The new visual styles that come with XP are blue, olive green, and metallic. That may be enough for some, but at TGT, we want more choices. Styles XP comes with additional high-quality styles to fit your unique personality.

Download StyleBuilder Beta 2.2 (Beta 2.2, 935 KB) Create XP Visual Styles

Fixed Apply Bug

Update: New StyleBuilder Beta 2.3 out

Fixed a common compile error (1872).
Fixed error where name of style matches a MS style.

Download StyleBuilder Beta 2.3 (Beta 2.3, 935 KB) Create XP Visual Styles.

ibelite Have got their hands on some new software which make's any application window and most of all parts of Windows XP transparent.

Transparent windows help you to keep your desktop organized - there's no need to minimize or to move a window to see the content of a window lying under the topmost window. Make the topmost window transparent and you can see through it.

Download TransXP

Get more info on TransXP

Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 official beta (RC 3.51) is now available for download.
You can find the link here: http://www.i-c-e.fr.st(French site but the SP3 is the English Version)
This version of the service pack is the release sent by Microsoft to official beta testers registered on BetaPlace.com. Note by Degger*:We haven´t checked this file because no one of us uses W2k. Please report if these files are ok!

Very Interesting Program I came around:

Removes all ?Spyware? and ?Homephone? Entries in WinXP and it?s Registry

Homepage: Windows XP AntiSpy Tool

Greetinx

But pay attention to download version 2

Well it seems that Microsoft have released some Extra demo's and plugins for DirectX 8.1.

DirectX 8.1: AppWizard

DirectX 8.1: DirectMusic Producer Demo

DirectX 8.1: DirectShow Extras

Fix for XP

Windows XP Patch: Remote Assistance 'Your Computer has been disconnected' Error Message.

so hit the read more button for the demo's and plugins

NeoWin have found a new MSN Messenger 4.5 build 0127

Send instant messages with cool, new emoticons, call anywhere in the world from your computer, see when someone's typing, page a contact's mobile phone, send pictures and music to your friends, and much more

So hit the Read More button for your local MSN Download. And before I forget some more news on Windows XP preSP1 patches/fixes... Rancho*: Hah! Caught you reposting ShitShot. ;-)

WinosCentral have acquired some screen shots of the SP3 install process under Windows 2000.

I have to say it's nice to see MS take the time to really be almost nice about putting a SP on your PC.

WinosCentral SP3 Beta ScreenShots

As you already know... Windows 95 users have to download 8.0a... here are the URLs for Windows 98/ME for the most languages :

Microsoft has finally upped the download description sites: DirectX 8.1 Windows 98 & ME; including official download link DirectX 8.1 Windows 2000; including official download link Archive updated

Microsoft® DirectX® is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements, such as full-color graphics, video, 3-D animation, and surround sound. DirectX 8.1 includes the latest updates to all the DirectX components and provides support for the same great features that were provided by DirectX 8.0a, including the latest hardware multimedia features and API capabilities.

NeoWin are reporting Microsoft have released Windows messenger for Windows XP v4.5 build 0127 via Winupdate this time. When I tried to get it of the MSN site it was still 0125. So I am not sure if this is available for other Windows versions.

Download: Windows XP Update Site 952 KB, < 1 minute

Microsoft have released a security bulletin (but no patch!) to inform users that a vunerability exists in IE 5.5 and 6.0 which can allow the exposure and altering of data in cookies.

Who should read this bulletin: Customers using Microsoft® Internet Explorer

Impact of vulnerability: Exposure and altering of data in cookies.

Maximum Severity Rating: High

Recommendation: Customers should consider disabling active scripting in the Internet Zone and the Intranet Zone. Customers using Outlook Express who have not set OE to use the "Restricted Sites" Zone should do so as a best practice.

Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-055

M3DZone reports, that the final version of Microsofts DX 8.1 has been released.
And you can grab the files over @ M3DZone here. Update: Looks like one get the files also @ ClubIC (French; not verified).

XPInfo compares the current hardware configuration - as seen by the WPA mechanism - to the hardware configuration at the time of product activation and displays the components in which the configurations differ.

XPInfo thus does not work with installations of XP that do not require activation, i.e. volume-licensed installations or installations of OEM versions.

WinOsCentral sent words on DX 8.1!

Just so you all know I just got word that MS is planning to release DX 8.1 VERY soon. I know I had a quick link to the download here a minute ago BUT that was to the beta site and of course unless you have a password you can't get in so I took it down BUT normally after I get these updates the program is normally released to everyone within 24 hours off the Windows Update site.

For more info hit the read more button

Hey it's HERE Win2k SP 3 at last! lol

Well our good friend's from entcity have found a working download link of the new Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 Beta Build 3.051 for u guy's

Update: entcity Now have a local mirror

As promised in late August, Microsoft has begun offering Addition Licenses for Windows XP, though only at a slight discount over the normal retail price. The company decided shortly before XP was released to manufacturing to begin offering families a way to upgrade to additional copies of XP through a new licensing program, originally called Additional Family Licenses. This license allows consumers to use their existing XP retail CD-ROM to install XP on a second machine by providing a new Product Key.

When you play Quake3A in Windows XP, Quake may quit abnormally. Well Microsoft now has a supported fix.

Update: here's the Microsoft page for this fix Article ID: Q308361

Well, it's only good for 30 day's but hey it still delay's you having to buy it for 30 day's plus you can see if you actually like it or not.

To experience Microsoft Windows XP and Office XP for yourself, request your free business evaluation packs today. They include:

Ibelite have an EXCLUSIVE!

Welcome to the Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 Beta Program! Thank you for your interest and willingness to test Service Pack 3. Before you continue, it is important to understand that the beta release of any product will not display the stability of a shipped Microsoft product. You may encounter problems with this beta release, which could possibly result in a loss or destruction of data. This release is not appropriate for production use, and we suggest that you back up your existing data before you install and run this software.