Beta Refresh Now Available! We are pleased to announce that we are releasing an early version of the beta refresh exclusively to the managed beta testers! Build 0562 is now available on http://connect.microsoft.com . You are the FIRST to get this build and we are primed and ready to receive your feedback. (tester & Invites Only)

Thx to all who have submitted the news DirectX 9.0c Redistributable - DirectX for Managed Code Update from the DirectX SDK Update (February 2006) Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX 9.0 includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX 9.0 APIs.

Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio.

The Application Verifier tool assesses the stability of an application and detects common programming mistakes. The tool can detect and pinpoint memory leaks, handle leaks, and leaks in graphics device interface (GDI) objects. The tool can also detect some forms of heap corruption.

The Microsoft Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar provides a variety of tools for quickly creating, understanding, and troubleshooting Web pages. This version is a preview release and behavior may change in the final release.

With MSN Messenger you can chat online via text, voice, mobile phone or even video conversation -- in real time -- with your friends, family, or colleagues. Express yourself with winks and dynamic display pictures or share photos, files, searches, and more instantly. You can also chat with your contacts to and from a mobile device.

The beta version of IE7 released today by Microsoft is meant for developers and tech enthusiasts, and it's a good thing. This is not (yet) a browser for the faint of heart; in fact, if you've become accustomed to the minimalist approach of alternative browsers like Firefox, IE7 might actually feel like a step backward.

Developers and IT pros: Download and evaluate the Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview ? and explore the improvements in security, user interface, and development platform. environments.

The target of this project was to find the weakest system where you can run Windows XP. Keep in mind, that Microsoft official requirements are a CPU with 233 MHz an 64 MB of RAM. But that had to be beaten!

Microsoft has released KB910393 Update. This update is intended for systems running Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Install this update to prevent Windows Media Player 10 setup from overwriting digital rights management (DRM) files installed by Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (KB900325).

Update Rollup KB908250 for Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Install this update to resolve video issues in Windows XP Media Center 2005. This update rollup addresses issues with suspend/resume, video freezes and black screens on machines with Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 installed. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Install this update for the latest IR support for keyboards and remotes on machines with Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 installed. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

The Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 redistributable package installs the .NET Framework runtime and associated files required to run applications developed to target the .NET Framework v2.0.

Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed.

The Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility helps you determine if an MPEG-2 video decoder (also called a DVD decoder) is installed on your Windows XP computer and whether or not the decoder is compatible with Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP Media Center Edition.

We have obtained a very recent compile of Internet Explorer 7. The build number is 5299 and it is labelled "Beta 2 Preview".

With Windows Media® Components for QuickTime, by Flip4Mac?, you can play Windows Media files (.wma and .wmv) directly in QuickTime Player and view Windows Media content on the Internet using a Web browser.

A remote code execution security issue has been identified in the Graphics Rendering Engine that could allow an attacker to remotely compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it.

Images of the much anticipated IE7 Beta 2 have recently surfaced, it is not yet known from where the screen shots originated from but these images are believed to be real.