Filed under: OS Updates, Security, Microsoft, Beta
Good news Windows 7 beta users: your opinion matters!
Remember the little UAC bug Long Zheng noticed the other day? It's been fixed.
As announced on the Engineering Windows 7 blog, UAC behavior has been changed in two key ways. First, confirmation is now required when any UAC changes are initiated. Second, the UAC control panel itself will now run in a "high integrity process" that can't be compromised using mechanisms like sendkeys.
Yes, it's fantastic news that Microsoft has fixed an important security issue. But Microsoft does have a good track record as far as security goes - just look how quickly they responded to the unconfirmed IE flaw.
There's something else important to take away from this: Microsoft is actually listening to what its beta users are saying, and they're willing to make changes based on feedback. It's encouraging to see this at work, and is certainly a good sign for users planning on making the move to Windows 7 once it's released.
Keep using your send feedback links, and keep commenting - Microsoft is listening this time around!
As announced on the Engineering Windows 7 blog, UAC behavior has been changed in two key ways. First, confirmation is now required when any UAC changes are initiated. Second, the UAC control panel itself will now run in a "high integrity process" that can't be compromised using mechanisms like sendkeys.
Yes, it's fantastic news that Microsoft has fixed an important security issue. But Microsoft does have a good track record as far as security goes - just look how quickly they responded to the unconfirmed IE flaw.
There's something else important to take away from this: Microsoft is actually listening to what its beta users are saying, and they're willing to make changes based on feedback. It's encouraging to see this at work, and is certainly a good sign for users planning on making the move to Windows 7 once it's released.
Keep using your send feedback links, and keep commenting - Microsoft is listening this time around!
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
markyb said 8:35AM on 2-06-2009
Now they can listen to my plea for changing the desktop gadgets back to working without showing the desktop icons!
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Level 5 said 9:18AM on 2-06-2009
Too bad they're not listening to mine, but here goes anyway:
3 versions MS, 3 versions.
Home
Business or Pro
Ultimate
You've got 8.5GB on a dual layer disc, put the damn 32 AND 64-bit versions on THE SAME DISC.
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KeegdnaB said 12:38PM on 2-06-2009
actually they are listening....you will have your choice of Home or Pro
El Taco said 6:53PM on 2-08-2009
Ya, um, those are basically the options available. All the other ones are only available in emerging markets, A.K.A. probably NOT where you live. The only thing is they don't put 32-bit and 64-bit on the same disk, which I would like, too :)
I would pay $200 extra for 5 licenced and 32-and 64-bit on the same disk. $100 for just 32-bit and 64-bit.
David said 9:26AM on 2-06-2009
Sounds like open-source!
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therealmorris said 9:52AM on 2-06-2009
Thank you Microsoft. Thank you for not being as silly as I feared, and thank you for Windows 7, I'm loving it!
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Faieq said 10:49AM on 2-06-2009
I am not too happy of Microsoft for fixing few misses. Just because they fixed it does not mean it was from beta feedback. I was a 12 year loyal customer for Microsoft before they shattered everything and turned into money hungry mongrels. Compared to OSx and other operating systems where simplicity is key for a better user experience, I think Microsoft is going backward. Normal Users do not want to bugged with UAC or an other Send Error messages. What with all this version, If i remember correctly, Steve jobs openly mocked this confusing and very increasing complexity for creating new versions. It there were two version, it would be understandable but six. Really no sense as starter totally hinders what is user is capable of doing. I know Google is not in OS X market yet but if you notice all their products are very simple and most people do not have any issues when using it. I believe in Microsoft that even in the future they might be able to turn their tactics around. Since they are cash cows and can probably hold out for a long time. I wonder who decided on six versions and all the other mishaps of Microsoft.
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Peter said 11:47AM on 2-06-2009
nice one MS, keep it up!
Keep the price down! lol
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superrrguy said 2:34PM on 2-06-2009
What's up with UAC? MS still doesn't get it. I want to leave it enabled but it still pops up all over the place from simple user interaction or if I change the setting, it doesn't pop up when it should. More importantly, I don't want to be double asked over and over for the same app. If I mark an app as safe, leave me alone.
Besides that, 1 version for consumers. Who cares if it's home, home office, small business. Most users want the same things.
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Quikboy said 12:44AM on 2-07-2009
"Most users want the same things"
I think you're wrong about that. Windows is also widely used in enterprises, schools, and businesses, and I'm quite sure they wouldn't want features like Windows Media Center, or built-in games distracting employees and users.
Or that average home users will really care much about BitLocker or Remote Desktop connection.
For users that want it all, there's Ultimate (though I heard it will only be available through enterprises). Otherwise, you're pretty much going to be presented with Home or Business and that's about it. Starter/Basic isn't even available.
superrrguy said 9:28AM on 2-07-2009
I understand there is an enterprise version.
It's the Ultimate and Premium versions that I think are confusing consumers with Vista. Also, just talking about Starter and Basic makes it sound like there are 7 versions.
One consumer version. You don't want games or bit locker? Add/Remove Features. BTW - My experience is that everyone wants some remote desktop solution. They just don't know that it was built into some versions of windows and not others.
Kunwar said 11:25PM on 2-06-2009
It feels really nice to see them working so desperately to make this work
and the opinion of the users really matters!!! what else
great work MS!
Reply