Desktop PCs - News

Windows 7 leaks to Web, pirates downloading

Leaked copies of Windows 7 hit the Internet only hours after Microsoft handed out a preview build to developers last week, according to searches at several BitTorrent tracking sites.

ActiveX bugs pose threat to Vista, Microsoft reports

Although computers running Windows Vista are significantly less likely to be infected with attack code than machines running Windows XP, the newer operating system continues to be threatened by Microsoft's own ActiveX browser plug-in technology, acco...

Ozzie points to slimmer future for Windows client

Microsoft is putting the Windows client OS on a diet as a way to bring the PC OS into the age of cloud computing.

Vista fights for relevancy against poor sales, XP, Windows 7

Recent sales numbers for Windows Vista paint a somewhat dreary picture for the OS as consumers and enterprises try to save dollars in an economic downturn.

For Windows 7, Microsoft tries addition by subtraction

For most of Microsoft's history, it designed software the same way Detroit built cars during its mid-century heyday. Adding features was like building a bigger engine and longer tailfins. What could be finer? It may not be entirely coincidence that M...

Windows 7 UAC changes just 'lipstick,' argues vendor

Microsoft's plans to change a controversial security feature in Windows 7 are only cosmetic, nothing more than "lipstick on UAC," a developer of enterprise rights management tools said Wednesday.

Microsoft leaks Windows 7 details

Hours before Microsoft executives trotted out Windows 7 at the company's developer conference, officials leaked some details about the impending alpha edition on Microsoft's own Web site.

Microsoft vows Windows 7 will fix Vista mistakes

Microsoft on Tuesday for the first time publicly demonstrated Windows 7, the next major release of its OS for PCs that Microsoft insists will reflect lessons learned from the widely panned Windows Vista.

Microsoft slates Windows 7 public beta for early 2009

Microsoft Tuesday said that it would expand testing of Windows 7 to the general public in early 2009.

Microsoft to release Vista SP2 private beta on Wednesday

Microsoft will distribute the second service pack for Windows Vista to a small group of beta testers on Wednesday, the company said Friday.

Forecast has Office, Vista going in opposite directions

Microsoft's quarterly call with Wall Street on Thursday told the tale of two software franchises and their diverging financial fortunes.

Clues hint Windows 7 debut in 2009

Microsoft may release Windows 7 as early as next November, bloggers speculated Wednesday, pointing to postings on the company's own Web site and comments made by the CEO of Asus, the company that makes the popular Eee PC line of netbooks.

Google patches Chrome 'carpet bomb' bug

Google has patched its Chrome browser to block a months-old bug that can be used to trick people into downloading and launching malicious code.

Pirates prefer Windows XP over Vista, says Microsoft

Software counterfeiters pass on Windows Vista and instead prefer to pirate Windows XP, a Microsoft attorney said Tuesday, outlining a practice that tracks with the leanings of many of the company's customers.