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windows-7-rtm posts

Filed under: OS Updates, Security, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

Epic Patch Tuesday rolls a baker's dozen, including first Windows 7 RTM patches

It's not due to appear on stores for a few more weeks (or with major distributors like Synnex for a few more days), but the Windows 7 RTM is slated to receive a handful of critical fixes on Patch Tuesday next week.

A total of five patches are slated for both the 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Only one of the updates is considered critical, however, and it actually targets a vulnerability in Internet Explorer and not Windows itself.

That's a sharp contrast to XP and Vista. Softpedia points out that six of nine flaws in XP and eight of ten in Vista are flagged critical.

In total, there are 13 updates coming out this Tuesday -- which could make for an interesting few days for any of you who happen to be Windows administrators.

Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, Op-Ed

Is this really all Microsoft is doing with the Windows 7 gadget gallery?


With the impending flood of Windows 7 into the retail channel, you'd think that all related initiatives from Microsoft would be gearing up. After all, this looks like it will be the biggest launch in Microsoft history.

Based on the number of Vista systems I see on my workbench that don't even have the sidebar enabled, gadgets are likely a low-priority item. For most users, personalization is more about changing color schemes and wallpaper and Microsoft has definitely provided plenty of theming options for Windows 7.

Still, if you're going to display gadgets as part of the personalization site shouldn't you provide some more compelling examples?

Date and time? Outlook Upcoming Appointments? Blogger Buddy? Come on, shouldn't that last one at least be preempted by a Live Spaces option?

And to list only six, well heck, there are four sideshow gadgets available. How many laptops have you seen in the wild that even have a sideshow compatible screen?

I'm not a big gadget user anyway, but maybe if someone (possibly the company who created the OS) put together a selection of really impressive ones I'd actually start utilizing them. Right now, gadgets kind of feel like Microsoft put them there as a "We can do that, too!" retort to OsX.

What's your take on Windows gadgets? Do you bother with them? Take the poll after the break, and chime in with your comments!

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Features, Windows, Microsoft

Windows 7 upgraders guide: The simple version

Microsoft released a nice, big chart the other day which details the many possible ways of moving from your existing Windows OS to Windows 7. It's got a slight case of information overload, however, so let's simplify things a bit. After all, not everyone reading Download Squad is an IT director with years of experience.

First, let's spell out the important terms.

In-Place Upgrade: means one you can run from your current Windows desktop. If f you currently own a laptop or desktop with Windows Vista Home Premium you will be able to boot up your computer as normal, pop in your Windows 7 Home Premium disk, and upgrade Windows. Your existing data (music, pictures, etc.) and programs are automatically moved.

Custom Install: "Custom" here really means "new," "fresh," or "clean." When you finish installing Windows your new desktop will be pretty bare - none of your old programs of data will be there, so you'll need to back them up first. Custom installs can't be performed from your existing Windows desktop. You have to force your system to boot from the Windows 7 DVD instead.

We'll take a thorough look at doing just that in an upcoming DLS 101 post.

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

Windows 7 RTM downloads now available via TechNet and MSDN


Maybe you won't have the chance to get pumped and show off your gold RTM DVD like Steve Ballmer, but if you've got a TechNet/MSDN subscription your downloads are finally ready.

This means that those of you with access who have (wisely) avoided downloading anything from other sources can now get in on the action. As you can see in the screenshot of my Google Reader feed, the Windows Automated Installation Kits are also available.

If you've got a subscription, head on over and get your download on - and enjoy your shiny new Windows 7 RTM!

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Showstopper chkdsk bug set to derail Windows 7 launch? Hardly.

Earlier today, reports were flying all around the blogosphere about a critical, holy-crap-its-the-apocalypse bug that had been uncovered in the Windows 7 RTM.

The bug happens when running chkdsk - which becomes RAM-hungry under certain specific circumstances, gets all crazy-like, then causes a BSOD (which I argue is more like a feature of Windows than a bug). Chris123NT posted the news yesterday on his blog, but it took a few hours for the sensationalism to begin. A post at InfoWorld said the bug "risks derailing the Windows 7 product launch."

Oh, crap! We're all in trouble! Or are we?

As it turns out, the only way this really qualifies as a "showstopper" is by virtue of the fact that Ed Bott had to stop what he was doing to show people why it's not. Here's a brief summary:
  • The bug only occurs when running chkdsk /R on a non-system drive. The /R? That's to recover data from damaged sectors and relocate it.
  • That being the case, single-drive, single partition systems (like 90% of those I repair on a daily basis) are immune to the bug.
  • To pull off the chkdsk /r you first have to run an elevated command prompt (which most users won't know how to do), then ignore the warning about the drive being locked, then allow the entire check to complete.
  • The InfoWorld post admits that the author "did not succeed in causing the systems to "blue screen" as others have reported." System did slow to a crawl due to lack of available RAM, but there was no Earth-shattering kaboom.
  • Reports of this happening when a removable drive is inserted have been greatly exaggerated. When Windows asks if you want to scan and fix? Nothing bad happens.

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows

Windows 7 Family Pack to cover three machines for a measly $150

If you weren't impressed by the prices Microsoft released for Windows 7 the other day, maybe this news will get you a little more excited.

The Family Pack - which includes Windows 7 Home Premium licenses for three systems - is going to retail for $149.99 in the US. That'll save you a little more than $200. The pack is slated to go on sale on October 22nd.

Details for the Anytime Upgrades have also been released, and they break down as follows:
Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium: $79.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional: $89.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate:
$139.99
If you do, in fact, wind up with a netbook that has been saddled with the feature-reduced Starter Edition, $80 seems like a reasonable price to pay for the upgrade. And I can't see any of my business customers complaining about $90 to convert a Home Premium system to the domain-ready Professional edition.

Anytime upgrades will be available in the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

Microsoft and Lenovo quickly swashbuckle Windows 7 pirates

First you got your hands on a leaked copy of the Windows 7 RTM. Bad idea, says Microsoft.

Then you tracked down 7loader, which took advantage of a leaked Lenovo product key. We know it's out there, came the nonchalant reply from Redmond.

And now, thanks to a cooperative effort, the workaround has already been defeated. The official blog post touts improvements in Windows 7, which "already includes an improved ability to detect hacks, also known as activation exploits, and alert customers who are using a pirated copy." The post continues, stating that no systems will ever be sold using the particular OEM key that was utilized by the exploit.

So what's Microsoft's real goal here? "Our objective isn't to stop every "mad scientist" that's out there from dabbling; our aim is to protect our customers from commercialized counterfeit software that impacts our customers' confidence in knowing they got what they paid for."

Sure...There's absolutely no reason it would have anything to do with crippling the biggest Windows competitor on the market - pirated copies of Windows.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Commercial, Windows x64

Tech beta invitees get free Windows 7 Ultimate, Vista Ultimate owners still stewing

Last week, Brandon LeBlanc played the Grinch, squashing the hopes of scores of Technical Beta testers who thought they'd be rewarded with a gratis copy of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Not so fast, says Microsoft! As LeBlanc himself puts it in a brief blog post, "Normally I hate to be wrong but in this case, I'm stoked that I am." If you received an invitation from Microsoft, you'll be getting that free copy you hoped for.

Unsure as to whether or not you qualify? Mary Jo Foley has a post a CNet that should clear up any questions.

Vista Ultimate owners - that's another story. Hopefully you took advantage of the $49 pre-order for Home Premium when you had the chance, since that may have been your best chance to catch a break on the upgrade. If not, well, you're on the hook for another $119.99 or $219.99 if you want to roll the dice on the Ultimate Edition again.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Commercial, Windows x64

Windows 7 activation already cracked with OEM volume license key

Getting your hands on the WIndows 7 RTM build isn't really that hard at this point. It's all over torrent trackers and other file sharing networks (including the meatspace "can you burn me a copy" network).

That's only step one, of course. Without a valid key to activate your copy, you're dead in the water eventually.

However, just as it happened with Windows Vista, there's already been a Windows 7 crack created utilizing a major OEM's volume license pre-activation key. Instead of Dell, this time the key in question belongs to Lenovo. The key and OEM certificate were simply extracted from the Windows 7 Ultimate .wim files.

Reports from various other sites and forums indicate that the crack will only work for Windows 7 Ultimate, though both 32 and 64 bit versions can be cracked. What about Genuine Advantage? Passed with flying colors. That doesn't mean Microsoft will never sort this out, but I have my doubts - it was never blocked with Vista.

We're not linking to the actual crack or any of the proof-of-concept posts, of course, so don't ask. If you're already running the RTM, you'll be able to figure things out for yourself anyway.

[via Softpedia]

Filed under: Internet, OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, P2P, Windows x64

Torrent sites RTM Windows 7 before Microsoft does

Microsoft is head-over-heels excited about this announcement: Build 7600.16385 has been officially declared the RTM version of Windows 7.

Strike up the marching bands! Bring in the dancing girls!

But hang on just a tic. Isn't build 7600.16385 already floating around all over the P2P filesharing ether? The previous incremental build 7600.16384 looked pretty real, based on what Softpedia shared.

It sure looks like the new leak is the real deal. IsoHunt has several results for 7600.16385 and they've been happily active for several days. I've even seen it installed firsthand - on someone's Toshiba laptop, though I can't recall where *cough*.

Of course, Microsoft's official line all along has been to stay away from leaked ISOs, because you never know what kind of pure digital evil might be hiding inside. And there could very well be some subtle differences between what's been leaked and what winds up preinstalled on systems and boxed on retail shelves.

I'm pretty convinced that what's out there is legitimate and that someone, somewhere (possibly in Eastern Europe - Wzor, we're looking at you) leaked the build that was later signed off on as the RTM.

What about you?

Breaking addition! Check after the break for ACTION-PACKED footage of Steven Sinofsky signing off! It's better than an episode of Briscoe County Jr....

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

It's official, Windows 7 will RTM on August 6 - family pack confirmed

Brandon LeBlanc has spilled the RTM beans, announcing today that MSDN, Technet, and just about anyone else who isn't a retail customer or small OEM will be able to get their hands on the English Windows 7 RTM starting August 6, 2009. Additional languages may take until October 1st to appear.

Based on the way things have been happening thus far on the Windows 7 release timeline, that means Wzor.net should have the RTM on August 1st or 2nd and it'll be all over filesharing networks within a few hours of seeding.

We, of course, advocate only using a genuine TechNet subscription and downloading through official Microsoft channels. That said, should Microsoft's servers fail to handle the load once again or you don't want to monkey with an Akamai downloader, you'll have "other options."

The post will also point you to ReadySet7.com, where you can find information about - what else - Windows 7 readiness.

Way, way down at the bottom, LeBlanc also confirms the much-talked about Windows 7 family pack, saying "I'm happy to confirm that we will indeed be offering a family pack of Windows 7 Home Premium (in select markets) which will allow installation on up to 3 PCs."

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Windows 7 RTM coming soon... but not here yet

Windows 7
There was a nasty rumor going around a few weeks ago that Windows 7 RTM (release to manufacturing) would be available on July 13th. You may have noticed today is the 14th. So what happened? Not much.

According to Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc, the Windows 7 team is on track to ship Windows 7 to manufacturers for testing and inclusion on upcoming PCs during the second half of July. Microsoft is still putting the finishing touches on the operating system before sending it out to manufacturers, and even after the RTM is available, work will continue on Windows 7 right up until the date it's made available to the general public on October 22nd (and presumably after that date as well, unless Microsoft has succeeded in creating a bug-free super-operating-system).

In other words, while yet another pre-release build of Windows 7 leaked out onto BitTorrent trackers this week, that version isn't Windows 7 RTM.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

Windows 7 RTM final build on schedule for July 10th

If they're not leaking announcing leaked builds of Windows 7, they're sharing news from internal memos. Wzor.net has posted the time table for Windows 7's path to RTM:
FINAL ROADMAP FOR WINDOWS 7 [CLIENT-SERVER]:
6/1 - 6/19 BUILDING RTM ESCROW - already assembled RTM ESCROW.
6/22 - 7/10 RTM RECALL - assembly and search for candidates to the final RTM release.
7/10 WINDOWS 7 RTM FINAL BUILD TARGET - build day "gold code".
7/13 WINDOWS 7 RTM SIGN-OFF - the date of signing the final RTM release!
Upgrade coupon plans are in place and some pricing details have been leaked (thank you, Best Buy), but none of this is official yet. We'll just have to wait for Microsoft to quit playing the Hokey Pokey with the Windows 7 product page on their web store or at least for an announcement out of Redmond.

It will be interesting to see which appreas first: a leaked VHD of the Windows 7 RTM or Microsoft's announcement that it has been completed.

[via NeoWin]

Filed under: OS Updates, Microsoft, Commercial

Possible build from Windows 7 RTM branch leaks


To quote Boney M, "Oh, those Russians!"

According to UX Evangelist the crew at Wzor and Torrents.ru have leaked another Windows 7 build. It's been a while since we last reported on a leak, though they have appeared since the RC was made publicly available. This one may be a bit more significant because of the build number - 7201.

As with the jump to 7100 for the RC, the move to 7200 could well be the start of the Windows 7 RTM which is scheduled to hit retail shelves on October 22 and begin rolling to manufacturers sometime in July.

Both x86 and x64 builds have been leaked, though neither has made the jump to a major torrent tracker just yet. Don't be surprised to see them on Mininova in the next few days - Windows 7 torrents have popped up quickly following previous leaks.

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Beta, Windows x64

Acer UK: Windows 7 to drop on October 23

With the Windows 7 RC now available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers and the public release just days away (May 5th), there's news out of the UK that may indicate when we'll start seeing the new operating system on retail PCs.

Pocket Lint has had discussions with Acer's director of UK Marketing, Bobby Watkins, who informed the site that "October 23rd is the date that Windows 7 will be available."

Of course, there's no official confirmation from Microsoft about the date as yet, so this may be wishful thinking on Acer's part. Still, as one of the world's largest manufacturers of Windows computers, there's certainly reason to believe Watkins knows what he's talking about.

Don't want to wait until October 23rd to buy your new system, but you still want Windows 7? No problem. In the article, Watkins also states that Acer will allow users who purchase Vista systems during a 30-day window will be able to upgrade for free.

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