APC - Tagged Articles - Windows

Microsoft targets Windows 8 for 2012

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:59:30 GMT

Microsoft wants to stick to the three-year OS development track, with the latest roadmap showing Windows 8 due for release around 2012. Did the Mayans know something we don't?

Windows Home Server gets Power Pack 3 update next week

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:18:37 GMT

Got Windows 7 on your PCs and a Windows Home Server box sitting in the corner? Then you’ll want to grab the Power Pack 3 update as soon as it’s released next week.

Office 2010 beta released to public

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:35:25 GMT

Microsoft has opened the floodgates for public downloads of Office 2010 Beta 2, along with its smartphone sibling Office Mobile 2010.

Office 2010 Beta 2 and Office Web Apps set for public release this week

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:44:15 GMT

Microsoft will release public beta editions of Office 2010 and the online Office Web Apps components this coming Wednesday.

Intel gears up for Atom app store

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:44:43 GMT

Intel releases Software Development Kit for creating apps to be distributed through an ‘Atom app store’ for Windows and Moblin devices.

IN PICTURES: Zut alors! Inside the Windows Cafe in Paris

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:30:27 GMT

In what may well be the weirdest promotional strategy ever, Microsoft has opened a Windows Café in the heart of Paris. APC takes you on a tour.

Vista: goodbye and good riddance!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:39:02 GMT

Almost three years to the day of its debut, Windows Vista is shunted off the stage to make way for Windows 7. What won’t you miss about the much-maligned OS?

Apple makes a play for Windows 7 upgraders

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:50:02 GMT

Boot Camp update to deliver full Windows 7 compatibility, while new TV ads target Windows XP users as potential switchers.

Windows 7 Family Pack for Australia is a “possibility”, concedes Microsoft

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:32:05 GMT

Microsoft Australia’s Windows 7 chief responds to consumer anger over its decision not to offer the discount three-licence Windows 7 Family Pack available in other countries.

Microsoft: don’t trust us about Windows 7 security

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:30:10 GMT

Microsoft admits that its new TV advertisements about the security features of Windows 7 are potentially misleading, saying users “can get better guidance at retail or on the Web”.

Sexy 27-inch iMac torn apart for your perusal

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:12:59 GMT

The geek in me weeps at the sight of a torn up 27-inch iMac even though I prefer Windows.

LIVE: Windows 7 launch

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:46:58 GMT

APC is at the Microsoft Windows 7 launch this morning -- but you can be too, with a live video feed.

HP’s Windows Home Server systems finally reach Australia

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:22:47 GMT

Just in time for tomorrow’s Windows 7 launch, HP’s third-gen Windows Home Server boxes touch down – starting with a nimble 1TB Atom system for $599.

Office 2010 gets free ad-supported ‘Starter Edition’

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:20:58 GMT

The new Office 2010 Starter Edition will be free forever, pledges Microsoft, as long as you can put up with advertisements running in cut-down versions of Word and Excel.

Firefox designer slams ‘pick your browser’ option in Windows 7

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:23:09 GMT

Microsoft’s ‘browser ballot’ for European editions of Windows 7 ranks Safari and Chrome before Firefox on the menu. Apple and Google seem happy, but not Mozilla...

Microsoft: “No Windows 7 Family Pack for Australia”

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:00:01 GMT

Windows 7 launches next week, but don’t go looking for the three-licence Family Pack edition – Microsoft has confirmed this won’t be offered to its Australian customers.

Windows 7 launch to have “minimal impact on PC growth”

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:21:41 GMT

Tech analyst firm Gartner predicts no mistletoe delight for Microsoft this Christmas, but forecasts a rapid take-up of Windows 7 next year.

Big patch day for all Windows versions, including 7

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:45:21 GMT

Windows 7 gets its first patches and its not even officially out yet as a monster bundle of fixes and updates hit the net today.

From today, anti-virus is free, says Microsoft

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:50:05 GMT

The free anti-malware shield for Windows XP, Vista and 7 goes live today, replacing OneCare (and Windows Defender) as a simplified and streamlined solution.

Dell releases ‘Latitude ON’ alternative Linux OS for laptops

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:33:40 GMT

Tiny system-on-a-chip module combines fast-boot Linux OS and ARM processor to check email, browse the Web and run for days on a standard laptop battery.

Microsoft opens ‘Windows Cafe’ in Paris

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:47:22 GMT

Drop in for some coffee, a croissant and free Wi-Fi, and you can get a side serve of Windows 7...

Microsoft releases preview edition of Office Web Apps

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:12:56 GMT

Office finally heads online as Microsoft previews the first browser-based version of its suite, to be formally known as Office Web Apps.

Is HP’s third-gen Windows Home Server box headed for Australia?

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:58:10 GMT

With stacks of shiny new kit prepped to launch alongside Windows 7, we might finally get to see HP’s new – and ironically, more Mac-friendly – Windows Home Server box.

Dell unveils trio of slim ULV-based ‘Inspiron Z’ ultraportables

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:00:17 GMT

The 11.6 inch ‘Argos’ notebook is revealed as the Inspiron 11z, which joins 14 inch and 15 inch models running Intel’s ULV silicon and offering up to 11 hours battery life.

Acer announces first wave of Windows 7 touchscreen PCs

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:04:55 GMT

Beginning its roll-out of Windows 7 systems, Acer is betting on the ‘multi-touch’ UI as a key selling point for desktops and laptops alike.

Windows 7 may slow PC sales

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Vista may have been a groaning, hefty beast needing fast hardware, but Windows 7's snappy performance on older computers has the computer industry worried.

Microsoft shuts the doors on Windows 7 pirates

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:01:54 GMT

Last week we reported on Windows 7 being pirated in the wild. This week, Microsoft and Lenovo are trying to repair the damage, locking out pirates.

Microsoft fires Windows Embedded straight at Chrome OS

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:16:01 GMT

The pint-sized ‘Windows Embedded’ OS is set to join its desktop and smartphone cousins in Microsoft’s war against ‘little Linux’ distros such as Android and Mobilin.

Windows 7 “made for multicore”

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:42:25 GMT

Intel and Microsoft work together to fine-tune Windows 7 so it can take advantage of multicore and multithreading processors.

New Seagate NAS boxes kick off at $1,400 for 2TB

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:52:20 GMT

The aptly-named BlackArmour systems have landed on the local market, with the four-bay boxes offering 2TB through 6TB of off-the-shelf storage.

First Look: HP’s Mini 5101 ‘business class’ netbook

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:22:43 GMT

HP amps up the netbook recipe with a larger keyboard, bigger (and faster) hard drive and optional SSD, high-res HD display and inbuilt 3G modem.

Acer Windows+Android netbook coming in Q3 after all

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:33:15 GMT

Acer says it has no intention of postponing its dual-boot netbook and the machine is on track for a Q3 launch.

No more Money for Microsoft

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:03:53 GMT

Microsoft has pulled the plug on its Money personal finance program, adding yet another title to Redmond’s software deadpool.

Sneak Peak: Streamlined ‘Chrome’-style UI for Firefox 4?

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:55:56 GMT

Official mockups of Firefox 4 reveal hints of a streamlined UI similar to Google’s Chrome browser in what Mozilla calls a ‘Tabs-on-Top’ design concept.

Windows 7 free-for-all till 2010

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:32:20 GMT

There's no rush to buy Windows 7, it seems -- Microsoft says the release candidate will keep working through till 2010.

Windows 7 gaming: will it hit the spot?

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:16:50 GMT

Gamers fled Windows Vista in droves thanks to at-launch performance and driver issues. Has Windows 7 fixed the problem?

Windows 7 product activation cracked already

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:40:13 GMT

In what promises to be a very long-running battle, crackers have already found a way around the product activation in Windows 7

Windows 7 is ready to roll as code gets RTM sign-off

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:46:17 GMT

Microsoft overnight blessed the latest build of Windows 7 for ‘release to manufacture’, reaching a milestone in its efforts to push the memory of Vista far behind.

Intel's second-gen solid-state drives: faster, cheaper and ready for Windows 7

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:23:41 GMT

New SSDs still top out at 160GB but the move to a 34nm process halves the cost while doubling write performance. Yeah, we can live with that...

Countdown: Windows 7 to RTM in the next two weeks

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:57:36 GMT

Microsoft outlines the timetable for when developers, PC builders and businesses will get the final code for Windows 7, with August 6th as the last possible date for RTM.

Microsoft confirms Windows 7 Family Pack

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:12:54 GMT

While staying mum on pricing, Microsoft has revealed that a ‘family pack’ edition of Windows 7 will allow Home Premium to be installed on three PCs.

Sneak Peak: New Firefox UI for Windows

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:45:30 GMT

The Firefox team is tinkering with the browser’s Windows UI ahead of next year’s 5.7 update. These screenshots give you a first look at their ideas for the redesign...

Microsoft releases source code for Linux-on-Windows

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:35:56 GMT

Microsoft has dumped a batch of code that should make running Linux on Windows easier.

BlackBerry updates: Desktop Manager 5 launched, Messenger 5 leaked!

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:30:56 GMT

It could be a good weekend for refreshing your BlackBerry with the latest software for your desktop (as long as you’re running Windows) and the device itself.

Windows Home Server gets ready for Windows 7

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:47:13 GMT

The newly-released ‘Power Pack 3’ beta for Windows Home Server adds support for Windows 7 libraries and other features of the forthcoming OS, as well as better backup for netbooks.

Windows 7 will just work: Microsoft

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:42:31 GMT

Microsoft has promised the compatibility nightmares when Vista came out won't be repeated with Windows 7.

Apple bitch-slaps Palm with latest iTunes update

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:31:36 GMT

Palm’s trick of pretending to be an iPod in order to sync with iTunes has been slapped down by Apple, with the latest iTunes 8.2.1 update disabling the Palm Pre’s pseudo-iPod mode.

Microsoft to open retail stores this year

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:26:12 GMT

The first Microsoft store will open in time for the Windows 7 launch this October – with some located “right next door to Apple stores”, the company promises.

Acer dual-OS Android/XP netbook coming next month?

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:04:47 GMT

Mr. Roboto netbook may hit store shelves next month from Acer.

Will Windows 7 be a hit or a miss?

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:41:23 GMT

Two new reports contain starkly contrasting forecasts for Windows 7. They can’t both be right...

Microsoft set to release Windows 7 this month

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:07:59 GMT

With Windows 7 set to be finalised this week, business customers will get the fresh-baked OS by the end of this month – almost three months before its public debut.

FIRST AUSSIE REVIEW: HP’s new Mini 110 netbook

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:28:01 GMT

HP’s third-gen Mini 110 netbook is an economy-class version of the Mini 1000 with some upsides and downsides of its own...

HP releases $500 Linux netbook onto Aussie market

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:18:42 GMT

The budget-priced Mini 110 makes its Aussie debut this week with HP’s Ubuntu-based ‘Mi’ edition and a 16GB solid state drive for $499. Want Windows XP? That’ll be another $200...

Windows 7 - don't believe the type

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:43:03 GMT

ClearType has long been a feature of Windows and evolved over the various OSes since Millennium -- find out what has changed in the Windows 7 version.

An easy and free way to run Windows 7 on Linux

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:58:36 GMT

Older virtualization software made it possible to test-run Linux in Windows, but now, it's also possible to do it the other way around.

Is Windows 7 in the Family Way?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:56:45 GMT

Some "casually" left text in a post-release candidate beta of Windows 7 suggest a family pack is on the way.

Windows 7 not looking hot to the IT crowd

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:26:52 GMT

While the consumer market seems keen on jumping on the Windows 7 bandwagon, the people with the big money are sticking to XP

Beta the devil you know: Windows 7 needs a patch

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:22:08 GMT

Windows 7 RC users may have tracked down the missing Movie Maker, but a quick update is needed to keep using it.

Looks like Windows 7 will shift a few copies

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:14:54 GMT

Looking around online stores, Windows 7 is rocketing to the top of the sales charts as users pre-order their copies while its going cheap

You know where you can stick your Windows 7?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:49:28 GMT

DVDs are so last century and downloads, well we don't all have great broadband, so how can Microsoft get Windows 7 to the netbooking masses? Could a cute little stick do the trick?

Windows 7 is free, well kind of

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:21:25 GMT

Windows 7 pricing details are out and its a mix of the good, bad and indifferent for the world's Windows-using PC owners

Windows 7: now easier to open!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:23:57 GMT

Microsoft has added another bullet point its brag list of Great Things in Windows 7 – the redesigned box containing the OS can be opened without needing an instruction sheet!

Microsoft releases free beta of Security Essentials software

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:52:37 GMT

Now in public beta phase, Microsoft Security Essentials will not only replace the OneCare security suite but also deep-six Windows Defender.

Cheap netbook gets power from AA batteries

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:47:21 GMT

Netbook gets all the power it needs from eight AA batteries.

Windows 7 pricing, the haggling begins

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:09:23 GMT

At every level of retail, the knives are out as customers look for their pound of flesh from Microsoft in the new era of OS pricing

Windows 7 won't come with web browser in Europe

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:44:50 GMT

Due to the constant badgering, massive fines and threatening noises coming out the European Union, no browser will be installed when the new OS launches in October.

Windows 7 takes a final leak

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:08:28 GMT

For the last time, until Windows 8 comes along, we bring news about a new leaked version of the Windows 7 code.

Microsoft preps public beta of free ‘Morro’ security software for Windows 7

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:19:20 GMT

Free software will protect against malware such as viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans, but won’t be bundled with the OS.

Netbook running dual Windows and Android spotted at Computex

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:35:34 GMT

COMPUTEX | An unnamed netbook that runs both Android and Windows with detachable screen and dual CPUs has been spotted.

Dell axes its Mini 12 netbook, preps 'thin and light' Mini 11 ULV?

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:22:11 GMT

The super-sized netbook has disappeared from several Dell sites around the world. Is the rumoured Mini 11 ‘thin and light’ ULV notebook waiting in the wings?

Microsoft blames economic crash on search engines. WTF?!

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:07:26 GMT

Microsoft has launched its first ad in a $100 million campaign for its newly rebranded search engine, Bing.

Apple mauls Microsoft with ‘Snow Leopard’ OS X upgrade pricing

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:01:22 GMT

Stepping up to Apple’s OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard will cost you half as much as Microsoft will charge for Windows 7 Home Premium, and you get you a full-featured OS too...

Selling Windows 7, this could do it!

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:35:44 GMT

Windows 7 needs something to spark the imagination of the buying public to help it shift... perhaps this for instance.

HOW TO: skin Windows 7 and share with your friends

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:18:34 GMT

Windows 7 looks pretty smart and comes with some great looking themes, but they'll last five minutes when you see what can be created by modding fans, friends or yourself.

Intel’s second-gen Atom “not validated” for Windows 7 Home Premium or higher

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:26:39 GMT

Windows 7 Home Premium is not “the right solution” for netbooks, says Intel, so its forthcoming Pineview processors will be tested only for Windows 7 Starter and Home Basic.

Microsoft says “Goodbye netbook, hello LCSN-PC”

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:20:16 GMT

“Low cost small notebook PC” is Microsoft’s laughable new tag for what everyone else calls netbooks. Whatever they’re smoking, keep it away from us.

It's official: Windows 7 to launch October 22nd

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:59:11 GMT

Microsoft has confirmed a late October lift-off for Windows 7, confirming the date leaked last month by a loose-lipped Acer executive.

Microsoft hardware to get Windows 7 exclusive features

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:30:34 GMT

What would be the point of a new OS if you couldn't flog all-new versions of your old hardware with some new bells and whistles?

Skyfire mobile browser released for Windows Mobile and Symbian phones

Sat, 30 May 2009 21:22:01 GMT

Finally out of beta, the fresh-baked Skyfire promises to bring desktop-class browsing – with full support for Flash and AJAX – to Windows Mobile and Nokia Symbian S60.3 phones.

Dell axes the Mini 9 netbook, the Mini 12 soon to follow?

Sat, 30 May 2009 17:06:53 GMT

It seems that Dell is dropping its first-gen Mini 9 netbook from the line-up, with the Mini 12 also for the chop due to Microsoft’s netbook restrictions for Windows 7...

Windows 7 Starter drops three-app limit

Sat, 30 May 2009 12:18:41 GMT

Microsoft confirms that the ‘netbook edition’ of Windows 7 will now be able to run more than three apps simultaneously, although other limits remain in place.

ASUS: Only 5% of Eee PCs use Linux

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:20:08 GMT

The original Eee PC might have promised to bring Linux to the masses, but these days it looks like ASUS is running away from open source and towards Redmond at breathtaking speed.

Windows 7 "Touch" Pack Revealed

Thu, 28 May 2009 05:13:03 GMT

Windows 7's big - but so far invisible - feature is Touch, lovingly demonstrated in all those Apple adverts. Now Microsoft is starting to ramp up the hype for the tactile OS.

HP refreshes netbook line with new Mini 110 and 1101

Wed, 27 May 2009 21:30:02 GMT

Two new models based on the popular Mini 1000 see the return of the VGA port and bigger hard drives, plus optional HD graphics and 3G.

Microsoft releases Vista Service Pack 2 for download

Wed, 27 May 2009 01:30:35 GMT

Vista SP2 has gone live to the masses, but if you’ve used vLite to streamline Vista you could be facing a total reinstall of the OS from scratch.

Acer releases cute’n’compact Windows Home Server

Mon, 25 May 2009 23:28:43 GMT

The Atom-powered four-drive system looks set to be the second major WHS system that we can’t get here. Surprise, surprise...

Lenovo releases ULV notebook, 12 inch netbook and 20 inch all-in-one Atom desktop

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:34:05 GMT

Lenovo’s up-sized IdeaPad S12 netbook offers optional Nvidia Ion graphics, while the all-in-one IdeaCentre C300 desktop is a slim budget version of the A600 with an Atom CPU.

Windows 7 spin kicks in as Beta 1 shuts down

Mon, 25 May 2009 21:53:01 GMT

A leaked PowerPoint deck reveals part of Microsoft’s marketing playbook as it gears up for Windows 7. Plus: Beta 1 installs will go into ‘two-hour shutdown mode’ from this Monday.

Free upgrades from Vista to Windows 7 begin June 26th

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:01:47 GMT

From next month Microsoft will offer a free copy of Windows 7 to buyers of new PCs running Vista, and in some cases XP.

Microsoft revises ‘netbook’ hardware spec for Windows 7

Sat, 23 May 2009 19:14:04 GMT

Netbooks eligible to for the low-cost Windows 7 Starter edition can’t exceed a 10.2 inch screen or 1GB of RAM, although larger drives and faster processors are allowed.

Intel’s next-gen Atom platform gets HD decoder chip

Sat, 23 May 2009 23:09:51 GMT

Unable to bake its own HD-capable silicon into the forthcoming Pinetrail two-chip netbook platform, Intel taps Broadcom for an optional HD graphics decoder chip.

Sophos releases ‘Klingon Anti-Virus’ software

Sat, 23 May 2009 20:55:15 GMT

This is what happens when you let software developers off their leash: Star Trek-themed malware scanner. Raise shields and scan for intruders, Mr Worf..!

Samsung’s four-way netbook play

Thu, 21 May 2009 23:34:00 GMT

The Korean powerhouse returns to the Australian PC market with a bang, unleashing four netbooks including a 12.1 inch mini-note and a 3G model.

Acer's slim Timeline ULV notebooks are dressed (and priced) to impress

Wed, 20 May 2009 23:22:58 GMT

Less than an inch thick, boasting an eight hour battery life and starting at $1,299, the Aspire Timeline series is the slim shape of ultra-portable notebooks to come..

Acer upsizes its Aspire One netbook to 11.6 inches

Wed, 20 May 2009 22:37:02 GMT

The best-selling netbook gets a big brother with an 11.6 inch HD display, eight hour battery life and $899 price tag.

Dell launches $700 Ubuntu Linux netbook onto Australian market

Tue, 19 May 2009 21:03:04 GMT

Dell’s innovative new Latitude 2100 netbook is the company’s first Aussie PC with Linux factory-installed – and while it’s intended for school students, anyone can buy it...

Now you can run OS X widgets on Windows

Tue, 12 May 2009 19:52:32 GMT

Widgets are now a feature of every operating system and even browsers. However, mix and match isn't an option, until now, as you can add Mac-based widgets to your PC

Microsoft moves Windows Mobile My Phone online backup service into open beta

Tue, 19 May 2009 11:15:42 GMT

The cloud-based My Phone service stores text messages, contacts, photos and video clips from Windows Mobile phones on the Web.

Windows 7 to be “more expensive” than Vista, XP

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:21:05 GMT

Dell has seen Microsoft’s price list for Windows 7 and the PC manufacturer isn’t happy, warning that over-pricing will cruel consumer demand for OS upgrades and new PCs.

Office 2010 ‘technical preview’ beta leaks onto BitTorrent

Mon, 18 May 2009 13:16:19 GMT

Microsoft hasn’t officially opened its preview program for Office 2010 but the beta test build has already hit the Web via BitTorrent...

First Look: Toshiba NB200 netbook

Mon, 18 May 2009 11:55:23 GMT

We get hands-on with all three models in Toshiba’s second-gen NB200 netbook family, which go on sale next week starting at $699 after cashback rebate.

Google closes the gap on Microsoft Exchange

Thu, 14 May 2009 23:48:19 GMT

With a new Apps Connector software to push Gmail, Google Calendar and Contacts direct to a BlackBerry Google takes another step towards becoming a complete alternative to Exchange.

Microsoft opens ‘technical preview’ beta program for Office 2010

Thu, 14 May 2009 15:36:24 GMT

Want to get your hands on the next-gen Office suite? Microsoft is now accepting public registrations for its invitation-only preview of Office 2010.

Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6 ‘Snow Leopard’ set for a showdown

Thu, 14 May 2009 01:57:25 GMT

Things are looking surprisingly neck-and-neck as Apple and Microsoft race towards the OS finish line, but it might not even matter who gets there first...

Dell unveils budget-priced Mini 10v netbook

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:47:52 GMT

As tipped last month the new Mini 10v shaves the sticker price on the popular 10.1 inch netbook. Now let’s see how much cheaper it is in Australia...

Samsung brings its netbooks to Australia

Wed, 13 May 2009 23:06:59 GMT

Enthusiasts may no longer need to privately import Samsung netbooks once the Korean colossus begins local sales of its 10.1 inch and 12.1 inch models.

New Windows 7 logo revealed?

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:53:52 GMT

Leaked box shots and a closed Microsoft-only FaceBook group reveal what appears to be the new look of Windows 7.

Internet Explorer to drop below 50% browser share by 2011?

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:10:25 GMT

Steady uptake of Firefox, Safari and Chrome sees Microsoft’s browser slip to 66% of share – and the slide will continue until it tumbles below 50%, says one analyst.

Microsoft ditches ‘Windows Genuine Advantage’ in Windows 7

Tue, 12 May 2009 23:24:47 GMT

But you can put away that celebratory bottle of bubbly... the widely criticised anti-piracy system is just having its name changed to Windows Activation.

Give XP a fast and free Windows 7 make-over

Tue, 12 May 2009 22:48:54 GMT

The Windows 7 Transformation Pack gives XP a top-to-tail interfacelift with a fresh yet familiar result...

Windows 7 to skip RC2, go straight to RTM in August

Tue, 12 May 2009 22:16:01 GMT

Microsoft will skip a second Release Candidate for Windows 7 as it steams towards an RTM date in August ahead of an October launch.

Microsoft fires blanks at Windows 7 users

Mon, 11 May 2009 15:54:50 GMT

Today sees a fire-drill test of the Microsoft Windows Update system for Windows 7 RC users: there will be downloads but Windows Update will actually be firing blanks.

Windows 7 flaws start to show

Fri, 08 May 2009 07:52:06 GMT

Tossed like a clay target into the air, everyone is now taking potshots at the Windows 7 Release Candidate

Microsoft releases Vista Service Pack 2

Fri, 08 May 2009 01:42:58 GMT

This week isn’t all about Windows 7. Microsoft has released Vista SP2 to the members-only MSDN network. Next stop: public release (if it's not on BitTorrent beforehand).

Why Dell’s rumoured Android netbook makes sense

Fri, 08 May 2009 00:49:55 GMT

Adding Google’s Android smartphone OS to its entry-level netbook could be part of Dell’s revamp for its entire Mini family.

Windows 7 chokes interweb tubes

Thu, 07 May 2009 16:22:10 GMT

The release of the Windows 7 Release Candidate saw a huge spike in Aussie IP traffic, showing that the mass interest in Windows 7 is not just MS hot air.

First Windows 7 RC feature gets pulled

Wed, 06 May 2009 17:00:02 GMT

The Windows 7 release candidate has been live for just 24 hours, but Microsoft has already pulled one feature amidst fears it could make the new OS unsuitable for netbooks.

Will you swing on Microsoft's Vine?

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:12:59 GMT

Banish those dirty thoughts! It's a new Twitter-competitor from Microsoft.

Four small but cool features of Windows 7

Wed, 06 May 2009 09:20:32 GMT

Besides the big-ticket features in Windows 7 Release Candidate there are plenty of small but welcome touches that makes real sense in everyday use.

Microsoft to offer XP upgrades to Windows 7, kinda sorta...

Tue, 05 May 2009 20:48:47 GMT

Users of XP will quality for a free or low-cost upgrade to Windows 7, but they won’t be able to install 7 without first nuking XP from their hard drive.

Got Windows 7? Get to know these new keyboard shortcuts!

Wed, 06 May 2009 01:19:38 GMT

Microsoft has added a dozen handy hotkeys and keystroke combos to Windows 7.

Dick Smith to sell Dell PCs

Sat, 02 May 2009 20:58:10 GMT

Prospective buyers of Dell desktops and laptops will now be able to get hands-on with selected models at a Dick Smith store.

Beyond Windows 7: Geneva, Hawaii and Dublin

Sat, 02 May 2009 21:10:25 GMT

Microsoft may have dumped Vienna as the codename for Windows 7 but there’s still plenty of virtual globetrotting in Redmond’s beta labs.

Nvidia releases GeForce drivers for Windows 7 RC1

Sun, 03 May 2009 16:01:24 GMT

Just in time for this week’s downloadfest, Nvidia has posted updated Windows 7 Release Candidate drivers for its GeForce graphics cards.

Windows 7 Release Candidate blocks upgrade from pre-RC builds

Mon, 04 May 2009 11:30:34 GMT

Microsoft has rigged the new Windows 7 Release Candidate to prevent upgrades on top of the pre-RC Beta 1 build, but there’s a work-around to save you from doing the Vista shuffle.

Inside Windows 7’s virtual ‘XP Mode’

Sun, 03 May 2009 18:53:03 GMT

Microsoft won’t be bundling its virtualised XP Mode with this week’s Windows 7 Release Candidate, but here’s how to get it and what you need to know...

Windows 7 to launch October 23rd?

Sun, 03 May 2009 00:46:51 GMT

A senior exec from Acer leaks the launch date for Windows 7 as being October 23rd...

Download Windows 7 RC and keep it for a year, free

Sat, 02 May 2009 23:09:06 GMT

Microsoft will let users run the fresh-baked Windows 7 Release Candidate for a full year – through to June 2010, to be precise!

Microsoft releases Office 2007 Service Pack 2

Sat, 02 May 2009 22:20:36 GMT

A faster and more stable Outlook, better charting in Excel plus inbuilt support for OpenDoc ODF file formats are all part of Microsoft’s Office 2007 refit.

XP to remain on netbooks for one year after Windows 7 launches

Sat, 02 May 2009 20:29:01 GMT

Netbook manufacturers will be allowed to continue licensing and loading Windows XP until the end of 2010 – 12 months after Windows 7 arrives.

Microsoft Australia aims blowtorch at Apple

Fri, 01 May 2009 12:23:15 GMT

Microsoft is no longer shy about openly attacking Apple: it says PCs are cheaper and has the stats to prove it.

Smart Installer Pack: download Windows apps automatically

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:04:04 GMT

Just bought a new PC? What... you're dreading downloading and installing all your favorite software?

Are you compatible with Windows 7?

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:06:57 GMT

Actually, we mean your applications, but it does help if you're compatible too. If Windows 7 launches in October, a mutual understanding of Librans will be a plus.

No plans for ‘7Lite’ reveals vLite creator

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:08:41 GMT

The author of the popular nLite and vLite programs for trimming Windows XP and Vista down to size says he currently has no plans to release a similar tool for Windows 7.

Microsoft dumps Auto Play due to Conficker

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:48:33 GMT

The Conficker virus has prompted a rethink in Redmond, and Auto Play in Windows will be largely disabled in Windows 7 as a result.

Use Safari (and Firefox) to read newsstand magazines on your PC

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:02:12 GMT

Read free copies of popular US tech magazines, motoring magazines and (ahem) men’s magazines by telling your browser to pretend it’s running on an iPhone...

USB 3.0 cables now on sale, but hubs still a year away...

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:21:16 GMT

An online store is now selling USB 3.0 ‘SuperSpeed’ cables which bend the needle at up to 5Gbit/s – provided you can conjure up some USB 3.0 hardware.

Firefox 3.5 hits final beta

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:04:47 GMT

The fourth beta of Firefox 3.5, released overnight, will be the last before the browser’s code is locked for an expected mid-year debut.

Windows 7 to include ‘Virtual XP’ for 100% XP compatibility

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:54:31 GMT

Premium editions of Windows 7 will include an ‘XP mode’ for running the aged OS or individual apps directly from a Virtual PC session.

Next-gen netbooks to run best under Windows 7

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:02:12 GMT

Netbooks with Intel’s Atom GN40 graphics, solid state drives and 2GB of RAM will be the big winners under Windows 7.

Windows 7 Release Candidate leaked to BitTorrent

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:31:24 GMT

Ahead of this week’s expected debut for the Windows 7 ‘release candidate’, it seems that the RC1 edition – labelled Build 7100 – has already hit the BitTorrent network

Hands-on: Installing Windows 7 on an old laptop

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:22:50 GMT

A common question is "will I be able to install Windows 7 on my old PC?" We find out by digging out an old laptop and trying for ourselves.

How about a snack of Windows 7?

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:56:38 GMT

Microsoft is making learning your way around Windows 7 easy with some bite-size Silverlight videos using a natty snack player

Lenovo preps touchscreen ThinkPads for Windows 7

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:33:52 GMT

New ThinkPads will support Windows 7 multi-touch gestures and allow users to add their own customised gestures to the OS.

What would you add to Windows 8?

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:11 GMT

With Windows 7 not even have hit the streets yet, but Microsoft is looking for new blood to lead the development of Windows 8, do you fit the bill?

Microsoft names Windows 7 RC release date

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:33:41 GMT

Microsoft is monkeying around with its various websites again, suggesting the release date of the final-ish version of Windows 7 is close.

Around the world with Windows 7 wallpapers

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:43:23 GMT

Install the beta of Windows 7 for different countries and you now get a cool set of individual wallpapers -- so who's got the best scenery?

Microsoft now focused on "real world" Windows 7 install testing

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:11:10 GMT

Future upgrades to the release candidate version of Windows 7 are going to get more complicated as Microsoft looks for real-world feedback.

Microsoft to offer XP downgrades from Windows 7

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:38:40 GMT

Microsoft to offer downgrades from Windows 7 to Vista or even XP, will they stop at nothing to keep users in the Microsoft fold?

Microsoft's five big revelations

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:03:44 GMT

When one of Microsoft's head honchos speaks, its usually well worth a listen. Kevin Turner, Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer lists five epiphanies the company has had.

Don't get hopeful about Windows 7 on your work PC

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:45:25 GMT

Despite the love-in for Windows 7's stability and compatibility, businesses are still cool on taking the plunge of upgrading from XP.

Experts to Microsoft: set your Windows patches free!

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:10:15 GMT

There’s a growing call for Microsoft to drop its Windows Genuine Activation process so that every Windows user can keep their PC completely up to date.

Acer debuts Nvidia ‘Ion’ platform with new mini desktop

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:15:27 GMT

Take an Intel Atom processor, pump up the graphics with an Nvidia GPU and you’ve got the new Ion platform for mini desktops and maybe even netbooks.

Further Windows 7 features revealed

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:12:07 GMT

More information emerges from Microsoft about compatibility issues and features of the forthcoming Windows 7, in the form of answers to user's questions.

Microsoft launches Windows 7 developer blog

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:19:31 GMT

Last week Microsoft added a new blog to its army of sites offering Windows 7 information, this one is aimed at those developing software for the OS.

Surprises in store for Windows 7 launch

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:20:06 GMT

Microsoft still has some tricks up its sleeves to add a little jazz to the launch of its latest OS

Latest Windows 7 leak shows off version features

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:25:26 GMT

A new build of Windows 7 leaked over the weekend, allow eager users to see the latest features as the OS approaches Release Candidate status

"I'm not cool enough to be a Mac person": Microsoft ad

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:58:43 GMT

Microsoft has turned the tables on Apple, featuring people in ads who are "not cool enough to be a Mac person".

Windows 7 RC in May, touchscreen details revealed

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:28:42 GMT

While the mouse isn't an endangered species, yet - It looks like touch is could be the future of user interaction, if the Windows engineers get their way.

What you'll get in each version of Windows 7

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:09:16 GMT

If you are planning on picking up a copy of Windows 7, a glance at the feature tick list for the different versions will show which is the right edition for you.

Hands on with Windows 7: Jump Lists

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:15:25 GMT

A new feature in Windows 7 lets you make Windows jump to your command.

Windows 7 proving to be hot for gamers

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:16:37 GMT

Despite all the console hype, it seems PC gaming is doing just fine, thank you and Windows 7 looks to bring gamers up to date, while hardware upgrades may go the way of the dodo.

Microsoft releases Power Pack 2 update for Windows Home Server

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:48:21 GMT

The souped-up server OS now streams content to Windows Media Centres and Extenders, streamlines Remote Access and squashes the ‘81% backup freeze’ gremlin.

Windows 7 makes changes to searching

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:41:00 GMT

Federated search is a common term in big business, with its billions of items of data, but now it comes to the personal desktop, courtesy of Windows 7

French police switch from Windows to Linux

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:46:19 GMT

The French national police force has slashed its IT costs by 70 per cent by cutting Microsoft out of the equation.

Features quietly go M.I.A. from Windows 7

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:26:56 GMT

While much of the focus is about what's new in Windows 7, its worth taking a look to see what has vanished from previous editions.

Hands-on with Windows 7: Properties

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:10:53 GMT

In our first look at Windows 7, we took a peek at the main desktop changes. Now, we see what the Properties feature has to offer.

Microsoft launching Windows 7 RC in May

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:53:19 GMT

Microsoft looks likely to have a final release candidate of Windows 7 within months, and a gold release this year.

DirectX 10 coming to Linux through WINE and CrossOver

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:37:19 GMT

Most desktop Linux users have at least heard of the free application Wine or its retail cousins CrossOver Linux and CrossOver Mac.

SPEED BOOST: Latest Windows 7 beta is faster

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:35:18 GMT

Something felt odd having installed the latest Windows 7 beta; it took a while - but it soon clicked that the performance has gone up a notch.

Leaked Windows 7 Release Candidate sports artistic touches

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:24:30 GMT

The leaked Windows 7 build 7057 is tagged "Release Candidate", suggesting that Microsoft is working furiously towards that early release. Interesting new touches in this build.

Interesting Windows 7 nuggets emerge from Microsoft

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:16:07 GMT

A dig around in some of Microsoft's technical forums has uncovered some interesting facts about additional Windows 7 features and tweaks that will make user's lives easier.

Yes, you can debloat Windows 7 with Microsoft's blessing

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:38:29 GMT

Microsoft has confirmed that if you want to choose all your own apps, you'll be able to uninstall nearly everything from Windows 7.

Netbooks could be Microsoft's revenue hope for Windows 7

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:20:10 GMT

With netbooks being the only kind of system making any sales headway, Microsoft will be going all out to generate revenue with Windows 7.

Win 7 to be sexier-than-Vista for business

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:59:51 GMT

Much of the talk about Windows 7 has been about features for home users. However, since much of Microsoft's money comes from millions of business upgrades, what's in it for them?

Microsoft pinching the pennies: no Blu-ray in Win 7

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:43:26 GMT

Windows 7 won't be able to play Blu-ray movies without third-party software support.

Windows 7 should get an iTunes-like app store

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:15:37 GMT

If Microsoft can open bricks and mortar stores, why not build one in to every copy of Windows 7?

Is Windows 7 beta better than Vista?

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:27:22 GMT

Some reader comments on our Windows 7 articles suggest that the OS is not as big a boost as Microsoft would have us believe. We took to Twitter to see what other people think.

2,000 Windows 7 bugs squashed, says Microsoft

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:29:00 GMT

NEWS ROUNDUP | A newly leaked beta of Win 7, new drivers from NVIDIA that offer more grunt under 7, and the 2,000 bugs that Microsoft reckons it has squashed thanks to beta testers

How to dual-boot Vista with Linux (with Linux installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 04:22:56 GMT

So you want to install Linux and Vista on the same drive? This UPDATED dual booting tutorial shows you how to do it even if Vista SP1 scorches your bootloader.

How to dual-boot Vista with Linux (Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

Tue, 29 May 2007 06:26:24 GMT

Here's how to install Vista and Linux (with Vista installed first). Step-by-step instructions that assume no knowledge of Linux. (Now updated for Ubuntu 9.04).

HOW TO: Access US only sites from Australia

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:35:54 GMT

Ever wondered how you can access US only Internet sites from Australia? It's easy, and free.

HOW TO: Install IE6 on Vista/Windows 7

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:32:27 GMT

Does your workplace require you to keep running IE6 despite the fact that you, um, accidentally upgraded to IE7? Here's how to install IE6 on Vista (or Windows 2000/XP) and run it alongside IE7.

Windows 7 a dud for sight-impaired people

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:01:11 GMT

According to an analyst, Microsoft has done a slipshod job of making Windows 7 usable for vision impaired people.

Take Windows 7 for a free test drive Saturday!

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:53:55 GMT

Here's how to get the official Beta 1 of Windows 7, free of charge and legally!

Windows 7 public beta is all yours, says Ballmer

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:58:26 GMT

Like a proud parent seeing his kid off into the big wide world, Steve Ballmer has handed over the keys to the Windows 7 beta to the world. (Or will in a few days).

Windows 7 Beta 1 busts loose onto BitTorrent!

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:14:04 GMT

Ahead of an expected preview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, the fresh-baked beta edition of Windows 7 has already broken cover and hit the Web.

How to virtualize Ubuntu on Vista

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:27:42 GMT

Want to virtualize Ubuntu on top of Windows Vista for free? Check out our step-by-step tutorial!

ARGH: Here comes Windows Home Server 2.0 "basic" and "premium"

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:44:51 GMT

While work continues on a mid-2009 ‘Power Pack 2’ update, Microsoft mulls splitting the next release of its Windows Home Server OS into separate editions

Microsoft names the date for IE8

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:41:59 GMT

A release candidate for Microsoft's browser is due in early 2009, which suggests that Windows 7 could also hit the decks by the end of the year.

Windows 7 to launch in 56 fruity flavours?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:22:34 GMT

Mid-2009 is tipped as Windows 7's release date, but the big question is: will Microsoft abandon, or expand, its strategy of making umpteen versions of the same OS?

Blue Badge hack opens up hidden Windows 7 features

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:55:52 GMT

Features baked into the first public Windows 7 build but hidden from most users can now be unlocked using a simple download.

Grammar check optional for Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:25:39 GMT

Hey, it looks I'm trying to write a letter that's going to come out later in a lawsuit. Should I use some grammar in that?

15 reasons Macs are still better than Windows PCs

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:47:33 GMT

With Windows 7 coming up, it's time to yet again ponder on whether Microsoft has the upper hand in operating systems. Here's 15 reasons it doesn't.

Windows 7 Device Stage could cut crapware bloat

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:04:45 GMT

Microsoft is promising its new "Device Stage" will help you connect hardware without having to install vendor rubbish software.

Oops... AVG accidentally kills Windows

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:40:56 GMT

Update to popular AV tool kills critical Windows file; AVG scrambles for a variety of fixes.

How does Windows 7 improve performance?

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:05:24 GMT

"We believe we can get below 1% idle CPU utilisation with Windows 7." What technical tricks is Microsoft using to try and get the next release of Windows to those levels?

USB in Windows 7: More reliable but no 3.0 speed boost

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:19:18 GMT

Microsoft will combat driver installation woes in Windows with a much tougher approval regime -- and it's looking increasingly likely USB 3.0 won't be supported in Windows 7.

Can Windows 7 overcome Vista driver woes?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:55:02 GMT

Microsoft has revealed some staggering figures showing how often driver installations fail in Vista. Ouch.

Windows 7 gets SSD-friendly

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:20:36 GMT

Microsoft wants Windows 7 to run better on solid state drives in notebooks and netbooks, but draws the line at adopting a new SSD interface designed to replace ATA.

Microsoft: Windows 7 torrents are a fact of life

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:35:06 GMT

Microsoft has stopped just a millimetre short of giving royal consent for users to download pirated copies of Windows 7 that have hit the trackers.

Windows 7 hits torrent sites

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:20:17 GMT

You don’t have to wait until next year to try Windows 7 – Microsoft’s successor to Vista is on the Net right now and ready for you to illegally download!

Microsoft begs hardware makers: don't screw Windows 7 like Vista

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:09:57 GMT

Microsoft confirms Windows 7 public beta and begs hardware companies to take driver support seriously this time.

Windows 7 Netbook edition?

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:48:38 GMT

Microsoft puts netbooks on the Windows 7 menu and mulls plans for a cut-down ‘Netbook Edition’ of the OS

Windows 7 surprise: DivX built in

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:37:11 GMT

No more trawling the web for the latest media codecs. Windows 7 comes ready to play all your favourite "downloaded" videos.

OOPS: Microsoft forgot to register Windows 7 domains

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:30:30 GMT

Enthusiasts have snapped up a variety of Windows 7 domain names from under the nose of Redmond (and North Ryde).

REAL SCREENSHOTS: inside Windows 7

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:02:52 GMT

We've got one of the first copies of Windows 7 in the world -- and the screenshots and juicy tech details to prove it.

QUICK! Get CrossOver for Mac and Linux free

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:37:46 GMT

Ever wanted to try CrossOver, software that lets you run Windows apps on your Mac or Linux box without running Windows? Well, if you're quick, you can download it for free.

Windows 7 to get ‘instant on’ mode?

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:08:17 GMT

Microsoft is considering giving Windows users near-instant access to Web browsing, VoIP, video IM chat and multimedia playback without waiting for the entire OS to load.

Microsoft dumps dinky Windows names: it's Windows 7

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:44:17 GMT

Microsoft hopes 7 will be its lucky number as it sidesteps convention for the Vista follow-up by adopting its codename and version number as the real deal.

Microsoft extends Windows XP to mid-2009

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:53:59 GMT

Continued popularity of XP over Vista sees Microsoft give the never-say-die OS an unprecedented third stay of execution – this time to July 31 next year.

Windows 7: is it Vista SE or Windows 2010?

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:29:04 GMT

As Windows 7 moves towards Beta 1, with an end-of-2009 target for final release, Microsoft will puzzle over how to position the next-gen OS.

VMware planning to make your OS irrelevant

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:57:40 GMT

Having driven virtualization on servers, VMware is planning a universal client that makes your desktop and applications fully portable and able to run on any operating system.

Windows 7 won't break ties with Vista, goes public in November

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:15:24 GMT

Microsoft's plans for Windows 7 remain ambitious, with 100% backward compatibility for Vista applications one of the features it hopes to have ready for public display in November.

Vista and XP get Linux-like multiple desktops

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:01:21 GMT

Microsoft has quietly released a utility that allows you to create multiple desktops on Vista or XP.

Microsoft's new Seinfeld ad: one word - WTF?

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:41:44 GMT

Microsoft provides proof that even $300 million and Jerry Seinfeld can't revive the fortunes of the sickened Vista OS.

15 second boot times in Windows 7: Microsoft

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:19:27 GMT

Microsoft wants to dramatically improve boot times in Windows 7 after admitting that Vista has failed to meet its goal of providing high-speed booting for the majority of PCs.

Microsoft releases IE8 beta 2: MS porn mode included

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:42:57 GMT

The second beta of Internet Explorer 8 looks a lot better than the first one — but frankly, a lot of that is due to features copied from Firefox 3.

Microsoft releases faster Desktop Search 4.0

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:15:32 GMT

If you've wondered how exactly Vista's sluggish desktop search saves you time, you might be pleasantly surprised by the updated version.

Microsoft goes into Speed Launch mode

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:00:24 GMT

No, we're not talking about the launch of Windows 7, unfortunately. Speed Launch is a cool, free app launcher from Microsoft.

Windows 7 nearly ready for public debut

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:29:27 GMT

With Vista roundly declared a dog in the marktplace, Microsoft is gearing up to reveal the next-gen Windows and has started the countdown towards a Beta 1 release.

Inside Dell's 'BlackTop' laptop Linux OS

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:21:05 GMT

Dell’s new laptops sideline Windows with a fast-boot Linux OS and ARM processor to check email, browse the Web and even sync with Exchange.

XP still killing Vista in sales volume: HP

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:42:07 GMT

Business PC buyers are still overwhelmingly opting for XP, computer giant HP has revealed.

DirectX 11 announced: too much too soon?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:28:32 GMT

Considering that the vast majority of users still run DirectX 9, is Microsoft making a Vista-sized mistake with its latest multimedia API?

ABC launches TV download store

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:10:43 GMT

The ABC’s new rental and download to buy service might be Windows-only for the moment, but Mac users may not have to wait too long before they can also buy programs too.

Microsoft hobbles XP mini-notes with 1GB RAM limit

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:07:35 GMT

Redmond’s new XP mini-note licence dictates a 1GB memory limit to protect the high-profit position of Vista-powered notebooks

HOW TO: slipstream Vista SP1 into your Vista install DVD

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:48:41 GMT

You can't use the old trusty method of slipstreaming service packs into your Windows install CD with Vista. But we've figured out how to do it anyway.

Pirated Windows more impressive than the real thing

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:21:54 GMT

The latest version of TinyXP has hit the pirate boards. SP3-integrated and with more tools than you can poke a stick at, it gives XP a new lease on life. Shame it's illegal.

Read Bill Gates' scathing email about "unusable" Windows

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:05:47 GMT

The Ex-MS supremo found Windows "unusable". But which version?

Microsoft eats humble pie over XP

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:23:12 GMT

Microsoft announces Windows XP support to be extended to 13 years. Vista cries.

Microsoft solves data corruption issues in Windows Home Server

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:10:13 GMT

Rejoice ye enthusiasts of Windows Home Server! The long-awaited Power Pack 1 has just been released to public beta, and it fixes the nasty bug related to data corruption.

Windows XP SP3 causing buggy home routers to crash

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:14:20 GMT

Been having problems with your broadband router rebooting unexpectedly? Windows XP SP3 could be the cause -- but isn't actually to blame.

How to dual boot Windows XP and Linux (XP installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

Wed, 16 May 2007 06:01:48 GMT

How to dual-boot Windows XP and Linux, on a system where you have already installed XP. Easy step-by-step tutorial that doesn't assume prior knowledge of Linux.

How to dual boot Linux and Windows XP (Linux installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:59:36 GMT

How to dual-boot Windows XP and Linux. (Now updated for XP SP 3 and Ubuntu 8.04.)

Windows 7 to get multi-touch, OS X-style Dock

Thu, 29 May 2008 18:16:37 GMT

Bill Gates reveals new touchscreen UI planned for Windows 7.

Microsoft starts the whispers on Windows 7

Wed, 28 May 2008 01:01:51 GMT

Gates, Ballmer and Sinofksy begin sharing the barest details on Windows 7, now due in January 2010.

Microsoft admits some PCs won't be offered Vista SP1

Tue, 20 May 2008 21:10:47 GMT

Microsoft has admitted that some users may not get Vista SP1 offered to them through Windows Update. Why? Read on...

Firefox 3 Reaches Release Candidate 1

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:11:52 GMT

Firefox 3 release candidate 1 has just gone live. If you've been waiting to take the plunge, now's a good time.

Microsoft to re-release "every OS" to market

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:01:32 GMT

Ambitious scheme to further extend Windows OS lifespan. Every Windows OS lifespan, in fact.

Vista less secure than 2000: researchers

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:58:43 GMT

Machines running the beleaguered operating system are more likely to suffer from malware attacks than either Windows 2000 and Windows 2003, new research suggests.

Windows-based EeePC cheaper than Linux one

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:18:50 GMT

Is ASUS in bed with Microsoft? The new XP-based EeePC 900 will actually be cheaper than the Linux-based version.

Mac OS X still trails Vista by a long way

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:45:14 GMT

The Apple fanboy community is rejoicing at news that sales for Macs have grown 51% in the last quarter, but still nowhere near catching up to Microsoft's dismal failure, Vista.

Is SP3 really the end of the road for XP?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:19:58 GMT

With the final major service pack for Windows XP being released, Microsoft is hoping people will start focusing on Vista, but Dell, Asus and others still see a large market for XP.

HOW TO: get Windows XP running well on the Eee PC

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:58:04 GMT

So you know someone who's bought one of the new Eee PCs running Windows XP? Take pity on them and make a few of these changes to make it run better.

IN DEPTH: Official Eee PC with XP

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:22:32 GMT

Asus now offers Eee PC buyers a choice between Linux and Windows. So just how good (or how bad) is the little laptop when it comes pre-loaded with XP?

Firefox 3 Beta 5 hits the wire

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:42:27 GMT

According to Mozilla, Firefox 3 Beta 5 'includes more than 750 changes from the previous beta, improving stability and web compatibility'.

Vista SP1 won't install on dual-boot systems: Microsoft

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:12:54 GMT

Are you currently running Windows and Linux in a dual-boot setup? You're going to have major headaches with Vista SP1, Microsoft has admitted.

Microsoft plans all-new Windows 7 UI

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:11:32 GMT

Vista's successor will sport a radically revised XML-based interface with elements of Office 2007's ribbon, as Microsoft literally rewrites the rule book on the Windows UI

Dual-PSUs?

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:31:49 GMT

The P190 from Antec is a monster case. Measuring in at 515 x 205 x 593mm, finding a spot to put it might be a challenge.

Microsoft pulls Vista SP1 prerequisite update: reboot loops, data corruption

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:26:47 GMT

Amidst accusations that a prerequisite patch for Vista SP1 has caused machines to fail and data loss, Microsoft is playing it safe and has pulled the package from Windows Update.

Copy files 86% faster with Vista SP1

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:35:53 GMT

Is Vista SP1 really the shot in the arm your Vista system needs? We spent hours strapped to our benchmarking system, and uncovered some very interesting data...

Microsoft battles Vista perception issues with $15,000 prize

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:11:02 GMT

Are you ready to feel like a dirty marketing pawn for Microsoft?

Microsoft buys maker of Sidekick and Hiptop smartphones

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:26:54 GMT

Is Redmond gearing up for a serious assault on the consumer smartphone market? You bet - its acquisition of Danger Inc confirms it.

Vista SP1 available for download now

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:46:11 GMT

Officially, the long awaited Vista SP1 won't be available to consumers until March. But here's a little secret: you can download it anyway from Microsoft's own web servers.

HOW TO: Run Windows Update from a CD (sort of!)

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:25:49 GMT

Ever stared in horror at the number of updates a brand-new XP installation needs to bring it up to date? What if you had all those updates on a handy CD?

Pirates release Server 2008 and Vista SP1

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:13:48 GMT

Arrrrr maties....it be no more than an hour two after ye olde RTM announcement, that Server 2008 hit the scurvy pirate boards, with Vista SP1 not far astern. Avast!

Intel shows off new ultra low-power Silverthorne chip

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:26 GMT

Intel has unveiled a new CPU that needs only a tenth of the power of current models. Ultramobile computing is about to get interesting.

Windows Server 2008 goes gold

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:55:36 GMT

It's a busy time for the boys and girls of Redmond, with Windows Server 2008's release to manufacturing (RTM). So, what's inside?

Microsoft replaces Vista kernel in SP1

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:20:50 GMT

So what happened to the fabled kernel upgrade which was supposed to be a fundamental feature of Windows Vista SP1? Well, turns out that it is there, with some rather interesting twists...

Microsoft announces Vista SP1 RTM

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:37:11 GMT

The long-anticipated Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista has been released to manufacturing (RTM) so we should be seeing it hitting our machines in the not-too-distant future. But will SP1 overcome the negative perceptions which have plagued Vista since its release? Microsoft certainly hope it will.

"Your software must crash": Microsoft

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:45:13 GMT

Software can only be certified for Windows Vista by Microsoft if it will crash, according to anti-spyware manufacturer Spybot.

REVIEW ROUNDUP: MacBook Air

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:41:04 GMT

The MacBook Air, launched almost two weeks ago, has now started shipping and the first reports are rolling in from journos around the world.

Vista successor, Windows 7 to be released next year?

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:00:20 GMT

You won't have to wait as long for the next version of Windows as previously imagined, with Microsoft bringing forward the expected release of the successor to Vista, Windows 7.

Top 5 best (free) open source games

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:49:10 GMT

Why spend your money on expensive commercial games, when you could instead check out our favourite open source games and start playing!

Microsoft forces IE7 onto business customers

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:22:29 GMT

Been avoiding deploying IE7 in your business environment? Well, if you're a WSUS user, Microsoft is about to force you into compliance.

Microsoft announces Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:20:21 GMT

Microsoft has announced a major update for Windows Home Server - Power Pack 1 - which comes loaded with lots of new features and enhancements.

HOW TO: fix video smearing, blurring and ghosting on ATI video cards

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:52:54 GMT

If you're running an ATI video card in your machine, you might have noticed image ghosting, blurring and smearing when playing back DVDs and videos. Here's how to fix it.

Vista SP1 refresh made public

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:16:46 GMT

A refresh build of Vista SP1 beta was released recently to a private testing group, but now it's available to everyone. Read on to find out what's new.

Vista SP1 needs new hardware

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:53:16 GMT

Vista Service Pack 1 comes with an important update for gamers - DirectX 10.1. The catch? You need brand new hardware to support it, and NVIDIA enthusiasts are left totally out in the cold.

Intel admits defeat, loses its joie de Viiv

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:16:22 GMT

Intel's lacklustre bid to control the HTPC market has floundered, with Viiv finally falling from grace. We took a buzzsaw to the corpse before it even had time to cool, and let me tell you, it wasn't pretty.

Waiting for Vista

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:40:19 GMT

Many businesses wait for a major service pack before deploying a new operating system, but with Vista there's an even more compelling reason to hold off before taking the plunge.

XP SP3 beta available to all, but is it a secret strategy to boost Vista?

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:33:22 GMT

All Microsoft wants for Christmas is your download limit. The long-awaited first service pack for Vista -- a whole freakin' gigabyte of it -- is due to arrive early next year, but patch junkies can give themselves an early injection of bug-fixing with a general pre-release of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP.

How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide with screenshots

Tue, 29 May 2007 05:28:23 GMT

UPDATED | Got a Vista PC and want to install XP so you can dual-boot between them? Here's how to do it, in an easy, step-by-step format.

Inside Windows 7 -- what we know so far

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:00:44 GMT

As Vista celebrates its first birthday, the countdown clock slowly ticks away on Windows 7. We join the dots on the very earliest signs of what Microsoft hopes will be Windows' lucky number.

Windows Server 2008 RC1 available for download

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:05:41 GMT

if you're interested in the server side of Windows, Server 2008 RC1 is now available for download by the general public.

Firefox 3 Beta 1 now available: what's inside

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:54:09 GMT

Even though still in beta, Firefox 3 offers more stability, speed and security than version 2. We've taken a peek at what the Mac release of it is like.

Now for the web server on a USB key!

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:41:53 GMT

How does the idea of a full-featured portable web server in your pocket strike you?

Microsoft releases Vista SP1 RC

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:14:36 GMT

Hanging out for the dot one release of Vista? The release candidate of Vista SP1 will be available for public download within days.

Microsoft moves against software pirates

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:55:41 GMT

Updates to Windows Genuine Advantage shipping with Vista SP1 look set to leave software pirates in the lurch. Has Microsoft finally won the war on piracy?

ABC releases desktop player

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:16:09 GMT

The ABC has released a new desktop app that makes watching TV and radio on your PC a piece of cake.

Beat those bluescreen blues: what a Windows bluescreen actually means

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:55:57 GMT

The Windows Blue Screen of Death is hated and maligned, but it's really just trying to help. Read on to find out what it's trying to tell you.

What is Microsoft Centro?

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:41:31 GMT

Microsoft has announced its new product for midsize businesses -- Windows Essential Business Server. Uninspiring name perhaps, but it's a suite of products guaranteed to make any overworked admin drool.

Leopard let loose on PCs!

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:27:27 GMT

Your Mac can run Windows, courtesy of BootCamp. Now there's a clever hack which lets your Windows PC run Apple's fresh-baked Leopard OS.

WINDOWS SLOWDOWN: Microsoft forces install of Windows Desktop Search

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:13:05 GMT

Has your PC suddenly started running slowly for no obvious reason? You can thank Microsoft for that.

Microsoft takes a razor to XP

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 06:28:59 GMT

First it was 'MinWin' microkernel inside Windows 7; now Redmond is working on a cut-down, lighterweight version of XP. Vista? Well there's not a lot of talk about that.

OEM - when licensing meets quantum theory

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:17:35 GMT

OEM licensing can be a difficult beast, especially when it's time to upgrade. An APC reader enlisted our help to find out just how many hoops he'd have to jump through to get the latest version of Office.

SUPERGUIDE: The Open Source Challenge. How to replace Windows completely with Ubuntu.

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:44:18 GMT

Ashton Mills is going cold turkey and dumping Windows for Linux altogether. Will he sink or swim? Can you really install Linux and open source software in place of Windows, and want for nothing? This is the authoritative how-to guide.

Create a VSP

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:10:53 GMT

asdfasdf

Microsoft agrees: Windows is a "really large bloated operating system"

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:03:22 GMT

Yes, they really did say that! The reason? Redmond is finally sending Windows to Jenny Craig, and will build the next generation of Windows around a stripped-back 'microkernel' named MinWin with a 25MB footprint.

'Vixta' Linux distro mimics Vista's look and feel

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:43:41 GMT

Vixta is a Linux distro which copies Vista's UI. Some commentators hate it. Here's why I think they are wrong.

Microsoft to allow serial-number free install of XP. PLUS: what's in XP SP 3

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:54:21 GMT

After four years in the making, Windows XP Service Pack 3 is almost ready for release. We've taken an in-depth look at it -- and one aspect of it jumps out as being particularly interesting.

Aussie stores selling Windows Home Server for $200 (mouse optional)

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:51:52 GMT

Want to load Microsoft's new Windows Home Server OS on a home-built server box or your old desktop PC? It'll cost you around $200, and maybe $9 for a mouse.

HOW TO: improve the performance of Vista Media Center

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:52:22 GMT

Vista Media Center has its problems like any other app, but here's a list of tips and tricks to keep it purring.

Microsoft turns to pirated Windows users to boost IE7 market share

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:16:06 GMT

Internet Explorer 7 is now available to all users of Windows. Yeah, yeah, OK, even the pirate ones. It's a bit like DRM-free music. Sorta.

Can IE's architect explain why it's so bloated?

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:59:08 GMT

Microsoft's platform architect for Internet Explorer, Chris Wilson, admits Microsoft has done both good and bad things in IE over the last 14 years.

Vista: The 'wow' starts ... later

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:41:35 GMT

Despite Microsoft's best efforts to promote its Vista operating system, the company is bowing to customer pressure and offering free downgrades to XP (as well as extending XP's retail shelf life.)

640GB flash card blows hard drives away

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 03:49:17 GMT

Flash drives comprehensively killed off floppy disks, and now a new development is threatening the same fate for hard drives.

How to fix Vista's network bottlenecks

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:12:30 GMT

Is your Vista machine lumbering around on the network, overtaken by zippier XP-based systems? You're not alone, but luckily there's an easy way to fix it.

Why Open Source primarily benefits Windows

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:49:25 GMT

How's this for irony? The principal beneficiaries of open source are Windows users. Here are the top 20 free apps.

Microsoft announces Vista SP1 Beta

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:00:57 GMT

This week Microsoft announced what we already knew - Vista SP1 Beta is imminent, and the improvements are many.

Microsoft: the authentic smell of failure

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:45:06 GMT

What is the Microsoft WindowsGenuine Advantage, exactly? Over the past weekend, some owners of legitimate copies of Windows had their copies of Windows invalidated by Microsoft, while users of pirated copies were unaffected.

In-depth: inside Windows XP SP3

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:50:28 GMT

Boy those leaks just keep on coming - first Vista SP1 and now XP SP3. Check out our in-depth assessment of the next major update for Windows XP.

LEAKED: Vista SP1 analysed in-depth

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 13:13:14 GMT

EXCLUSIVE |We've gone under the hood of the leaked beta of Vista SP1 to find out exactly what it will do for you. One thing we can say right now:huge performance increase.

Your old PC needs to meet Dr Kevorkian

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:53:29 GMT

An old friend asks you to bring their old Windows 98 PC back to life. Here's what you need to do. Look them squarely in the eyes, put a hand on their shoulder, and say, it's time to die.

Microsoft virtualisation: free, as in beer

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:41:40 GMT

TECH.ED |Why should you care about Microsoft virtualisation, when VMware has already perfected the software in the space? Well, for a start, the Microsoft stuff is free...!

We've got the lowdown on Microsoft SoftGrid

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:14:28 GMT

TECH.ED |If you run a Windows network, you really need to read this: the nitty gritty of SoftGrid. We've spoken to Microsoft Australia's Windows technology expert, John Pritchard.

Microsoft: we let you down with XP

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:47:06 GMT

TECH.ED |Microsoft finally admits it. Windows XP was not apice de rsistancewhen it came to security.

Microsoft jacks into the Softgrid

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:25:07 GMT

TECH.ED |Look ma, no virtualisation window: Microsoft showed a cool new virtualisation technology for desktop PCs today.

How to: take control of Vista Startup

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:16:25 GMT

Finding out what Windows is loading on startup can be critical when troubleshooting problems. Here's a free utility which gives all the information you'll ever need.

How to: trim some Vista fat

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 06:36:09 GMT

By default, Vista will install lots of things you don't need. Here's how to claw back some system space.

New user interface for ‘Windows 7'?

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:29:05 GMT

Microsoft has named the date for the next version of Windows, and the woman behind the Office 2007 interface is in charge of an all bets are off UI refresh for Windows too.

How to get your hands on Windows Home Server

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 03:56:16 GMT

Now that Microsoft's much-praised Windows Home Server has been RTM'd, how can you go about getting your own WHS-powered box? Or better yet, building you own? We've got the inside scoop!

How to: transfer your Windows apps, settings and docs to a new PC using only free tools

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:37:36 GMT

Customising Windows from scratch can be infinitely time-consuming and tedious. Here's a way to not only streamline the whole process, but to keep user accounts on different PCs in complete sync.

ReadyBoost for Linux?

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:27:55 GMT

Say what you will about Microsoft but ReadyBoost is a clever use of cheap-as-chips USB memory keys. Now there's a sort-of version for Linux too.

The era of the PC is over: why Apple is beating Microsoft

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:34:35 GMT

COMMENT |Bill Gates still believes that tablet PCs will take over the world and that the Zune will rival the iPod. It's time for a reality check in Microsoft HQ.

The trials of upgrading to 64-bit Vista

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:04:17 GMT

It was a bit of a bold move, I must admit. I took the plunge today and upgraded my machine to 64-bit Vista. Here's why.

Now the blind can program in .NET

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:51:32 GMT

The winners of Microsoft Australia's Imagine Cup came up with the most extraordinary entry: a system that enables blind people to program in C#!

Linux on Windows with Lina

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:38:37 GMT

Between WINE, VMware, BOCHs and virtual machines, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to running Windows applications on Linux. But what about the other way around? Cygwin aside, there is another way.

Microsoft does embarrassing double-backflip

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:47:39 GMT

Microsoft has backflipped on its policy of banning users from running Vista under virtual machines like VMware... and then double-backflipped back to its original stance.

How to get a bloatware-free PC

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:18:11 GMT

If you are considering buying a brand-name PC, stop! and read this post.

Safari for Windows: what the independent benchmarks show

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:29:47 GMT

Apple has surprised us with Safari for Windows. But is it a genuine competitor to IE and FF for Windows or just another drab browser? We run our own real-life speed tests.

Vista tweak: resize your desktop icons with the scroll of a mousewheel

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:07:36 GMT

Adjusting to the consumerist society in which we live, Vista's icons have been upsized. But if you don't need so many pixels searing your retinas, read on.

Vista tweak - Aero Glass performance

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:26:24 GMT

Aero Glass might be nice, but you can get sick of some of its features. Here's how to disable the annoying bits without fully dropping back to Aero Basic.

How to dual-boot Vista with XP (with XP installed first) - step-by-step guide with screenshots

Tue, 29 May 2007 02:33:21 GMT

Want to install Vista on your PC but don't want to get rid of XP just yet? Here's how to install it so you can dual-boot between them, in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide.

HOW TO: create a bootable XP SP3 CD

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:00:19 GMT

With XP SP 3 now released, here's how to slipstream the service pack into your existing install CD. The big benefit? Serial number-free reinstalls of XP.

Mozilla donates $US100,000 to Democracy

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 02:15:14 GMT

The popular web TV culture aggregator, which is struggling to be the future of mass media video, got a boost recently with a hefty donation to its cause courtesy of the Mozilla Foundation to the tune of $US100,000. Now that's a lot of TV.

Parallels 3.0 for Mac: 3D GPU emulation confirmed (with screenshots)

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:41:32 GMT

Popular virtualisation company Parallels has announced version 3.0 of Parallels Workstation for Mac with long-anticipated GPU acceleration and several other tasty features.

Reinstalling Windows drivers a lot less painful with Driver Magician

Wed, 30 May 2007 11:56:33 GMT

The grim cycle of rebooting that accompanies all driver installs is painful, painful, painful. Driver Magician might just be the magic potion you've been looking for.

The Windows we never got: users get to work programming "Longhorn Reloaded"

Tue, 29 May 2007 09:04:02 GMT

Was the beta better? The team behind the radical 'Longhorn Reloaded' OS think so, casting the release version of Vista aside in order to rebuild Longhorn from its original 2004 codebase. Yes, WinFS is in there.

Hyperjacking - the latest threat to servers

Thu, 24 May 2007 04:45:51 GMT

With virus and phishing attacks now pass, computer hackers are eyeing off a new technical challenge: hyperjacking.

Lenovo rails against discreet graphics in notebooks: too power hungry

Wed, 23 May 2007 11:17:31 GMT

Battery technology can't keep up with the ever-increasing power demands of laptops, and Lenovo reckons that discreet graphics processors such as those from ATI and Nvidia are partly to blame.

Outlook 2007’s little surprise: it fills your mailbox up by itself

Wed, 23 May 2007 02:15:32 GMT

Is your inbox mysteriously filling up faster than usual? No it's not your imagination, it's MSNBC.

First OpenOffice virus emerges

Tue, 22 May 2007 01:53:18 GMT

Oh what a sweet, sweet day it must be for Microsoft. The first worm specifically targeting the open-source office package OpenOffice has emerged, displaying a pornographic picture of a man in a bunny suit with a woman in a forest.

Vista will be the last version of Windows for Pentium 4 and Core Duo owners

Thu, 17 May 2007 13:43:45 GMT

Microsoft has sounded the death knell for 32-bit operating systems, meaning Vista's the last version of Windows that will boot on Pentium 4 and Intel Core Duo. Perhaps AMD had a point after all with its early introduction of 64-bit...UPDATE |Microsoft has clarified its position.

Windows can solve world health: Microsoft

Thu, 17 May 2007 08:27:29 GMT

How do you solve the health problems plaguing billions of people in the third world? Easy! Give 'em a Windows Mobile-based smart phone.

Longhorn rebadged and ready for action

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:43:46 GMT

It's official. Microsoft's Longhorn server operating system has a new name Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Apart from the catchy name, it has a few interesting features inside, too...

Windows wants to run your life

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:40:02 GMT

Not content with controlling most desktops and elbowing its way into family lounge rooms, Microsoft now has plans to dominate your entire house.

Microsoft delays Office 2007 file converters for Office Mac 2004

Tue, 15 May 2007 08:24:10 GMT

A half-done beta converter for Word is rushed out the door, but Excel and PowerPoint versions are being pushed back as late as August, and the final converters might not arrive until March 2008...

Microsoft kills off portable media center OS

Fri, 11 May 2007 04:21:36 GMT

Microsoft supremo Steve Ballmer has pressed the Stop and Erase buttons on his Portable Media Centre platform after years of trying to make it work.

Alleged Aussie software pirates raided

Thu, 10 May 2007 04:24:01 GMT

Old-fashioned software piracy -- the kind that uses actual media rather than P2P networks -- is alive and well down under, it seems. Two brothers in Ballina on the NSW North Coast have been raided by police, who have seized 5,000 CDs.

Only 15,000 people buy Office 2007 for $75

Wed, 09 May 2007 00:38:17 GMT

A mere 15,000 people have taken up Microsoft Australia's offer to get Office Ultimate 2007 for just $75, possibly disproving the argument that if Microsoft dropped the price of software, people who might otherwise pirate it would buy it.

Windows Home Server: the inbuilt web server

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:29:03 GMT

Part 8 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server beta 2

Windows Home Server: system requirements and SDK

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:27:34 GMT

Part 7 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server beta 2

Windows Home Server: adding hard drives using WHS' RAID-like disk spanning feature

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:24:31 GMT

Part 6 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server Preview

Windows Home Server: network backup

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:21:58 GMT

Part 5 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server beta 2

Windows Home Server: administering remotely

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:20:28 GMT

Part 4 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server beta 2

Windows Home Server: managing users

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:18:38 GMT

Part 3 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server Beta 2

Windows Home Server: logging on

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:17:05 GMT

Part 2 of GALLERY: Windows Home Server beta 2

GALLERY: Windows Home Server beta 2

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 11:00:54 GMT

Our first look at Microsoft's server for the rest of us includes a detailed screenshot gallery walking you through the user and admin screens

Microsoft: Vista upgrades for everybody!

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:28:43 GMT

Microsoft is offering just about anyone 'special' upgrade pricing for Vista now. Hasanyoneactually paid the full ticket price for Vista?

Microsoft in search of hyperactive beta testers for "Fiji"

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:15:59 GMT

Microsoft has begun accepting applications for beta testers for Fiji, the next version of Windows Media Center -- but get ready to answer sixty somewhat bizarre questions in the process.

Windows XP to be phased out by year's end despite customer demand

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:08:16 GMT

Computer makers have been told they'll no longer be able to get Windows XP OEM by the end of this year, despite consumer resistance to Vista and its compatibility problems.

Free anti-virus and anti-spyware compared: Google Pack vs AVG Free

Sat, 31 Mar 2007 10:14:09 GMT

Google quietly added new Vista-compatible antivirus and spyware protection to its neat Google Pack software, but is it good enough to become the free alternative to the AVG Free suite of apps? Which should you choose to protect your system?

Microsoft unlocks Windows Home Server

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 05:11:37 GMT

Family calendaring, remote TV recording, internet monitoring of security camera webcams ... Microsoft expects developers will add all this functionality to Windows Home Server through the new software development kit.

Microsoft to skip "unlucky" Office 13

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:26:03 GMT

Microsoft is showing a just a touch of Triskaidekaphobia and will skip Office 13 and instead start work straight on Office 14 now that Office 2007 is out the door.

So you want to pirate Photoshop CS3?

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:18:47 GMT

Adobe has revealed the details of Photoshop CS3: destined to continue to be one of the most pirated applications in the world. But Adobe says people who snaffle a copy of CS3 from work might not be pirates after all.

HOW TO: Virtualise Ubuntu on Vista

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:50:23 GMT

Want to try out your own installation of Linux but don't want to stuff around with repartitioning your drive? Here's how to use Microsoft's free Virtual PC software to install Ubuntu.

'Carbon criminals' banned from freeware

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:12:47 GMT

'Carbon criminals' who fly more than four times a year or drive a big car will be banned from using freeware under a new software licence.

HOW TO: inject drivers into Microsoft's free OS, Windows PE 2.0

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 10:08:09 GMT

Did you know there's a super-stripped-down version of Windows available for free download from Microsoft? Windows PE 2.0 is great for system recovery and imaging tasks, but it comes with rather a small set of drivers. Here's how to upgrade it with more drivers of your own.

Microsoft OneCare deletes entire mailboxes

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:09:59 GMT

Turns out that OneCare isn't that great at protecting your system. It just might delete your email too, just for the heck of it.

The first new feature of Internet Explorer 8?

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 06:36:24 GMT

Microsoft's Research Team has demonstrated to journalists an intriguing new web feature that could become part of Internet Explorer 8.

Microsoft enters the space race

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 01:12:52 GMT

In the 1960s, it was Russia vs USA. Now, it's Google vs Microsoft, and while Google may have gazumped Microsoft on global mapping, Microsoft now has all of space in its sights.

Office 2007 Ultimate $75 for Aussie students

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 04:09:32 GMT

It's not cheating, according to Microsoft Australia, to buy Office 2007 Ultimate for 95% off its normal price, at just $A75 ($US59).

Windows Mobile 6 pirated!

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:44:33 GMT

Windows Mobile 6 has been released by software pirates before it has made its way onto any commercially released handsets. Adding further insult to injury, the hackers are boasting their tweaked version is better than Microsoft's own.

Office 2007 holds hands with Palm

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:20:26 GMT

Palm has updated its desktop software to allow PalmOS smartphones and PDAs to sync with Outlook 2007.

Microsoft apologises for serving malware

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:00:06 GMT

Microsoft has apologised for serving malware via its websites and Windows Live Messenger software, and has promised to tighten checks on companies booking banner ads on its websites.

Palm Treo 750 has an upgrade up its sleeve

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:16:00 GMT

Palm's new Treo 750 HSDPA smartphone runs Windows Mobile 5 over Telstra's Next G network today, but a Windows Mobile 6 upgrade plus versions unlocked for other networks are on the way.

In Soviet Russia, software pirates you!

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:51:13 GMT

Russian school teacher Alexander Ponosov nearly found himself consigned to a Siberian prison camp at Microsoft's lawyers' behest... until Mikhail Gorbachev stepped in.

How Apple could crush Dell

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 03:48:09 GMT

Imagine a Windows PC where all the correct drivers could be automatically installed after a fresh Windows install with a single software tool. You've just discovered Apple's secret weapon in its war against Dell.

Why Vista is defective by design

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:12:58 GMT

Vista's DRM features have been drawing ever more criticism, but it's just the latest step among many that takes liberties out of the hands of users and into the media megacorps. So what are you going to do about it?

Note to Steve Jobs: lose the DRM or shut up

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:05:48 GMT

Steve Jobs's reality distortion field has done it again: people have swallowed his self-serving statement about freeing the world from DRM hook, line and sinker. Here's why the ball is squarely in Jobs' court.

Steve Jobs wants to ditch iPod, iTunes DRM

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:54:33 GMT

Steve Jobs has challenged the music industry to drop its demands for DRM protection on music sold online.

Does your copy of Vista keep flipping out of Aero Glass into Aero Basic?

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 02:58:52 GMT

Are you being plagued with alerts from Vista stating The colour scheme has been changed to Windows Vista Basic? Here's why.

Vista finally gets that syncing feeling

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 03:57:35 GMT

You can stop banging your head against the wall. Vista can now talk to Windows Mobile-powered PDAs and smartphones, thanks to the oven-fresh Windows Mobile Device Centre.

Thanks for letting us pirate

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:43:34 GMT

Some say Bill Gates is flirting more with his philanthropic side while others say 'thanks for letting us pirate your stuff.'

Logitech, Creative, NVIDIA driver disgrace

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 01:22:01 GMT

Thinking of upgrading to Vista? Be prepared for the rude shock that a triumverate of the most common hardware manufacturersstilldon't have final-release Vista drivers available.

Vista Upgrade DVD can be tricked into installing as a full install -- whoops!

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:44:54 GMT

Microsoft implemented a clean-install lock down on its Vista upgrades. So, uh... we can only assume it was not supposed to do this...

Vista launches: behind the hooplah

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:04:13 GMT

So it's finally here. After six years in development Microsoft today pushed Vista out the door and onto centre stage with some added sweeteners. More info here about HD Photo, and whether you'll be bothering with the Sanity Live! music service.

Microsoft launches digital photos service, Apple doesn't

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 04:55:32 GMT

It's not every day that Microsoft can do something that Apple can't. In fact it hardly every happens. But today it has.

What went wrong at the launch of Vista

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:18:54 GMT

The projector didn't work, Rogue Traders appeared by accident, and apparently all the best bits of Vista are actually Windows Ultimate Extras. Oh, and Microsoft is partnering with Sanity for the world's most overpriced subscription music service.

30 things you need to know about Vista

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:00:53 GMT

The WOW might be starting NOW, but don't let that fool you into thinking Vista's some sort of panacea of computing nirvana. Here's 30 key issues we've covered in recent weeks.

Install Linux... from Windows?

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:14:22 GMT

Just when Microsoft wants you to forget about alternatives to Vista, along comes the Debian based project that allows you to not only install Linux on a Windows system, but do it right under its nose.

ATI releases final Catalyst drivers for Vista

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:52:05 GMT

No sooner is Vista released than ATI has its first official Vista driver ready to go. Read on to discover what ATI has in store for Vista users.

How to get a cheap copy of Windows Vista

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 03:13:57 GMT

Microsoft's official upgrade price for Vista Home Premium is $299, but there are plenty of ways to shave that cost down (even if you're not a student). We've done the price hunting for you.

Australian company tackles the iPod repairs that Apple won't touch

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 23:25:31 GMT

Has Apple told you your best repair option for a broken iPod is buying a new one? Not any more. A new Australian company offers to repair almost any busted bit at a lower cost.

No problem with Australian company "Vista Windows", says Microsoft

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:03:02 GMT

If Microsoft wants to make a deal with us to put information about their new operating system up on the site, we'd love to speak to them, says Vista Windows' Paul Imola.

Build a custom Vista install DVD with vLite

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:29:58 GMT

You don't need to be a desktop admin to get the benefits of Vista's flexible installation format. vLite lets any user create their own customised install. Now you can finally strip out the Sidebar!

Australians locked out of Vista discounts

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:25:54 GMT

There will be no Vista family discount, no Vista downloads and no Vista Anytime Upgrade for Australians, Microsoft has confirmed. The official reason they're not available in Australia? Because they're not available in Australia. Oh,that'swhy...

Vista Service Pack 1 is coming

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:17:46 GMT

The new uber-OS hasn't even been officially launched to the mass market but Microsoft admits it has high impact issues and has already started work on Vista SP1, which is now due in the second half of this year.

In response to '10 reasons not to get Vista'

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:54:38 GMT

My colleague Dan Warne and OSNews Managing Editor Thom Holwerda responded to my '10 reasons not to get Vista' piece. There's nothing like the charged poles of passionate debate to wake you up in the morning. Or afternoon, if you're like me. Read on to see what I say...

Fight global warming from your PC

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 03:09:44 GMT

A new Windows XP app tunes your PC's energy consumption to the minimum and shows you how many trees, gallons of oil and kilowatt hours of electricity you've saved over time. You can also form teams with other people.

10 reasons you should get Vista

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:25:55 GMT

Microsoft says Vista offers a richer experience and that you should be getting ready for a new day? Cut the crap! Here are 10goodreasons you should get Vista.

Is Vista's Australian pricing a rip-off?

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:02:57 GMT

You could save between $54 and $217 by mail-ordering Vista from the US rather than buying it here.

10 reasons not to get Vista

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:52:00 GMT

It's all too easy to get caught up in the million dollar marketing engine as we approach the consumer release of Windows Vista, so lets not forget that it isn't the second coming, and by all counts is an upgrade you can do without.

Microsoft offers family discount for Vista

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:06:25 GMT

As the release of Vista draws near, Microsoft is piling on the upgrade incentives. In a bid to get families to buy more than one Vista upgrade, Microsoft is offering heavy discounts for the second and third copy.

Microsoft to offer Vista DVD as a download

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:00:53 GMT

It's a milestone in computing history: for the first time, you don't have to operate your legs (tm) and bother with connecting sneakers-to-pavement in order to get a copy of Windows. Vista will be 100% available as a download.

Symantec offers free upgrades to Vista-compatible Norton security apps

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:01:41 GMT

Symantec has announced Vista compatible versions of its security software, with free upgrades for owners of the 2006 or 2007 products.

A second chance at life

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:42:09 GMT

Ultra popular MMOG Second Life has taken the step of open sourcing its client application. What will the open source community do with it?

Installing Vista: How to do an image-based backup

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:10:49 GMT

If you're planning on installing Vista or dual-booting it with XP or Linux, it's now time to start preparing by backing up an image of your existing drive. Here's how to do it without having to buy Symantec's Ghost.

Gates announces Windows Home Server

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 06:32:14 GMT

Microsoft's new Windows Home Server platform may be designed for hardware manufacturers, but the software giant is considering letting geeks install and customise the basic operating system. Microsoft is struggling with one aspect though: connecting to Macs.

Vista Business released on pirate boards

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 07:05:25 GMT

With the full public release of Vista just weeks away, pirates have just released the Vista Business Upgrade DVD.

Vista Home Basic's half-baked bits

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:37:18 GMT

It's not what's been left out that's the problem with Vista Home Basic: it's what has been left in. Some of the features are horribly watered-down.

Wait, bloggers can keep the free laptops after all: Microsoft

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 05:03:21 GMT

It's like playing peek-a-boo with a child: now Microsoft wants to give you a laptop. Now it doesn't. Now it does.

2007: a world without Microsoft?

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 02:00:39 GMT

Imagine: it's January 1, 2007 and you've woken up to discover Microsoft has imploded. No Windows. No MSN. No more security patches. All gone. Would your OS of choice would rise to the top? Maybe not...

We don't need Vista after all?

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 06:42:50 GMT

Now that we're close to the public launch of Vista, a weird thing is happening in the blogosphere: people are starting to say that we don't really need it after all.

Microsoft sends Ferraris to bloggers

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:15:16 GMT

Microsoft has been caught out sending top-of-the-line laptops preloaded with Vista Ultimate to bloggers who have been covering Vista. The company says it's not a bribe because if bloggers wish they can choose to send the laptops back.

HOW TO: deploy Windows Vista out to desktops from a central server using WDS

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:19:42 GMT

Microsoft RIS is a great free deployment tool for admins. But get ready for WDS - Windows Deployment Services - the new, Vista-capable deployment system. Still free, but much better.

Apple says no to Samsung's hybrid flash hard drives in new Macs

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:39:45 GMT

... but says yes to Intel's motherboard-integrated 'Robson' flash technology for enhancing performance and extending notebook battery life?

Tough luck: MS on Aussie Vista

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:10:58 GMT

Why does Media Center suck so much, particularly for the Australian audience? We asked Microsoft and were graced with an anonymous spokesperson response.

Mac users crack the Office 2007 code

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:06:13 GMT

Mac users have been hard at work investigating how to crack Microsoft's cryptic Office 2007 code. The finding: the Catholic church is not to blame, and there are four ways to open the docs which we've listed here from easiest to greatest pain in the butt.

What's in Open Office 2.1

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:24:15 GMT

The single biggest competitor to Microsoft's Office suite has reached a new milestone with the recent release of Open Office 2.1. There's a number of new features that stack up well against Office 2007 and its new 'easier' interface.

GPU acceleration for Adobe Reader

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:59:48 GMT

The software revolution has begun. As Adobe adds stream computing support to Acrobat Reader, accelerating applications through the graphics processor is set to become mainstream sooner than we thought.

Vista beta haunts Microsoft helpdesk

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:42:59 GMT

Microsoft may have finished the gold-master version of Vista, but tech support for the beta versions is just beginning... through gritted teeth.

Adobe CS3 public beta this weekend: major new 'live filters' capability

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 04:37:43 GMT

Clear your commitments this weekend and boot up your download manager: Adobe is set to unleash a public beta of its CS3 supersuite in the next few days.

No compatibility list for Vista

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 02:21:50 GMT

Microsoft has finally spilled the beans on whether it will release an application compatibility list for Windows Vista. It basically doesn't exist and probably never will.

Is Longhorn's IIS an Apache killer?

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 09:59:49 GMT

Long trailing Apache's shadow in the world of webservers, Microsoft has given IIS7 in Longhorn Server a near total makeover. You'll be surprised by some of its features, clearly targeted at Linux admins.

Pirates crack Vista Activation Server

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:55:58 GMT

In the latest battle of Pirates vs Microsoft, the pirates have snuck one past the goalkeeper, with the release of a cracked Activation Server called MelindaGates.

Symantec releases betas for Vista

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 06:32:44 GMT

Now that Vista is done, get ready for a barrage of Vista-compatible apps -- starting with betas of Symantec's Norton 2007 range.

The lock-out begins for Office Mac users

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 23:13:25 GMT

The launch of Office 2007 for Windows signals the beginning of a long lock-out for Office for Mac users, who will be unable to read the new file formats.

Windows Vista crack is actually a trojan

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 03:20:18 GMT

A new 'crack' for Vista has started circulating, but the file ain't what it seems...

Vista, Office and Exchange launch with a pop

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:49:02 GMT

There were no catastrophic failures, no blue screens, in fact nothing remarkable at all at Microsoft Australia's official launch of Vista, Office and Exchange 2007. We'd heard it all before.

Free copies of Vista and Office 2007

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:23:44 GMT

Microsoft is so keen for early adopters and tech influencers to learn about the benefits of Vista and Office 2007 that it is giving full copies of it away.

Vista to exorcise SATA DVD demons?

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:07:07 GMT

Taiwan manufacturers are banging out more noise about their unpopular SATA optical drives, labeling Windows Vista as their ultimate saviour. But why, exactly, will Vista help them?

HOW TO: Protect your P2P privacy

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:08:05 GMT

It's not just the bad 'hackers' out there that might try and get in a look in on your machine, perfectly legitimate companies are out to do it too. Here's how to block out unwanted guests.

Nero runs under Vista (at last!)

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 21:43:33 GMT

Got Vista but need Nero? A fresh-baked update finally makes the popular CD/DVD burning suite compatible with Vista's RTM edition.

MediaFour announces MacDrive for Vista

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 04:00:58 GMT

Getting a Windows install up and running under Boot Camp is only half the battle. There's the (large) problem of Windows being unable to read the Mac's HFS+ file system. A solution exists for XP users and is coming for Vista too.

Work PCs to miss out on key Vista features

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 10:44:16 GMT

Vista Premium and Ultimate have some nice features, but Microsoft's most profitable customers -- organisations with hundreds of Windows licences -- will miss out on some of the best bits.

Ubercool Mac text editor comes to Windows

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 09:52:36 GMT

The cutting-edge Mac OS X text editor, TextMate, which won Best Mac OS X Developer Tool at this year's Apple Design Awards, has been ported to Windows.

Lots missing in Vista's Media Center

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:58:14 GMT

Vista has gone gold, technically, but I'd describe the Media Centre features as being a particular shade of brown. Here's are the top 5 features you won't be getting.

Hold your horses: Creative has Vista drivers coming... some time next year

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:35:53 GMT

The giant awakes and we finally received a response from Creative regarding its largely lacking driver support for its sound cards on Windows Vista.

HOW TO: forensically examine a PC

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 03:30:30 GMT

You've been hacked! Now what? Have a look around in the event log? Check some system files? Big mistake: you'd be tampering with evidence. Here's how to use a computer forensics tool instead.

Sun sets Java free

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 13:26:17 GMT

It's not every day that one of the landmarks of computing is released into the world for all and sundry to play with. But that's exactly what Sun is doing with Java, promising to release all Java source code under the GPL by March 2007.

CrossOver Mac 6.0 beta 3 leaps forward: runs Windows apps better in Mac OS X

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:23:49 GMT

A new beta of CrossOver for Mac was released today. Office 2003 (especially Outlook) gets a boost in the new emulator. Several substantial improvements at the system-level make the whole thing much less like Russian Roulette.

Vista RTM cracked by pirates before release

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 01:19:20 GMT

It hasn't been released toanyoneoutside Microsoft, and Vista RTM has already hit the pirate boards, along with an activation hack.

Microsoft closes piracy loophole: mandatory activation for volume licenced Vista

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 23:46:58 GMT

That's right, every single damn PC system admins roll out with Vista will need individual activation. In the industry's worst spin-doctoring of all time, Microsoft says it has made this change to improve the volume customer experience.

Vista goes gold: the frenzy begins

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:46:24 GMT

Vista's final code has been signed off by Microsoft execs early this morning. It's good to go - or as good as it is going to be until the first round of patching begins.

A vote for Democracy

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 06:08:00 GMT

No this isn't about the elections in the US, and how we can send men to the moon but can't make a voting machine without a bias. You could, however, probably watch the politicians kissing babies through the eyes of pop culture with Democracy: a culture driven video based RSS aggregator.

Tough new rules on Vista "OEM"

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 04:51:56 GMT

Another bastard clause of the Vista EULA has hit the spotlight. Microsoft has significantly tightened the restrictions on the sale of OEM copies of Vista -- say goodbye to the days of I'd like to buy a hard drive and an OEM copy of Windows, thanks.

Roll your own Gmail with Greasemonkey

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:04:13 GMT

Five Greasemonkey tricks (well, four Greasemonkey tricks and one extension really) can quickly make Gmail more pleasant and more powerful to use and better integrate it with GCal and Google Reader.

Cut-price Office 2007 starts at $249

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:03:34 GMT

Microsoft has finally recognised that home users are never going to pay the full price for Office and made available a cut price home and student version.

Microsoft boosts Outlook Web Access capabilities in Exchange 2007

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 13:27:18 GMT

We've all seen Outlook Web Access before -- it's slow and has limitations that become glaringly obvious compared to the real Outlook. No longer - OWA in Exchange 2007 rocks!

HOW TO: Wrangle Boot Camp 1.1.2 drivers into Windows Vista RC2

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:15:26 GMT

The release of Apple'sBoot Camp 1.1.2brings some substantial driver improvements for running Windows on Macs, but if you've moved on from XP to Vista already, it's not at all easy to install the new drivers. Here's how to do it.

How to beat the scam of security software

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 07:27:00 GMT

Buying security software is a necessary evil, but it needn't cost you a fortune. Here's how to get the best deals on internet security packages.

Vista gets official release dates

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 03:52:06 GMT

EXCLUSIVE |Microsoft has set November 30 as the release date for Vista (and Office 2007) to business customers and January 30, 2007 as the date for the official launch to consumers and The World At Large.

Media Player 11 for XP released

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 02:50:14 GMT

Hot on the heels of the final release of IE7, Media Player 11 was released to Windows XP users this week.

Vista Upgrade Pricing Announced

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 21:40:51 GMT

Microsoft has announced Windows Vista upgrade pricing for Australian consumers. Read on to see if you'll be able to afford to buy Vista while still eating three meals a day...

Creative mute on Vista Soundblaster drivers

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 03:05:30 GMT

Judging by Creative's almost total lack of Vista drivers, it seems the next-gen OS has crept up on Creative and taken it by surprise. That is, in itself, surprising, since the company was at the recent WinHEC conference in Seattle spouting off about how great its commitment to Vista was.

Windows Vista's retail boxes revealed

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:15:56 GMT

A shiny new OS deserves a shiny new box to sit in. Well, five of them -- one for each Vista version. Here's the story behind the new retail guise of Windows.

Could Vista actually slow down networks?

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 00:27:22 GMT

Network admins won't be happy: in its default state, Vista uses up to three times more network bandwidth than XP thanks to its many new networking features. On networks with many PCs, that could be a big problem.

Microsoft tackles "IT fireman" approach in small business

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 06:28:00 GMT

Small businesses shouldn't wait till IT problems occur, says Microsoft. Rather, they should install Microsoft's new package, System Centre Essentials 2007, and start monitoring their servers, network and PCs automagically.

Psst! Wanna buy Vista for $27?

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 04:58:58 GMT

Okay, so there's a catch: in order to score a super-cheap copy of Vista or Office 2007, you'll have to buy a new PC with XP on it within the next few months.

Vista desktop search: Google flukes, Yahoo fails

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:21:56 GMT

Aside from Vista's inbuilt desktop search engine, there are other third party applications out there. The challenge, it seems, is in finding one that supports Vista.

Desktop search is rotten in Vista

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Since installing Vista on my work PC, I'm beginning to know what the end of the world would feel like. It's an apocalyptic wasteland strewn with poorly organised files; I'm the feral pig foraging haplessly through folders.

Media Sharing Made Easy With Vista

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 11:08:09 GMT

UPnP media streaming is becoming a household phenomenon. Windows Vista comes to the UPnP Party, but brought it own drinks...and you'd better like them.

Derelict IE6 finally updated: IE7 out today

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 02:53:41 GMT

After several betas and a release candidate, the final release of IE7 has hit the pipes today. You can finally blow IE6 and its cobwebs away for good.

What’s on your iPod? Windows malware

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Apple has revealed today that it shipped video iPods with more content than their new owners bargained for.

HOW TO: Dual-boot XP and Vista

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:44:49 GMT

If you're not quite willing to let go of XP yet in favour of an unstable pre-release version of Vista (whatever could possibly be the problem?) dual-booting Vista and XP is the smart move. Here's how to do it.

Vista still lacks full nVIDIA support

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 03:01:48 GMT

Want to run Vista on a RAID hard drive configuration using nVIDIA's popular nForce chipset? You can forget about it with official drivers. There is a way to get it running, however.

Windows without windows: Microsoft goes command-line with Server Core

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:53:50 GMT

It must be a great irony for Linux proponents that the next version of Windows Server can run without any GUI at all. Script jockeys rejoice; the rest of us despair! Time to dust off your command-line skills.

HOW TO: Coax retro DOS games to play on Vista

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:38:16 GMT

In the interests of regressing to my childhood (and in a bout of geek-fuelled masochism), I tried to get some classics up and running on Windows Vista. Space Quest I, Commander Keen, Duke Nukem...

Parallels Workstation and CrossOver get smarter

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Virtualisation of Windows apps on Mac is rapidly maturing, whether you want install the whole OS (Parallels Workstation) or just run individual Windows apps (CrossOver).

Vista's security: incompatible with humans

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 01:48:59 GMT

The final version of Vista is soon to be upon us, however it is completely, utterly fundamentally flawed in the way it handles security. It involves zombies.

Office 2007: grab that final beta while you can

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 03:42:22 GMT

Microsoft is pulling down the shutters on its Office 2007 downloads as the next-gen suite is readied to go 'gold'. But it's well worth grabbing the latest Tech Refresh before it's too late.

HOW TO: Install Vista RC2 on an Intel Mac with Boot Camp

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Dan Warne, chief honcho at APC's web site, asked if I would do a post on installing the new Windows Vista RC2 release on an Intel Mac using the recent update to Boot Camp. Sure, I said, no worries; should be easy. I was wrong.

The Ultimate question: give Microsoft $2,000 or buy a new PC?

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 12:30:39 GMT

A mere $2,000 will buy you Microsoft's 'Ultimate' bundle of Vista and Office 2007, or a damned good dual-core desktop PC. Which would you choose?

$751 for Windows Vista Ultimate: official Australian pricing revealed

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 01:34:21 GMT

Microsoft has just announced local Australian pricing information for all full packaged product Windows Vista editions. The top-shelf Windows Vista Ultimate carries an unbelievably hefty pricetag, though Home Premium costs roughly the same as XP Pro.

HOW TO: Run Vista on Linux/XP

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 10:58:05 GMT

Even if you're beta-phobic, you can still play with the test releases of Vista. Here's a guide to running them within XP, or yes, even Linux.

Microsoft releases Windows Vista RC2: final test build

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 10:51:02 GMT

Microsoft has released Windows Vista Release Candidate 2 for public download.

HOW TO: Install Nero 7 on Vista

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:03:12 GMT

With Vista lacking decent optical burning abilities, it's in dire need of a third-party application. Unfortunately, if Nero is your app of choice, it refuses to run. Until now...

Norton 2007 will be faster, pledges Symantec

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 03:38:45 GMT

It seems Symantec hasfinallygot the message about Norton bloat: it has promised its new Norton security software will have a smaller footprint and run faster.PLUS:Vintage Norton advertising: Peter Norton and the Village People.

QoS revolution in Longhorn

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 02:22:12 GMT

Network Quality of Service is one of Longhorn's big selling points: Microsoft has integrated it at the network level, so software no longer needs to be aware of it. This will make life much easier for network admins struggling to keep time critical traffic like VoIP flowing smoothly over large networks.

Vista scoots to new boot, but it's still kinda rooted

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:27:12 GMT

Microsoft has grudgingly given some ground to critics of its 'nuke-first-ask-questions-later' approach to master boot records in Vista, but will it be enough to satisfy users who want to run more than one OS?

Vista, the antivirus headache: part 2

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 03:53:31 GMT

Here's another look at the state of antivirus software on Vista. I've also tracked down several more functional antivirus suites for use on Vista RC1, including one which is open source.

Need to eavesdrop on a network? Try Microsoft's new free tool.

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 08:02:17 GMT

Need to sniff a network? Find out what's going on? Want to discover passwords your software is sending in clear-text? Microsoft's soon-to-be-released Network Monitor 3.0 can do it, and it's now freeware.

New Vista build 5728 temporary available

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:22:29 GMT

Microsoft is making a new build of Vista with post-RC1 fixes available for a short time only. Grab it while you can!

Eye-candy sampler: the four faces of Vista

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 03:40:26 GMT

Exactly how does Vista's glammed-up Aero Glass interface compare with the scaled-down Vista Standard, Vista Basic and Windows Classic themes? Here's a unique eye-candy sampler that compares the four looks side-by-side...

Vista tweak tool goes free

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 00:00:40 GMT

The award-winning Tweak-XP utility has made the leap to Vista but left its price tag behind. The basic version of TweakVI is now free - you only have to pay for the Premium or Ultimate versions.

Symantec blasts Microsoft over Vista anti-virus support

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 04:30:45 GMT

Symantec has launched a blistering attack on Microsoft, saying it isn't cooperating with third party Vista anti-virus developers. But some of its competitors already have their software working, casting doubts on the claims.

Something fishy about Vista

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 07:01:58 GMT

Microsoft is having a few problems with the Vista name. Seems it means a lot of unsavoury things in various languages...

It's Vista vs Sushi: USB lockdown

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 05:20:57 GMT

Just as they were gaining traction in the corporate cubicle, Sushi USB keys are being foiled by a new feature in Longhorn Server and Vista: the ability for IT admins to lock out removable storage.

VoIP just too dang hard: Microsoft

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 05:21:30 GMT

What's with Microsoft's sudden interest in webcams and VoIP headsets? Why step into a well-established market, where notebooks increasingly have the stuff built-in? According to Microsoft, it's all just too hard to use at the moment.

Microsoft releases Vista RC1 for public download

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:36:11 GMT

Microsoft has released Vista RC1 for public download. If you're running a previous beta, I highly recommend you get RC1: it's a dramatic improvement in terms of speed, driver support and stability.

Microsoft deliberately blocking disc burning software in Vista, claims Alcohol

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 12:52:08 GMT

It's no coincidence that none of the major DVD burning apps work properly in Vista yet: Microsoft is blocking the drivers needed for them to work, according to Alcohol Soft, the company behind the popular Alcohol 120%.

The Vista taskbar: it's worse than XP's

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:22:23 GMT

It's a dark day for taskbar tweakers (you know who you are). Microsoft has actuallycutVista's taskbar functionality from what was in XP, ignoring years of calls for improvement.

New Microsoft mice copy OS X's Expose

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 08:47:43 GMT

Yup, Microsoft's new Instant Viewer definitely bears more than a passing resemblance to Expose on Mac OS X. But apart from that transgression, there's some dead smart stuff in these new mice.

Windows Update Services gets major overhaul for Vista: WSUS 3.0 beta

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:51:45 GMT

WSUS -- the Windows Update Server that sits in your LAN -- is about to get a major overhaul in 3.0. It will not only support Vista but a raft of other Microsoft products like Activesync, Windows Defender, Ultimate Extras and more.

HOW TO: install iTunes 7 on Vista RC1

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 06:58:25 GMT

If you've had problems installing the new iTunes 7 on Windows Vista RC1 today, here's how to work around the problem.

Microsoft's 14 new Vista hardware devices

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 06:27:21 GMT

YOU cooked up eight versions of Vista dude? My division has a dozen mice! Bite me. Microsoft is about to take the wraps off its most prolific hardware range yet.

iTunes 7: Handy backup option, eye candy

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 03:08:10 GMT

iTunes 7 has a few handy new features: a quick backup option, the ability to download high-res album art for your entire library free of charge, and the ability to scroll through your album covers.

End-of-year Vista release: business versions only

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 04:11:46 GMT

Microsoft will push ahead with release of Vista to volume-licence customers before the end of the year, but it will only release the business-specific versions, Microsoft Australia's Windows Chief said yesterday.

Vista's account protection: one click and it's gone

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 04:35:40 GMT

If TweakVista can turn off Vista's User Account Protection with one click of a checkbox, just how much security does this major new feature of Vista really offer?

Up to $670 for Vista in Australia?

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 03:02:23 GMT

Microsoft today confirmed its US pricing for Windows Vista. Based on the previous price difference between Windows XP in the US and Australia, we could end paying as much as $670 for Vista when it hits.

CrossOver: run Windows apps natively in OS X

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 13:44:04 GMT

CodeWeavers has released an free beta of an app that allows Windows software to run natively in OS X on Intel-based Macs -- albeit with some quirks at this stage.

Windows Vista RC1: you have the right to do ... nothing, actually

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:45:46 GMT

I discovered today that Vista's irritating User Account Protection completely locks you out from doing certain things on your PC. It's like that annoying message in XP warning you not to modify system folders, except there's no 'I know what I'm doing' option to skip past it.

Vista RC1: looks good but boots s-l-o-w...

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:55:37 GMT

After more cosmetic surgery than Michael Jackson, Vista enters the final mile of the marathon with Release Candidate 1. Overall the build feels much faster to use, but boot time is still lagging XP by a long way.

Windows Vista RC1 (build 5600) released!

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 05:02:05 GMT

Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 has gone gold, with an initial release to formal beta testers today and a wider release next week, according to Windows Chief Jim Allchin.

Longhorn Server: new options when it crashes

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:16:23 GMT

Sooner or later something goes wrong with a server. Sometimes that means it won't boot properly -- what do you do then? Longhorn server has a few new secrets in this department.

Symantec plays down CPU virus hyperbole

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 06:21:36 GMT

We have an interesting QA session with Symantec's Vincent Weafer and discover that the new proof-of-concept CPU virus isn't all it was cracked up to be.

CPU virus can attack AMD, Intel CPUs

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 12:09:23 GMT

A new proof-of-concept virus targeted at a certain architectural flaw in most modern CPUs can take almost complete, low-level control of a system.

Less annoying: Longhorn Server

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 05:58:05 GMT

TECH.ED 2006 |Windows Server Senior Product Manager David Lowe admits that IT professionals have been saying 'why can't I do this, why can't I do that, this is always a pain. This is always a problem. However, Longhorn Server will be less annoying, he says.

Working 9 to 5 is obsolete, says Microsoft

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:46:39 GMT

The arrival of the internet generation in the workplace is a cultural revolution that's overturning the concept of the 9 to 5 work day, says Microsoft.But IT departments don't understand it and are trying to beat back the changes in an attempt to shore up workplace productivity. So who's right?

What's new in Vista Pre-RC1 (build 5536)

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 10:45:21 GMT

Damn, the latest beta of Vista, just released early Saturday morning Australian time, is FAST compared to previous builds. Applications load much quicker - even ones that haven't been precached by Superfetch.

We were wrong about HD playback in Vista: Microsoft

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 01:18:43 GMT

Microsoft has clarified its statement that playback of protected high-definition content wouldn't be possible in Windows Vista 32bit. It now says its Senior Program Manager Steve Riley didn't quite get it right, though it's hard to see how the clarification isn't more of the same in different words.

Microsoft cuts ANOTHER feature: full HD playback in 32bit Vista goes

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 08:25:15 GMT

TECH.ED 2006 |Microsoft has bent to pressure from movie studios to limit playback of protected HD movies to 64-bit computers only. That means owners of most Pentium 4s and Core Duos can kiss goodbye to dreams of studio-release BluRay and HD-DVD movies playing on a 30 LCD monitor...

Vista tweak tools already piling up

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:13:02 GMT

Just because it's Vista doesn't mean you won't need TweakUI. A number of third party developers have already made Vista tweaking tools that let you modify the interface, change boot options and easily reconfigure Internet Explorer.

Unlock work internet or risk losing staff: Microsoft

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 05:29:16 GMT

TECH.ED 2006 |People don't want to work for employers who limit their internet access at work, a senior Microsoft exec said today at the opening of the software giant's annual developer conference, Tech.Ed 2006.

Logitech limits Vista support to three-year-old peripherals

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 04:56:36 GMT

Logitech has admitted it won't be making Vista drivers for any keyboards or mice older than three years. Logitech will [only] be supporting legacy mice and keyboards that shipped with Setpoint, our mouse and keyboard configuration software. This software has been shipping with Logitech products since 2003, the company told APC.

Windows PE 2.0: a tiny version of Windows for system maintenance

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:28:06 GMT

Few people know it, but when you boot off the Vista install DVD, you're booting into a different version of Windows altogether: Windows PE 2.0. Stripped away from the Vista installer, it's a remarkably powerful, compact OS.

Vista disk encryption: very damn fast

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 02:23:39 GMT

We benchmarked Vista's full-disk encryption with surprising results: the speed drop was very minimal even on a system with an old Pentium 4 2GHz CPU. This could actually be useful, even for personal laptops.

Automated Vista installs made easy

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:25:04 GMT

Vista makes it easy to avoid having to sit there clicking the next button ad nauseum during the install process. Now there's a dedicated program that helps you script the install process. Here's how to do it.

HOW TO: modify Vista's Aero Glass interface

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 04:41:38 GMT

Do the animations in Windows Vista make you feel half-drunk or motion sick? Do the overcluttered Explorer windows confuse the hell out of you when you're hunting for a file in a hurry? Here's how to strip back Vista to rid it of the eyecandy.

Vista: ultimate confusing mess edition

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 03:21:27 GMT

Things get ugly in Vista when you delete Microsoft's sample set of perfectly tagged files and put in your own motley collection.A clearer view of your files? Think again.

APCMag.com readers: 37% Firefox

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:33:22 GMT

Internet Explorer usage is sinking fast, at least according to APCMag.com's latest statistics. It's down to 53 per cent of users, and Firefox is gobbling up Microsoft's once unassailable monopoly position.

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 03:17:58 GMT

Is it Expose for OS X? Is it Flip for Vista? Actually, it's both ... TopDesk for Windows proves you don't need a billion dollar RD budget to create a better application switcher for XP.

Microsoft dumps "unpopular" IE7+

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 04:46:42 GMT

Microsoft announced this morning Australian time that it has dropped the unpopular Internet Explorer 7+ name for the version of IE7 that will come in Windows Vista.

Exploring Vista's WIM format with ImageX

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 03:40:26 GMT

How exactly do you get into a Windows Vista install image (WIM file) and make modifications? I've put together a step-by-step guide with screenshots on how to use Vista's ImageX tool.

We won't switch Firefox users to IE7, Microsoft pledges

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 05:37:34 GMT

Microsoft will go ahead with its plan to distribute IE7 to XP users via Automatic Updates, but it won't change Firefox or Opera users' default browser setting, the software giant has clarified.

You say tomato, I say Spamato!

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 03:40:12 GMT

Do you want to go into business being a direct-to-the-public reseller of leading erectile dysfunction drugs? No? Then you need a decent spam filter... and this open source, GPL-licensed filter is superbly effective.

Is your PC ready for Vista?

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:45:09 GMT

Vista beta build 5472 is the first one to allow upgrading from XP and also the first to include the Upgrade Advisor Beta, which will trawl through your system and tell you whether it's adequately grunty for running Vista.

WinRAR free for one day only

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 15:19:15 GMT

The popular archiving utility WinRAR, normally $US29, will be free for one day only: from about 8am today (Sunday) by our calculations.

XP users to get IE7 foisted on them

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:39:18 GMT

Microsoft will distribute Internet Explorer 7 as an automatic update to Windows XP, the software giant has revealed. Users can choose not to receive it, but they must download the IE7 blocker toolkit from Microsoft in order to permanently stop it from being downloaded automatically.

Vista to have inbuilt undelete

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 02:20:53 GMT

Hey! It looks like you're shredding a letter! Would you like me to undelete that for your boss?

IM for political dissidents and privacy nuts

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 09:44:40 GMT

Released by Hacktivismo, a subdivision of Cult of the Dead Cow, ScatterChat combines the Gaim instant messenger with end-to-end encryption and Tor, an open source onion router that disguises the origin and destination of packets.

Dell responds to bloat claims

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 06:28:10 GMT

Dell has conceded customers are increasingly unhappy with the amount of preloaded software that comes preinstalled on their new PCs. One customer was so frustrated he made a program called PC-Decrapifier that targets Dell's preinstalled software for deletion.

Antivirus: it's as bad as malware itself

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:16:56 GMT

When I got my new Dell the other day I was staggered to discover that it was seemingly impossible to uninstall the bundled anti-virus package. This software was so deeply rooted into the PC that after a concerted effort, I had to reboot into safe mode. In my opinion, this is as bad as malware itself.

Adobe Lightroom beta hits the net

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:50:46 GMT

Ask any PC dabbler. They inevitably want Windows, Office and 'Adobe Photoshop because they have a digital camera'. WTF?! Don't get me wrong, Photoshop is a fantastic power-tool, but dude, it's like, $1100, and you wouldn't want to pirate software right? Adobe has answered our prayers with Lightroom.

Build your own Vista install DVD

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:35:03 GMT

The fact that the Windows Vista install DVD is just one big pre-installed system image makes it surprisingly easy to build your own disc with patches, drivers and even applications pre-installed.

Inside Vista's new image-based install

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:32:10 GMT

Vista's installation process is dramatically different to any previous version of Windows: rather than being an 'installer', the install DVD is actually a preinstalled copy of Windows that simply gets decompressed onto your PC.So how does it adjust to your hardware? Can you slipstream updates and drivers into it? We asked Microsoft Australia and got some surprising answers.

Why the future is not AJAX

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 04:15:34 GMT

OPINION |How can anyone seriously argue that writing a whole spreadsheet package in Javascript is anything more than a hack? The future is in desktop apps that mirror settings and documents online. Firefox can do it; the mystery is why more software doesn't.

Gmail and GCal without distractions

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 06:53:38 GMT

The art of getting things done on your computer is without doubt a state of mind. It's so easy to waste time goofing around that only good mental discipline can save you. Having the right tools helps too. Two purpose-built browsers for Gmail and Gcal can help you to focus on the work in front of you and get it done.

Free VoIP calls to landlines in 60 countries

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:47:19 GMT

The Skype competitor Gizmo Project is offering free calls to any landline phone in Australia, as well as 59 other countries.

No Photostory for Vista

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 01:41:53 GMT

Bad news for users of Microsoft's free Photostory animated slideshow app: its development is being discontinued because bits of it are being built in to Vista.

NEW TODAY: Vista Beta 2 Build 5472

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 02:04:34 GMT

Another day, another build of Vista. Interim release 5472, out today, is about 100MB larger, but has faster code execution, and the new 'blue basic' visual theme replaces the ugly one nicknamed 'scrap metal' by beta testers.

An amazing free screensaver

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 07:26:25 GMT

Electric sheep is an awesome grid-computing screensaver that was created by San Francisco-based video artist, Scott Draves. It's free, open-source, and generates inspiring fractal animations on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.

No Nero for Windows Vista beta 2 yet

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 06:37:00 GMT

German company Nero AG, maker of the popular disc burning program, has confirmed that no version of Nero will work properly on Vista beta 2 yet. It says it is working on fixing the problem but won't have a release ready until Vista ships.

Free antivirus for Vista beta 2

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:53:02 GMT

Grisoft, the maker of the popular free antivirus software AVG has announced that Microsoft has fixed a bug that was preventing AVG from installing on Vista Beta 2.

Vista's truly useful feature: Gadgets

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 03:01:25 GMT

Vista's native support for desktop gadgets is one of the more impressive aspects of the new OS. These internet-connected micro-apps are easy to build and will no doubt bring community involvement to Windows in the same way Extensions helped Firefox cement its success.

Vodafone unveils 1.8Mbit/s 3G modem

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 07:24:18 GMT

Vodafone Australia is set to launch a USB modem for notebooks and desktop PCs that will provide a 1.8Mbit/s wireless broadband internet connection over its 3G mobile network.

Vista's sidebar -- a waste of space?

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 04:17:33 GMT

Has Microsoft made a critical design mistake in Vista? If you don't have a widescreen display, the desktop sidebar is simply too chunky to be useful.

New visual theme for Vista unveiled

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 14:37:24 GMT

The Vista development team used its blog to preview a new visual theme this weekend that will replace the ugly basic theme, dubbed scrap metal by the beta testing community.

Burn slower or risk data loss, warns Microsoft

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 11:59:12 GMT

Microsoft is warning Vista beta testers to burn ISOs to discs at slower speeds, claiming its failure analysis data is showing that three quarters of failed Vista installs are due to dodgy DVD-Rs.

Vista gets DVD movie burning

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 02:56:45 GMT

One application that comes with the predictably hefty priced Vista Home Premium edition is the inbuilt DVD Maker. Given Microsoft's lukewarm efforts at iApps in the past, Vista's DVD Maker is actually surprisingly good.

Adobe's Flash new player less of a CPU hog

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 07:54:15 GMT

Adobe has released its first major version of the Flash player since it took over the reigns from Macromedia. It is promising Version 9, code named Blaze is 10 times faster at certain tasks, making it less of a CPU hog than Flash 8.5.

Vista disc burning: don't dump Nero yet

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 07:22:49 GMT

Users holding out hopes that Microsoft might have improved the underwhelming disc-burning capabilities of XP are going to be disappointed with Vista.

Facial recognition for the masses. . . sort of

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 07:44:03 GMT

Now whenever anybody says You remind me of someone. . ., you can just tap a few keys on your computer and reply Serena Williams -- like, duh.

What to do when Outlook goes bust

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 05:52:52 GMT

Did you know you can lose all your personal folders in Outlook if the PST file gets bigger than 2GB? Yep, it's a known issue, but I didn't know about it until it was too late. Turns out every version of Outlook older than 2003 doesn't present any warning when you're nearing 2GB. Once it happens, you'll need to know how to fix it.

Why OFLC really banned Reservoir Dogs

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 07:50:15 GMT

Considering the level of violence present in modern games, the decision by the OFLC to ban the game Reservoir Dogs is a strange one. Is it a political move?

NVIDIA behind in race for Vista drivers

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 05:32:25 GMT

UPDATE |Despite refusing our initial requests for comment, following the publication of our story, NVIDIA has provided further information about its Vista drivers. See the article body for more.So who's winning the Vista driver race so far - ATI or NVIDIA? We asked this question and were surprised that NVIDIA didnotwant to talk about it, so we decided to take a look for ourselves.

Opera 9: a foxier browser?

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 09:26:59 GMT

The latest Opera browser has an inbuilt torrent client as well as 'gadgets' like the Mac OS X Dashboard or Yahoo Widgets. It's certainly the most impressive version of Opera yet and a serious competitor for Firefox.

Microsoft backs off anti-piracy software

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 04:33:54 GMT

Microsoft has given customers instructions on how to remove its Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy nagware, in what amounts to an admission that the software giant had annoyed many of its customers.

FIRST LOOK: Vista build 5456.5

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 07:23:46 GMT

Microsoft's latest beta of Vista is a small refresh on the official beta 2 release, offering faster install time, fewer of the endless user authentication dialogues and better overall fit and finish.

BANNED: Australian gamers to miss out on Eidos' Reservoir Dogs game

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 07:04:18 GMT

UPDATE |The OFLC has now published itsreasoning for the banning of Reservoir Dogs.You've seen the movie, now don't play the game: the Office of Film and Literature Classification has banned the upcoming Reservoir Dogs game, despite allowing the movie to be released years ago.

X1 Enterprise desktop search now free

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 05:35:38 GMT

The world of free desktop search has scored another kill: the X1 Desktop Search Enterprise Client, once $US75 ($102.50), is now free. X1 is distinguished by its ability to index an incredible 370 file formats.

New Vista beta out today: build 5456.5

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 03:02:49 GMT

Microsoft has released another beta of Vista -- build 5456 -- to its Microsoft Connect beta testers. The release is not publicly available yet, but critics who have seen it say it is what the bug laden Beta 2 should have been.

Five people matter more than Steve Jobs

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 03:11:04 GMT

In a calculated and cynical move, Business 2.0 Magazine has compileda list of 50 people who matter most, relegating His Steveness to fifth spot. MacHeads will soon twig to the craven nature of this list.

Please Bill, offer expert mode in Vista

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 07:38:12 GMT

Anyone who has installed XP a few times knows how long it takes to turn off all the helpful warnings and regain control of the system. Will Vista improve on this, or will it overload us with yet more wizards? Please Bill, say it isn't so.

World of Warcraft: realm transfers for cash

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:50:13 GMT

UPDATE |Vivendi Universal Australia has issued an updated statement. See the full story for more info.World of Warcraft players will now be able to move their characters between virtual realms, allowing them to escape overloaded game servers, while reuniting multiple characters spread across realms, the game giant Blizzard Entertainment announced today. The catch? It will cost you. Quite a lot.

Microsoft's Skype killer unveiled

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:52:16 GMT

Windows Live Messenger 8 is out, and it's clear that Microsoft has Skype firmly in its sights. The MSN Messenger successor has a big focus on PC-to-landline and PC-to-PC calling along with a batch of other interesting features.

Microsoft: humble pie over Office bloat

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 07:30:12 GMT

Microsoft Australia's Office chief today delivered a frank retrospective about how badly bloated Office had become over the years, admitting that users hated some aspects of what Office had become. These applications were really big; they were unwieldy with the user interface that we had, he admitted.

Vista betas to be released monthly

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 02:35:30 GMT

Microsoft will release updates to Windows Vista monthly until its gold master release to corporate customers in November, the software giant's Australian Windows chief revealed today.

BigPond game service: false economy

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 09:21:35 GMT

UPDATE |BigPond has corrected a pricing error which affects the content of this story. See the story body text and comments for more information.Internet service provider BigPond is again doing the pony-dance of appearing to create value for subscribers without really creating it, with its new BigPond Games Shop download service.

World's weirdest downloads discovered

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 07:23:34 GMT

Most freeware companies churn out endless streams of code debuggers, word processors, defraggers - then there's RB59.com, which makes softwareexclusivelyfor tracking your personal yeti and ghost sightings, beaver trapping and crock-pot casserole recipes.

Microsoft to protect users from themselves

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 06:50:38 GMT

One of Microsoft's big promises behind Vista is that it will protect users from themselves: no matter how convincing a phishing scam is, IE7 should stop you before you type in your bank details. But can this shield really be kept up-to-date as phishers fine tune their tactics?

Alky converts Win32 to native OS X apps

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 02:50:54 GMT

An ambitious open source project is aiming to translate Windows programs into native OS X apps. The end result will run faster and more independently without the extra layer of software required by open-source implementations of the Win32 API like WINE.

Microsoft set to launch iPod killer

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 02:24:08 GMT

Microsoft is readying a digital music player to take on the iPod, according to a Reuters report. It also has plans for an online music service that will overtake Apple's iTunes Music Store.

Is Vista beta 2 exposing your files?

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 06:00:50 GMT

Windows Vista beta 2 installs a new default network share on your PC: C:\Users. As a network admin who has seen too many PCs with horribly exposed files due to Windows' default settings, I'm naturally wary of file shares that are opened up automatically. I asked Microsoft: what's the deal?

Microsoft, Mozilla compete on World Cup

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 03:14:01 GMT

Is it pure coincidence that Steve Ballmer's head looks so much like a soccer ball? Microsoft has jumped head-first into the World Cup frenzy, releasing a desktop gadget that helps you keep track. It's in a death match with an open-source World Cup extension, Footiefox, for Firefox.

Flock: the web 2.0 browser goes beta

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 03:05:02 GMT

Flock, the heavily-buzzed social browser now has an official beta version, which allows you to upload batches of photos to photo sharing services, share your bookmarks with other people online and post and read blogs via a more powerful interface than traditional web browsers offer.

You are Microsoft's guinea pig

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 07:18:45 GMT

Microsoft today encouraged software makers worldwide to leverage your user base as free Quality Assurance testers for your products running on Windows! after announcing an upgrade to its Windows Error Reporting system.

The secret iLife of Microsoft

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 05:56:46 GMT

Is the Vista team shamelessly stealing ideas from the Mac OS X team? Surprisingly, no-one is asking the equally provocative question: is Microsoft building an iLife clone for Windows?

Google releases Browser Sync

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:52:30 GMT

Google has just given the world the best reason to use Firefox yet: a 'Browser Sync' extension that synchronises your bookmarks, cookies, passwords, history and even open tabs/windows across multiple PCs.

Microsoft dumps another Vista feature

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:41:41 GMT

Microsoft says it hasn't been able to get the Vista PC-to-PC sync feature up-to-scratch before release, so it is has had to dump it. This is part of the normal beta process as we constantly evaluate, improve and fine tune the features of Windows Vista, the spokesperson told APC.

X-Men: The Official Game of the Movie

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 05:18:35 GMT

Hang about - an awful movie licence game? Based on a comic from Marvel? It's uncanny! If you see this box on the shelf RUN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.

Vista beta 2 available for download

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:49:21 GMT

Now's your chance to see what the next-generation Windows will be like, first hand. Microsoft has made Windows Vista beta 2 available for free public download.

It's a Windows world: deal with it

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 03:35:51 GMT

In between the howls of outrage over Vista's dropped features and lateness, Mac and Linux fanboys are rubbing their hands with glee at the expected influx of Windows users flocking over to the Light. Sorry guys - the disappointment is going to be yours to savour.

Why Adobe is the new enemy

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:48:21 GMT

Adobe really is being an A-grade ass when it comes to Microsoft's intention to integrate PDF output into Office 2007. Despite having encouraged everyone to develop software that can read and write PDF, it suddenly has a huge problem with Microsoft building it into Office.

Will your GPU have enough kick for Vista?

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 02:30:13 GMT

Vista's slick new interface - Aero - needs a grunty GPU, but just how grunty? As I discovered this week with Vista beta 2 hiccuping all over the place on my NVIDIA 6800GT 256MB, the answer is 'very'.

So does Lenovo love Linux or not?

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 01:45:11 GMT

First the Lenovo chief said the company was dropping Linux from its OEM line of computers, after IBM had spent years fostering adoption of desktop Linux. Now the company says that's not quite true: it will still install Linux on notebooks if customers provide their own licence. We say: what the...?

Songbird takes flight, iTunes killer?

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 08:10:28 GMT

If you're sick of the big memory footprint and CPU utilisation of iTunes or Windows Media Player, a new media player from the people who made Firefox is a promising new option.

Faking the Vista love

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 07:59:50 GMT

I love Microsoft's flash online Vista demo, but I'm worried that some certain celebrities don't share my enthusiasm. In fact I'm positive that the guy reading the script - Tom Skerritt - is thinking, WTF!?

Vista gets a speed boost

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 04:46:19 GMT

Vista Beta 2 |One of the more interesting features of Windows Vista designed to enhance performance is ReadyBoost. The concept is intriguingly simple - plug a USB thumb drive into the machine and Vista will treat it as a high-speed RAM cache.

Windows graphics system to be overhauled

Wed, 31 May 2006 23:40:53 GMT

Microsoft is to overhaul Windows' graphic driver model after realising that the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.0 which will ship with Vista needs improvement in the way it shares GPU resources between programs and Windows itself.

Firefox 2 alpha 3 ready for testing

Wed, 31 May 2006 04:57:24 GMT

Mozilla has released the alpha 3 release of Firefox 2, codenamed Bon Echo. One of the key improvements in alpha 3 is microsummaries, which provides changing information attached to a bookmark.

HOW TO: Rip an audio stream to a file

Tue, 30 May 2006 04:10:57 GMT

Many of us no longer have a working tape recorder in the house, so recording a favourite radio program that you can't bear to miss isn't as easy as it once was. However, if the station also streams to the web, you may be in luck. There are quite a few tools that let you rip streaming media off the web. Here's how.

Vista trades wizards for better GUI

Mon, 29 May 2006 00:55:55 GMT

Vista Beta 2 |Microsoft is going big on feature bundling in Vista - similar to the upcoming Office 2007, Vista presents similar configuration tasks together rather than making the user hunt them out in different places. But will this new way of doing things annoy advanced users who know exactly where everything is?

Inside Vista Beta 2: screenshots

Sun, 28 May 2006 23:30:02 GMT

Vista Beta 2 |I've been in Seattle for the past few days at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2006, first at the Windows Vista Reviewers' Workshop (where Microsoft shows carefully crafted examples of the operating system working flawlessly) and then at the conference itself, where Microsoft and hardware makers talk drivers, architecture, compatibility and so on. I've also had some time to play with the just-released Vista Beta 2, and here are some screenshots of interesting aspects.

Less 64-bit driver woes with Vista

Fri, 26 May 2006 07:52:25 GMT

Microsoft said today that it was aiming for parity between the number of drivers shipped in 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. But it also admitted it probably wouldn't reach this goal.

Better Outlook searching

Thu, 25 May 2006 07:35:07 GMT

Sure, Google Desktop Search is a better alternative to the grinding search of Outlook death. But it can't index offline PST files, meaning you have to keep all those archives open at all times. Thankfully, there is a better way.

Vista Beta 2 takes a sleeping pill

Wed, 24 May 2006 15:00:09 GMT

Windows sleep mode has always been a bit of a gamble, because you can never be sure that the machine will wake up from its slumber reliably or quickly. But Microsoft is promising this will all change in Vista ... and has even taken things a step further.

Microsoft backs Samsung over Intel

Wed, 24 May 2006 08:45:57 GMT

Microsoft is recommending Samsung's hybrid flash hard drive as the best device to be used with the SuperFetch memory caching in Windows Vista, which may frustrate Intel's hopes for its Robson motherboard flash caching technology to be widely adopted.

Will your Mac run Vista?

Mon, 22 May 2006 07:07:16 GMT

Windows XP screams along on my MacBook Pro under Parallels Workstation, faster than it does on my middled-aged Wintel box. However, running the eventually-to-be-released Windows Vista will be a different story.

Top 5 best Firefox extensions

Mon, 22 May 2006 06:28:03 GMT

The PCs at APC are so clogged with plug-ins and add-ons that the system tray often resembles a bowl of jelly beans being attacked with a stun gun. But even on a plain vanilla XP install, here are five Firefox extensions that you absolutely must not be without.

Windows Media Player 11 hot to trot

Mon, 22 May 2006 06:22:07 GMT

Microsoft has just publicly released the first beta for Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP. The new version sports a slick black interface with Aqua-esque blue buttons as was all the rage say 5 years ago! Still, we took it for a spin and it's a versatile player.

Vista: here comes the blame game

Mon, 22 May 2006 00:30:42 GMT

Change. Users hate it. And if you work in tech support, you're going to get personally blamed for changing everything when Vista gets rolled out.

Linux on the Desktop: what's missing?

Thu, 18 May 2006 05:27:57 GMT

Most Linux distributions simply don't offer a viable alternative to Windows in the desktop market. Right now, on the desktop, it's still a hobby OS with a tiny install base. Ever tried to bring a Linux notebook into an office which relies on Exchange server? Good luck.

Guide to running Windows on a Mac

Tue, 16 May 2006 16:25:24 GMT

Apple's Bootcamp and Intel Macs have produced an avalanche of information and excitement about running Windows on a Mac. A new eBook covers all the options and includes benchmarks on what is fastest.

Vista's network sync capabilities

Mon, 15 May 2006 17:03:01 GMT

It's the bane of the network admin: finding the most elegant way of keeping all of a user's files accessible from any machine on a network. Vista actually has a pretty decent solution in its Sync Center.