Although it was released to manufacturing on April 21, 2008, the third and last service pack for Windows XP has yet to make it to end users. Despite this, Microsoft has already made available the first update tailored on XP SP3. Update for Windows XP (KB942763) is designed to integrate with both Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and to tweak the Daylight Saving Time settings on the operating systems. Microsoft released KB942763 on the same day it RTM‘d XP SP3, in an effort to correlate automatically the computer clock with the correct date in 2008, following the changes introduced via Daylight Saving Time laws in markets around the world.
“The update changes the time zone data to accommodate daylight saving time (DST) changes in several countries. This update also includes other DST-related changes, time zone-related changes, and settings-related changes. This is a cumulative update rollup that includes all the changes that were previously released in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles 928388, 929120, and 933360,” Microsoft revealed.
Similar updates have been released for a range of operating systems in addition to XP SP2 and SP3, including Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, Windows Embedded for Point of Service, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003. Neither Windows Vista SP1 nor Windows Server 2008 have anything to do with KB942763. The Redmond company is offering additional information related to the time changes affecting its products via the Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center.
“When you apply this update, you may receive the following message: ‘Update cannot be installed as a newer or same time zone update has already been installed on the system.’ This message indicates that you have already applied the correct update or that Windows Updates or Microsoft Update has automatically installed this update. No additional action is required to update the Windows operating system software,” Microsoft added.
Tags:Microsoft,
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Written by Jason on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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The moment that Windows XP users have been waiting for. Today Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) goes RTM.
What’s in SP3?
Here’s what you can expect from XP SP3:
* All previously released Windows XP updates, including security updates and hotfixes.
* Also contained are some out-of-band releases.
* A small number of new OS enhancements.
Can I find out the details of what’s included in SP3?
Microsoft. [UPDATE: Link not available yet.]
What sort of new and enhanced functionality does SP3 contain?
Some features of note include:
* Improvements to “black hole” router detection.
* Network Access Protection, which is a network policy enforcement platform previously seen in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
* Enhanced Control Panel Security Options which better explains the impact of the various settings.
* Product key-free installation now possible.
What’s the purpose of SP3?
According to Microsoft, the goals of SP3 are:
* Provide a new baseline for customers still deploying Windows XP, to help them avoid the inconvenience of applying individual updates.
* Fill gaps in the updates users might have missed by declining individual updates when using Automatic Updates, and to deliver updates not made available through Windows Update.
How big is SP3?
Depends on how you get it. Through Windows Update the typical download will be in the region of 70MB. Through the Microsoft Download Center the download balloons to around 580MB.
What versions of XP can SP3 be applied?
Any 32-bit version of Windows XP SP1 or SP2.
Can SP3 be applied to Windows XP x64?
No. Users of the 64-bit version of Windows XP should download and install Windows Server 2003 SP2.
Does SP3 include Internet Explorer 7?
No, IE 7 is not part of SP3. However, updates for IE6 and IE7 are included.
If I install SP3 and something goes wrong, can I uninstall it?
Yes.
Does SP3 improve system performance?
If it does, Microsoft isn’t letting on.
When can I get my hands on SP3?
April 29.
For More on Release DatesWhat are your impressions of SP3? Will SP3 breathe new life into XP?
Hard to tell. So far, I’ve not actually had any hands on time with SP3 RTM. I was provided with a secure FTP location from which to download the final bits, but despite repeated attempts to download SP1, I was unsuccessful. I should receive discs containing the final bits shortly and will carry out some detailed testing at that time.
Via [
Znet]
Written by ShaDow on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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As stated by Microsoft:
The Program Compatibility Assistant detects known compatibility issues in older programs. After you have run an older program in this version of Windows, it notifies you if there is a problem and offers to fix it the next time you run the program. If the compatibility issue is serious, the Program Compatibility Assistant might warn you or block the program from running. If that happens, you’ll have the option to check online for possible solutions.
For example, the Program Compatibility Assistant can resolve conflicts with User Account Control, a new security feature in this version of Windows that can help make your computer safer. Or, it can run the program in a mode that simulates earlier versions of Windows. The changes that Program Compatibility Assistant makes are done automatically, so you don’t need to make them.
Here’s more detailed information as well. If you know all your applications are compatible, or you don’t care to get any assistance in making them compatible, you can safely disable this service.
Display Name:
Program Compatibility Assistance Service
Process Name:
svchost.exe
Description:
Provides support for the Program Compatibility Assistant. If this service is stopped, the Program Compatibility Assistant will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that depend on it will fail to start.
Path to Executable:
%windir%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
Default Startup:
- Home Basic: Automatic
- Home Premium: Automatic
- Business: Automatic
- Enterprise: Automatic
- Ultimate: Automatic
Log On As:
Local System Account
Depends On:
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
Post from: ITsVISTA
Program Compatibility Assistance
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Written by Joe on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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After investigating public reports, Microsoft has published Microsoft Security Advisory 951306, which describes a vulnerability that affects multiple versions of Windows (including Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2, all supported versions and editions of Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and Windows Server 2008.)
The newly found security flaw could potentially allow a malicious local user (who has authentication) to execute specially crafted code to raise his privilege level to LocalSystem. IIS and SQL Server are the main attack vectors. But other vectors are possible, such as Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) on Windows Server 2003.
The vulnerability looks like it basically allows for any process that has the SeImpersonatePrivilege to execute some code and be able to impersonate LocalSystem (which has the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM SID and a wealth of privileges in its token). For Windows 2003 and beyond the users awarded that privilege are in the Network Services, Local Services, Local System, and Administrators groups. On Vista/Server 2008 you additionally won’t have the privilege unless you’ve elevated. That fortunately reduces the scope of this otherwise highly serious vulnerability, though it still isn’t pretty.
It must be noted however Microsoft stated in its advisory that- “Hosting providers may be at increased risk from this elevation of privilege vulnerability.” However, no exploitation has been observed at this time.
Microsoft Security Advisory 951306
Written by Patrick S on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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Ever since i made the change to Vista I have noticed that the browsing of network folders on my network was slow-with OR without connecting through a domain (esp When browsing Windows Server 2003 shared folders).
When opening the network folder your computer displays straight away but there is 5-6+ second wait before other network computers & shares are displayed…
So what to do? The fix involves changing two settings from the command prompt. You need to run the command prompt as an administrator. You can do this by right-clicking and selecting run as administrator. Type in the following commands:
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
netsh int tcp set global rss=disabled
You will need to restart your machine afterwards. The difference is night and day. I wonder what the reasoning was for not having Vista set like this out of the box?If you are unhappy with the changes you can restore the default settings with
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal
netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled
I saw this fix over at Excalibur Partners
Written by Patrick S on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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If you are a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003, you can now transfer your skills to achieve multiple Microsoft Certified 
Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications or Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credentials on Windows Server 2008.
For the first time, the transition path is available before the product release. If you have a Windows Server 2008 certification on your resumé, you have an excellent opportunity to catch the eye of early adopter organizations. Microsoft Learning developed this transition path to recognize the investment and expertise you have demonstrated throughout your certification history—don’t miss your chance to take advantage of these new certifications.
Your path consists of one exam, which allows you to earn multiple Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications on Windows Server 2008.
-First step: Take one exam to earn MCTS certification on Windows Server 2008
From there, you can complete the remaining requirements for one or both of the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications for Windows Server 2008.
-Your transition path from MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP
-Your transition path from MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to MCITP
Because there is a significant technology gap between Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2008, only IT professionals with specific Microsoft Certifications on Windows Server 2003 can utilize these transition or upgrade paths. In addition, there is no upgrade path from messaging or security specializations to Windows Server 2008 certifications.
Check out all the details here:
Thanks Microsoft 
Written by Patrick S on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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If there are things that you find yourself typing regularly, there is a way of increasing your productivity. By using Word's AutoText feature you only have to start typing a few letters of your name or postal address before it offers an option to fill the rest of the text for you. Word comes with a number of entries already set up. If you start to type the word 'Cordially', you should notice a little box appear like the one pictured below. As it says, just press Enter and Word will insert the rest of the text.
If this does not appear, you probably have AutoComplete switched off. To switch this on, and to see a list of all the existing AutoText entries, pull down the 'Insert' menu and from the 'AutoText' sub-menu click on 'AutoText...', which will open the following dialog box.
Make sure that 'Show AutoComplete selections' is ticked. You can also create a new AutoText entry with this dialog by typing the text where indicated and clicking the 'Add' button; however, there is an easier way to do it.
Click on 'OK' to close the dialog box and in your current word document type your name. Select the text and either pull down the 'Insert' menu, then the 'AutoText' sub-menu, and click on 'Add...' or simply hold down the Alt key and press F3. You will then be asked to give the new AutoText entry a name.
From now on when you start to type your name you will be offered the option to insert it as with 'Cordially'. The advantage of entering new AutoText this way is that you can insert text that spans several lines like your postal address. All you need to do is type it in select it and press
Alt and F3, as before. You can even add pictures to AutoText by selecting them along with some text or on their own and following the above instructions.
Written by Stepterix on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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Well it seems as though its finally happened-Service Pack 3 for every-ones favourite OS, Windows XP h
as been released to manufacturing (however not available to the public just yet-expect to see it on April 29th).
Service Pack 3 updates all 32-bit versions of Windows XP from Starter to XP Professional (the x64 edition of XP is based on Server 2003 and requires the Service Packs for that product). The complete package from the Download Center will reportedly be some 320 MB. Downloads via the Update function will be around 70 MB according to Microsoft’s current plans; this update can be so much smaller because only the data required for a specific XP version are downloaded, not the entire package.
Support for Windows XP without any service packs expired long ago and officially SP2 has to already be installed before SP3 can be installed, despite the fact there is no technical reason for this requirement. However Microsoft is inconsistent and SP3 can in practice be installed on XP with only SP1. Strangely, the complete SP3 contains all of the patches you need to update even a fresh base version of XP. Microsoft says that a slipstream installation CD can be created so that the operating system with SP3 can be installed at once without any other service pack.
SP3 not only contains patches and updates, but also a number of add-onsthat have been sold separately, such as Background Intelligent Transfer Service (Bits) 2.5, Windows Installer 3.1, Management Console (MMC) 3.0 and Core XML Services 6.0. SP3 does not, however, contain any fundamentally new functions, and no new versions of Internet Explorer or Media Player are included.
This is set to be the very last Service pack for XP however patches and updates for the OS are set to continue until Service Pack 3 expires in 2014.
A time line of SP3:
April 14, 2008: Support is available for the release version of Windows XP SP3
April 21, 2008: RTM, OEMs
April 29, 2008: RTW, Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center
May 2, 2008: MSDN and TechNet subscriber downloads
May 19, 2008: Windows XP SP3 Fulfillment Media
June 1, 2008: Microsoft Volume Licensing customer downloads
June 10, 2008: Automatic Updates
An overview for SP3 is available here (MSFT), however expect new documentation to arise pretty soon.
Written by Patrick S on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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So, I'm back home from a great trip to Seattle, Washington, US. The MVP Summit 2008 was a cool experience with lots of info and room for dialog with the product teams at the Microsoft Campus in Redmond.
We had some awesome talks on the future of Group Policy and I would really like to share it with you, but because of Non-Disclosure Agreements 'n' stuff I can't really say anything - yet.
Seattle is a very interesting city with a lot of great restaurants, nice architecture and friendly people. I had 2½ day to spend after the summit and even though I was missing my family Seattle took great care of me :)
Anyway, I hope to go back there next year - better prepared for jetlag (which basically means I'll travel a few days before the event next time) - but, that all depends on how much time I get to share information with you guys/girls out there... No sharing, no MVP award - that's the rule ya' know ;-)
Thanx to the GP team and the other MVPs for a great experience!
.
Written by Jakob H. Heidelberg on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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If you thought the Windows Vista or Office 2007 packaging was fancy, then check out this awesome re-usable packaging for the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000. Some people have complained it is difficult to open, but I think it’s innovativeness makes up for it. The product name however falls on the opposite side of creativity scale.
At first look it might appear to be just another transparent plastic shell, but then…
It rotates. So theoretically if you were at a retail shop, you could easily take a look all around the mouse without removing the packaging. It makes more sense for this mouse in particular because of the presentation buttons at the bottom.
Of course you could also do this.
On the back, it has these two tabs which helps you cut away the packaging.
Unfortunately the result is still an ugly mess of sharp plastic edges and ripped cardboard.
The reusable part of the packaging is actually the clam-shell hard casing which spun around. The case also fits the USB/Bluetooth receiver at the bottom.
The battery compartment is actually very cunningly hidden under the casing which you access by clicking the Microsoft Laser logo which pops open a panel below it. It’s all very secret-agent like.
Speaking of secret agents, there’s also a built in laser pointer which is not the biggest or strongest in the world, but certainly would be practical in a presentation.
Over the next couple of weeks I have a few presentations to do so I’ll certainly be road-testing this mice out. But as for what it is now, a wireless Bluetooth mouse, it certainly is one of the lightest and most comfortable I’ve seen and used.
Written by Long Zheng on April 22nd, 2008 with no comments.
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Alt and F3, as before. You can even add pictures to AutoText by selecting them along with some text or on their own and following the above instructions.