After you install Windows XP SP2 and then try to run MSN Messenger, the input method editor (IME) may not respond or run as expected.

Microsoft released Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the Windows XP operating system back in August (2004), representing significant improvements in many areas, especially system security. For those people that are still unsure whether they should update to it, the following five reasons may help make the decision easier.

BigBruin

GamePC have thrown up their review of Microsoft?s XP Professional x64 Edition RC1! Here's a snip.

We've been tracking the progress of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition since late in 2003, when we tested their first public build (1039) which was released in a pre-beta state. We've since followed up with reports of their later public builds, 1069 and 1218, both of which saw the operating system making huge strides in terms of stability, driver support, and software compatibility. While the operating system has been progressing nicely, the constant delays are enough to make anyone lose hope of a final release. We were beginning to think that the operating system would ever see the light of day, as we are now entering 2005 without a final copy in our hands and without a firm release date.

The Windows security updates for January 2005 include several important updates for Microsoft Windows and some installations of Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1, a component of Windows. If you have any of the software listed on this page installed on your computer, you should visit the Windows Update Web site to install related updates.

This time, more security issues with Internet Explorer are surfacing. As specialists say that IE vulnerabilities are sometimes not as bad as they first seem. This occassion seems to be quite different.

DataFuse

These tools simplify the adoption of Windows Server 2003, reduce overall network administration, and facilitate the migration to Windows Server 2003 from NetWare, NDS, and eDirectory.

Microsoft ActiveSync 3.8 is the latest synchronization software for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs and Smartphones. ActiveSync 3.8 contains fixes making synchronization more trouble free than ever before and includes all the significant improvements brought to you in ActiveSync 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7.1: it is easy to install and use while offering the best levels of reliability.

Try Out the All New Windows XP Game Advisor! Put more fun in your life with the all new Windows XP Game Advisor. Find game information including demos, trailers, screenshots and updates and determine if a game will work on your Windows XP powered computer before you buy!

This article lists the Microsoft COM+ bugs that are fixed in the Microsoft Windows 2000 Post-Service Pack 4 (SP4) COM+ 1.0 Hotfix Rollup Package 31. Each hotfix rollup package contains all the fixes that were released in the previous Windows 2000 COM+ 1.0 hotfix rollup packages.

Paul Thurrott Windows SuperSite have thrown up their review of Microsoft's Windows XP Starter Edition! Here's a snip.

In mid-2004, reports surfaced that Microsoft would soon ship an entry-level version of Windows XP, dubbed Windows XP Starter Edition, to customers in emerging markets such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia and India. Those markets, Microsoft said, needed locale-specific PCs that were easy to use, support, and sell.

NeoWin reports that DLL patching hero Rafael has found a great way to enable your MCE 2005 install to join Windows domains. Rafael, known for patching the now famous uxtheme.dll to enable custom Windows XP msstyle themes has found a reg edit in Windows XP Media Center 2005 to unlock the previously "greyed out" join domain option. This method is pretty complex but confirmed to work.

Bink has made a list about software, what we can expect from Microsoft next year.
Here´s a snip: Windows 2003 Server R2 Biztalk 2004 64 Commerce Server 2002 64 Windows XP x64 Windows Server 2003 x64 SQL 2000 SP4 Virtual Server 2005 sp1 Windows Server 2003 SP1 Encarta 2006 Money 2006 Longhorn Beta (client) Want to know more ? Visit Bink

After you install Windows XP Service Pack 2, some 1394 devices (such as digital cameras that use S400 speed) may not perform as expected. Install this update to help prevent this issue.

MSN.com public beta has been released. You can view the beta of MSN.com here. The beta doesn't have that much images like the normal MSN.com since It's still BETA and is in Beta Stages!

4 new Updates from Microsoft for those with XP SP2 and even more for earlier versions.

These all just arrived...

This program will install a collection of software utilities intended to assist Media Center PC OEMs and device driver developers in evaluating readiness for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

An interesting screenshot was found on the internet today. The screenshot depicting a concept art of Windows Longhorn running with an application called "Windows LIVE" - live "blogging" under Longhorn, a new feature that might be included in future OS releases.

Something new is coming from Microsoft! Microsoft MOOL! In other words, Microsoft Office Outlook Live. A new add-on for Outlook 2003 or XP. Continue reading for more information.

The December 2004 Update of the Microsoft DirectX SDK is finally here.

NeoWin reports Microsoft have released the next update to Windows Server 2003 into beta today. In a note to beta testers Microsoft advises that testers should not install R2 on a later pre-release of Windows Server 2003 SP1. The R2 Beta 1 (build 1711) will only work on SP1 build 1289 (RC1).