Windows

RSS

Microsoft Windows news, reviews, and analysis

Windows 8: Nine unanswered questions about the new OS

Posted October 13, 2012 - 9:25 pm

Despite the looming October 26 launch date of Windows 8, a handful of questions about Microsoft's next operating system remain. Some are big, some are small, but all should be relevant to hard-core PC users who have decided to take the Windows 8 plunge, as well as to people who plan to buy new Windows 8 hardware.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Office 2013 heads to manufacturers: Preview of the Windows 8 RT tablet version available Oct. 26

Posted October 13, 2012 - 8:17 pm

Microsoft late Thursday announced that development of Office 2013 is finished meaning the company will now focus on distributing the new version of Office to consumers and enterprises. The so-called Release to Manufacturing build will roll out to enterprise customers in November, and home users will see the new Office in early 2013. Microsoft also reiterated that a preview version of Office will be available on ARM-based Windows RT devices when Windows 8 launches on October 26. A final version for Windows RT devices is expected sometime between November and January.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Logitech debuts three touch-friendly mice designed for Windows 8

Posted October 13, 2012 - 7:45 am

Logitech has announced three new wireless mouse peripherals that aim to make it easier for PC fans to use traditional point-and-click devices in the touch-friendly world of Windows 8. The range of Windows 8-focused mice include the Rechargeable Touchpad T650 for users who want to replicate the tablet experience as much as possible. Logitech's Touch Mouse T620 is ideal for those who still want a traditional mouse, but want to use touch most of the time. If you aren't ready to dive into touch full time, the Zone Touch Mouse T400 is a traditional two-button mouse with a glass touch strip in the center for those situations where gestures in Windows 8 make more sense than clicking.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
10 reasons why the desktop PC will live forever

Posted October 13, 2012 - 7:05 am

Steve Jobs piqued consumer curiosity when he unveiled the iPad and declared "the post-PC era has begun." And now with the imminent release of Windows 8 RT tablets—low-powered slates running a touch-friendly version of Office—it might seem that perhaps the world actually can live without desktop computers.
- Quick Read
- 1 comment
- Like
- Tweet
Asus' dual-screen Taichi tablet-laptop hybrid on sale for $1299

Posted October 12, 2012 - 4:43 pm

Asustek's innovative laptop-tablet hybrid called Taichi is now on sale in the U.S. starting at US$1,299.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Dell to continue offering Windows 7 after launch of Windows 8

Posted October 12, 2012 - 2:47 pm

Dell will continue offering Windows 7 even after the release of Windows 8 at the end of October, the company said.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Question

Having a problem with Windows 8.

Posted October 12, 2012 - 2:05 pm

Laptop stopped playing streams and certain videos. It says I need to dl adobe flash, but the system won't let me. Keeps saying I need a debugger and keeps giving a ESENT message error. Any help in solving problem would be appreciated.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Windows 8 PC and tablet pre-orders begin

Posted October 12, 2012 - 1:05 pm

Windows 8 PC sales start Friday with major online retailers including Best Buy, Dell, Staples, Tiger Direct, and yes, the Home Shopping Network taking pre-orders for Windows 8 PCs and tablets. Some retailers are promising free shipping and delivery on October 26, also known as Windows 8 launch day. It's not clear if Microsoft is allowing select partners to offer Windows 8 PCs on Friday or if all computer resellers will start to roll out Windows 8 pre-orders in the coming days. Major online store fronts such as Amazon and Walmart were not yet offering Windows 8 devices at the time of this writing.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Microsoft move hints at the death of Windows service packs

Posted October 11, 2012 - 6:45 am

Microsoft's first-time move Tuesday to update Windows 8 before the OS launches is a sign of the company's continued edging toward practices long held by rivals Apple and Google.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
TV ads touting Microsoft's Windows 8 leak to Internet

Posted October 10, 2012 - 12:01 pm

Four purported Microsoft TV advertisements for Windows 8 have leaked to the Web, and strut the operating system's new "Modern" user interface.
- Quick Read
- 1 comment
- Like
- Tweet
Windows 8 App development: A burden or a breeze?

Posted October 10, 2012 - 10:43 am

Redmond, we have a problem.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Review

Windows 8 first impressions for CIOs and IT pros

Posted October 10, 2012 - 10:36 am

Microsoft's new operating system has received mixed early reviews. Get past the missing Start menu and the 'ribbonized' File Explorer, though, and you'll likely find a faster OS that should make workers more productive -- especially if you give them new Windows 8 tablets.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Microsoft exec: Windows Store to stock 100,000 apps in three months

Posted October 10, 2012 - 9:04 am

Microsoft's big Windows 8 launch happens Oct. 26, but with just 2,000 apps in the Windows Store, tech blogs and analysts are wondering if the ecosystem can sustain the new operating system.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Lenovo announces new Windows 8, RT hybrid laptop/tablet devices

Posted October 9, 2012 - 8:06 pm

Lenovo on Tuesday announced a new range of Windows 8 and RT hybrid computing devices that can function as tablets or laptops.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Microsoft patches 20 bugs, including critical Word flaw

Posted October 9, 2012 - 4:32 pm

Microsoft today patched 20 vulnerabilities in Word, Office, Windows, SharePoint Server, SQL Server and other products in its portfolio, including a critical bug used to attack the company's own online services
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Microsoft: Users trying to get something for nothing wind up with malware

Posted October 9, 2012 - 11:44 am

People trying a certain method of getting software for free wind up with malware about three-quarters of the time, according to the latest Microsoft Security Intelligence Report.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Windows 8 PCs hit Home Shopping Network early

Posted October 9, 2012 - 10:33 am

Microsoft won't release Windows 8 until October 26, but the Home Shopping Network is already selling five models of PCs loaded with Windows 8. What's more, the selection is apparently unannounced by the vendors.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
The shocker that wasn't: Intel CEO disses Windows 8

Posted October 9, 2012 - 9:04 am

Intel, as in Wintel, says Windows 8 won't be ready when it ships. But since when did anyone believe Windows 8 would ever be ready to ship?
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Windows 7 malware infection rate soars in 2012

Posted October 9, 2012 - 6:53 am

Windows 7's malware infection rate climbed by as much as 182% this year, Microsoft said today.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Microsoft: Expect 100,000 Win 8 apps by Feb. 1; 400M devices by July

Posted October 8, 2012 - 9:36 pm

Microsoft has set some ambitious goals for Windows 8 -- 400 million devices in customer hands by next July and more than 100,000 applications stocked in the Windows Store by the end of January, according to a top Microsoft sales exec.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Microsoft speeds up IE10 Flash patching, matches Google

Posted October 8, 2012 - 9:35 pm

Adobe today issued a surprise update for Flash Player that patched 25 critical vulnerabilities in the ubiquitous media software.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Windows Server 2008 gets 18 months of added support

Posted October 8, 2012 - 11:11 am

Microsoft has extended mainstream support for Windows Server 2008 by 18 months.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Mozilla previews 'Metro'-ized Firefox for Windows 8

Posted October 8, 2012 - 11:11 am

Mozilla has released the first public preview of a Firefox browser that runs in Windows 8's touch-first "Modern" or "Metro" user interface (UI).
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Flame fallout: Microsoft encryption deadline looms Tuesday

Posted October 7, 2012 - 7:28 am

Starting Tuesday Microsoft platforms will block the use of encryption keys less than 1024 bits so businesses that are still using weaker keys better get busy.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet
Review

First look: Firefox for Windows 8 beta

Posted October 7, 2012 - 7:13 am

Mozilla’s tablet-friendly version of Firefox for Windows 8 is coming together, and an early public build of the browser is now available.
- Quick Read
- Like
- Tweet

WindowsWhite Papers & Webcasts

White Paper

Top Improvements in Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 brings a plethora of improvements. In this eGuide, learn about the top 5 Group Policy improvements including easy-to-monitor status reporting, new IE policies and more. Also learn how Windows Server 8 brings changes to the areas of cloud, storage and networking

White Paper

TechFocus - Windows 7 Migration

A Windows 7 upgrade addresses a multitude of current inefficiencies from usability and management, to security and mobile support. This expert guide dives into the new features of Windows 7 that will make both IT and users happy. It provides strategic direction to make for a smooth transition as well as admin tips that could be easily missed.

White Paper

Windows Server 2008 R2 Learning Guide

This expert e-guide uncovers the most common questions that have surfaced with Windows Server 2008 R2. Learn details about this Microsoft operating system and discover the direct cost saving benefits IT departments can experience when making the switch.

White Paper

Windows Server 2008 R2 Learning Guide

White Paper

A Prescription for IT Efficiency

Security is more important in healthcare than other industries. Windows XP, because of its age, is now a security risk on every desktop where it is limping along. Discover the enhanced security features of Windows 7 and learn the best practices healthcare organizations should adhere to for a successful Windows 7 migration.

See more White Papers | Webcasts