Disable and Remove Half-Open TCP Connections Limit (to Unlimited) in Windows 7 and Vista SP2 with EnableConnectionRateLimitin Registry Key
Officially, the incomplete half-open outbound TCP connection attempts allowed at any one time is now unlimited by default in Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP2 (Service Pack 2), and Windows 7. Actually, the ability to limit or restrict number of half-open outgoing TCP connections system can create or establish is built into Windows Vista SP2 and Windows 7, however it’s disabled by default.
windows -
comments -
8.6.2009 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 Activate Windows 7 Pre-Beta 6801 with Vista Beta or RC Product Key without Crack
Already download and install Windows 7 Pre-Beta build 6801? You probably have to leave the product key field blank during installation in order to complete the setup of Windows 7.
windows -
comments -
1.11.2008 Retrieve CD Key/Product Key From Windows Registry with Product Key Finder
You must keep CD Key/Product key of any software or application at handy place since you may not know when you will need that key again.
download -
comments -
9.7.2009 How-To receive a valid Windows 7 beta key
Because of the overloaded Microsoft servers it can be hard to get a valid key. To get a valid key the fastest just follow these simple step. Thanks to scaramonga.
windows -
comments -
11.1.2009 Download Vista SP2 Beta via Windows Update
If you like to stay on the bleeding edge of technology (and you’re running Vista) you may want to consider modifying two registry keys on your system so that you can participate in the Vista SP2 Beta program.
download -
comments -
3.11.2008 Windows Vista & Server 2008 SP2 Beta released to testers
Microsoft have made available build v6002-16497 of Service Pack 2 for both Windows Vista and Server 2008 to testers late last night. The bits show a compile date of October 17th and weigh in on average around the 3 Gigabyte mark.
windows -
comments -
2.10.2008 Windows 7 Beta ISO Download and Product Key Available for MSDN and Technet Subsribers
Although the public beta for Windows 7 beta will only available on January 9, 2009, the MSDN and Technet subscribers can now start downloading the DVD ISO media together with a genuine working product key to activate the Windows 7 installed.
download -
comments -
8.1.2009 Windows Vista Service Pack 2 -SP2 Beta Standalone DVD ISO
As of December 2, 2008, Microsoft made available for download the first fully-fledged Beta of Windows Vista Service Pack 2, via MSDN and TechNet subscribers.
download -
comments -
5.12.2008 How to Install Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP2 Beta Build 16497
Microsoft has published a command shell script, which will add and set a registry key on the computer so that Windows Update, Microsoft Update or Automatic Updates will offer the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 the Service Pack 2 (KB version 948465) beta build 6002.16497.
windows -
comments -
5.12.2008 Microsoft Vista SP2 beta: Nothing new has been added
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.
windows -
comments -
9.12.2008 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 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.
windows -
comments -
17.10.2008 Windows Server 2008 SP2 Beta Standalone ISO
Microsoft is offering for download not only the first fully-fledged Beta for Windows Vista Service Pack 2, but also for Windows Server 2008 SP2.
download -
comments -
8.12.2008 Windows 7 Product Key Checker to Verify Windows 7 Product Key
Windows 7 official release is set on October 23 and soon you will be able buy your own copy of Windows 7.
download -
comments -
9.9.2009 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 Vista upgrade invalidates your XP key
If you choose to purchase an upgrade version of Windows Vista to upgrade XP, you will no longer be able to use that version of XP.
windows -
comments -
30.1.2007 Intel waiting for key update before going Vista
If it's not good enough for Intel, is it good enough for you? We're talking Microsoft's Windows Vista, which the chip giant's CEO, Paul Otellini, this week indicated has not won the backing of his technology experts.
windows -
comments -
7.3.2007 Microsoft releases key Vista developer technologies
Microsoft on Wednesday gave developers access to a key piece of Windows Vista, months ahead of the operating system's release.
The company posted near-final versions of two software development technologies that are part of WinFX, the underlying programming model being introduced with Vista, which is slated to ship late this year.
microsoft -
comments -
20.1.2006 Vista Hands On #4: Clean install with an upgrade key
I've been reading
the breathless reports this week about the "Vista upgrade loophole." Most of it is typical echo-chamber stuff, and most of the reports I've read so far have gotten the basic facts wrong.
windows -
comments -
19.2.2007 Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 1
First part of mini serial of articles about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog.
windows -
comments -
4.6.2007 Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 2
Second part of mini serial of articles about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog.
windows -
comments -
7.6.2007 Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 3
Next part of mini serial of articles about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog - Vista Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
common -
comments -
Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 4
Next article about Vista Licensing from
Steve Jobs blog - this is about Microsoft Product Activation (MPA).
windows -
comments -
16.6.2007 Rearming Vista SP1 to Live 120 Days with No Product Key
With Windows Vista, Microsoft brought to the table an entirely overhauled activation architecture compared to Windows XP.
windows -
comments -
10.1.2008 Vista SP1 RC1 Flies Past Vista RTM and Windows XP SP2
Despite the fact that Microsoft has expressed its official position regarding testing Windows Vista Service Pack 1 ahead of its finalization, there is simply too much of a hunger for the service pack.
windows -
comments -
27.12.2007 Windows Key Enterprise v7.9.2141
Thanks to FireStorm for this download. Windows Key is a program to reset Windows security if Administrator password, secure boot password or key disk is lost.
download -
comments -
24.4.2007 Details on Windows Vista SP2 emerge
Microsoft has begun to release some details on the enhancements that they intend to bring with Windows Vista Service Pack 2. As we reported on Neowin last week, Microsoft has released an early beta build of Vista SP2 to testers weighing in at around 290MB.
windows -
comments -
26.10.2008 DirectX 11 for Windows Vista SP2 Available
Microsoft is beginning to backport Windows 7 features to Windows Vista, and as an integral part of the process, the company is also upgrading Vista’s graphics technology to the level of Windows 7.
microsoft -
comments -
12.9.2009 More Free Windows to Keep Vista and XP SP2 Company
Without indicating a strong affinity for the open source business model Microsoft is rather generous with its operating systems.
windows -
comments -
1.4.2008Microsoft 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
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
26.05.2009Microsoft 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
09.12.2008Microsoft 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
24.11.2008Windows Vista SP2 beta, WS2K8 SP2 beta released
The first public tests of Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server Service Pack 2 (both have the same kernel) were released this
morning, and you can download them for yourself now...
betanews.com -
06.12.2008Announcing the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 CPP
Mike Nash announced that this week Microsoft is opening up the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 Beta to a broader audience.
Starting today, MSDN and TechNet subscribers will have access to the beta to begin testing. Beginning Thursday Dec. 4th, the beta available to
everyone through a Customer Preview Program (CPP). The CPP will launch on TechNet and be available to anyone interested in trying out this service
pack. The CPP is intended for technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT Pros who would like to test Service Pack 2 in their environments and with
their applications prior to final release. Windows Vista SP2 builds on the solid foundation of Windows Vista SP1.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
03.12.2008Windows Vista SP2: RTM Escrow build reaches beta testers
Neowin earlier reported that the RTM Escrow build of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 had been released to a group of internal
testers. Microsoft today released Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 RTM Escrow build to Connect beta testers. This build is
available on Windows Update for download and install or by a number of other package options such as Slipstream versions and Standalone installers,
for the Connect beta testers. The build string reads 6002.17043.090312-1835 which is different from the one we reported earlier. If you are a Windows
Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 Connect beta tester, you can download this build today from Microsoft Connect.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
26.03.2009Vista 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
05.03.2009Microsoft 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
18.10.2008Microsoft to deliver Windows Vista SP2 before Windows 7
Microsoft has delivered a beta of Vista Service Pack 2 to select hardware and software partners according to sources close to Microsoft.
Last week the company put a
place holder online for
information about Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2. In it Microsoft acknowledges the existence of the beta and
claims "No formal product support is available from Microsoft for this beta product".
According to All about Microsoft writer
Mary Jo Foley the company will deliver SP2 before the highly anticipated
Windows 7 release rumoured in the second half of next year.
It is widely expected that Hyper-V will be included with Vista SP2 alongside
the usual OS improvements and hot fixes that a service pack brings.
Microsoft could reveal further information about Vista SP2 at the
company's professional developers conference (
PDC) next month.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
16.10.2008Windows 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
26.02.2009Microsoft aiming to deliver Vista SP2 before Windows 7
Mary Jo Foley: 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.
Im 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...
winbeta.org -
15.10.2008Vista 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 -
19.10.2008Microsoft: 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 -
03.12.2008Windows Vista SP2 RC-Escrow build released to testers
Ars Technica reports that Microsoft has sent out the RC-Escrow build of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to testers. An email has been
sent to SP2 testers regarding this release. The RC-Escrow build is available for download from this Thursday as a standalone installer or via Windows
Update or as a slipstreamed download. Microsoft claims that the service pack includes 656 individual hotfixes. The Escrow Build is a build where
development halts and developers & beta testers start testing the product for any show-stopper bugs. Microsoft has emphasized this to testers to
concentrate only on the regressions and confirmation of fixes when asking for feedback which includes the RC Escrow install survey.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
29.01.2009Vista 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 -
03.12.2008SP2 for Server 2003, x64
Enters Beta
Microsoft on Wednesday
released Beta 1 of Service
Pack 2 for Windows Server 2003
and Windows XP x64 edition.
The single update will cover
both operating systems, along
with the R2 release of Server
2003. A standalone SP2 beta
package is available in
32-bit, 64-bit and Itanium
flavors...
betanews.com -
29.06.2006Vista SP2 Build 16489 released to testers
Microsoft has released an early beta build of Vista SP2 to testers according to those familiar with the beta program.
In a posting to
The Hotfix forums, members have claimed that Microsoft have
released a batch file which enables the SP2 download from Windows Update. The download weighs in at over 290MB and references the
support article placeholder put online 2 weeks ago.
neowin.net -
24.10.2008Windows 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
29.04.2009Windows 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.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
27.05.2008Vista 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
