90 percent of the PC operating system market. It's been five years since the current Windows version was released, and Windows XP now is looking rather dated.
microsoft - comments - 15.3.2006

Win an Exclusive PGR100 Xbox 360!

Microsoft and www.oxm.co.uk are working together to allow fans to win a limited edition black PGR100 Xbox 360!
microsoft - comments - 3.4.2006

Microsoft starting to win over Linux servers

Microsoft is showing some early signs of success with a version of Windows geared for a technical computing market that Linux dominates today.
microsoft - comments - 10.4.2007

New improved Win 7 Logon screen chenger

This app will auto resize you image to fit you current screen resolution. Must be run as admin. Works great.
windows - comments - 19.3.2009

Nine of 10 corporate PCs can run Win 7

According to a survey carried out by Softchoice, 88% of corporate PCs in the US are capable of running Windows 7.
windows - comments - 19.10.2009

Malware breaks Win 7 UAC defenses

A recently conducted test by malware researchers reveals that eight out of ten malware samples used in the test, successfully bypassed Windows 7’s default UAC (user access control) settings.
windows - comments - 7.11.2009

Did Microsoft copy Mac OS for Win 7?

Yesterday there appeared an interview with a Microsoft group manager who claimed that Microsoft copied the “Mac look and feel in terms of graphics” in Windows 7.
windows - comments - 12.11.2009

Fix Failed Windows 7 Ugrade from Vista with Previous Version Restored and Endless Reboot Error

When upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 7, some systems may encounter failure to upgrade error which causing computer to go into continual and endless reboot or restart cycles.
windows - comments - 15.8.2009

Microsoft and Linux set to win smartphone war

Year-to-year growth in the smartphone market in 2005 exceeded 70 per cent and will continue to grow "robustly" for the next several years, with Linux and Microsoft emerging as the dominant platforms, In-Stat predicted today.

However, the analyst firm warned that the risk remains of consumers perceiving these devices as just very expensive feature phones.

In-Stat noted that a major problem affecting the appeal of smartphones is that many users do not download applications that make them more useful after they leave the store.
microsoft - comments - 28.1.2006

WGA notches win for Microsoft in piracy bust

Microsoft’s anti-piracy effort may be annoying to some Windows users, but it has notched a big win catching the bad guys.
microsoft - comments - 25.7.2007

Microsoft Promotion: make MSN Your Homepage & Win a Zune

How badly does Microsoft want to promote the Zune? Not badly enough to think of anything particularly ingenious. Unique? yes. Succesful? No.
microsoft - comments - 15.2.2007

Power Pack 3 for Home Server announced, inc Win 7 support

Microsoft has announced Power Pack 3 (beta) for Windows Home Server today which adds important Windows 7 support to the list of features.
windows - comments - 17.7.2009

Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2

Microsoft has released a standalone installer for Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 today. The software giant posted some things to know about the service packs last month, one of the warnings is if "vLite" was used to customize your Windows Vista installation, you may have removed required system components which prevent Service Pack 2 from installing. Microsoft has a workaround for this issue. Microsoft is expected to post the bits to Windows Update in the coming weeks but if you are eager to install SP2 today then the download links are listed below. Download: Vista SP2/Server 2008 SP2 32 bit Download: Vista SP2/Server 2008 SP2 64 bit

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neowin.net - 26.05.2009

Microsoft readying RC of Vista SP2 for February 2009

Citing a source at Microsoft, Techarp has revealed that Microsoft is targeting a release candidate (RC) version of Windows Vista SP2 for February 2009. Microsoft sent invites to testers in mid October asking them to take part in the SP2 beta. Build 16489 was released to special group of testers in late October but Microsoft has been quiet since then. TechArp also believes the RTM of Vista SP2 will be in April 2009. Microsoft is readying SP2 so there are additional incentives for customers to upgrade to Window Vista now, instead of waiting for Windows 7.

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neowin.net - 24.11.2008

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 reaches RTM

Microsoft has finally finished and compiled the RTM version of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008. The full version string being 6.0.6006.18005, which company officials have confirmed is the final RTM version of SP2. Currently circulating around popular BitTorrent websites, the final version is available in 32 and 64 bit versions. Microsoft is expected to announce public availability later this week. Screenshots of the file properties: Thanks to Neowin user Vask for the heads up.

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neowin.net - 29.04.2009

Windows Vista SP2 RC to be released to public next week

Last week we had a rumor that Windows Vista SP2 RC was released to select testers. It turns out that it might be just a notification from Microsoft a week ahead that RC is done and available for testing or it might have been a near final RC made available for testing to select testers. Microsoft has announced today that the RC of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers to test prior to final release. Microsoft will make SP2 RC available to the general public via TechNet during next week. As expected the final version of SP2 will be made available in the 2nd quarter of 2009.

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neowin.net - 26.02.2009

Microsoft: Vista SP2, Windows Server SP2 betas Thursday

Not one half-hour after Microsoft responded to BetaNews' inquiry, the company reversed its position, effectively announcing that the first public betas of Vista SP2 not in February, but next Thursday...
betanews.com - 03.12.2008

Microsoft Vista SP2 beta: Nothing new has been added (yet)

If you install the beta of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) expecting to see visible changes to your version of Vista, you'll be sorely disappointed. At least in this initial beta, all the changes are under the hood, and even they are far from earth-shaking. Microsoft says that it has fixed compatibility problems with the third-party Spy Sweeper and ZoneAlarm security applications, enhanced hardware support for Direct X, improved Wi-Fi connections after a system resumes from sleep, improved Windows Search, added support for the newest Bluetooth specification (2.1) and rolled up all previous Vista updates.

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neowin.net - 09.12.2008

Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 leaks

Microsoft is currently working on SP2 for Office 2007 and could be ready to release a final version as early as Q1 2009. Today an early copy has leaked to BitTorrent according to Windows Vista Magazine. The file weighs in at 287.14 MB and is named office2007sp2-kb953195-fullfile-en-us.exe. It's not clear whether the leaked copy is a beta, RC or final version of SP2 but the EULA states "012.0_B2TR_PRE.0_BTA_EN" meaning it it's likely to be a test version. The build number is 12.0.6416.1000, compared to Microsoft Office 2007 SP1 which has the build version of 12.0.6331.5000. SP2 will support Open Document Format (ODF), XML Paper Specification (XPS) and Portable Document Format (PDF).

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neowin.net - 02.04.2009

Windows Installer 4.5 for Vista SP2, 5.0 for Windows 7

In June 2008, Microsoft released Windows Installer 4.5 on the Microsoft Download Center for XP SP2+, Server 2003 SP1+, Vista, and Server 2008. Now, with yesterday's release of the SP2 RC-Escrow build, it has been confirmed that the new version will also be bundled with the second service pack for Vista and Server 2008.




winbeta.org - 29.01.2009

Vista SP2 Released to Testers

Yesterday, Microsoft sent an email to select testers notifying them that the RC-Escrow Build of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Server 2008 was available for download.

This Service Pack was made available to testers via Windows Update, as a standalone installer, and as a slipstreamed version. This service pack includes 656 hotfixes, and the usual tweaks.

At this "Escrow" stage in development, the Service Pack is essentially complete; unless major errors are spotted, this version will likely be very close to that of the RTM version.

One more public beta is expected before it RTMs however, so if you'd like to get your hands on one more beta build, your chance will come soon enough.

The only pre-requisite for the SP2 install is that you have SP1 installed; all other updates are included in SP2. Their reason for not making a cumulative update with SP1 already included is because of the huge filesize that would result. Most clients already have SP1 installed; new Windows Vista discs and Server 2008 was shipped with it included.

It would seem that, contrary to some recent rumors, SP2 will ship long before June.


jcxp.net - 31.01.2009

Vista SP2: What's inside?

Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft is continuing to broaden the pool of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) testers beyond the fairly small, select group who’ve been working with test builds for the past few months.



Over on the jkOnTheRun blog, Kevin Tofel posted the most complete list I’ve seen of what’s in Vista SP2. In addition to the known Vista SP2 features such as the ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista and the addition of Windows Connect Now for simpler wifi configuration Tofel says SP2 also will include...




winbeta.org - 03.12.2008

Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC released

Last week the Windows Team Blog announced that the availability of SP2 RC for Vista would be available soon. Today they have posted that the download is now live and you can find the information needed here. If you have a beta install of SP2 loaded on your computer it must be uninstalled before attempting to load the RC. It should also be mentioned that this, while close, is not a final product and a few hiccups may occur along the way. You can download the RC directly from the Customer Preview Program or use the Windows Update Experience Kit to obtain the RC for your personal computer.

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neowin.net - 05.03.2009

Vista SP2: Microsoft to push via Windows Update in 'the coming weeks'

Microsoft still isn't saying anything more about why Vista SP2 still isn't available yet on the Microsoft Download site, but company officials are telling customers that Microsoft will push SP2 automatically via Windows Update "in the coming weeks"...




winbeta.org - 21.05.2009

Vista SP2 and Server 2008 SP2: watch this space

As some of you may recall, Windows Server 2008 shipped with SP1 already installed. Microsoft made this decision in order to synchronize the Windows client and server release schedule. As such, SP2 will be released simultaneously for both Vista and Server 2008. Earlier this month Microsoft put up Knowledge Base Article 948465, a placeholder for both Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008...




winbeta.org - 15.10.2008

Windows Vista SP2 RC build released to testers

TechARP predicted last month that RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be released between the dates Jan 26-30 and the RC build between the dates Feb 16-20. The RC Escrow build of SP2 was sent to testers at the end of January and the rumor is that now Microsoft has released the RC build of SP2 to Microsoft Connect testers exactly between the dates predicted by TechARP. Ars reports that RC build is available for download as a standalone installer package or via Windows Update or as a slipstreamed download which includes 691 individual hotfixes.

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neowin.net - 20.02.2009

XP SP2 vs. Vista RTM vs. Vista SP1: Gaming benchmark

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Here are the benchmark results that many of you have been waiting for - a look at how well ten popular games work on XP SP2, Vista RTM and Vista SP1.



Its been nearly a year since I took a look at the state of gaming under the Vista OS. The last time I compared XP SP2 to Vista, I was disappointed with Microsofts new OS as a gaming platform because I could get far more bang for my bucks out of XP than I could out of the new OS. Partly I put this down to immature drivers, but on the whole I was convinced that at the core of the problem was Vista.



So, is Vista worth bothering with as a gaming platform?




winbeta.org - 28.02.2008

Microsoft sends Vista SP2 invites - beta release in 4 weeks

Thanks to a tipster we have learned Microsoft has started sending Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 invites to select testers today.

Earlier this week it was revealed the company will release SP2 before Windows 7. Microsoft recently put a placeholder online for the upcoming betas of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2.

Microsoft will include Windows Search 4 in Vista SP2 along with Bluetooth wireless support (including latest BT 2.1 fixes), support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU and additional application compatibility updates.

For Windows Server 2008 SP2, Microsoft will include Backwards compatibility with Terminal Services licensing keys, improved manageability features with DFS/FRS console, and Storage Resource Manager, print server and spooler performance improvements for printers in Windows Vista and Server 2008 and improved error reporting in DFSR to help identify incorrectly configured deployments which lead to failed replication.

Both builds are "anticipated" to be released within the next four weeks.

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neowin.net - 18.10.2008

Windows Vista SP1 outperforms Windows XP SP2 in file copy.

"Its interesting that people seem to think that Vista under performs in every area of the system which is quite an incorrect perception. In this demo I show how Vista outperforms Windows XP and I show the under the covers process traces of just how it achieves it."

"Demo environment consists of two images. One Vista SP1 and the other Windows XP SP2 both on the same HDD IO and communicating across my home wireless network to a Windows Server 2008 box on my main LAN. Once the two images get going latency gets introduced and things start to slow down....except Vista doesnt slow down." Watch and see at Edge TechNet.

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neowin.net - 27.05.2008

Windows Vista SP2: RTM Escrow build reaches internal testers

Sources say that the RTM Escrow build of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 has been released to a group of internal testers. The build number of this pre RTM build is 6002.17506.090313-1730, compiled on March 13, 2009. The RTM build numbers are also finalised and would be 6002.17507.090319-1515 and 6002.17508.090320-1600 Windows Vista & Windows Server 2008 SP2 is expected to reach RTM in April 2009 and the final release announcement is likely to happen at the TechEd 2009 event scheduled for May 11-15, 2009 in Los Angeles. The release candidate version was made available to general public early this month.

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neowin.net - 22.03.2009

Vista SP2 to be Delivered Before 7

According to Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft is aiming to release a second service pack for Vista, supposedly even before 7 ships:

"The Windows team is readying second service packs (SP2) for Vista — and for its server complement, Windows Server 2008 — and is aiming to deliver these SP2s before it releases Windows 7, according to my sources.

I’m hearing that Microsoft already has delivered a beta of at least Vista SP2 to select hardware and software partners, the same way that it has been providing a hand-chosen few with early builds of Windows 7."


jcxp.net - 19.10.2008

Exclusive: Windows Vista SP2 RC released to general public

As expected, Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 RC is now available to general public for download. You can download the SP2 RC for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 below: ISO for Windows Server 2008 x86/x64/ia64 and Windows Vista x86/x64x86 for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista x86x64 for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista x64IA64 for Windows Server 2008 ia64 The service pack is delivered as a single release for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. There will be a single 32-bit standalone installer (302 MB to 390 MB) for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

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neowin.net - 04.03.2009