Want to weigh in on the features and functionality you want to see Microsoft deliver in future versions of Windows Server, including Longhorn Server and beyond? The Windows Server team is soliciting your online input.

Julio Franco at TechSpot sends word that their OS Updates Page has been updated with some of the most important additions over the last month.

As you are probably aware, yesterday Microsoft released a number of security patches, among them a new vulnerability and a cumulative security update for Outlook Express. We try to maintain updated at all times our "OS Updates" page which is a chronological record of critical updates for all major Windows OS, this may come as a very useful resource especially when you prefer to skip automatic updates and store patches in your HD or for applying to a whole network, etc.

Microsoft has released 8 new security updates for Windows XP 64 Bit, Windows Server 2003 64 Bit, Exchange 5.0, Windows NT Terminal Server, and Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack.

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To head off what some have described as a "perfect storm" Microsoft is paring down its next generation Windows release code-named Longhorn. Business Week is reporting that Microsoft will fall short of its aspirations to include the full scope of the Windows file-storage system (WinFS) in the operating system; instead, the software giant will focus on rolling out WinFS for the client - leaving network support to the dust.

Microsoft has never released a service pack for Windows98 SE. But I made a Service Pack for Windows98 SE users. It contains all Windows98 SE updates from WindowsUpdate site and more.

Some time ago I observed that the volume of downloads for updating Windows was large and impractical for any dial-up user. Microsoft should, I suggested, issue a CD with the updates, or put ISO images on their site for others to download and burn. You all agreed.

Just spotted this bit of Info over at Paul Thurrott's WinInfo.

I also found out yesterday that Microsoft doesn't plan to ship XP Reloaded as an interim OS release (see my original article, "Windows XP...Reloaded "). Instead, the company is still wrestling with how to market and package an OS that's changed dramatically in the 3 years since the company first released it.

Service Pack 6 for Visual Basic 6.0, Visual C++ 6.0 with Visual Source Safe 6.0d provides the latest updates to these products. It is recommended for all users of Visual Basic 6.0, Visual C++ 6.0 and Visual Source Safe 6.0.

Microsoft XNA is the catalyst for a new ecosystem of interchangeable, interoperable software tools and technologies from Microsoft, middleware and game development companies. By integrating software innovations across Microsoft platforms and across the industry, XNA forms a common environment that liberates developers from spending too much time writing mundane, repetitive boilerplate code. Instead, XNA frees game creators to spend their time where it matters most -on the creativity that differentiates their games.

Bill Gates' recent visit to London attracted significant interest; now you can watch his keynote presentation and hear him answer questions on bCentral.

During the course of his presentation, Bill Gates talks about the evolution of software in business. He looks at how software will advance in the time ahead and outlines some exciting new developments that could help your business. Joined by Alistair Baker (Group Director, Small & Mid-Market Solutions and Partners, Microsoft UK) and Jeff Young (Microsoft Business Solutions Vice President, CRM & Retail), he then answers questions from the audience.

Note: If you do not have Windows Media Player 9 installed then you will need to download it to view the webcast.

Microsoft has released today a ton of updates and fixes for Microsoft Office.

Office XP Service Pack 3 for Multilingual User Interface Pack

Project Server 2002 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

Visio 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Mertsch in our forum has ripped Windows Media Player 9.0 build 3133 from the lastest windows XP SP2 RC1 for your downloading pleasure.

If you have a Mirror don't forget to post a link!

I Am Not A Geek have thrown up their preview of Windows XP Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 1.

Windows XP SP2 should only be a couple months away from public release. The first release candidate was released on March 17, nearly a month after the previous build. The current build is 2092 which I am using today. I personally expect RC2 to be released in about another month followed by the finished product another month after that.

Paul Thurrott has thrown up his Screenshot Gallery for Windows XP Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 1.

Thanks to Voodoo over at Neowin.net for the heads up!

The DirectX® Team is pleased to announce the release of DirectX 9.0 SDK Update (Summer 2004) - Beta 2. This Beta release contains the full DirectX SDK which features the initial Beta release of the DirectX 9.0c developer runtime. Areas of concentration in the DirectX 9.0 SDK Update (Summer 2004) Beta release are:

Here we are again with the latest Build of WinXP SP2 but this time its finaly reaching final stages of beta testing. Release Candidate 1 has been released for all official testers.

You may download the express intaller from GeekNewz using the link below. All official testers can go download the full 273mb file from the official site.

Microsoft has updated the Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 document

This document focuses on the changes in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and its implications for developers. Examples and details are provided for several of the technologies that are experiencing the biggest changes. Future versions of this document will cover all new and changed technologies.

Microsoft has updated the Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit 3.0

The Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) version 3.0 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 contains the tools and documentation you need to design, deploy, and support applications on these platforms.

Mertsch in our forum has ripped Windows Media Player 9.0 build 3124 from the lastest windows XP SP2 beta for your downloading pleasure.

If you have a Mirror don't forget to post a link!

Thanks to Neobond over at Neowin.net for the heads up!

I just got my monthly round-up of security alerts from Microsoft in my email and I thought I'd share it here seeing as Neowin is focused on keeping our readership up to date as far as securing your internet enabled devices goes. This month's security updates address newly discovered issues in Microsoft(R) Windows(R), Microsoft Office, and MSN(R) Messenger.