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| Windows 7 Beta To RTM Roadmap From E7 |
| Jan 30th, 2009.
This post is about the path from where we are today, Beta, to our RTM (Release To Manufacturing), building on the discussion of this topic that started at the PDC.
To summarize briefly:
Pre-Beta – This release at the PDC introduced the developer community to Windows 7 and represents the platform complete release and disclosure of the features.
Beta – This release provided a couple of million folks the opportunity to use feature complete Windows 7 while also providing the telemetry and feedback necessary for us to validate the quality, reliability, compatibility, and experience of Windows 7. As we said, we are working with our partners across the ecosystem to make sure that testing and validation and development of Windows 7-based products begins to enter final phases as we move through the Beta.
Release Candidate (RC) – This release will be Windows 7 as we intend to ship it. We will continue to listen to feedback and telemetry with the focus on addressing only the most critical issues that arise. We will be very clear in communicating any changes that have a visible impact on the product. This release allows the whole ecosystem to reach a known state together and make sure that we are all ready together for the Release to Manufacturing. Once we get to RC, the whole ecosystem is in “dress rehearsal” mode for the next steps.
Release to Manufacturing (RTM) – This release is the final Windows 7 as we intend to make available to PC makers and for retail and volume license products.
General Availability (GA) – This is a business milestone and represents when you can buy Windows 7 pre-installed on PCs or as full packaged product.
The obvious question is that we know the Pre-Beta was October 28, 2008, and the Beta was January 7th, so when is the Release Candidate and RTM? Read More on E7 Blog. |
| Search Connectors for Windows 7 Federated Search |
| Jan 31th, 2009. WVC Forum Member iMav has created some Search Connectors for Windows 7. In Windows 7 searching for content, directly from the explorer.exe, on remote locations, has been enabled. Integrating such federated search into Windows gives users the benefits of using familiar tools and workflows to search even remote data. |
Live Search
MSFT Support
Deviant Art
Google
MSDN
Wikipedia
YouTube
Flickr
Google Blog Search
Twitter
Yahoo
WinVistaClub |
| DOWNLOAD & try out these useful Search Connectors. Extract the contents and choose & click on the .osdx file/s you want to add. Worth a check out! |
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Microsoft : Windows 7 to be available in 6 versions. |
| Feb 4th, 2009. Microsoft has created a SKU line-up for Windows 7. To read more about which versions of Windows 7 Microsoft is planning to release, which 2 versions Microsoft is planning to focus on, the features of each version, etc, GO HERE. |
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta - Public Download |
December 2nd 2008. Windows Vista SP2 Beta will be available for Technet and MSDN subscribers to download via those sites on Dec 2nd and then will be available for public download on the public TechNet and MSDN sites on December 4th ... Read More. |
| Download Windows Vista SP2 Beta from Windows Updates. |
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| List of Twitter accounts of Microsoft Product Groups. |
| Due to 'Twitter-squatting', it has become very difficult to know which are the real Twitter accounts of Microsoft & Microsoft Product Groups. Go Here to see the list of Twitter accounts of Microsoft Product Groups & Blogs. |
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| The Secret of the Windows 7 Beta Wallpaper Fish. |
| Jan 13th, 2009. The betta fish featured in Windows 7 Beta on the default background is native of Thailand. However, Microsoft has chosen a specific variety of betta. Fact is that the wild and “plain vanilla” bettas are not much to look at. Just brown with shades of green and with short fins, the natural betta fish would never have been chosen to complement the Windows 7 Beta 1 default wallpaper. Nevertheless, the process of selective breeding has produced Betta splendens fish with a wide range of colors, including the blue and red, as the specimen on the Windows 7 background. |
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| Fact is that, with the inclusion of the selectively breded betta in Windows 7 Beta, Microsoft is hinting that the previous Milestone releases of the platform were just the native versions of the fish. Yet, at the same time, Milestone 1, M2 and M3 of Windows 7 were much more Windows Vista than the next iteration of the Windows client. The inclusion of the betta fish in Windows 7 Betta is accompanying the evolution process from Vista to Win 7, as Microsoft is doing a tad of “selective breeding” of its own. Via WVCF Post by tweakwindows in : Windows 7 Secrets & Tips. |
| Microsoft on Windows Vista SP2 Beta |
| Oct 24th, 2008.
Following the success of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 last spring, we have been working hard on Windows Vista Service Pack 2. As a part of the development and testing process, we're going to start by providing a small group of Technology Adoption Program customers with Windows Vista SP2 Beta for evaluation next Wednesday, October 29. The final release date for Windows Vista SP2 will be based on quality.
Windows Vista SP2 Beta contains previously released fixes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues. We expect Windows Vista SP2 will retain compatibility with applications that run on Windows Vista and Windows Vista SP1 and are written using public APIs. |
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In addition to previously released updates since the launch of Windows Vista SP1, Windows Vista SP2 contains changes focused on supporting new types of hardware and adding support for several emerging standards:
-Windows Vista SP2 adds Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches.
-Windows Vista SP2 contains the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology.
-Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista.
-Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration.
-Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones. Source - Windows Vista Blog. |
Microsoft : Windows 7 to be available in 6 versions. |
| Feb 4th, 2009. Microsoft has created a SKU line-up for Windows 7. To read more about which versions of Windows 7 Microsoft is planning to release, which 2 versions Microsoft is planning to focus on, the features of each version, etc, GO HERE. |
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| Tracking Windows 7 |
| Windows 7 Beta available for download link & other resources. |
| Why is transperancy retained, even when windows are maximised in Windows 7 ? |
| Windows 7 Unveiled - New Features |
Windows 7 - News Updates
Windows 7 Release Date : All Smoke, No Fire !
Microsoft : Windows 7 STILL in planning stage & will take 3 years to develop. |
| Vista users to get Windows 7 upgrade option at minimal cost. |
| Nov 10th, 2008. Microsoft is planning a Windows 7 Tech Guarantee Program, where end users who purchase Vista systems will have the option (for a limited time) of upgrading to Windows 7. Microsoft's Tech Guarantee Program enables upgrading to a corresponding product at a minimal cost** |
Eligible Editions : Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate
Eligible Languages : Wave 0 to Wave 4
Available Upgrade Paths : Like-to-like product paths only (e.g. from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium) |
| Once Windows 7 is released, OEMs can send Windows 7 upgrade disks to end-users who qualify. The Windows 7 installation will require end-user activation. Does look like Windows 7 will have as many versions as Vista. Via Neowin. |
| Windows Vista Articles |
Advanced search tips for Windows Vista
New Windows Vista Ultimate Extras Released.
Run Screensaver as a wallpaper in Windows Vista
Watch Star Wars in Windows Vista, using a hidden trick.
How To Remove IE 7 's Expired Cookies From Vista.
New Gadget : System Center Content Search
How To Edit The Right Click Context Menu Items in Vista
Windows Vista SP1 : Pre-Install Checklist
How many times can you reinstall Windows Vista?
How to Create Custom Keyboards in Windows Vista
The Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless
Windows Help Program in Vista
Vista inspired Visualization Pack for WMP11
Don't force 'OOBE baby' to sleep... |
| General Windows Tips |
Use Scratchpad with Windows Live Image Search.
Set Personal Reminders On Your Windows
How to Reboot Windows directly into SAFE MODE.
How To Repair 'Background Intelligent Transfer Service'.
How to make Windows Installer work in Safe Mode
How To Clear past icons from the notification area.
How to Register or Unregister dll's in Windows
What are .nfo / .diz files ?
What are thumbs.db files ?
How to see what is stored inside your Index.dat file
How to remove orphaned dll's !
Run Multiple Instances of Yahoo Messenger
What to do when Windows demands a 18770 Characters password !
How To Re-open Closed Tabs on Internet Browsers.
Avoid Windows Tweaks of Dubious Value.
Arresting Windows Rot !
Computer Beep Codes and Description of Problems. |
| Windows Live Messenger Tips. |
Add more fun & life to your Windows Live Messenger  |
| Hack Windows Vista Registry To Allow Messenger Polygamy |
Cannot install Windows Live Messenger 9 or other Windows Live Applications
How To Auto-Reply when you are Busy or Away, in Windows Live Messenger
Find out who has deleted you in Windows Live Messenger!
How To Find & Save Messenger or any other Live Application Installation Setups
Messenger Plus! Live : Tabbed Chat Windows & More to Your WLM
What is Choice Guard in Windows Live Wave 3
A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger 9
How to Run WLM 8.5 and WLM 9 simultaneously at the same time
3 ways to remove ads from Windows Live Messenger. |
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| Tracking Internet Explorer 8 |
100 NEW Group Policies in Internet Explorer 8.
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 Released.
Internet Explorer 8. |
| Articles of interest on Microsoft & Windows |
| The Risk Of Skipping Windows Vista. |
| Study: Immigrants Create Hi-Tech Firms, Not Take Jobs From Americans |
Life without Walls : New Wallpapers for your PC.
The Windows Command Line Tools Reference Guide Book.
Wallpapers From MSN Beta.
Exorcise Your New Windows Vista Computer.
Microsoft Releases Windows Search 4.0
Automatic Updates may not be the best way to stay protected!
Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera Browser Myths
Windows Splash Screens.
WINNERS : The 'Best Windows Vista Website' Contest 2008
Apple tries to slams Vista, in three new ‘Get a Mac’ ads !
Minimise-Me From MSN
WinVistaClub is now a Microsoft Featured Website.
Microsoft Global MVP Summit 2008
Windows Vista Fact-Sheet June 2008
Will Windows Vista RULE?
Windows Vista is the most Secure OS!
List Of Windows Live Services & Products. |
| Microsoft's Non-Windows OS : Singularity |
| Office Open XML Formats : An Idea Whose Time has Come |
| Windows Vista 1 Year: Looking Back, Looking Forward ! |
Advanced search tips for Windows Vista |
Here are some excellent operators to help you to create more defined searches. Windows Vista and Windows Desktop Search 3.01+ recognize many advanced query operators that can make your desktop searches super-pinpointed. On Windows Vista you can use these operators to define a search, and then save it as a Search Folder. Once you start using these terms in searches and Search Folders, you'll wonder how you ever got along without them! Go here. |
| 100 NEW Group Policies in Internet Explorer 8. |
| Oct 4th, 2008. A 100 new Group Policies have been added in Internet Explorer 8, bringing the total Group Policies supported in IE8 to 1300! Virtually all new IE8 features have Group Policy support, whether it is Compatibility View, Accelerators, or InPrivate Browsing Mode. These policies allow administrators to fully control IE8 features: hide the feature completely, preset the default, lock the user to only use the defaults, etc. For example, an administrator could turn off InPrivate Browsing by enabling the Turn off InPrivate Group Policy. Full read at MSDN Blogs. |
| Life without Walls : New Wallpapers for your PC. |
| Sept 19th, 2008. In light of tonight's new ad "Life without Walls" seen in newspapers today along with the new "Real PC" TV ads; Brandon has decided to make wallpapers for folks so they can add "Life without Walls" as wallpaper on their PC. |
| Check them out at WindowsVistaBlog. |
| Wallpapers From MSN Beta. |
| Sept 25th, 2008. There are currently over a 100 great wallpapers available for free, on Wallpapers From MSN Beta website. |
| You can Crop, rotate and resize the images; Add text & speech bubbles to create your own wallpapers;
Set your wallpaper by time; Create a slide show of images as your wallpaper on this site. Worth a check out ! |
 WINNERS : The 'Best Windows Vista Website' Contest 2008 |
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| There were around 45 Vista website who participated. Of these, the Judges had decided to put 10 up for a Public Poll. The top 5 vote getters were again judged, de nova, not taking into consideration, the number of votes garnered by each in the poll. In each Judges case, the site ranked 1st was given 5 points, the one ranked 2nd was given 4 points...and the one ranked 5th was given 1 point. All the points were added together to arrive at the final scores. |
As you will see, it has been a close contest ! Go HERE to meet the WINNERS!  |
| Use Scratchpad with Windows Live Image Search. |
| When you find images with Microsoft Live Search, the Scratchpad feature lets you save links to images from your searches. So you can even save links to those puppy images, or anything else you fancy, and share them with friends. Scratchpad is just one of many exciting new features in Microsoft Live Search: from must-see rollover video previews, to headline-grabbing news search with video feeds, and even celebrity buzz-tracking features in xRank. Try Microsoft Live Search with Scratchpad. |
| Microsoft Releases Windows Search 4.0. |
| Jun 4th, 2008. Microsoft has released the final version of Windows Search 4.0. Windows Search 4.0 lets you perform an instant search of your computer. Windows Search 4.0 helps you find and preview documents, e-mail messages, music files, photos, and other items on the computer. |
| The search engine in Windows Search 4.0 is a Microsoft Windows service that is also used by programs such as Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Office OneNote 2007. You can use this search engine to index a program's content and to obtain instant results when you search in a particular program. |
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| Windows Vista users may want to check out this Indexer Status Gadget! |
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| New Gadget : System Center Content Search. |
| Jun 6th, 2008. Check out this recently released, rather useful, Vista Sidebar Gadget. |
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| This gadget offers the following features: Search all of System Center or scope by product; filter by domain, currently including:
TechNet, MSDN, Microsoft.com, SystemCenter, Downloads, TechNet Edge, Webcasts, Blogs, Forums,
Learning and the Web too. Visit Live Gallery. |
| New Windows Vista Ultimate Extras Released. |
| April 23rd, 2008. The Windows Vista Ultimate team is excited to announce the release of additional Windows a Ultimate Extras. |
| The first is the Glass Sound Scheme, which makes the sound seem like they are made with glass instruments. The second is the Pearl Sound Scheme, which further extends the intentionally subtle design of the Vista default sound scheme with a richer, milky palate. Dreamscene Content Pack & Language Packs have also been updated. More at UltimatePC. |
| Computer Beep Codes and Description of Problems. |
No Beeps : Short, No power, Bad CPU/MB, Loose Peripherals
One Beep : Everything is normal and Computer POSTed fine
Two Beeps : POST/CMOS Error
One Long Beep, One Short Beep : Motherboard Problem
One Long Beep, Two Short Beeps : Video Problem
One Long Beep, Three Short Beeps : Video Problem
Three Long Beeps : Keyboard Error
Continuous Hi-Lo Beeps : CPU Overheating
Repeated Long Beeps : Memory Error. |
| Vista inspired Visualization Pack for WMP11 |
| Psychedelia Vizualization Pack - Psychedelia and synesthesia are realized in these visualizations. Your music is translated into colors, shapes, and motion. Contains 7 visualizations with over 40 variations in total: Album Art 3D, Bubbles, Distortion, Gigertron 3D, HypnoBloom, Ribbons and UpCuber. Make sure your onboard or graphic card has 2.0 shader model support. |
| File Size: 5.7 MB. Download. |
| What to do when Windows demands a 18770 Characters password ! |
| If you get such an Error Message: |
"Your Password Must Be at Least 18770 Characters and Cannot Repeat Any of Your Previous 30689 Passwords."  |
| Here is what you need to do...seriously ! This may interest Windows 2000 users more. Click MicrosoftSupport. |
| Automatic Updates may not be the best way to stay protected! |
| Strange as it may sound, Automatic Updates isn't the best way to protect yourself if you want the latest patches as soon as possible ! |
| If you have automatic updates 'on', chances are high that your pc may download and install, what are known as MS06-040 patches, immediately. however, automatic updates may not start downloading most patches until three days after Patch Tuesday ! In a way, it's understandable that Microsoft would want MS06-040 to be installed on as many people's PCs as possible before downloading any other patches. |
| For complete novices, who have little knowledge of Windows, its best they leave automatic updates turned on and hope for the best. but more experienced windows users, manually visiting the update site or installing a third-party patch-management program remains the better option. |
| Don't force 'OOBE baby' to sleep... |
In the initial days, when you try to restart or shut down a Windows Vista-based computer, the system may take a long time to restart or to shut down. Alternatively or Additionally, you may receive a message that resembles the following:
Windows is configuring updates. This may occur 1-2 days after you first start Windows Vista; or sometimes after a WindowsUpdate. |
| This problem occurs because the system must perform maintenance functions to delete unnecessary files. Typically, this process will occur one or two days after the Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) Wizard runs. When this problem occurs, it may take as long as 10-20 minutes to shut the system down. The process occurs only one time. |
| Suggested Solution : just wait for the process to finish once. |
| Speaking of OOBE, here are some real handy links : |
| Out-of-Box-Experience Wizard Stops Responding or Requires Computer Restart After You Change the Computer Name |
| How To Install / Uninstall OOBE |
| Windows Splash Screens. |
| Ever since the dawn of the Windows operating system, Microsoft has used Splash Screens as a means of distracting us while the operating system is loading. In addition to their entertainment value, the Windows splash screens typically provide us with some sort of feedback on the progress of the sometimes lengthy startup process. |
| Techrepublic Gallery, is one place where you’d be able to browse and review through all the splash screens from Windows 1.01 to Windows Vista. able to browse and review through all the splash screens from Windows 1.01 to Windows Vista. |
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