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In Windows Vista, we introduced the Games Explorer. This is the place where you can launch and manage your games, including built-in Windows games such as Solitaire and Chess Titans, and also PC games such as Games for Windows (and Games for Windows – LIVE) titles.

In Windows 7, we are introducing new functionality to Games Explorer that we think people will enjoy. These new features in Games Explorer can not only be appreciated by the casual gamer looking to play one of Windows 7’s many built-in games, but also the more advanced PC gamer too.

Full Article – http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2009/02/18/windows-7-beta-brings-new-functionality-to-games-explorer.aspx

Starting February 24, we will be releasing up to 5 test updates to PCs running the Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) via Windows Update. These updates allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and manage the updating of Windows 7. We typically verify servicing scenarios during a beta.

Windows 7 Beta users will be notified that new updates are available beginning February 24 through Windows Update. Even if the user has Windows Update configured for automatic update – these test updates will not install automatically. Users will need to manually install the test updates through Windows Update.

Full Article – http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/02/19/test-updates-for-windows-7-beta-users.aspx

There are any number of bits of information you might want to query from the file system, such as the number of files in a directory or the total size of the files in a directory. Why doesn’t the file system keep track of these things?

Well, of course, one answer is that it certainly couldn’t keep track of every possible fragment of information anybody could possibly want, because that would be an infinite amount of information. But another reason is simply a restatement of the principle we learned last time: Because the file system doesn’t keep track of information it doesn’t need.

Full Article – http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2009/02/17/9426787.aspx

There are any number of bits of information you might want to query from the file system, such as the number of files in a directory or the total size of the files in a directory. Why doesn’t the file system keep track of these things?

Well, of course, one answer is that it certainly couldn’t keep track of every possible fragment of information anybody could possibly want, because that would be an infinite amount of information. But another reason is simply a restatement of the principle we learned last time: Because the file system doesn’t keep track of information it doesn’t need.

Full Article – http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2009/02/17/9426787.aspx

When you view the properties of a file and go to the General page, there are some check boxes at the bottom for file attributes. There’s one for Read-only and one for Hidden, and then it gets weird. Sometimes you get Archive and sometimes you get an Advanced button. What controls which one you get?

It depends on whether there is anything interesting in the Advanced dialog.

If the volume supports either compression or encryption (or both), then you will get an Advanced dialog with check boxes for Archive, Compress and Encrypt. On the other hand, if the volume supports neither compression nor encryption, then you will just get an Archive check box, since it looks kind of silly having an Advanced button that shows you a dialog box with just one check box on it. (Note that these features can also be disabled by group policy, so it’s not purely a file system decision.)

In Windows, the most commonly encountered file system that does not support compression or encryption is probably FAT, and the most commonly encountered one that does is almost certainly NTFS, so in a rough sense, you can say that FAT gives you an Archive check box and NTFS gives you an Advanced button.

Trend Micro has unveiled a new service that claims to protect the entire home network by installing security software on the router.

The security firm has teamed up with router manufacturer Cisco to install the software on selected Linksys-branded routers.

The router software prevents any device on the network from accessing sites hosting malware, phishing scams and other malware threats.

Full Article – http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/247859/trend-micro-launches-security-software-for-routers.html

A. Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 add the ability for an OS to be installed onto a virtual hard disk (VHD) file to boot physical hardware. To do this, perform the following steps:

1. Boot from the Windows 7 or Server 2008 R2 media.
2. Select language options and click Next.
3. At the Install Now screen, press Shift and F10 simultaneously to open a command prompt window. You’ll partition the disks and create your VHD file in this window.
4. Select the disk and wipe all of its existing content using the following commands.

Full Article – http://bink.nu/news/how-can-i-install-windows-7-or-windows-server-2008-r2-to-a-virtual-hard-disk-vhd-file.aspx

Given the current economic conditions, I’m sure you’ve had financial discussions with your spouse or significant other that are similar to the ones I’ve been having lately with my wife. Money is tight, and getting tighter, and I know more than one person who’s just happy to have a job at the moment. But there’s a problem with blindly just tightening the proverbial belt: Because sometimes, it actually makes sense to spend money to save money. Economists think of this as the difference between “investing” and “spending” or “consuming.”

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_deploy.asp

Microsoft’s “Windows. Life Without Walls” marketing campaign shifts focus away from any particular operating system back to master brand—uberbrand, if you like—Windows. In past branding talks with Microsoft executives, Windows was emphasized as being a hugely recognizable brand. It’s a reason, perhaps the only one, that “Windows” precedes so many Live services or that Windows Live replaced so many MSN products and services.

But Microsoft has a problem with bloggers, competitors, critics, enthusiasts and journalists. The majority tend to use shorthand. Windows gets dropped from XP or Vista. The brand impact diminishes. Vista isn’t the same as Windows Vista.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/windows_7/theres_a_reason_for_windows_7s_name.html?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535

Microsoft’s “Windows. Life Without Walls” marketing campaign shifts focus away from any particular operating system back to master brand—uberbrand, if you like—Windows. In past branding talks with Microsoft executives, Windows was emphasized as being a hugely recognizable brand. It’s a reason, perhaps the only one, that “Windows” precedes so many Live services or that Windows Live replaced so many MSN products and services.

But Microsoft has a problem with bloggers, competitors, critics, enthusiasts and journalists. The majority tend to use shorthand. Windows gets dropped from XP or Vista. The brand impact diminishes. Vista isn’t the same as Windows Vista.

Full Article – http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/windows_7/theres_a_reason_for_windows_7s_name.html?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535

While Microsoft is severely limiting the number of prerelease Windows 7 builds it provides to beta testers, reviewers, and the public, it is providing a steady stream of interim builds to partners and these builds often find their way out into the real world. Such is the case with Windows 7 build 7022, one of two post-Beta builds that have escaped Redmond’s iron curtain since the beginning of the year. Indeed, build 7022 is the first build I’ve seen that was actually created this year: Remember that the Beta (build 7000) dates back to early December 2008.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_7022.asp

ne of the more interesting innovations in the original version of Windows Vista was a feature called Windows Anytime Upgrade, which allowed users of the Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, and Business editions to upgrade to a higher-end version electronically. Pricing of these upgrades was, of course, significantly reduced over purchasing a retail Upgrade box, making the service both thriftier and less complicated.

There was just one problem: For whatever reason, many consumers balked at paying for an electronic upgrade. And because Windows Anytime Upgrade required the original Windows Vista install disc, many users had to wait for Microsoft to physically mail them a disc before they could perform the upgrade, undermining the advantages of the instant upgrade.

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_wau.asp

Last month, Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) website went offline temporarily, causing conspiracy-happy Mac fanatics to wonder if Microsoft was finally going to pull the plug on its most infamous example of “coopetition” and simply abandon the Mac platform. As is so often the case, the reality of the situation–a temporary glitch, nothing to worry about–was far less exciting than the rumors. But it does beg the question: With Apple gaining usage share in the PC market regularly over the past several years, why is Microsoft propping up this ever-stronger competitor with the crucial Office productivity suite?

Full Article – http://www.winsupersite.com/mobile/activesync_lic.asp

You may not but have have been waiting for a looong time for this to be happening. We finally ship an operating system where the support of 32-bit applications has become optional. All 64-bit baby! I’ve been blogging about 64-bit Windows for some time. Less frequent in recent times, more frequent in the past.

With Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Core we will ship the first operating system with optional 32-bit support. You will have to explicitly enable 32-bit application support. WoW64, the 32-bit app support layer, is not installed by default. This reduces the attach surface, helps saving memory and makes the whole OS, when running native 64-bit apps only, leaner.

Full Article – http://blogs.msdn.com/volkerw/archive/2009/02/09/32-bit-optional-in-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx

The Ultimate Extras embarrassment has been quite an issue since the launch of Vista, and while Microsoft did apologize and things started to get better in 2008, the fact remains that the company wasn’t delivering as promised. Many users went as far as saying that Ultimate was useless because Ultimate Extras weren’t plentiful, but of course those who bought Ultimate didn’t buy them for the extras. And Microsoft is hoping those users will make the same decision for Windows 7 Ultimate, which won’t be getting the feature when it’s released. Here’s the quote that shows Microsoft has given up (it almost slipped through our fingers after all this Windows 7 SKU news):

Full Article – http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/02/microsoft-no-ultimate-extras-for-windows-7.ars