Thanks to HardOCP FYI Microsoft has posted a 45 day trial of Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 . Virtual PC is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows you to run multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation, providing a safety net to maintain compatibility with legacy applications while you migrate to a new operating system. It also saves reconfiguration time, so your support, development, and training staff can work more efficiently. Get more informations and download over at Microsoft

The IA-32 Execution Layer is a software driver designed to improve performance of 32-bit applications running on Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Itanium-based Systems.

A big thanks to Bink for sending over this cool trick!

XP sp2 will support conncurrent use of XP remote and via console. (before only 1 windows session was possible on XP; via console OR remote desktop)

If you run XP sp2 beta 1, you can enable it now, the setting taken from win2k3 enables it for winXP sp2! Even Microsoft isn't aware of it.

You can sign up now to receive trial software for Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, for 64-Bit Extended Systems via CD or download. Read about the Customer Preview Program (CPP) and the different options for obtaining the pre-release software, and then use the links on the right to register to order the CD Kit or download product files. Note that in either case, the pre-release software is time limited and will expire in 360 days. Sign up over here
Thanks to ChrisCustom in our forums for the information.

Cnet reports that Smart Display, the technology for remote controlling your computer via WiFi and a portable LCD touchscreen, is being abandoned by microsoft. The reason for this is supposedly that the devices recieved a cold reception as the use of the devices locked up use of the workstation.

Quote from the article:
"The full version of Terminal Server, the underlying technology behind the remote control, has special protection to stop multiple users from updating the registry or overwriting files in ways that interfere with each other, but Microsoft did not include that with its Smart Display software."

CNet

Internet Explorer 6.05 Pre build 0008. This one has a lot of bug fixes and is completly rebuild! It even has a popupblocker included.

MR A writers I've been looking for SP2 since its release and you can now go download the express installer from GeekNewz "For all of you testers that didnt make it to the official list we have the express intall file here for the latest Windows XP SP2 beta 1 that was released to testers yesterday."

MSN Messenger is an instant messaging program that lets you send instant messages with cool emoticons, send pictures and other files to your friends, call a phone anywhere in the world from your computer, see when someone is typing a message to you, page a contact's mobile phone, and much more.

The Microsoft .NET Framework product team is kicking off a beta program for Microsoft .Net Framework v1.0 Service Pack 3 and has already added .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 beta program participants in this beta program.

A big thanks to my bro Creamhackered over at Neowin.net for letting me know that Microsoft have released Windows XP Service Pack 2 Beta-1! but at the moment Neowin are being hammered and it's a bit hard to reach them! so until there back up, you can catch IeXbeta.com coverage.

Update: Neowin.net are back up, so click on the above link or Read More.

Winoscentral reports that a new build of Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 will be made available later today. The build, 1137, will be up for grabs for both x86 and AMD64 systems.

eWeek reports that in a webcast Tuesday morning, Microsoft Security Business Unit Vice President Mike Nash said to expect the service pack?a major release?to enhance security in four ways. It will remedy open ports, malicious e-mail attachments, malicious Web content and buffer overrun attacks, Nash said.

Testers should begin receiving SP2 code before the end of this month via TechNet Plus and/or the Microsoft Developer Network, he said. Many observers are expecting Microsoft to start getting code into testers' hands as early as this week.

No I don't mean that dumb looking robot in "Short Circuit" 1, 2 and was there ever a 3? its the other artificial intelligence that updates you're equally artificial Windows installations. Currently its being targeted at Windows XP, making the recent year or so of doom-speak by hounds at The Register and its peers that MS is dumping its predecessors faster than yesterdays evening meal in the can more true than it was when it was predicted.

This update enhances the junk e-mail filter in Outlook to help provide a higher level of protection against junk e-mail. As part of Microsoft?s ongoing commitment to reducing junk e-mail, periodic updates will be provided to Outlook users. This update is optional and simply provides a more up-to-date definition of messages that are considered to be junk or not junk.

The Guy's at OSNews have been checking out the new build of Internet Explorer that comes with Windows Longhorn 4051.

The new version of Internet Explorer in Longhorn 4051 is version 6.05.4051.0. Even though Longhorn is many years away (if ever!) the folks at Microsoft have realized that people want more from their browser, due to popularity of the competition, ex. Mozilla.

Thanks to creamhackered over at Neowin.net for the info:

In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft is introducing a set of security technologies that will help to improve the ability of Windows XP-based computers to withstand malicious attacks from viruses and worms. The technologies include network protection, memory protection, safer e-mail handling, more secure browsing, and improved computer maintenance.

Just visited microsoft.com and noticed a subtle makeover. I guess MS is getting in a christmas mood. And no, i did not find any new patches ...

Entgegen der üblichen Praxis will Microsoft in dieser Woche keine Patch-Sammlungen für seine Produkte zum Download anbieten. Eine Mitteilung auf der TechNet-Website des Herstellers zufolge gibt es zurzeit kein Sicherheitsloch, das dringend gestopft werden müsse. Im Falle eines Sicherheitsrisikos will Microsoft aber auch außerplanmäßig reagieren und ein Patch etwa für Windows, den Internet Explorer oder andere Programme zum Download anbieten. Aktuell verweist der Hersteller auf die Mitte November bereit gestellten Updates für sein Betriebssystem und das Office-Paket.

Microsoft has an early holiday gift for systems administrators: no monthly security patch release in December.

"It is a happy coincidence, but it is not related to Christmas," says Iain Mulholland, security program manager at Microsoft. "We have made a commitment to release the monthly patch package when we're ready, when we have quality patches. There is simply nothing that has passed the bar yet from a quality perspective for release in December."

In October, Microsoft moved to a monthly cycle for security patches, replacing a system of weekly updates that the company said had become too burdensome and complex for customers. The monthly updates also allow Microsoft to reduce the number of patches by folding multiple vulnerabilities affecting a single platform into one patch.

Source: Techzonez

Full article: PCWorld

The Microsoft AutoPlay Repair Wizard scans your computer devices to find defective AutoPlay settings, and attempts to fix those it finds.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003, Windows XP