Microsoft have released some new Security HotFixes:

811630: Critical Update Enabling applications to access HTML Help: This update enables applications to access HTML Help in a new, restricted mode. Future updates of Internet Explorer require this new capability. Download now to ensure that Internet Explorer can properly display HTML Help in HTML pages windows 98/ME/2000/XP.

An identified security issue could enable an attacker to read files or run programs on a computer that visited his or her Web site. By installing this update, you can help protect your computer against this issue and bring Microsoft® Internet Explorer up-to-date with respect to security!

The Office 2000 Resource Kit contains the following set of core tools:

Custom Installation Wizard (version 1.00.00.3728) Excel File Recovery Macro and Date Tools Microsoft Internet Explorer Administration Kit 5.x (version 5.0.2809.2500) Language Version utility (version 9.00.0028) Terminal Server Tools Profile Wizard Removal Wizard

The Custom Maintenance Wizard enables you to make changes to a Microsoft Office XP installation after the initial deployment. Using the Custom Maintenance Wizard, you can modify almost every feature that you can set in the Custom Installation Wizard ? including default user settings, security levels, Outlook settings, and registry keys.

This just in from Neobond @ Neowin.net.

In an almost amusing way MSN Hotmail have placed a note, a reminder if you will, to members that MSN Hotmail will be discontinuing the Reminders feature. It would appear that MSN Hotmail are stepping up member benefits by continuing to remove the free services. Instead of doing it all in one go Microsoft have chosen a more silent route at removing one or more services at a time.

Windows XP Service Pack 1a (SP1a) provides the latest security and reliability updates to the Windows XP family of operating systems, and includes Internet Explorer 6 SP1a. Windows XP SP1a is designed to ensure Windows XP platform compatibility with newly released software and hardware, and includes updates that resolve issues discovered by customers or by Microsoft's internal testing team. To determine whether to install Windows XP SP1a, we recommend reviewing the Windows XP documentation and information below. If you have already installed Windows XP SP1, you do not need to update to Windows XP SP1a.

I was just over @ Computerbase.de, when I spotted there Microsoft plans Windows XP SP1a and SP1b news. Here's a quick translation as the site's in German.

Microsoft plans to publish still in February the service luggage 1a for Windows XP. The service luggage 1a is identical to that already for a long time published service luggage 1, only that Sun Microsystem`s Java is integrated. The service luggage 1b will then follow in June and contains a newer version of Java. Microsoft plans these steps, in order to become a court decision fairly, that mentioned that Microsoft must have integrated at the latest 120 days after 21 January this yearly the Java run time environment by means of a service of luggage.

Update: Just got word that you may also get more info @ Neowin.net.

Thanks Voodoo.

If you installed MSDE 2000 from the Beta 1 Office 11 CD for use with Access 11, your system may be at risk of spreading the slammer worm. Use the steps below to install the update as noted:

Read More & download @ Neowin.net.

The Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Platform Software Development Kit (SDK) contains the information you need to develop applications for Microsoft Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition. The Tablet PC platform encompasses Windows XP and its extensions that enable input and output of handwriting and speech data on a Tablet PC as well as interchange of this data with other computers.
The Tablet PC Edition Platform SDK homepage. Download it here www.download.microsoft.com.

This might be of interest to those of you that have Windows XP and DirectX 9 installed. From The Inquirer.net.

ANTONIO TRAPANESE at Italian site hardware irc says he has now heard back from Microsoft about the problem with DirectX 9 that he reported at the end of December! It can be solved with the SP1, by uninstalling FS2002, installing Windows XP Service Pack 1, and then re-installing FS2002.

Windows 2000 Patch: Q328477_W2K_SP4_X86_EN.exe: This update addresses the "Services.exe May Hang When You Restart a Service" issue in Windows 2000, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article 328477. Download now to resolve the hang in Services.exe caused by repeatedly starting and stopping the Logical Disk Manager administrative service.

Well it appears that the Windows 2003 server team has decided to give its public testers one final shot at finding bugs in the impending final build. Just posted this evening to testers is build 3757 of Windows 2003 server. Official Beta testers will find 3 versions to download, Bla/Srv/Ads.

The "Slammer" virus is an Internet worm targeting un-patched Microsoft® SQL Server 2000 and MSDE 2000 systems resulting in a high volume of network traffic on both the Internet and private internal networks. We recognize that our partners are on the front line helping their customers manage this issue. This email provides crucial information and resources you and your customers need to help protect systems from the "Slammer" worm

The Windows Movie Maker 2 has now been released in the german language.
Get more informations and download in our german section over here

Windows Movie Maker 2 ist jetzt in Deutscher Version verfügbar.
Der Movie Maker 2 ist ermöglicht einen einfachen Einstieg in die Welt der Videobearbeitung, durch zahlreiche Assistenten, eine ansprechende Bedienungsoberfläche etc ist der Moviemaker ideal für den Einstieg.

Mehr...

Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates three security vulnerabilities in Microsoft® Windows Media? Player 7.1. One is a Cache Disclosure vulnerability via Windows Media Player. The second is a Privilege Elevation vulnerability through Windows Media Device Manager Service. The third is a Media Playback Script Invocation vulnerability.

Microsoft® Windows® Movie Maker 2 is an update to previous versions of Windows Movie Maker! Dated 1/28/2003.

New features such as a new user interface, wizards, transitions, effects, titles, and AutoMovie make creating home movies easier. Windows Movie Maker 2 also takes advantage of the latest Windows Media® 9 Series audio and video codecs.

This update addresses the ""Stop 0x0000006b" or Setup Stops Responding at "Setup is Starting Windows" When You Install a Windows XP SP1 Client Image from a Windows 2000 RIS Server" issue in Windows 2000, and is discussed in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) Article 327536. Download now to resolve program Install errors between Windows 2000 RIS servers and XP SP1 Clients.