Microsoft has released SQL Server 2005 Express Technical Preview

Download SQL Server 2005 Express Technical Preview, successor to MSDE 2000. This is a Technical Preview (Pre-Beta 2) release of the product and is unsupported in production environments.

Thanks to my bro Creamhackered over at Neowin.net for the heads up!

Microsoft is currently planning a new edition to the Windows XP family of operating systems, namely "Starter Edition". Starter Edition is the name of a previously announced effort to deliver a tailored and localized Windows product to Thailand and Malaysia, as part of Microsofts efforts to enable access to technology.

While talking in an IRC channel on irc.winbeta.org, it was discovered that Microsoft has Officially released Windows XP SP2 RC2 as 2149. And for that, i bring you the link :)

Update: We now have the Express Install

Thanks to Neowin.net we have the latest build of MSN Messenger version 6.2.0137.

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.

This update addresses Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-013: Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express (837009) for Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 1. that includes the functionality of all the previously-released updates for Outlook Express 5.5 and Outlook Express 6. Additionally, it eliminates a new vulnerability that could allow an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability to access files and to take complete control of the affected system. This could occur even if Outlook Express is not used as the default e-mail reader on the system.

For those curious Windows XP dwellers, we give you tonight's download: Windows XP SP2 build 2142. This build is not Release Candidate 2 but Microsoft have released this interim update alongside 2138 to testers. Warning: You will be prompted for activation if you CD key has been blacklisted. Meaning if you have a pirated copy of XP, think twice before installing. Download link and known bugs Flexbeta.net

Microsoft has released a DirectX security update for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

"A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to cause DirectX, or applications using DirectX, to become unresponsive." Read more for download links.

Source: NTcompatible.com

Looks like today Windows XP Service Pack 2 build 2138 appeared on MS Windows Update 5 site. Read more for download link.

Source: Neowin.net

Thanks to our bro's over at Neowin.net for the Info!

Microsoft is preparing to release a public preview of Windows Media Player 10 beta today. The update (due at 12noon EST) will sport the much talked about new GUI and enhancements for portable media players. WMP10 is due to be released later this year and will be included with Windows Media Center 2005.

The Microsoft Office Downloads site hosts free* updates that you can download to increase the security, stability, and performance of your Office products. The following new updates are now available:

Access 2003 Danish Update for Multilingual User Interface Pack: KB834013 : This update from Microsoft prevents a potential error. If this error occurs, the three Danish characters Ø, æ and å do not appear correctly in Help while the user is disconnected from the Internet.

Exchange 2003 SP1 is hot off the grill today for your server frying pleasure!

This is the Platform SDK for Windows XP Service Pack 2 Release Candidate 1. Developers can use this to build and test pre-release applications for Windows XP Service pack 2.

Ever wanted to quickly and easily define your own keyboard layout for a language Microsoft doesn't support? Or define your own keyboard layout so you can quickly and easily enter your favorite symbols with a simple keystroke? Well, want no more: the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator is here!

Thanks to TweakHound for the Info!

Thanks to the guy's over at Winbeta.org for the Info!

ite the busy week so far with new builds previewed from both Office 2003 Service Pack 1 and Virtual Server 2005 products. Today we have also had the chance to look at a newer version of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. The build, v2135, does offer quite a few changes over previous versions. Specifically, there are updates to Outlook Express, as well as Windows Media Player.

Although MSN 9.1 beta program has already been kicked off, testers who were not selected and are willing to participate can still apply for the beta.

The MSN 9.1 beta program is an interim release for MSN, so there are fewer new features and a shorter beta testing period (approximately 6 weeks) than MSN 9.0.

WinFS Store Spy is an Explorer-like tool to browse WinFS. It offers flexible ways for you to quickly find your stuff and navigate the store. You can inspect Item, Relationship (all 3 types), Extension, Nested Element, and MultiSet properties.

Nachdem es für das englische Windows98 SE bereits ein inoffizielles Service Pack 1.5 gibt, hab ich mir mal die Mühe gemacht und das ganze eingedeutscht...

Da Microsoft hat nie ein Servicepack für Windows 98 SE (Zweite Ausgabe) herausgebracht hat, habe ich ein Servicepack für Windows 98 SE Anwender erstellt. Es beinhaltet alle Windows98 SE Updates von der Windows Update-Seite und weitere Updates.

If Vnunet.com are right it now seems that Microsoft will only block the 20 most-copied Windows XP licenses.

From NFO: Enjoy this release from your friends at BetasIRC. RC2 of XP SP2 is expected to be released in June and the RTM build in July.

Aus der aktuellen Longhorn-Version (#4074) wurde der Windows Messenger gerippt. Dieser trägt die Versionsnummer 6.0.4074.
Er scheint nur auf Windows XP - Systemen zu laufen. Unter Windows Server 2003 stürtzt das Programm ab, sobald man in die Optionen wechselt. Sonst ist sehr wenig bekannt. Quelle: Orange.ru