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Microsoft ends Windows 7 updating pain with massive patch
You can still buy Windows 7, but installing it has become a giant pain thanks to the numerous updates and restarts necessary. Thankfully, Microsoft has finally done something about it by releasing a new "convenience rollup" that will cover five years of updates from 2011 until April, 2016. It's the first major patch since Service Pack 1, launched in February, 2011, so it covers hundreds of security, stability and usability fixes.
Next year's big Windows 10 update is codenamed 'Redstone'
You know the drill: Microsoft releases a new OS and, roughly a year later, a hefty service pack arrives with a raft of fixes and added features. Neowin is reporting that the company will put out two updates in June and October of next year, both under the codename Redstone. There'll still be the regular patches and updates, but according to ZDNet, Redstone is believed to bring support for "new classes of devices that aren't already part of Windows 10." Naturally, Microsoft has already issued a standard no comment, not that it'd be too eager to distract attention away from this summer's launch. Oh, and before you ask, Redstone is a Minecraft reference in the same way that Windows 10's codename, Threshold, was a nod to Halo. Microsoft is nothing but loyal to its first-party franchises.
Nokia N8 clicks its heels three times, finds a Symbian Anna service pack update
What's a megabyte and is heading to the Nokia N8? Surprisingly, it's a service pack update for Symbian Anna. It's not too often wonderful things come in small packages, but we appreciate the fast download so we can move on with our daily grind pretty fast. Among the entries in the update's change log are performance and usability enhancements, faster email and messaging, better GPS locks and plenty more. It only appears to be finding its way to the N8 for now, though we imagine it won't be too long before it makes cameo appearances on the other Anna devices. If you want to get cracking on the service pack, it's available over the air and through the Nokia Suite. Now, if only Belle would come knocking on the door...
Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 sees public beta release
We knew good and well it was coming, and here it is. Microsoft has today introduced the Release Candidate (RC) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to the public, and for those unaware of how these software rollouts "work," the RC release generally signals that a final build is just about ready. As previously announced, the only new features added to the SP1 are the Windows Server 2008 R2-related virtualization technologies, Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX, and while Windows 7 SP1 will enable PCs to take advantage of these server-based features to provide a more scalable and richer VDI experience for end users, there are no additional new features specific to Windows 7. If that's cool with you, there's a source link (and a download) waiting for you just below. [Thanks, Logan]
Windows 7 SP1 public beta now ready for download
Slightly ahead of schedule, Microsoft has dished out Service Pack numero uno for Windows 7. The hot-selling OS has been a revelation since its release and it's therefore no surprise that this update pack does nothing remarkably new or important. It collates all of Microsoft's patches since launch into a neat little (well, not really, it's 1.2GB in size) package and throws in a few other hotfixes to boot. Microsoft treats its betas rather unceremoniously, however, so don't expect any support with this thing until it goes final -- which we're hearing might not be until early 2011. We'd say that's a long way out but it's not like Windows 7 isn't treating us well enough already. Hit the source to obtain the download, if you must. [Thanks, JagsLive]
Open XML compatiblity issues spring up in Service Pack 2 update for Office 2008
A few weeks back, Microsoft released its Service Pack 2 update for Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac. While adding a host of features and refinements (such as Custom Path Animation in PowerPoint and increased speed and load times in Word and Excel), the service pack apparently packed too much of a punch. The update has prevented some Open XML files from opening, for which Microsoft provides the following suggestions, and I've done a bit of MS-to-English translation (with apologies to DF)... read on to get the gist.
Microsoft releases Office 2008 Service Pack 2
Today, Microsoft released the Office 2008 Service Pack 2 update. This update brings many improvements and fixes to Office 2008, including improved speed and stability to Word and Excel, new features in PowerPoint, as well as improvements to connecting to SharePoint servers. A brief list of fixes follows below: Two new features in PowerPoint 2008: Custom Path Animation, which adds the ability to author motion-path animations and Default Theme, which lets users define their default theme, including fonts, color scheme and slide layouts. Increased speed in Word 2008 (launch and scroll times) as well as Excel 2008 with features such as calculation performance. Expanded Mac browser support in Microsoft Office Live Workspace to include Safari 4. Microsoft Document Connection. Document Connection is a new application that improves the SharePoint experience for Mac users, allowing for easier collaboration within a SharePoint environment by simplifying how users can browse, access and manage files online and offline. For a complete lists of changes and fixes, visit this description page. To download this update, run the Microsoft AutoUpdate application on your Mac or go to the Microsoft Mac Downloads page. This update weighs in at 182.6 MB and is available right now.
Windows Vista SP2 is live, ready to download
Face it: in between waiting for Windows 7 to launch and tweaking the XP build on your newly purchased netbook, there's this little thing called Windows Vista that needs to be maintained. Today, Microsoft did its part and released the standalone installers for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Service Pack 2 for Vista and Server 2008. Now it's all up to you. Hit the read links to patch the Wow with a little SP2 Meh.[Thanks, Justin W.]Read -- 32-bitRead -- 64-bit
Microsoft's Surface gets its first Service Pack, devs and yacht owners rejoice
Forget the future for just one second. Kicking off its TechEd conference last week, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for its tabletop-inclined Surface. The update's mostly developer-centric -- not too surprising given its small customer base at present -- with one of the only bullet points that'll directly interest the end user being new calibration guides for setting up the system without needing an external display. No indication on if set up still requires a keyboard a mouse, but if that's a concern, keep your fingers crossed they find a way around that before you pony up the $13,000 to join Lazarra and Roker as an early adopter.
Windows Vista SP2 RC may be in the hands of testers as we speak
Sure, the big hubbub's been Windows 7 (give us some time and we'll figure out how to install it on a toaster!) but Microsoft is betting that quite a few folks will be stranded in Vistaland (Vista Town? Vista Village? The dreaded Vista Flats?) for some time to come, and they'll need provisions -- like blankets, candles, water, and service packs. According to Tech Arp, Windows Vista SP2 RC is meeting testers sometime this week as an escrow build, which means that the public could see this thing as soon as early Q2 this year. You've been warned...[Via Computerworld]
Windows Vista SP1 (release candidate) publicly available
You've heard about it, you know what it's got, you want it like crazy -- and about 11 months after launch Microsoft delivers on Vista's first service pack (in release candidate form, anyway). Go crazy!P.S. -How big is this download really? The installer's under 400k, but we're still trying to find the big kahuna offline update package. Hit us up in comments.[Thanks, Michael]
Microsoft releases changelog for Vista SP1 RC
Those of you clamoring for a public beta of Vista SP1 Release Candidate can spend your weekend brushing up on what all is going to change when that download finally goes live. Available now on Microsoft's website is a sizable document outlining "notable changes" in the forthcoming update, which includes improvements in application compatibility, hardware ecosystem support, reliability, performance / power consumption, security, desktop administration, support for new technologies / standards and interoperability. If we tried to even hit the highlights, all but the most vigilant would probably doze off before they could scroll down to the next post, so we'll just advise the curious to hit the links below and cancel every plan you had for the next 30 or so hours.[Via I Started Something]
Vista SP1 public beta to hit in December?
Speed boost or no, all of you clamoring for some hot Vista SP1 action will be able to get a beta-style fix in December, according to ZDNet. Apparently "selected testers" will get a release candidate in the first week of the month, with general availability to come the week after. ZDNet says the current SP1 build being tested is 17051, but it's not clear whether that's the version to be released or not. Like all things SP1, looks like we'll just have to wait and see.[Via Download Squad]
Microsoft beams out Vista SP1 to beta testers
Right on cue, Microsoft has made available the (long-awaited) Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista to a private group of beta testers. One lucky user actually goes on to describe the update and note a number of positive changes, some of which include a much snappier logon experience, a new option in the Disk Defragmenter "allowing you to choose which volumes you would like to defragment," improvements in responsiveness when resuming from Hibernation / Sleep modes, and interestingly enough, slightly improved battery life on a tested laptop. Furthermore, "select members of the community" are also getting to give five new "reliability packages" a whirl, which are all slated to be available to the public before SP1 is released en masse. Be sure and hit the read link for the full rundown.[Thanks, Dhanik M.]
Leaked Vista Service Pack 1 analyzed
The leak of the first service pack for Windows Vista, imaginatively named SP1, means that we get to hear about the improvements before it gets a real release. APCMag reviewed a leaked copy of the software, and found that it's pretty much your standard service pack fare: a bunch of bug fixes and noticeable performance tweaks. The only new feature is an option to create a recovery disk, along with a crapload of new install packages for Vista's components, with no readily apparent changes. So, what's Microsoft waiting for? Get it out the door already!
Windows Vista pre-beta SP1 hitting the web?
Whispers that Redmond certainly can't be pleased about hearing are beginning to gain traction all over the 'net, as more and more individuals claim that they have Vista's Service Pack 1 pre-beta in their possession. Reportedly, the 6001.16549 build "sounds like it's the real deal," and could be the version that Microsoft has been "trickling out to more and more testers over the past few weeks." Of course, we aren't likely to hear anything one way or another from Microsoft, as the last tidbit that was let loose by it contained the phrase "not anytime soon." But as proven by the Vista Performance and Reliability Pack that just recently found its way into public hands before its intended release date, there's always a chance for leaks. So, dear readers, have any of you stumbled upon a pre-release version of the much-anticipated update?[Via ZDNet, thanks Mark]
Microsoft not delivering Vista SP1 "anytime soon"
The word on the street earlier this month was that Redmond was readying its first Vista service pack, set for release to beta testers sometime around the 16th of July. Well apparently, Microsoft has caught wind of the rumor and is on a serious mission to quell the cries of eager upgraders. Hot on the heels of July 17th reports that the company had released a beta of the Windows Driver Kit (or WDK) meant to coincide with the service pack beta, Microsoft issued a statement claiming that the SP beta will be made available "sometime" this year, but for only a select group of testers, and with no plans for a public showing "anytime soon." For those used to not getting the Microsoft updates they were hoping for this should be business as usual; everyone else, welcome to the land of little "wow."[Via ZDNet]
Microsoft readying Vista's first service pack beta for July release?
While those tantalizing Vienna rumors may have had your heart working overtime for a brief stint, the back-and-forth between Microsoft and Google may have really had users worried that a service pack delay was all but certain. Interestingly enough, "various unnamed sources" have purportedly stated that Microsoft is actually prepping Vista's very first service pack beta (aw, how cute) for a "mid-July release." To be precise, word on the street is pointing towards July 16th, but the final version of Vista SP1 isn't slated to land until "sometime in November." Additionally, it was suggested that this highly-anticipated update will focus "more on fixes and less on new features," but it's not like that's of any real shock. Of course, it wouldn't be unheard of for this proposed date to slip just a bit, but there's no harm in penciling in a reminder for next Monday just in case all goes well.[Thanks, Arneh]
Vista's search to be altered in first service pack, thanks Google
Seems that all it takes to get things done these days is whine and be named Google. A mere nine days after the aforementioned search giant kvetched about the rigidity of Vista's built-in search functionality, the higher-ups in Redmond have apparently caved. According to a blurb at CNET, "Microsoft plans to use the first service pack for Vista to make the changes to desktop search," and it was also suggested that the firm would detail these very changes "in a federal court filing being jointly made with the Justice Department." Man, talk about responsive.
Microsoft fast tracks "Fiji" service pack for Vista
Vista hasn't even completely made it out the door yet, but Microsoft looks to already be hard at work on the inevitable first service pack, code named "Fiji," sending out a call for testers in hopes of rolling out the upgrade by the end of the year. As rumored the first time we got wind of the Fiji moniker, the upgrade will apparently add a number of features to Vista that had to be axed in order to meet this month's launch date, as well as address various "high impact" issues, although Microsoft doesn't seem to be willing to elaborate on exactly what those issues might be or how high their impactedness may rank. Of course, all this pales in comparison to rumored changes coming in that other exotically-named Vista upgrade supposedly in the works, with Vienna promising to turn the OS on its head, doing away with that pesky compatibility for "all applications" and throwing everyone for a loop with a completely new interface. No word yet on a possible service pack for it.[Via The Inquirer]
