This is not the first time I've written about the Windows API Code Pack, and probably will not be the last time. However, this time I am reaching out to all Windows Developers who create Windows applications using the .NET framework--this blog post is for you. We want your feedback about the Windows API Code Pack in preparation for a future release. And to all those who wonder whether the API Code Pack is still alive, fear not--it is alive and kicking!
Some Background
You may think of the Windows API Code Pack as the closest thing to an “official” managed API for Windows on top of the .NET Framework. The Windows API Code Pack is a free, managed source code library provided by Microsoft as-is. You should consider this library as if...
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All the latest Windows Vista and Tech news.
Many of you may already know that Microsoft has been hard at work on the next version of Windows Home Server. We are excited to announce today that the beta of this next version (code name “Vail”) is now available. We invite everyone to check it out by downloading the software from the Microsoft Connect site. (English language builds are available now). We are releasing this Vail beta with one express goal: to solicit your feedback!
So what’s new and exciting in this next version? Although we’re still in the midst of development work (and things may change), we can say that Vail includes feature improvements in four key areas:
Extending media streaming outside the home or office
Multi-PC backup and restore
Simplified...
The Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 was first introduced last May as a series of 6 applications that are designed to showcase Windows Touch in Windows 7 and to help people learn touch gestures. It consists of 3 casual games, and 3 Microsoft Surface applications that have been created for Windows 7.
Until today, the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 was only available for OEMs to put on new Windows 7 PCs capable of Windows Touch. Due to feedback and requests from both partners and customers, we are releasing the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 for anyone with Windows Touch capable devices to download.
Download: Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7
If you have a Windows 7 PC or a multitouch monitor that supports Windows...
Microsoft Euthanizes Original Vista, Better Install that Service Pack | Maximum PC
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/mcafee_update_thinks_windows_xp_virus
Over the last few months, we’ve focused this blog on our current software and services – how we build them and how they're used around the world. We’ve also talked about trends we’ve observed both in the use of our services and in our research with customers. Today marks the point where we shift the focus of our blog from our current services to our next major release – known internally as “Wave 4.”
For several months now, we’ve had several thousand people running regular builds of this code inside Microsoft, and we’ll shortly begin expanding this testing to some folks outside Microsoft for additional feedback.
We will then roll out updates to our web services, followed by betas of our software for Windows PCs, Macs, and phones...
Wow! It’s only been about 30 hours since we announced the Windows Intune beta program and we’ve seen an incredible response from you and your colleagues. Due to your overwhelming interest and enthusiasm, we have already filled the beta program.
For those of you who are currently on the Windows Intune Beta, the product is in your hands. We are eager to receive your feedback in the Windows Intune forum. We hope you will be as confident and excited about Windows Intune as we are.
Don’t forget, you can visit our Windows Intune homepage and watch the Windows Intune Overview Video for more information.
I will keep you posted on any future updates.
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When I talk about what we’re doing in Windows Live, people often start by asking me: What is Windows Live?
Many folks know about Hotmail and Messenger, and there are millions of users of our other desktop apps and services like SkyDrive, Photo Gallery, and Movie Maker. So what people are really asking me is how Windows Live threads these experiences together, and how we choose the elements that make up those connections. Our overriding philosophy is very simple: Windows Live completes the Windows experience. Our goal is to provide you with the essential software + services that help you get more done and have fun on Windows. It’s as simple as that.
So how do we choose what to focus on with each release?
Consumer needs & trends...
We’ve talked a lot about the benefits to optimizing your Windows desktops and how Microsoft can help large companies reduce their TCO and have a more dynamic IT environment. But today I’d like to focus on smaller businesses, specifically the midsize businesses with 25 to 500 PCs in their environment and show them some love.
Many of these companies don’t have the resources or budget to setup and maintain an on-premise desktop management infrastructure and they want enterprise-class solutions. They’ve been coming to us asking for a solution that will meet their specific needs and budget. At the same time, we are seeing medium-sized businesses increasingly turn to cloud solutions. They are doing this because it gives them new IT...
I figured with everyone (including me) scrambling to finish their taxes, or having already finished and none-to-pleased with the outcome, that it might be a good time to do something a little fun.
Many people who have purchased Windows 7 netbooks in the last few months are likely running Windows 7 Starter. What if you could instantly upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium and take advantage of features like personalizing your Windows 7 desktop with neat Windows 7 themes, or Windows Media Center? You can with Windows Anytime Upgrade. And I’m giving a handful of our readers a chance to upgrade themselves from Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium, at no cost.
I’ve got 6 copies of Windows Anytime Upgrade from Windows 7 Starter...
I just wanted to remind readers that as of today, April 13th, Windows Vista with no Service Packs (also known as RTM) will no longer be supported. We recommend folks running Windows Vista RTM look at upgrading to Windows 7 or using Windows Update to update their PC to the latest service pack available for Windows Vista today – Service Pack 2. For more information on this and a change to our Service Pack Support Policy on providing limited troubleshooting on unsupported service pack versions, see this blog post on the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Blog or visit this end of support page on Windows.com to learn more about how to ensure your PC is on the latest service pack.
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Today, Microsoft officially released Visual Studio 2010 in Las Vegas. Visual Studio 2010 is an incredible development environment for Windows Phone 7, and we want to make sure everyone can keep building their awesome Windows Phone applications.
With that in mind, we need to highlight that the Windows Phone Developer Tools CTP (WPDT CTP) released last month is not compatible with the retail (RTM) release of Visual Studio 2010.
If you install the retail (RTM) release of Visual Studio 2010 on the same machine on which you already have the Windows Phone Developer Tools CTP, you will be unable to build your Windows Phone projects. Further, while the Windows Phone project type will continue to appear in the File/New dialog...