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Windows 7 First Look: A Big Fix for Vista
From new User Account Control options to performance improvements, the next version of Windows seeks to address major complaints about the previous one–and our first look at an early beta suggests that it’s on the right track.News
Microsoft Redefines the OS: Azure and Windows 7 Explained
Microsoft unleashed Windows 7 and a new 'cloud' operating system Windows Azure Monday. Here is what this news means to you.News
Live Blog: Microsoft’s Professional Developer Conference Keynote
Live blog coverage from Los Angeles Convention Center where Microsoft's Professional Developer Conference keynote is taking place.News
Microsoft Brings Vista Service Pack 2 Into Beta
Microsoft is firming up its plans for Vista SP2. On Friday more details about the Vista fix came to light.
News
Microsoft Says Windows Flaw Could Bring Worm Attack
Microsoft is warning that attackers are exploiting a critical flaw in the Windows operating system and that the bug could be used in a "worm" attack.News
Microsoft Plans a Stripped-Down Windows 7
Microsoft is preparing for the 2010 (or earlier) launch of Windows Vista's successor, touted as a faster, stripped-down refresh of the much-maligned OS.
News
Microsoft to Rush out Emergency Windows Patch
Microsoft is releasing an emergency Windows security patch on Thursday.News
Willing to Pay a ‘Mac Tax’?
Microsoft girds for Apple's sub-$1000 laptop by claiming buyers pay a premium for coolness.Hassle-Free PC
Three Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Learn Right Now
Put…the mouse…down…and save time with these shortcuts.Hassle-Free PC
Boot Faster with Startup Delayer
Speed up your boot time with a free utility that postpones non-essential startup items.Answer Line
What Processes are Safe to Close?
On the Answer Line forum flingwings67 asked about the Task Manager's " laundry list of processes. How do you know which ones you can safely close?Answer Line
Can I Recover from Recovering My PC?
When his PC wouldn't boot, Stargazer ran its recovery tool and thus lost all of his files. Then he asked the Answer Line forum how he could get back his pictures, video, and music.Answer Line
How Do I Back Up My Drivers?
Gerald Thompson wants his drivers protected before a complete reinstall.Answer Line
What Autoloading Programs Should I Keep?
Joseph Storer of Bellingham, Massachusetts has the right idea. He wants to know which programs that autoload at startup should NOT be disabled.How-To
10 Fixes for Vista’s Worst Features
Windows Vista is loaded with features, but they don't all work as they should. Here's how to tweak, modify, cope with, or work around the operating system's biggest blunders.How-To
Get Started With Virtual Machines
Virtualization is the safe, easy way to run any operating system on your PC or to run multiple OSs simultaneously. Here's how to add virtual computers to your system right now, using powerful free tools.Answer Line
Why Can’t I Open Vista’s Cookies Folder?
Lamar Redmon wants to know why he can't access Vista's Cookies folder typing "cookies" and selecting it.News
Microsoft Plays up Hyper-V Versus VMware
Microsoft believes price, integration and timing could help Hyper-V win market share against market leader VMware.Answer Line
When Windows Update Won’t Update
Ralph Isaacs wants to know why Windows is telling him that it can't install its own updates.Answer Line
How Do I Gain Administrator Access Without a Password?
Anthony Venable purchased a used PC from a business going out of business. They didn't give him the password to the one administrator account.Community Scoop
Will Vista Have Its Day?
Readers debate whether Windows Vista will succeed in winning over users, trade Web tricks, and slam Comcast's broadband caps.How-To
12 Unnecessary Vista Features You Can Disable Right Now
Tired of Vista's bloat? Reclaim your PC's performance by turning off a dozen wasteful features.How-To
Quadruple Your Fun (and Productivity) With a Four-Monitor System
Think dual-display systems are the bee's knees? This quad-head setup will blow your mind.News
Performance-improvement Integral to Windows 7, IE8
Improving performance are key development goals for Windows 7 and IE 8.News
Microsoft Tweaks Anti-piracy Check for Windows XP
Microsoft has updated anti-piracy checks for Windows XP Pro to make it more like Windows Vista.News
WSJ: Microsoft Hires Seinfeld to Bite Apple
Microsoft plans to hire comedian Jerry Seinfeld for its new marketing campaign, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.Answer Line
How Do I Remotely Troubleshoot Someone Else’s PC?
I answer BobJam's question, originally posted on the Answer Line Forum, on remotely controlling his sister's PC to help her with a technical problem.Neil McAllister on Software
Microsoft Sends Up Trial Balloons for Windows 7
While Vista takes a beating in the press, Microsoft seems increasingly willing to disclose details of its forthcoming OS.News
Microsoft PDC, WinHEC Will Be Windows 7 Coming-out Parties
Microsoft will give developers their first in-depth look at Windows 7 at PDC and WinHEC, beginning in late October.Steve Bass’s Tips & Tweaks
Eliminate Hassles With Antivirus, Flash, Task Manager, and iTunes
Get the lead out of AVG, fix the Windows Task Manager toolbar, and dump duplicate files.Steve Bass’s Tips & Tweaks
Microsoft Is Giving Up on Windows
Steve Bass learns that Microsoft has had it with Windows. Plus three free tools and lots of time wasters.How-To
Turn Any PC Into a Media Center
Looking to turn your computer into the ultimate home-entertainment device? Here's how to get a top-notch media experience out of the PC you already own.News
Cloud Computing: Is Midori Sour or Sweet?
A future Microsoft operating system may be entirely Web-based. Here are the pros and cons of Midori and the "cloud computing" concept.Community Scoop
End of Windows, Gas Crisis Scams, Laptop Seizures
Readers discuss Microsoft's cloud computing project, possible gas crisis scams, and laptop search and seizure policies.News
Samsung, Microsoft in Talks to Speed up SSDs on Vista
Samsung is talking to Microsoft to boost SSD performance on Windows Vista.Steve Bass’s Tips & Tweaks
When Is Vista not Vista? When It’s Mojave!
Microsoft resorts to subterfuge to get people to try Windows Vista, as Steve Bass recently found. Plus, tips for Outlook and Windows passwords.Answer Line
Troubleshoot Your Boot-Up and Shutdown Problems
Does your PC hang, complain, or flat-out blue-screen when you start it up or shut it down? PC World's Lincoln Spector has answers to readers' most perplexing boot and shutdown questions.News
Microsoft Sees Uptick in Use of 64-bit Vista
People are beginning to use 64-bit Windows Vista on PCs in favor of the 32-bit version of the OS.News
Windows Mobile Sales Lower Than Expected
Microsoft missed its target for Windows Mobile shipments in its fiscal year 2008 by 10 percent.News
Microsoft: Stodgy or Innovative? It’s All About Perception
Microsoft executives responded to many analyst questions about how it can solve negative perception problems in the market.How-To
Skin Vista to Look Like XP
You may be stuck with Vista, but with a few tweaks and tricks you can make it look and feel just like its predecessor.News
What Does It Take to Get a PC With XP?
Our reporter tried to buy a computer with Windows XP preinstalled on it from the United States' nine biggest PC makers. His findings: You can get one, but be prepared to fib.Community Scoop
Gripes: Vista, iPhones in Canada, Cell Phone Laws
Readers rail against Windows Vista (as usual), iPhone pricing in Canada, and cell phone laws in California.Neil McAllister on Software
TrueCrypt 6.0 Improves Data Security Performance
The latest version of the free drive-encryption tool can shield sensitive data from prying eyes at home and abroad, now faster than ever.Community Scoop
Windows XP, Vista–and Windows 7?
Readers debate merits of XP and Vista, and speculate on Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7.How-To
Last OS Standing: Make the Most of Windows Vista
Now that Windows XP is no longer being sold by Microsoft, PC users will be stuck with Windows Vista. Here's a roundup of PC World's best tips for making Vista easier to use.Steve Bass’s Tips & Tweaks
Ten Tools to Make Windows Shine
Add a layer of protection against spyware, stop Kaspersky's annoying audio alerts, and hide your files and folders. Plus: More fixes for the pesky Insert key.News
Windows XP Departs: Good Riddance or Sad Farewell?
Two of PC World's most opinionated editors weigh in on whether Microsoft Windows XP's departure is bad for PC users or the best thing that could happen to computing.News