Tag Archives: microsoft

Microsoft says Vista SP2 RC is coming in the next week

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According to Techtree, Microsoft has said that the release candidate of Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista will be available sometime next week. No official date was disclosed.

Also on the above site, it was mentioned that the file sizes will be 302MB for the 32-bit standalone installer and will come with 5 languages. However, the 64-bit version will be a more alarming 508MB so anyone with low bandwidth available on their broadband packages ought to really decide if it will be better to just wait for the final release, which is still due in the second-quarter of 2009.

As usual, as soon as the RC is released there will be news here on GEEK!, and it will be reviewed here shortly after, so stay tuned.

Microsoft offering $250,000 to person who catches worm creator

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Microsoft has said it will offer $250,000 to the person who finds the creator of the Downadup/Conficker virus.

The worm has infected millions of computers accross the world since it was first discovered in October 2008. Microsoft has viewed the worm as a criminal attack and has said that anyone who discovers the creator will be offered a cash sum.

Microsoft has said that they do not want to let this behaviour go unknown and will try very hard to get the creator arrested.

The Conficker worm is a self replicating program that seems to take advantage of any computer that does not have the latest security updates installed and running.

It doesn’t spread over network connections, but sometimes over USB sticks and other storage. It guesses usernames and passwords and attempts to breach security. It can potentially steal private data and take control of computers.

It has been predicted that a total of around 12 million computers could be affected by the worm, and it is still searching the net for unprotected PC’s. For goodness sake, make sure your computer is always using the latest security patches from Microsoft.

(On a site updates footnote, I would like to apologise for the downtime that occured on Friday 13th – yes, that day – the dreaded DDOS attacks got hold of my server, but I hope this won’t happen again.)

XP just can’t be friends with Windows 7

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Well, it’s bad news for anyone using Windows XP who thinks that maybe they’ll be doing an upgrade to Windows 7. Microsoft have said that you will only be able to actually upgrade without cleaning your hard disk if you have Vista. Windows XP users will have to do a clean install, and whichever way you put it – that’s not an upgrade, it’s a clean install.

Microsoft does this every time and it does bug me quite a lot.

In my opinion, Microsoft should have an upgrade system for XP because they know very well that there are a huge amount of us still happily using out XP systems, and if Microsoft even wants to make us think about moving up a gear, they should at least make it a little easier for us. Instead, we have to go through all the hassle of backing up files, finding program disks and product keys. Oh it’s just such a hassle.

Come on Microsoft, put your thinking caps on!

Microsoft confirms Windows 7 editions

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Microsoft has confirmed the versions of Windows 7 that will be available to the public on the release of Windows 7. They are relatively similar to Windows Vista, except from a few minor changes.

Windows 7 Home Basic: Almost identical to features of Vista – no Aero and now Media Center. Worryingly, there are rumours that Microsoft has set this so you can only run 3 applications at the same time. Apparently, Microsoft has set this version to be for “developing countries”.

Windows 7 Home Premium: Again, similar to Vista. Introduces Aero interface and Media Center and supposedly removes 3 application limit if that rumour is true. Also introduces media streaming (?).

Windows 7 Professional: I’m guessing just a knock-off of Windows Vista Business. Will supposedly include file encryption facilities, user-group policy management and a couple of other useful business facilities.

Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate: Similar comparison to Vista Ultimate. You get some extra features that may come in handy to both business and home users.

As for the Windows Home Basic rumours, Microsoft has said that most “developed countries” such as Japan, Europe, the US and Australia won’t ever see Home Basic. It is thought that Home Basic will only be introduced there to keep them “away from Linux and pirated copies of Windows”.

Home Premium will become the standard in more “developed countries”, which I personally think is a good thing. I hate Vista Home Basic and can’t live without my Home Premium so I won’t miss Home Basic.

But that looks as if that is the plan of action from Microsoft. I’m looking forward to the launch of the Release Candidate of Windows 7, but we’ll have to wait and see as to when that is due for release.

No second Windows 7 Beta, next release to be Release Candidate

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Microsoft has repeatedly said, and reminded us Windows 7 users today, that there will be no Windows 7 Beta 2.

The next release that is due from the Windows 7 team is the Windows 7 Release Candidate (1?). No dates have been confirmed as to when the Release Candidate will be avaialble, and on that note when the final release will ship. But people are still passing round rumours that Microsoft want to release Windows 7 by Christmas – I’ve still got my doubts.

As soon as there is news on the next release of Windows 7, I will let you know. But for the moment, Microsoft says they are evaluating feedback and “making progress”.