At the Worldwide Partner Conference 2008 on July 8, in Huston, Texas, Brad Brooks, corporate vice president, Windows Consumer Product Marketing, announced that Microsoft was going to go live with the
Windows Vista Compatibility Center. It is clear that the Redmond company is fighting the bad aura that is clinching to its latest Windows client even after the release of Service Pack 1. For the past year and a half, software and hardware compatibility with Vista was improved constantly, but without palpable evidences of the evolution,
consumers' perception remains unaffected.
"To help bust the myth that Windows Vista is not compatible with your software or devices, we're announcing a new Web site called the Windows Vista Compatibility Center. It's a way for any customer, a consumer or a business, to go to a very simple, easy to use Web site, and see all of the devices and all the applications that are compatible with Windows Vista," Brooks explained.
Just as Vista was plagued with compatibility problems when it hit the shelves in January 2007, so the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is not yet up and running. Initially, the website displayed the following message to visitors: "the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is currently unavailable. Thank you for your interest, but this site is not available yet. Please check back soon".
However, since then, the message was altered to read, "the Windows Vista Compatibility Center will be launching soon, please check back!" No word yet from Microsoft in regard to a less abstract deadline for "soon". When it goes live, the website will feature in excess of 9,000 Vista compatible solutions, both applications and hardware products.
Source :
Softpedia News
Written by ShaDow on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Previously, I wrote about the FLAGS switch for REG.EXE in Vista and covered a technique that would set the virtualization-related flags of a registry key programmatically. This post intends to cover the other side - querying for the virtualization-related flags of a registry key. Again, we're dealing with an "undocumented" function in NTDLL.DLL - NtQueryKey:
NTSTATUS NtQueryKey(
IN HANDLE KeyHandle,
IN KEY_INFORMATION_CLASS KeyInformationClass,
OUT PVOID KeyInformation,
IN ULONG Length
OUT PULONG ResultLength );
To retrieve the flags for a key, call NtQueryKey with KeyInformationClass set to 5, which WDM.h tells us is KeyFlagsInformation.
typedef enum _KEY_INFORMATION_CLASS {
KeyBasicInformation,
KeyNodeInformation,
KeyFullInformation,
KeyNameInformation,
KeyCachedInformation,
KeyFlagsInformation,
KeyVirtualizationInformation,
MaxKeyInfoClass // MaxKeyInfoClass should always be the last enum
} KEY_INFORMATION_CLASSREG.EXE supplies 12 for the value of the Length param, and the last 4 bytes of the buffer (KeyInformation) are modified when NtQueryKey returns. This would seem to suggest that the struct to receive the information containing the virtualization flags looks something like:
typedef struct _KEY_FLAGS_INFO {
ULONG unknown1;
ULONG unknown2;
ULONG ControlFlags;
} KEY_FLAGS_INFO, *PKEY_FLAGS_INFO;Putting it all together, then, we have something like:
typedef NTSYSAPI NTSTATUS (NTAPI* FuncNtQueryKey)( HANDLE KeyHandle, KEY_INFORMATION_CLASS KeyInformationClass, PVOID KeyInformation, ULONG Length, PULONG ResultLength );
// ...
FuncNtQueryKey ntqk = (FuncNtQueryKey)GetProcAddress( GetModuleHandle( _T("ntdll.dll") ), "NtQueryKey" );
KEY_FLAGS_INFO kfi = {0};
HKEY hTheKey = NULL;
RegOpenKeyEx( HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, _T("SOFTWARE\\Whatever"), 0, KEY_ALL_ACCESS, &hTheKey );
DWORD dwResultLen = 0;
DWORD dwNtqkResult = ntqk( hTheKey , KeyFlagsInformation, &kfi, sizeof( KEY_FLAGS_INFO ), &dwResultLen );
RegCloseKey( hTheKey );
hTheKey = NULL;
The flags (_CONTROL_FLAGS, from
Part 1) are stored as a bitmask in kfi.ControlFlags.
typedef enum _CONTROL_FLAGS {
RegKeyClearFlags = 0,
RegKeyDontVirtualize = 2,
RegKeyDontSilentFail = 4,
RegKeyRecurseFlag = 8
} CONTROL_FLAGS;The code above provides the same information as invoking REG.EXE FLAGS HKLM\Software\Whatever QUERY.
Again - note that this exploration was done on Windows Vista SP1. I would expect the content here to also apply to Windows Vista (no SP) as well as Windows Server 2008, but...
Written by «/\/\Ø|ö±ò\/»®© on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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By default, simple file sharing is enabled on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer if the computer is not a member of a domain. With simple file sharing, you can share folders with everyone on your workgroup or network and make folders in your user profile private. However, if simple file sharing is enabled, you cannot prevent specific users and groups from accessing your shared folders. If you turn off simple file sharing, you can permit specific users and groups to access a shared folder. Those users must be logged on with the credentials of user accounts that you have granted access to your shared folder.
If simple file sharing is enabled, you see the simple file sharing user interface appears instead of the Security and Sharing tabs. By default, this new user interface is implemented in Windows XP Home Edition and in Microsoft Windows XP Professional if you are working in a workgroup. If you turn off simple file sharing, the classic Security and Sharing tabs appear, and you can specify which users and groups have access to shared folders on your computer.
Note To allow for specific users to access the share folder after the simple file sharing is disabled, you should configure both the NTFS permissions on the Security tab and the share permission on the Sharing tab of the share folder. NTFS permissions can only be set on a partition using NTFS file system. If you remove the Every Group from the NTFS permission, you cannot access the share folder over the network.
How to turn off simple file sharing
To disable simple file sharing, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
3. In the Advanced Settings section, clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box.
4. Click OK.
How to share a folder or a drive with other users
To share a folder or a drive with other users, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click My Computer, and then locate the folder or drive that you want to share.
2. Right-click the folder or drive, and then click Sharing and Security.
3. On the Sharing tab, click Share this folder.
4. To change the share name of the shared folder or drive, type a new name in the Share name box. Other users see the new name when they connect to this shared folder or drive. The actual name of the folder or drive does not change.
5. To add a comment about the shared folder or drive, type the text in the Comment box.
6. To limit the number of people who can connect to the shared folder or drive at the same time, click Allow under User limit, and then type the number of users.
7. To set share permissions on the shared folder or drive, click Permissions.
Note To share folders and drives, you must be logged on as a member of any one of the following groups:
• Administrators
• Server Operators
• Power Users
8. Click OK.
Tags:based computer,
Computer,
file sharing,
folder,
how to,
Network,
ntfs,
ntfs permissions,
permission,
Security,
Settings,
shared folders,
tools,
Windows,
windows xp,
workgroup,
XP-based
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Written by Jason on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Vista4Beginners.com reviews this website. Take a look and while you’re there, browse around, they have very good Vista content!
Post from: ITsVISTA
How-To Top Destinations on the web: ITsVista.com | Windows Vista for Beginners
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Written by Joe on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Tweak UI PowerToys for Windows XP have been around for many years now. The latest version is 2.10. Its still an oldie but a goodie. If you havent installed this Microsoft Freebie then your missing out in Windows XP.
TweakUI v2.10 is the latest release which ceased to be updated back in 2005 and has been allways been a nice complement to automating tweaks easily. It gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP's default control panel options for example or would require you to do registry tweaks.
If you´re a power user or not this makes it easy. Go ahead and try it, but be forewarned that PowerToys aren´t supported by Microsoft because they´re not part of the official Windows XP release. TweakUI lets you adjust your Windows user interface, including menu speed, window animation, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more.
Since TweakUI does not come installed by default you would be surprised how many people dont know anything about it. Watch PCWizKid's walktrough video on TweakUI and decide for yourself, what are you waiting for?
Download TweakUI from Microsoft hereNote: Tweak UI Version 2.10 requires Windows XP Service Pack 1 or above / Windows Server 2003. Since most Windows XP PC's have Service Pack 2 or 3 you will probably be ok.
If you have Windows Vista , try TweakVI instead. Click the image for details.
Other Tips Users have watched
Written by PCWizKid on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Windows Live OneCare 2.5 is now available and
I've got some information for both new and existing Windows Live OneCare subscribers regarding the Windows Live OneCare 2.5 release I'd like to share.
Beginning last week (July 1st to be exact) - existing Windows Live OneCare users (paid subscribers) began automatically receiving Windows Live OneCare 2.5. The Windows Live OneCare website also began offering Windows Live OneCare 2.5 for new users as well. If you are a Windows Live OneCare subscriber and have not yet been automatically updated, you can either wait until the update occurs or download the new version from the Windows Live OneCare website.
NOTE: If you choose not to wait for the automatic update to occur and want to go ahead and "manually" update yourself via downloading the new version off the Windows Live OneCare website - you will need to uninstall the previous version first before Windows Live OneCare 2.5 will install. I had not been automatically upgraded so I chose to install manually on 1 of my PCs but the others were automatically updated soon after.
So what's new with Windows Live OneCare 2.5? As I stated previously, the Windows Live OneCare 2.5 release is mainly an "under-the-hood" release. That means all the improvements take place behind-the-scenes so you will not notice any major new features or changes to the overall UI. Windows Live OneCare 2.5 is an incremental release that highlights Microsoft's ongoing commitment to improving Windows Live OneCare for paying subscribers.
However, Windows Live OneCare 2.5 does bring some changes worth taking note of. Windows Live OneCare is now available in 3 new markets: Brazil, India and Hong Kong. Also, if you are using the Online Photo Backup feature in Windows Live OneCare, you will be pleased to see that online storage capacity has been increased from 10GB to 50GB! Online Photo Backup is an added benefit to Windows Live OneCare users where they can pay $50 a year (on top of their existing Windows Live OneCare subscription) to have their digital photos automatically backed up to the "cloud".
As a Windows Live OneCare user myself, I enjoy seeing updates to Windows Live OneCare even if they aren't major updates. The priority for me is simply keeping my PC protected.
Written by Brandon LeBlanc on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Windows Live OneCare 2.5 is now available and I've got some information for both new and existing Windows Live OneCare subscribers regarding the Windows Live OneCare 2.5 release I'd like to share. Beginning last week (July 1st to be exact) - existing Read More......(
read more)
Written by Windows Vista Team Blog on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Menus aren't as complicated as dialogs.
There are no fonts, no positioning,
it's just a list of menu items and flags.
Well, okay, there's the recursive part,
when a menu has a submenu.
But that's really the only wrinkle.
Most of it is pretty boring. The Read More......(
read more)
Written by The Old New Thing : History on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Whether you are at work or at home, eMachines seems to have something in store for you. Recently, eMachines has introduced a new line of desktop PCs which include entertainment and productivity applications that heed the needs of most PC users today.
Computers are a daily need and depending on the nature of using them, eMachines seems to have them covered. These desktop solutions are paired with a 17” LCD monitor along with a 15-in-1 memory card reader that allows users to interface for the need to upload photos, videos and music files.
It all boils down to budget. High-end computers do not come cheap and apparently most PC solution seekers today command a high degree of requirements on a limited budget. That is not an easy task. You have to pay the price for technology and apparently eMachines have been trying to work on these constraints to appease its market.
We have seen a lot of new innovations in the PC world and some sacrifice some benefits and peripherals for the sake of getting at least close to their required specs that can serve their needs. For most people today, this dilemma is only normal and getting the right computer at the right speed seems to be a toss up when you want a perfect computer within your grasp.
“Choosing the right computer to best fit your needs and budget can be daunting, especially for students heading away from home,” said Glenn Jystad, senior manager for eMachines desktops, in a statement. “These new eMachines desktop PCs offer a range of performance levels and features that not only meet the computing needs of students and families, but offer attractive prices that will appeal to today’s budget conscious consumers.”
(Source) TMC Net
Written by PC Freak on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Microsoft is launching a Windows Vista compatibility center in beta? Seventeen months after Vista shipped everywhere?
Oh, yeah, and the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is one of the big announcements from Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston. Isn't this the kind of thing you do before an operating system ships? Release compatibility tools for real, not in beta?
I planned to write about what's in the beta. But I went to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center and all I got was this lousy screenshot (see below). That sounds like a T-Shirt slogan, doesn't it? There's nothing there. Poof. Pure vaporware.
Geez Louise, Microsoft, you can't change negative Vista perceptions like this. You can't announce a new tool, even in beta, but then instruct people to "please check back soon."
From Microsoft's press release: "Through this new compatibility tool, Microsoft will work to solicit continuous feedback from consumers and partners to ensure that their purchase and adoption experience remains positive long after their migration to Windows Vista."
Blah, blah, blah. How about giving customers a little confidence and satisfaction before they switch to Vista rather than find that their favorite game or needed application doesn't run?
Break my broomsticks, Vista compatibility problems really frustrate people. I've got a friend who does Japanes translation for a camera manufacturer. He bought a new notebook with Windows Vista, only to find the translation notebook is incompatible with the operating system. Solution: He went to Fry's Electronics and bought Windows XP. He has no Vista experience for which to remain positive. Vista isn't even an option.
Written by Madhukar on July 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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