Yes, MSN is about to release an online version of its popular Instant Messaging service, reports Mess with MSN Messenger. This means you will be able to chat with your contacts using just a web browser on any computer (at school, at work, at a friend's house or anywhere you can't install the MSN Messenger software). Much like and probably as Microsoft's reaction to the currently available third party services like WBMSN and eMessenger (more about web MSN IM here.

Windows Server 2003 build 1218 is now available for download as a torrent file. Build 1218 includes new support for: IIS-specific settings, Audit policy settings, Additional registry values, Group Policy-based deployment of SCW-generated security policies, Inclusion of security INF templates and many others. Download is Here

Thanks to my good friend Tom Warren over at Neowin.net for the heads up!

A new build of Windows Server 2003 SP1 has been released to beta testers this evening. It seems springboard is now becoming a part of Server 2003 finally. There is a major update to the Security Configuration Wizard (SCW) in this release. Among the improvements: Click above link for more Info!

I've had a few emails from you guy's asking for the Windows XP SP2 build 2162 express Installer! So here it is - thanks to I Am Not A Geek

This is the express installer which will NOT upgrade previous builds of SP2. This is only good for people that have not yet installed SP2. I have a guide here showing you how to uninstall your previous build of SP2. This package has DirectX 9.0C and all the goodies you've read about in my two previews

Windows XP SP2 2162 has been just released and we've snagged ourselves a nice link. Download at your own risk if you are interested in beta testing.

When you are playing content from a network source, Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series may quit unexpectedly (crash) if Windows Media Player briefly loses the network connection and then tries to reconnect.

(New)Cumulative Security Update for Outlook Express 5.5 SP2 (KB823353), 7/9/2004
Download size: 840 KB
A vulnerability exists in Outlook Express that could allow an attacker to cause Outlook Express to fail. You can help protect your computer by installing this update. After you install this update you may need to restart your computer. Details...
Applies to: Windows 2000 SP3, Windows 2000 SP4

Thanks to my good friend Tom Warren over at Neowin.net for the heads up!

According to a post from the Windows Update Beta Team a new build of Windows XP SP2 will be released soon via the Windows Update V5 site. This build includes many fixes for reported issues. The build may be installed on Windows XP RTM, SP1, SP2 RC1 build 2096, or SP2 RC2 build 2149. Installing the new SP2 build onto any other SP2 build is not supported.

Seems some of you are still looking for DirectX 9.0C to download! as the FarCry v1.2 patch will be out on monday! for you guy's head this way to I Am Not A Geek.

This has been ripped out of one of the latest SP2 builds. Anybody that wants to get their hands on this without having to install SP2 will want to follow these directions. I've decided to put these up for anybody that was wanting them but having trouble getting their hands on them through other sources.

Adodb.stream provides a method for reading and writing files on a hard drive. This by-design functionality is sometimes used by web applications. However, when combined with known security vulnerabilities in Microsoft Internet Explorer, it could allow an internet web site to execute script from the Local Machine Zone (LMZ). This occurs because the ADODB.Stream object allows access to the hard drive when hosted within Internet Explorer.

Try Out the All New Windows XP Game Advisor! Windows XP users now have a start-to-finish solution that makes it easy to find the most interesting games for your PC and determine if your PC can play them. Look at screenshots, watch trailers, try a free demo and then order the game online -- all with the knowledge that your PC is ready to play.

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.