Computerworld Windows 7 News

Microsoft software satisfaction slumps

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:15:00 GMT

Customer satisfaction with Microsoft's software, primarily Windows, dropped slightly in the last year, likely part of the fallout over Windows 8, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

How to Prepare for Windows 8 Even Though It's Not Coming to Enterprises

(Shane O'Neill) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:08:00 GMT

Windows 8 won't be adopted as a standard at your business anytime soon, according to a new Forrester report. But that doesn't mean IT shouldn't prepare for it to sneak through the BYOD side door. Here are five ways to be ready for Windows 8.

Boutique PC seller laughs all the way to the bank on the back of Windows 7

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:46:00 GMT

A boutique system builder has bucked the industry trend of slumping PC sales by continuing to focus on selling Windows 7 machines.

Dell replays Windows 8 blame card as PC sales slide

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:31:00 GMT

Dell last week again blamed Windows 8 for contributing to a decline in PC sales revenue during the quarter that ended May 3.

Windows 8 is an enterprise 'non-starter' because IT sees no value in changes

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:26:00 GMT

Windows 8 faces a number of hurdles in the enterprise, but the biggest reason it won't replace the current corporate champion, Windows 7, is simple: IT shops don't think it's worth the upgrade hassle.

Windows 8 isn't New Coke, says top Microsoft exec; it's Diet Coke

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:47:00 GMT

Frank X. Shaw, Microsoft's head of corporate communications, defended his company's Windows information disclosure strategy, denying that Microsoft has adopted Apple's "cone of silence" approach to imparting news.

Microsoft votes for free Windows 8.1, collects kudos

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:34:00 GMT

Microsoft today announced that Windows 8.1, the update later this year for Windows 8, will be free to current users of the operating system, confirming analysts' expectations.

Microsoft's counter-attack against Windows 8 coverage makes it 'look weak'

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:27:00 GMT

Microsoft on Friday called some media coverage of its plans to update Windows 8 sensationalist and an effort to drive website page views.

Block rogue apps with Windows Server -- for free

(Jonathan Hassell) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

It is a lot of work to set up policies; it takes trial and some error, too. But the payoffs are huge.

Microsoft's drip-drip-drip Windows communications strategy dubbed a washout

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:03:00 GMT

Microsoft's Tami Reller, the CFO and head of marketing for the Windows division, went on a mini publicity spree today. But she didn't say very much.

Security pros cheer hint of hands-off updates in Windows Blue

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:02:00 GMT

Microsoft's apparent plan to automatically update its own Windows Store apps in the next version of Windows 8 is drawing praise from security experts.

Microsoft admits zero-day bug in IE8, pledges patch

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:42:00 GMT

Microsoft late Friday confirmed that a "zero-day," or unpatched, vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer 8, the company's most popular browser.

Retailers didn't do Windows 8 any favors

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

Retailers share part of the blame for poor Windows 8 sales and the ensuing decline of PC shipments, analysts contended today.

Microsoft re-releases 'Blue Screen of Death' patch

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Microsoft today re-released a security update that had crashed customers' PCs and crippled the machines with endless reboots, saying that the revised patch is now safe to install.

Easy XP-Windows 7 upgrades are over

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

The easy upgrades from Windows XP are done, migration experts said, predicting that a sizeable number of large enterprises will still be running the aged OS even after Microsoft stops supporting it.

Microsoft: Mum's again the word on Windows 8 sales

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:22:00 GMT

Even though PC shipments were down 14% last quarter, Microsoft's Windows division posted revenue about the same as the last year, making up for slumping sales to OEMs with growth in long-term licensing agreements sold to enterprises.

Microsoft files patent for new open windows viewer

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:21:00 GMT

Microsoft last week filed a patent application for a new method of browsing through open windows on the desktop that builds on an older, now-abandoned feature in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Outgoing Intel CEO knocks Windows 8, predicts $200 touch PCs this year

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:34:00 GMT

Intel's outgoing CEO took a few parting shots at Microsoft's Windows 8 Tuesday as he explained a slump in both revenue and profits for the first quarter.

Microsoft may backtrack on Start button in Windows 8

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:45:00 GMT

Microsoft may recant its Windows 8 design theology, bloggers reported Tuesday, by offering Windows 8 users an option to bypass the "Modern" UI and by restoring the Start button and menu to the beleaguered operating system.

Microsoft urges Windows 7 users to uninstall 'Blue Screen of Death' patch

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:49:00 GMT

Microsoft today urged Windows 7 users to uninstall a patch shipped earlier this week that has crashed customer's PCs and crippled the machines with endless reboots.

Windows XP's looming retirement won't shake PC business out of sales funk

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:41:00 GMT

But Microsoft is likely to reap more revenue from the disappearance of XP than will system builders, as many customers will do in-place upgrades to Windows 7 on current hardware.

Microsoft releases Office 2010 SP2 public beta

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:26:00 GMT

Microsoft on Monday released a public beta of Office 2010 Service Pack 2, the first major update to the suite in almost two years.

Windows 8.1: What's in a name (and why it matters)

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:45:00 GMT

The more information that leaks about Windows 8's expected summer upgrade, dubbed "Blue" by Microsoft, the more questions that pop up, analysts said today.

Microsoft to patch IE10 Pwn2Own bugs next week, says security expert

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:35:00 GMT

Microsoft will ship nine security updates next week, two rated "critical," to patch Internet Explorer, Windows, SharePoint Server, Office Web Apps and the company's anti-malware software in Windows 8 and RT.

Windows XP decline stalls as users hold onto aged OS, flout 2014 deadline

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:34:00 GMT

The decline in usage share of Windows XP, which is slated for retirement in 53 weeks, has slowed significantly, hinting that millions of its users will hold onto the operating system much longer than some, including Microsoft, expect.

Uptake gap between Windows 8 and Vista widens even as new OS gains share

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:27:00 GMT

Windows 8 last month fell even further behind the historical adoption pace of Windows Vista, Microsoft's 2007 flop, new statistics showed today.

Dell blames 'uncertain adoption' of Windows 8 for some of its financial woes

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:49:00 GMT

Dell blamed Microsoft's Windows 8 as one of several causes for its grim financial future, according to a Friday filing with U.S. securities regulators.

Windows Blue and Microsoft's continuous upgrade strategy

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:44:00 GMT

Microsoft yesterday confirmed Windows "Blue," an upgrade to Windows 8, but analysts remained uneasy about how the faster release cadence that Blue represents will be digested by businesses.

Windows 'Blue' shows desktop's days are numbered

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:40:00 GMT

Microsoft won't back away from a radical overhaul of Windows and is determined to kill the decades-old, decades-rich desktop, analysts agreed today.

Microsoft to refresh Windows 8 core app trio on Tuesday

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:54:00 GMT

Microsoft will push updated versions of several long-criticized Windows 8 apps, including Mail, Calendar and People, the "Modern"-style program for keeping track of contacts, to the Windows Store tomorrow.

Ad industry threatens Firefox users with more ads if Mozilla moves on tracking plans

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:17:00 GMT

The online ad industry has attacked Mozilla over its decision to block third-party cookies in a future release of Firefox, calling the move "dangerous and highly disturbing," and claiming that it will result in more ads shown to users.

Microsoft starts auto-installing Windows 7 SP1 on consumer PCs Tuesday

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:48:00 GMT

Microsoft will start automatically pushing Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to customers on Tuesday as a last-ditch move before it drops the original 2009 edition of Windows 7 from support next month.

Google pays $40K to 'Pinkie Pie' for partial hack of Chrome OS

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:26:00 GMT

Google today said it had paid a researcher $40,000 for a partial exploit of Chrome OS at its Pwnium 3 hacking contest two weeks ago.

Apple updates Mountain Lion, patches Safari

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:57:00 GMT

Apple yesterday updated OS X Mountain Lion for the first time in six months, patching 14 security vulnerabilities and addressing a host of other issues.

How to Downgrade From Windows 8 (Hint: The First Step Is to Know Your Rights)

(Paul Rubens) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:20:00 GMT

For a variety of reasons, some businesses are looking to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7. The good news is that Microsoft's business licenses come with downgrade rights, but the catch is that the rules can be tricky and compliance could become an issue. Here are some clarifications on your rights when downgrading from Windows 8 or standardizing on noncurrent Microsoft software.

IDC joins 'ditch Windows RT' bandwagon

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:53:00 GMT

Microsoft's two-pronged OS push into tablets -- Windows RT and Windows 8 -- confuses customers, and the company should focus on the more robust Windows 8, an IDC analyst said today.

Adobe patches Flash, but doesn't get around to Pwn2Own bug

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:12:00 GMT

Adobe today patched Flash Player, the fifth time this year it's updated the vulnerability-plagued software.

Microsoft reverses IE10's Flash blocking in Windows 8, RT

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:08:00 GMT

Microsoft later today will reverse a months-long practice in how Internet Explorer 10 handles Adobe's Flash Player on Windows 8's and Windows RT's Modern user interfaces.

Who ratted out Microsoft on browser ballot absence?

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:25:00 GMT

No Microsoft browser rival would comment on, much less confirm, that it reported the omission of the browser ballot to European antitrust regulators -- an omission that led to a $732 million fine this week against Microsoft.

Pwn2Own hacking contest winds down after paying a record $480K

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:40:00 GMT

A day after researchers hacked Chrome and Firefox at the Pwn2Own contest, Google and Mozilla patched their browsers Thursday.

Microsoft slates IE, Windows, Office updates for next week

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:06:00 GMT

Microsoft today announced it will deliver seven security updates next week, four of them rated "critical," to patch Internet Explorer, Windows, Office, SharePoint Server and the Silverlight media software.

Researchers rake in $280K at Pwn2Own hacking contest

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:32:00 GMT

Research teams Wednesday cracked Microsoft's Internet Explorer 10 (IE10), Google's Chrome and Mozilla's Firefox at the Pwn2Own hacking contest, pulling in more than $250,000 in prizes.

EU let Microsoft police itself on browser ballot promises

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:25:00 GMT

Europe's antitrust agency put Microsoft on the honor system, letting the company monitor its own compliance with a 2009 settlement that required it to offer other browsers to Windows users, the EU's top regulator admitted.

EU fines Microsoft $732M over browser ballot debacle

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:49:00 GMT

European Union antitrust officials today hit Microsoft with a $732 million fine for failing to live up to a 2009 settlement that requires it to offer Windows users a choice of alternate browsers.

EU to hit Microsoft with 'large fine' Wednesday, says report

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:04:00 GMT

European antitrust regulators will reportedly slap Microsoft with a "large fine" Wednesday for failing to live up to a 2009 settlement that requires it to offer Windows users a browser ballot.

Google squashes 10 Chrome bugs as $100K Pwn2Own hacking prize looms

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:35:00 GMT

Google today patched 10 vulnerabilities in Chrome, just two days before the start of Pwn2Own, a hacking contest that has $100,000 in prize money waiting for the first researcher to crack the browser

Windows 8 uptake slows for third straight month

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:27:00 GMT

Windows 8's uptake pace slowed in February for the third straight month, Net Applications said today.

EU to fine Microsoft over browser ballot fiasco, says report

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:12:00 GMT

European antitrust regulators will slap Microsoft with a fine before the end of March for failing to offer customers a browser choice screen, according to a report today by the Reuters news service.

Second wave of Windows 8 client promotions coming soon

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:33:00 GMT

Microsoft is about to embark on a second wave of Windows 8 client hardware promotions and user education, an executive said Wednesday.

Intel demos perceptual computing software toolkit

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:26:00 GMT

Software engineers at Intel are exploring new ways for computers to perceive the human voice, gestures and head-and-eye movements to supplement the traditional ways that people use the keyboard and mouse.