Seems like Microsoft has some useful support site live. Unfortunately this site requires the use of a .NET passport and the error reporting services running... Anyway this might be useful for some of our readers. Microsoft is committed to making Windows the most reliable operating system available. New and enhanced features contribute to increased reliability, and additional resources, including Windows Online Crash Analysis, provide information to help you optimize your system. Read more...

According to german sites TecChannel.de and Golem.de Microsoft has now made drivers available to support USB 2.0 devices under Windows XP. USB 2.0 supports transfer rates up to 480 MBit/s and is downwards compatible to the older USB 1.1 interface. Apparently the new drivers are to download via WindowsUpdate. You will probably need to have USB devices installed for the driver update to be shown.

Well, since i'm a Dutchguy and many Dutch peeps visit this site... I can post this.
This first 17 MB big SP1 pack for Office XP Dutch contains many updates.
On the microsoft site, it is not known what bugs or functions were fixed or added.
Click on Read More... for the list of updated products and a direct download link.

neowin.net HFNetChk is a command-line tool that enables an administrator to assess patch status for computers that are running Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, as well as hotfixes for Internet Information Server 4.0 (IIS), Internet Information Services 5.0 (IIS), SQL Server 7.0, SQL Server 2000 (including Microsoft Data Engine [MSDE]), and Internet Explorer 5.01 or later. Version 3.31 is an updated version of 3.3 that will properly identify SQL Server 7.0 systems.

ibelite.com All of them who wanted to sign in as beta-testers for DirectX 9 now received a letter telling that they will be able to download the first beta release quite soon.

DirectX 9 first made headlines at Meltdown 2001 last summer and is expected to feature a higher-level programmable shader language for faster development, new pixel-shader instructions, as well as "higher color-depth support and architecture optimizations." The new version of the API is expected to debut this summer, while the first platform to support the features of DirectX 9.0 is supposed to make its first appearance at CeBit, next month.

When applying Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) on a debug version of Windows 2000 that has been upgraded to Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2), you may receive an error message. This problem occurs because a registry key that is set during the installation of Windows 2000 SP2 conflicts with the Update.exe install program. Microsoft has released a script that you can run before you apply Windows 2000 SP3 that removes the registry key. Download now to prevent this error from occuring.

Could this mean SP3 is not that Far away Now!!!!

Digital Oracle@ maxreboot.com sends word about Windows SP3 which is currently in beta Testing!

Since the initial SP3 beta release several security patches have been released, and a roll-up security fix for W2K was recently released to the beta Windows Update site before being pulled abruptly because of problems reported with it. I would expect that "roll-up" fix to go into SP3 and in fact maybe that's the delay right now. SP3 could be soon but it may take a month or so.

For more Info hit the link above

Microsoft has released a command-line tool that easily enumerates all of the installed fixes by Microsoft Knowledge Base article number. Customers can then confirm that they have installed the appropriate set of fixes before using a valuable support incident and potentially experiencing unplanned down time.

Microsoft have released MSN Instant Messenger for Pocket PC 2002 and Terminal Services Client for Pocket PC 2002.

NeoWin HFNetChk can be run from Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP systems, and will scan either the local system or remote ones for patches available for the following products: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Internet Information Server 4.0 and 5.0, SQL Server 7.0 and 2000 (including Microsoft Data Engine), and Internet Explorer 5.01 and later.

First it seemed like M$ released a new version on the indonesian page but that was a false rumor. Status as of now: Probable new release on January 31st. Powertoys homepage

A new company directive was given out by Bill Gates to M$ employees on Wednesday stating that When we face a choice between adding features and resolving security issues, we need to choose security. Calling the new initiative "Trustworthy Computing," Gates billed it as the "highest priority" for the company. Source: CNet

ibelite.com Yet another privacy issue is plaguing Microsoft, with an expert warning users of the Windows Media Player that a feature in the software could be used maliciously to track users' whereabouts online? LOL hey boss stop going to that site your going to go blind!!!

Microsoft announced a new version for Friday! (January 11, 2001 update) The PowerToys download is currently unavailable. Please check back on Friday, January 18 for the updated version of this download. Powertoys home

Trivial scrap of malicious JavaScript can defeat entirely the Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P) 'protections' Microsoft has integrated into Internet Explorer 6, all because of a dodgy 'feature' in Windows Media Player (WMP). According to a post by privacy advocate Richard M. Smith to the BugTraq mailing list Tuesday, WMP generates by default a serial number which can be grabbed by a Web site using the simple exploit. The number can be used as a 'super cookie', as Smith calls it, enabling a nosey third party to track a victim's on-line comings and goings regardless of their cookie handling rules.
Read more @ The Register Source: 3dXtreme

Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000 Service Pack 1 (SP1) provides the latest updates to ISA Server. ISA Server SP1 includes fixes to provide an even higher level of reliability and stability. Microsoft strongly encourages ISA Server customers to install SP1 on all computers running ISA Server.

The Pocket PC 2002 SDK, in conjunction with the Microsoft eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0, deliver a complete development environment for creating applications for Pocket PC 2002 mobile devices based on Microsoft® Windows® CE.

A Pocket PC offers you access to a rich development environment. The Windows CE operating system is based on the Microsoft Win32® application programming interface. Therefore, you can enhance your applications by using exposed APIs from bundled applications. Use the Pocket PC 2002 SDK to develop applications for Pocket PC mobile devices using either Microsoft eMbedded Visual C++® 3.0 or Microsoft eMbedded Visual Basic® 3.0.

Microsoft have released Visual FoxPro 7.0 Service Pack!

Download Visual FoxPro 7.0 Service Pack

Microsoft have updated their Windows Messenger to v4.6.0073.

Engineers are working to fix a glitch in a Microsoft Web server that has prevented Windows XP users from downloading software updates, including a patch for a security hole, a company spokeswoman said Monday. The problem, discovered last Thursday, was created when engineers attempted to update software on a server, she said, adding that it is expected to be corrected before Tuesday. The spokeswoman said she could not confirm the number of people affected by the problem, but said about 8 million people download Windows XP software updates each week. Source: CNet