An update version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is now available for download and it’s a perfect fit for the latest service packs for Windows Vista and Windows XP. The Redmond company releases new versions of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on the second Tuesday of each month, accompanying the availability of the Security Bulletins dropped as part of the monthly patch cycle. The updated version of MSRT is distributed via Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and is also up for grabs on the Download Center.
Microsoft has failed to emphasize the fact that MSRT integrates seamless with both Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows XP Service Pack 3. However, tests reveal that the tool plays well with the latest releases of the two operating systems. Vista SP1, RTM’d on February 4, 2008, was released to the general public on March 18, and XP SP3 is accessible to end users since May 6, having been released to manufacturing on April 21.
“The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%debug folder”, reads an excerpt of the tool’s description provided by Microsoft.
The Redmond company offers a 32-bit version of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool for the x86 editions of Vista, XP (including XP PS3), Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003, and a 64-bit variant for the x64 SKUs of Vista, XP (just up to SP2) and Windows 2003. According to Microsoft there are in excess of 450 million executions of the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool every month.
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is available for download here.
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Written by Jason on May 14th, 2008 with no comments.
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Although Microsoft has hammered away at Windows XP SP3 in order to provide an experience as seamless as possible for end users when deploying the service pack, failed installation scenarios are still a valid possibility. In the eventuality of a failed installation of XP SP3 RTM, there are some troubleshooting steps end users can take before running to Microsoft Support for help. The troubleshooting methods involve nothing more than basic actions on the part of the end user and are designed to resolve an unsuccessful installation process while, at the same, time ignoring the error message.
First of all, Microsoft advises all end users to turn to Windows Update for the primary source of the gold bits of XP SP3. “Sometimes an installation is unsuccessful because a previous operation was not completed. By restarting the computer, you close any pending computer functions and restart the process. Wait until the computer finishes the restart process, and then log on to your account. Visit Windows Update to reselect and install Windows XP SP3. Click Express Install (Recommended),” Microsoft stated.
If the Windows XP machine that the end user is trying to update meets all the requirements for XP SP3 RTM, the service pack will be automatically installed. At the same time, if the WU package fails to install, users also have the possibility of manually accessing the bits for XP SP3 and then to attempt to integrate the service pack in their operating system.
There is a variety of applications that can interfere with the installation of the service pack, especially security products. “Installation failure may occur when a third-party program holds a file open or when it locks a file that the Windows XP SP3 installation program needs. To minimize this possibility, follow these steps before you install Windows XP SP3: exit any open programs, and then restart the computer. After the computer has restarted, disable any antivirus, antispyware, and third-party firewall programs that may start during the startup process,” Microsoft said.
Users will need to try to install XP SP3 again either via the standalone packages or through WU, and then turn back on all their security software. If the installation still fails, the status of the Background Intelligent Transfer Service needs to be checked, and BITS has to be turned on.
“Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. Right-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and then click Properties. On the General tab, click Automatic in the Startup type box, and then click Apply. In the “Service status” section of the properties dialog box, verify that the BITS service is started. If it is not started, click Start. Click Apply, and then click OK,” Microsoft added.
Retrying the installation process at this point should end up in a successful deployment. In the case that XP SP3 is still not integrated, there remains only the option of clearing the Software Distribution folder and trying one last time. But if the result is the same, the end users are advised to contact Microsoft Support.
“Click Start, click Run, type services.msc in the Open box, and then click OK. Right-click Automatic Update, and then click Stop. Click Start, click Run, and then type the following in the Open box: ‘%windir%SoftwareDistribution’. Right-click the Download folder, and then click Rename. Type Download.old, and then press ENTER. Exit Windows Explorer. In the Services console, right-click the Automatic Update service, and then click Start,” Microsoft explained.
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Written by Jason on May 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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Make Windows XP shutdown faster with a quick registry tweak.
In less than 60 seconds you can do a registry change that decreases the waiting period that Windows XP takes when you initiate the shutdown command.
I put a quick video tutorial together which shows you the steps
Notes from Video:
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControl Set/Control.
Click on the "Control" Folder.
Select "WaitToKillServiceTimeout"
Double click on it and set a value lower than 1000.
Other Tips Users have watched
Written by PCWizKid on May 10th, 2008 with no comments.
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The Multilingual User Interface Pack for Windows XP is designed to enable the end user to swap the languages for the graphical user interface. Microsoft has available a version of the MUI Pack which is tailored to XP Service Pack 2. Now, with the advent of XP SP3, the Redmond company has not made available a new variant of the MUI Pack, but instead introduced an update set up to make the Multilingual User Interface package for XP SP2 play well with Service Pack 3. The update is, in fact, meant to fix an incongruity between the MUI Pack and the gold bits of XP SP3.
“On a computer that is running the English version of Windows XP SP3 with the Windows XP SP2 Multilingual User Interface (MUI) Pack, you can select a non-English language for the user interface (UI). However, text may appear in English in the UI instead of in the selected language. The English text may appear in lists, menus, dialog boxes, product Help, and other locations,” Microsoft informed.
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) 3.0, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 6.1, Network Access Protection (NAP) and Scripting binaries are the components Microsoft pointed to as failing to integrate seamlessly into XP SP3. The update resolves all issues, according to the company. “Install this package to get the Microsoft Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) Update for Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3),” Microsoft revealed.
“As noted on TechNet off the main Windows XP TechCenter, Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) is now available for download and install via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. Windows XP SP3 includes all previously released updates for the operating system, in addition to a small number of new updates. Windows XP SP3 will not significantly change the Windows XP experience. We recommend customers use Windows Update to install the service pack, as it will provide the best experience,” revealed M3 Sweatt, the Chief of Staff of the Windows Core Operating System Division (COSD) at Microsoft.
Windows XP SP3 RTM Build 5512 can be downloaded here.
LANGUAGE PACKS / INTERNATIONALIZED VERSIONS
French (Full installer)
German (Full installer)
Spanish (Full installer)
Italian (Full installer)
Russian (Full installer)
Czech Republic (Full installer)
Poland (Full installer)
Japan (Full installer)
Israel (Full installer)
China (Full installer)
Turkish (Full installer)
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Written by Jason on May 8th, 2008 with no comments.
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The latest service pack for Windows XP is out, well officially you can get it now using the Online Windows Update option. If you rather download the standalone sp3 package
get it directly here.For a list of what Service Pack 3 fixes
read it here. Among the updates a feature called Network Access Protection that's borrowed from the newer Windows Vista operating system. NAP automatically validates a computer's health, ensuring that it's free of bugs and viruses before allowing it access to a network.
Prior to installing SP3,
Microsoft recommends that you do the following:
| Start your computer, and then log on as an administrator.
Note Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the operating system and to its settings. You can use the Administrator user name to log on, or you can use another account that is a member of the Administrators group. To determine the groups to which you belong, click Start, click Control Panel, and then click User Accounts. |
| 2. | If your computer is running on battery power, plug it in so that your computer does not lose power during the installation. |
| 3. | If you use Fast User Switching, make sure all other users are logged off. For more information, see "Fast User Switching" in Windows XP Help and Support Center on your computer. |
| 4. | We recommend that you perform a full backup of the files that you have on your computer to an external location, such as an external hard disk, DVD, CD, USB flash drive, or network folder. You can use the Backup and Restore Wizard to back up documents, pictures, and other files. For more information, see "Backing up files and folders" in Help and Support Center. |
| 5. | If your computer is running Windows XP Professional, we recommend that you create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) set before you begin the installation. This will help you repair your setup if the installation fails. For more information, see "To create an Automated System Recovery set using Backup" and "To recover from a system failure using Automated System Recovery" in Help and Support Center.
Note If your computer is running Windows XP Home Edition, ignore this step. ASR is not available for Windows XP Home Edition. |
| 6. | Exit all open programs. |
| 7. | Install Windows XP SP3. For more information about how to obtain Windows XP Service Pack 3, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322389 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/) How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack NOTE: SP3 will not be shrink-wrapped for store shelves. "Windows XP SP3 is available to OEMs as an option for some of their product lines [and] for Volume License customers to simplify maintenance of their Windows XP machines," Microsoft said. Other Tips Users have watched |
Written by PCWizKid on May 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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One of our readers Vimal reported us a problem saying: “windows not genuine , this comes when I start my Windows XP“.
This is one of the most common problem which is faced by lot of windows users these days as they don’t have the legit copy of windows XP.
This message as shown in the image above appears every time the user logged in windows, with a timer of some seconds before the Resolve Later button got enabled, all this delayed the entire windows logon process.
Let’s see how can we resolve this issue
The most simplest way now a days is by using Remove WGA Notification tool, which runs silently and check it the WGA notification tool is already active on your system.
What is Remove WGA ?
A small utility that enables you to remove the Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications tool, which is calling home and connect to MS servers every time you boot.
Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is very much different than Windows Genuine Advantage Validation.
NOTE: Remove WGA will only removes the notification part, phoning home, and does not touch the Validation part.
Download Remove WGA
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Written by Jason on May 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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It is easy to upgrade your operating system if you think about it. Many people are shifting to the new Microsoft Vista operating systems today, mostly due to the new features and of course the eventual demise of the traditional Windows XP that has been use for some years now. But while this is a welcome development for most people today, it just remains that some computer users are still apprehensive due to potential bugs that are still present in the newly released operating system by Microsoft Corporation.
Such is a trend that is followed by previous releases dating back towards the ancient days of the Windows 98 operating system. They have had their share of issues and it took them some time to become stable. Service packs and some patches were released and mind you, it did not all take a single day to address these problems.
For what it is worth, the Windows XP has stabilized already and most users are having less problems to date. Now comes this new installment by Microsoft Corporation called the Windows Vista series which seems to be another journey towards trying to determine if the OS is stable or not. If not, expect another wave of patches to be released to ensure that people do not get irritated by it.
So if you gather some information on why some people are apprehensive about the new Windows Vista operating system, do not be surprised. They are veterans of the Microsoft operating system circus. People are tired of becoming crash test dummies!
Written by PC Freak on May 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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Windows XP works with countless different printers, scanners, digital cameras, and other devices. It does so with the help of drivers, unique software programs that help your operating system communicate with individual pieces of hardware. If your computer starts to freeze, crash, or if a hardware device stops working, you can troubleshoot the problem with the Device Manager.
Device Manager shows you how the hardware on your computer is installed and configured, and how the hardware interacts with your computer’s programs.
You’ll typically use Device Manager to check the status of your hardware and update device drivers on your computer. Advanced users who have a thorough understanding of computer hardware might also use Device Manager’s diagnostic features to resolve device conflicts and change resource settings.
Note You may need to be logged on as an administrator or be a member of the Administrators group in order to use some or all of the features in Device Manager. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.
To access Device Manager:
• Right–click My Computer, click Manage, and then click Device Manager. The Device Manager opens as shown in Figure 1 below.
To view the status of a device:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Double–click the type of device you want to view.
3. Right–click the specific device you want, and then click Properties.
4. On the General tab, under Device status is a description of the device status, as shown in Figure 2 below.
If the device is experiencing a problem, you’ll see the type of problem in the Device status box. You might also see a problem code and number and a suggested solution. If you call a support line, this number can be useful for determining and diagnosing the problem.
For information on how to resolve hardware device problems, click Troubleshoot to start the Hardware Troubleshooter.
To install a new driver from Device Manager:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Double-click the type of device you want to update or change.
3. Right-click the specific device driver you want to update or change.
4. Click Update Driver to open the Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the wizard instructions.
Note If you install a new driver and your system becomes unstable, you can easily uninstall the driver and reinstall the old driver with Driver Rollback. For more information, read How to Roll Back a Device Driver.
To uninstall a device:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Double–click the type of device that you want to uninstall.
3. Right–click the specific device you want to uninstall, and then click Uninstall.
4. In the Confirm Device Removal dialog box, click OK.
When you’re done uninstalling the device, turn off your computer, and remove the device from the computer.
Note Many devices on the market today are Plug and Play, which means when you plug the device in your computer will recognize it and automatically prompt you to install the drivers you need. You won’t usually use Device Manager to uninstall a Plug and Play device. Simply disconnect the Plug and Play device from your computer. You might have to restart your computer. Check the device manufacturer’s instructions for more information.
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Written by Jason on May 6th, 2008 with no comments.
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The second Community Technology Preview of Windows PowerShell V2 is now available for download. Designed as the successor of Windows PowerShell 1.0, Windows PowerShell V2 CTP2 also marks a consistent evolution in comparison with the initial Community Technology Preview release. As such, it delivers new features, along with extended usability. In this manner, Microsoft offers a more mature command line shell and scripting language that enables an increased level of control over Windows environments, leading to a jump in productivity. The CTP will integrate seamlessly with Windows Server 2003 SP2; Windows Server 2008; Windows Vista SP1; Windows XP SP2.
“This release adds a plethora of new features. PowerShell remoting now allows a one-to-one interactive experience. Thought about partitioning and organizing PowerShell scripts? Use modules to create self-contained and reusable units. This release introduces transactions support in PowerShell engine and APIs along with an update to the Registry provider to support them. We introduced eventing support in Powershell engine for listening, forwarding and acting on management and system events. Support for multiple parameter sets in script cmdlets bring them to par with C# cmdlets,” said Hemant Mahawar, Program Manager Windows PowerShell.
But at the same time, Microsoft informed that Windows PowerShell V2 CTP2 is not meant for integration into productivity environments. The Community Technology Preview label means that Windows PowerShell V2 is not even in Beta stage, but just a pre-release build. V2 CTP2 does provide support for 1.0 cmdlets and scripts, but this release of PowerShell has not been tested to the same extent of the final version and is still far from reaching the finish line.
“For the adventurous folks…. application developers can host PowerShell in IIS to support multiple remote PowerShell sessions in a single process. These are just a few of the new features we have packaged in this CTP2 release. Additionally this CTP2 includes some simple updates… like new parameters to several existing cmdlets,” Mahawar added.
Windows PowerShell V2 Community Technology Preview 2 (CTP2) is available for download here.
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