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windows-7 posts

Filed under: OS Updates, News, Microsoft

Windows 7 RTM "improved" activation bypassed by hackers

Earlier this year, Microsoft and Lenovo teamed up to tackle the first Windows 7 activation workaround. It was based upon a leaked OEM volume activation key, and was neutralized fairly quickly.

Things have been fairly quiet for a while. Microsoft's anti-piracy team had cooked up WAT - Windows Activation Technology - in hopes that it would prove more successful at thwarting unlicensed Windows use than its predecessor WGA. And so began the latest round of cat-and-mouse with pirates. "You've got a better activation system? We'll build a better crack," is how the game usually plays out.

It should come as no surprise, then, that there are two new activation bypass tools spreading like wildfire on the Internet. Called RemoveWAT and ChewWGA, the apps provide one-click patching of Windows 7 RTM installations.

Microsoft, of course, has promised a speedy response. Still, once a system is patched and a user shuts off Windows Update, there's really not much Microsoft can do - or is there? Maybe they know something we don't.

[via CNet]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware, Windows x64

VHD Attach enables right-click mounting and dismounting of VHD files in Windows 7

One of Windows 7's slick new features is its handling of VHD (virtual hard disk) files. You can use them for a number of handy functions - from discreetly archiving files and folders to booting a full-fledged Vista, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 install via your Windows 7 boot.ini.

But VHDs aren't as easy to work with out-of-the-box as they could be. To mount and unmount, you've got to head over to the Disk Management snap-in (diskmgmt.msc), wait for the screen to populate, go to actions->attach (or detach), browse for your VHD, and then wait some more.

VhdAttach speeds the process up by adding two entries to your context menu. Mouse over a .VHD file, right-click it, and you can mount and dismount right from Windows Explorer. Left click attach, and your VHD will pop up alongside your physical hard disks. When you're all done, detaching is just as simple.

The control app (inset in screenshot) which can open your VHDs and display information about them. You can also attach and detach from this screen.

VhdAttach is a free download and works with both Windows 7 and Server 2008.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, How-Tos

How to fix a Windows 7 upgrade from Vista that is stuck at 62%

A number of message boards around the net have been receiving comments from users upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 who have been unable to complete the upgrade install.

Once the installer hits 62% complete, it locks up. You can sit and wait as long as you want, but it's not going anywhere.

The problem occurs when the Windows IPv6 helper service (which allows automatic IPv6 connectivity over a much more common IPv4 network) stops responding . Microsoft has posted a fix to this particular problem, and it's not terribly complicated.
  1. Restart the computer - your system will automatically roll back to Windows Vista.
  2. Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.
  3. System Properties will open. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Environment Variables.
  4. Click the New button.
  5. Enter MIG_UPGRADE_IGNORE_PLUGINS into the Variable name field.
  6. Copy the following bold text: iphlpsvcmigplugin.dll and paste it into the Variable value field (or type it manually)
  7. Click OK three times to close the dialog boxes.
  8. Re-launch your Windows 7 Upgrade installer!
Please note that this fix won't help if your install is stuck at some percentage other than 62. Strange but true. This is a specific fix for a very specific issue.

You may also want to run the System Readiness Tool for Vista and Windows 7 before trying the upgrade again. It can detect and correct certain issues that may cause trouble during the process.

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware, Windows x64

Add CPU and memory meters to your Windows 7 taskbar

I'm not the biggest Twitter fan, but let's face it: people sometimes share really useful information in their 140-character updates.

Scott Hanselman (@shanselman), for example, tipped users about a slick addition to your Windows 7 taskbar that you'll find over at Codeplex called Taskbar Meters.

Download developer Jeff Key's .zip file and extract the contents to a folder on your hard drive. Inside you'll find two executables - one for CPU and one for memory. Launch them, and the result is what you see in the screenshot.

The meters make use of the Windows 7 taskbar's progress indicator kung fu. Using the sliders in the ultra-simple options screens you can choose the update frequency and set at what percentage of utilization your indicators switch from green to yellow and then to red. Pin 'em to your taskbar and you've got a simple, Win7-friendly heads up display of your PC's vitals.

They're jumplist enabled as well, though right-clicking only gives you access to task manager (which you've always had by right-clicking the taskbar anyway) and the Windows Resource Monitor.

Each meter uses about 18Mb of ram and worked for me under both 32 and 64-bit builds of Windows 7.

Filed under: OS Updates

Microsoft responds to Windows 7 student upgrade SNAFU with direct ISO download

A few days ago we offered some help to students who were having trouble with their Digital River-provided Windows 7 upgrade download. If you want to go a more direct route, Microsoft and Digital River now have something a bit more straightforward to offer.

Update links:

Home Premium x86: http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65732/X15-65732.iso
Home Premium x64: http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

Professional x86: http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65804/X15-65804.iso
Professional x64: http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65805/X15-65805.iso


Thanks to Phil for the update!

Also, don't bother downloading this ISO if you don't have a valid student-only product key. You'll probably be able to install it, but your key won't activate the OS.

Your product key MUST MATCH the version you install. A Pro key will not activate a Home Premium install.

Once you download the disc, just open the ISO with your favorite burning software and burn it to a DVD - or drop it on a 4GB or larger USB drive using Microsoft's free utility.

Filed under: OS Updates, Social Software

Microsoft's new Twitter account offers quick, brief Windows 7 tech support

@MicrosoftHelps
Windows 7 wasn't the only thing Microsoft launched last week. The company also introduced a new Twitter account, called @MicrosoftHelps, that offers customer support for Windows 7 users.

Basically, if you have a problem with Windows 7, a question about features, driver support or pretty much anything else, you can just direct it at @MicrosoftHelps, and it looks like there's actually a decent chance of getting a response. Of course, you could also try contacting Microsoft Support via email or phone. But I have to admit, I kind of like the idea of forcing tech support people to provide answers in 140 characters or less... even if a fair number of the messages posted in the company's Twitter feed include links to other web pages.

Oh yeah, and since there's no good way to charge for tech support over Twitter at this point, @MicrosoftHelps is available as a free public service for now.

[via MakeUseOf]

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Save $80 on your Windows 7 purchase - the Upgrade does full installs, too

Paul Thurott and a friend over at the SuperSite Blog have worked out how to perform a clean Windows 7 install using the upgrade disc. Come again?

That's right: save $80 and buy the Windows 7 Upgrade disc, because you can use it to perform a clean, full-featured installation. Awesome!

The instructions are as follows:

1. Perform a clean installation using the Upgrade disc -- this should work without a hitch.

2. Make sure there are no Windows Updates pending -- if there's an orange shield icon next to the Shutdown button in the Start Menu, that means you need to reboot before attempting the next steps.

3. Open 'regedit.exe' from the Start Menu -- just type it in there, where it says: Search programs and files. Accept the User Account Control dialogue that pops up to give yourself Windows 7 superpowers.

4. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/

5. Change MediaBootInstall from '1' to '0'

6. Open the Start Menu again and type 'cmd' -- use ctrl+shift+enter to run it as an elevated-permissions user

7. Finally, type slmgr /rearm -- and press enter.

Your computer will now reboot and run the Activate Windows utility. Type in your product key aaaaaaand, as the SuperSite Blog says: voila! Much love, Paul.

Filed under: Games, Video, Features, Microsoft

Windows 7 and DirectX 11 - not just good news for gamers!



Let me begin with some common knowledge to put us on some common ground. Vista sucks. By association, DirectX10 sucks. In fact, you might not even know what DirectX is -- and you would be forgiven!

DirectX is the piece of software that sits between your computer, and your video games. If you don't play games, you won't have heard of it. When you play a game on your PC it goes through DirectX. And until now, that's all DirectX did.

It's true: DirectX 10 premiered some nice new technologies. But because they were only available on Vista, which as we all know sucked more than a Hoover with a fresh, high-suction bag, DirectX 11 will be the first time most of us get to experience these new, funky technologies.

Read more →

Filed under: Utilities, Features, Windows, Freeware, How-Tos, Windows x64

How to replace the crappy pre-installed software on your new Windows 7 PC with great free apps

So you picked up a new Windows 7 laptop (or desktop) or you're planning on buying one in the very near future?

If you took a look at display models in stores like Best Buy or Frye's, you no doubt noticed that new systems come with a lot of programs pre-installed. Lots of software is a good thing, right? Not always.

Trouble is, what you get is often a) not really useful software or b) a time-limited trial. Office 2007 and the antivirus protection the salesperson told you about? They're 60 day trials. After that, they're going to ask you to pay up...But you don't have to.

No, you can tell those apps to keep their hands off your credit card! With all the great, free software Download Squad has covered over the years, there's really no need to burden your new system with that kind of software timebomb.
With just two simple apps you can quickly strip away all the bloatware (that's what us techy types call the excess crud preinstalled on your new system) and get yourself a nice selection of totally free software that will never expire!

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware

Microsoft offers tool to burn Windows 7 ISO - or put it on a USB flash drive

If you have already downloaded - or plan on downloading - a purchased copy of Windows 7, you may need a tool to help you turn the bits into something bootable so you can actually start installing your new OS.

By some amazing coincidence, Microsoft has a tool designed to handle just such an emergency! Grab the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool and follow the on-screen instructions and you'll have a bootable DVD or USB flash drive in no time. You'll also need your downloaded Windows .ISO file, of course. If you plan on using a flash drive, it needs to be 4Gb or larger.

Microsoft's page includes exhaustive (and I mean exhaustive) instructions and a list of frequently asked questions on the download tool page.

More experienced users may want to stick with the app I've mentioned before - WinToFlash. It's fully portable, whereas the Microsoft app has to be installed.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

How to make a DVD of that student-only Windows 7 you bought for $29.99

So you're a student who has taken advantage of the crazy upgrade deal from win741.com but instead of looking at a nice, shiny ready-to-install ISO of Windows 7, Digital River sent you a handful of random files and no ISO! Fortunately, it's very easy to turn them into an installable ISO! Follow this very quick guide to get Windows 7 installing right away.

To start with, make sure your downloaded Windows 7 files (the 'expandedSetup' directory) is unzipped into C:\ -- it'll make things easier later.

1. Download this tool -- alternatively you can obtain the official pack from Microsoft, but that's a whole darn gigabyte.

2. Unzip and move oscdimg.exe to your System32 directory (likely to be C:\Windows\System32)

3. Open an elevated command prompt. In Vista you do this by typing 'cmd' into your 'Start Menu' and hitting ctrl+shift+enter. In XP, just type 'cmd' into the Run dialogue (Windows Key+R or from your Start Menu).

4. Type (or copy and paste) the following into your command prompt (this will vary a little, depending on where you've put your expandedSetup folder):

oscdimg.exe -u2 -b"C:\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com" -h "C:\expandedSetup" C:\WIN7.ISO

5. Ta'da! You've got a burnable ISO!

All you need to finish the job is a good burning application like ImgBurn, CDBurnerXP, or InfraRecorder. For this particular task I'd recommend ImgBurn - then just right click the ISO file and start the burn from your context menu. Or launch ImgBurn and choose "write image file to disc" -- your choice!

No DVD burner? If you have a 4GB USB flash drive handy, check out this app!

Big thanks to Brian Wasylkoski, who was kind enough to let me harass him while he went through this process at the University of Manitoba. --Lee.

Filed under: Features, Windows, Microsoft, Lists

Windows 7 avalanche: Roundup of hacks, tips, downloads, and more!

Now that you can go and pick up Windows 7 just about anywhere (I hear there's a free copy of Starter coming with every Happy Meal*), let's take a look back at some of Download Squad's past articles about the new OS.

After all, we've been covering it since it was just a rumor and using Windows 7 hands-on since...Well, frankly since that first leak appeared on torrent trackers. With our retail copies in hand, let's go back in time and take a look at some of the Windows 7 coolness you can read about right here!

Get Windows 7 installed on your netbook without a DVD drive!
A handy little secret about your Windows 7 DVD is that it's easy to dump onto a USB flash drive - which you can plug in to any DVD-less computer system and boot! It's a hassle free way to install on your netbook.

Got a clean Windows 7 install? Get some great, FREE Open Source program and games!
While these downloads aren't Windows 7-specific, this list has a ton of awesome apps and games that are right at home on your new Windows 7 desktop or laptop. Best of all, they're all free!!

Microsoft shows off Windows 7's touch features

A number of PC makers have started rolling out touchscreen (and multi-touch) laptops and desktops, and Windows 7 takes full advantage of those technologies. Take a look at what the new OS has in store for real hands-on interaction.

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Buy a PC recently? Make sure to register for your Windows 7 upgrade

Dell Windows 7 Upgrade
There are plenty of ways to get your hands on Windows 7 starting today. You can buy a new PC that comes preloaded with the operating system, or pick up a retail or OEM copy. But there's another way that you might be able to snag a free or cheap copy: if you've purchased a computer running Windows Vista in the last few months, there's a pretty good chance it qualifies for the PC maker's Windows 7 Upgrade program.

Here's how it works. If you buy a qualifying PC between June 26th, 2009 and January 31st, 2010, you can register for an upgrade to Windows 7 and your PC maker will ship an upgrade DVD to your door. Most netbooks, nettops, and other low cost PCs running Windows XP don't qualify for these upgrade programs and other restrictions may apply. Some companies may send you an upgrade disc for free of while others may charge a small fee and/or charge for shipping.

Here's a roundup of Windows 7 upgrade programs from most of the major PC manufacturers. If you purchased a computer from any of these companies on or after June 26th and haven't already registered for an upgrade you might want to click the links below to register now.
For the most part you should be able to upgrade to the Windows 7 equivalent of the operating system you're using. In other words, if you purchased a PC with Windows Vista Home Premium you'll probably be able to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium for free.Know of a PC maker with an upgrade program that we missed? Let us know about it in the comments!

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Microsoft adds 14 cool new themes to Windows 7 gallery for launch day


Windows 7 adds several cool, new desktop personalization features. Whether it's tweaking your Aero Glass color or subscribing to an RSS feed for new wallpaper images, customization is easier than it ever has been on Windows.

A while back I mentioned the arrival of an official Ferrari prototype theme (which will no doubt be appearing on some shiny new Acer laptops very soon). It's now been added to the Microsoft Personalization gallery along with 13 other themes.

Gamers may want to take a look at the Gears of War tandem, and our friends at Autoblog now have two more options: Infiniti and Porsche. There are also three Zune-based themes (a nice companion for your new Zune HD) and packs from Pepsi and Coca Colca.

My favorite is probably the Bing theme, which taps the collection of amazing images you've been seeing on their search page (assuming you've tried Bing, of course).

Installing new themes is easy. Just visit the gallery, download the theme(s) you want, and double-click the .themepack file to install it. Windows 7 will automatically activate your new theme!

Want to make your own theme? Microsoft will show you how to do that, too!

Filed under: OS Updates, Microsoft

Ask DLS: shouldn't we be able to download our Vista-to-Windows 7 upgrade?


The Windows 7 beta was downloadable. The release candidate was downloadable. But the Vista-to-Windows 7 offer upgrade shipping with most retail computer systems? Not so much.

It says so right on the Upgrade Option site's landing page: "Upgrades for qualifying orders will be shipped on DVD, beginning on the Windows 7 general availability date of 22 October 2009." Boo.

Why can't we have a download, Microsoft? Apart from the fact that it's one less DVD that needs to be pressed, one less case, one less insert, mailer, and so on - it's also a needless waste of time. If you let me generate a product code like you do on TechNet or did with the previous downloads, my customer could have a fully activated Windows 7 install right now.

I'm not willing to gamble that Canada Post will get his copy here before the activation grace period expires. For now, he's leaving with a Vista laptop which he'll have to bring back later so I can migrate him to Windows 7 once his disc arrives.

What do you think about the lack of a download option? Take the poll, and leave your comments after the break!

Read more →

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