Just read this over at NeoWin:
After a long wait, Microsoft has posted the first public beta of MSN Messenger 7 to their servers. The public beta carries the same build number as the most recent private beta build, (7.0.0425) and is available for all to download directly from Microsoft.

Windows XP Embedded with SP2 has launched. Provide a cutting-edge experience to your customer base, build a more secure device experience, and get more device update options when you take advantage of embedded-specific enhancements and componentization of Windows XP Professional features in the Windows XP Embedded with SP2 release.

According to sources close to Microsoft, recent release schedules that have popped up on the internet regarding Longhorn are inaccurate and outdated. Today Windows Client Codename 'Longhorn' hit the milestone of M8-2. The next and final milestone before a beta is released is M9 which is currently due on 16th March 2005.

NeoWin

This update resolves an issue where the Electronic Program Guide may not display indicators that show which programs are scheduled to record and conflict resolution may not work properly.

In response to the discovery of high quality counterfeit versions of Windows XP, Microsoft has launched its Windows XP Counterfeit Project.

Anyone who is unsure of the legitimacy of their Windows XP software may submit their product to Microsoft for analysis. Software that is found to be counterfeit will be replaced according to the terms and conditions of the offer.

When you open the Manage Add-ons dialog box on the Tools menu in Microsoft Internet Explorer, some installed add-ons may not be listed. Therefore, for example, you may not be able to select an add-on that you want to disable.

Well folks, its taken a long time, but from what we know Longhorn has reached the beta stage. Internal development on Beta 1 started on November 11th. Continues Here.

A new MSN Messenger 7 build available from Microsoft, this version has a lot of bugfixes and Winks is back in business. View the screenshot and download @ TC Mag

NeoWin have just run a story on the MSN Desktop Search engine which is due in December.

Back in July, Microsoft purchased a company called Lookout. The company made a popular tool that allowed users of Outlook 2000 or above to search through their email at greater speed and accuracy to the standard Outlook search tool. Since Microsoft acquired Lookout, the MSN team have been steadily working on Desktop Search and web search technologies. Google announced their own Desktop Search technology recently. The tool is fast but is limited in capabilities.

Despite reports to the contrary, Microsoft has confirmed to BetaNews that it has made no changes to its Windows Genuine Advantage program to lock out users with invalid or pirated keys.

Microsoft's latest desktop Windows Operating System update codename Longhorn is not due till 2006 yet the pre-beta builds have given people an insight into the ambitious goals Microsoft has for the future - and here we present LongHorn build 4083 for your review...

Since May this year we've heard dribs and drabs about Microsoft's much hyped next generation Operating System. According to the internal calendar Longhorn is due to hit Beta 1 on February 16th 2005 and hit RTM May 22nd 2006. Don't be surprised if the Beta 1 date slips let alone the RTM date.

On November 17, 2004, Hotmail Wave 10 will incorporate new features and functionality related to: Human Interface Proof Validation; Sending Photos; Junk Mail Filtering; Anti-Virus Scanning on e-Mail Forwarding; Contact Cards; Sender Identification; E-mail Search & Sort.

Listen in soldier! Master Chief?s MJOLNIR MK VI battle armour is made from a combination of advanced alloys and reverse-engineered Covenant energy shielding. We?ve modified this technology to enhance your Windows Media Player.

Ever ponder whether or not to install Windows XP SP2? Here they compiled a few reasons why you shouldn't upgrade; bare in mind that these reasons were collected from actual user experiences around the net.

On November 9th , Microsoft will release its monthly security bulletins. Join us for a brief overview of the technical details of the November security bulletins followed by an extensive Q&A session.

This update addresses an issue when you view a Web page that can render vector graphics on screen in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 running on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Internet Explorer may stop responding or crash and you receive an access violation in Vgx.dll.

Longhorn Screenshots Roundup for old/past screenshots of Longhorn to see how longhorn has evolved along the way of development.

Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series is a breakthrough set of codecs that enables multichannel audio and high definition (HD) video at resolutions up to 1080p. See high definition in action for yourself with these downloads. To deliver ultra-high quality, these clips were encoded at 24 frames per second (fps), and at the resolutions noted of either 1280 x 720 (720p) or 1920 x 1080 (1080p). (Resolutions vary per clip.)

Windows XP Reloaded is a planned interim marketing push for Windows XP that will more widely broadcast features that have been shipped since the initial XP release in 2001, including XP SP2, a new Windows Media Player version, and other exciting consumer-oriented features.

Paul Thurrott Windows SuperSite