Microsoft Security Essentials Beta Comes and Goes

In a recent blog I indicated that MS planned to make its Microsoft Security Essentials product available as a free beta soon. Well, it went into beta on 6/24 but the number of downloads was limited to 75,000. Within 24 hours of the opening gate, that ceiling was reached and the gate was closed. If...
Take a Look at the Windows 7 Packaging

With all the details on Windows purchase, upgrades, and pricing now established, it should come as no great surprise that Microsoft has also finished up its retail packaging for the boxed versions of the new OS. For a sneak peek, you can check out the ".
Windows 7 Free Upgrade and Pricing Details Emerge

OK, so here are the long-awaited particulars on three areas related to Windows 7 pricing and upgrades, where references to "Today" mean 6/26/2009: Terms of the "buy Vista now, upgrade to Windows 7 later" deal. Starting today, those who purchase a PC equipped with any of these...
Check out the (Beta) Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

The Windows 7 Upgrade advisor is still in beta — as is the Windows 7 OS itself — but it's recently acquired a pretty permanent-looking URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/upgrade-advisor.aspx. System admins who may be thinking about upgrading current XP or Vista platforms to Windows...
NY Ruling May Change SW Subscription Handling

I was both bemused and pleased to read about NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo having extracted a $375K settlement from both Symantec and McAfee to set aside what Network World reports...
No More Morro: Meet Microsoft Security Essentials

In the wake of numerous leaks about the upcoming product, Paul Thurrot was finally allowed to go public on June 18 about the replacement product for Windows Live OneCare. Formerly code-named "Morro" (for the famous beach in Rio de Janeiro), the product is almost into public beta, and will be called...
Vista Fares Poorly on Malware Detection

Here's an interesting story from June 16 on the SPAMfighter.com Website, based on recently-released research work from leading antispyware firm Webroot. It's entitled "Vista Low on Malware...
Meet A Key Figure Behind the Win7 UI: Julie Larson-Green

A great story in Western Australia Today (WAtoday.com.au) features Ms. Larson-Green, the person behind the ribbon technology introduced in Office 2007, who has since taken over ownership of the Windows 7 UI and its usability (called "Windows Experience") prior to the imminent launch of that new...
Get ready for Microsoft Morro

Last November, MS announced its plans to create a no-cost consumer security software product. Code-named "Morro," this solution is supposed to debut in H209 and be able to deal with viruses,...
Patch Tuesday June09: A Real Whopper!

OK, so yesterday's Patch Tuesday does the deed for June. It's a monster: 10 security bulletins, 31 vulnerabilities addressed, and involving most versions of Windows itself, IE, and various MS Office and related elements (Works, Word, and Excel). Even the Windows Print Spooler and OS Kernel get in...