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

Dave Baumann has thrown up a new editorial over at Beyond3D, which looks at what we can expect from Microsoft's next version of DirectX! Here's a byte.

While the next major revision for DirectX is not expected until Longhorn?s launch, Microsoft?s DirectX group has been briefing developers on what?s in store for ?DirectX Next? with presentations at Microsoft Meltdown and other developer conferences.

You may remember our post a while ago stating that Microsoft planned to update their MSN Hotmail site:

It looks as though MSN Hotmail are planning a big upgrade to the functionality and appearance of MSN Hotmail. The icons due to be replaced on Hotmail are identical to those used in Office 2003 and Exchange 2003 Outlook Web Access.

The new features appear to be junk mail related which will ease the pain on those who use Hotmail frequently. The upgrade is due to co-incide with the MSN 9 release. It looks like it's gone smoothly after all, because Microsoft have finally updated the MSN Hotmail website. Screenshots available.

  The Microsoft .NET Compact Framework product team is kicking off a beta program for .NET Compact Framework 1.0 SP2, and is inviting developers to participate. This invitation was posted at MSDN Newsgroups. If you are interested give it a shot...

Read More...

Winbeta.org sends word that they've snagged some screenshots of Microsoft's Longhorn 64-bit version!

Testing of the latest generation of Microsoft's Windows Longhorn Professional 64-bit for AMD build 4051 (yes, the PDC 64-bit release) is yours for the asking - BUT - this release is ONLY for those of you who chose to ride the ragged edge of raw computing muscle, the Ferrari of processors, the Athlon and AlthonFX 64-bit processor clan. Some of us with the effervescent Opteron may also wish to indulge, whilst those of you who are quietly pasturising your Itaniums, don't worry, we won't tell anyone on you...

Microsoft is currently looking for betatesters that want to provide some of their insight for DIFx. Driver Install Frameworks (DIFx) is the latest Microsoft initiative in the evolution of driver install technologies and tools that began with the incorporation of Plug and Play into Microsoft® Windows® 95. The goal of the Driver Install Frameworks initiative is to provide the infrastructure and tools to make device and driver installation "just work." Users should find drivers and devices easier to diagnose and be confident that drivers can be uninstalled or rolled back if needed. For vendors, it should be easier to create quality driver packages, integrate value-add software, and brand the install experience leveraging standard Windows mechanisms and tools. It is also important to ensure that driver packages are correct and safe.

Thanks to Neowin.net we have the latest build of MSN Messenger version 6.1 Build 203!.

Flirt, banter, gossip, or just catch up without saying a word.

On screen conversations that are more instant than e-mail and more discreet than phone calls.

Take the bite out of winter with these cool, exclusive Windows Media Player 9 Series skins. Chill out with "Frostbite" or spice things up with "Gingerbread Man" or "Gingerbread Woman."

Thanks to Neowin.net we have the latest build of MSN Messenger version 6.1 Build 202!.

Flirt, banter, gossip, or just catch up without saying a word.

On screen conversations that are more instant than e-mail and more discreet than phone calls.