Archive for April, 2009
Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 available on TechNet and MSDN
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 is now available for download on TechNet and MSDN.The following editions of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 is available -x86, x64, i64
Currently Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 is available in the following languages- English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish
Windows 7 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC available on TechNet and MSDN
Finally after long wait Windows 7 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC is now available for download on TechNet and MSDN.
The following downloads are available
- Windows 7 Ultimate RC (x86) - DVD (English)
- Windows 7 Ultimate RC (x64) - DVD (English)
- Windows 7 RC Language Pack (x86) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows 7 RC Language Pack (x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows 7 RC and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC (x86/x64/ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Driver Kit for Windows 7 RC (x86, x64, and ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 RC for Itanium Based Systems (ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter, Enterprise, Standard, and Web RC (x64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 RC Language Pack (ia64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 RC Language Pack (x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 RC (x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 7 RC (x86) - DVD (English)
- Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 7 RC (ia64) - DVD (English)
- Windows Software Development Kit for Windows 7 RC (x64) - DVD (English)
Windows Vista SP2 RTM + Windows Vista SP1 Blocker Tool Removed
Today we are announcing the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. SP2 represents the latest step in Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement. It includes all updates that have been delivered since SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards.
As we have mentioned before, here are some of the key benefits of Windows Vista SP2:
- Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches
- Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology
- Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista
- Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration
- Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.
And since it comes with a single installer for both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, SP2 will be easy for IT Pros to manage, deploy, and support. For a complete overview of the changes introduced in SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, check out the notable changes document on TechNet.
We expect Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 to be publicly available in Q2 2009.
Source- Windows Blog
Windows XP mode beta available on 30th April
According to the Microsoft Press site beta version of Windows XP Mode will be made available on April 30.Windows XP mode allows users of Windows 7 Professional and above to launch many older Windows XP productivity applications directly from their Windows 7 desktop. The Windows XP Mode stand-alone feature is specifically designed to help small businesses that are using Windows XP applications move to Windows 7. For larger businesses, Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) MED-V 2.0 builds on top of Windows Virtual PC and provides centralized management of Windows XP Mode. MED-V 2.0 will be available in beta within 90 days of general availability of Windows 7.
Here is what the Microsoft Press pass reads
We are announcing the beta release of Windows XP Mode for Windows 7. Small businesses told us they wanted help upgrading to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode, an optional feature of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions, helps small businesses upgrade to Windows 7 by providing a virtual Windows XP environment capable of running many Windows XP-compatible business and productivity applications. Customers can run many older Windows XP business and productivity applications within Windows XP Mode and launch them from the Windows 7 desktop with just a single click. A beta of Windows XP Mode will be made available on April 30.
We would be posting more information as and when it is available
Download Microsoft Office 2007 SP2
The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides customers with the latest updates to the 2007 Office suite (the products that are affected by this update are listed below). This download includes two types of fixes:
- Previously unreleased fixes that were made specifically for this service pack.
- In addition to general product fixes, this includes improvements in stability, performance, and security.
- You can find out more information in Knowledge Base Article 953195, where product-specific changes are described.
- All of the Public Updates, Security Updates, Cumulative Updates, and Hotfixes released through February 2009.
Before installing this service pack, you are strongly encouraged to read 953195, which describes some big improvements introduced by SP2, and also calls out some important information that you should be aware of before installing.
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Service Pack 2 is now available!
Description of 2007 Microsoft Office servers Service Pack 2 (SP2) and of 2007 Microsoft Office servers Language Pack Service Pack 2 (SP2)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;953334
Download links:
2007 Microsoft Office servers Service Pack 2 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B7816D90-5FC6-4347-89B0-A80DEB27A082
2007 Microsoft Office servers Service Pack 2 (x64)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B7816D90-5FC6-4347-89B0-A80DEB27A082
2007 Microsoft Office servers Language Pack Service Pack 2 (x86)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=01C6A3E8-E110-4956-903A-AD16284BF223
2007 Microsoft Office servers Language Pack Service Pack 2 (x64)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=66C5026F-9F47-4642-8378-2526918009FA
Downloadable list of issues that are fixed:
Service Pack 2 includes all public updates, security updates, cumulative updates, and hotfixes that were released through February 2009. It is recommended that you have 5x to 6x the size of the package free to have a successful deployment; this has increased from the requirements needed for SP1.
Please take note of the following KB article:
Known issues that you may experience when you install the 2007 Microsoft Office suite Service Pack 2 and Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;968173
Source- MSDN Blog
Microsoft Announces General Availability of BizTalk Server 2009
Microsoft today announced the general availability of BizTalk Server 2009, which is available to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) customers and will be made available broadly in nine languages — Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish — on May 1. BizTalk Server 2009 delivers new capabilities to help customers more effectively integrate disparate systems, enhance end-to-end enterprise connectivity and more quickly exchange data across multiple platforms resulting in increased efficiency and lower costs. Key improvements in the BizTalk Server 2009 release include:
- New Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) experience to make development teams more productive
- New adapters and numerous enhancements that provide increased enterprise connectivity.
- New RFID mobile capabilities that will enable innovative solutions to drive business value.
BizTalk Server 2009 is again offered in four editions: Enterprise, Standard, Branch, and Developer. There will be no price increase over previous versions, and customers interested in upgrading to BizTalk Server 2009 can access complete pricing and licensing information on May 1 for all versions of BizTalk Server 2009.
Source- BizTalk team Blog
Live Mesh Service Update for Mac, Mobile, Live Desktop (April 27, 2009)
The Live Mesh team is pleased to announce that our next update to Live Mesh for Mac and Windows Mobile is now available. We have also updated the Live Desktop. This release continues to tune performance and brings a few tweaks to the user experience, see details below. Our next update to the Windows software will be coming in the next few weeks.
Features
- The last location used in the folder synchronization dialog is now saved.
- Live Mesh News will displays the date and time for all news events.
Fixes
- Improved the update experience
- Device status (online/offline) now properly displayed on the Live Desktop
- News now correctly displays the year.
For those of you keeping track, we’ve also moved Mac, Mobile and Live Desktop to a single version numbering scheme. The new version is 0.9.4014.3
Source- Live Mesh Team Blog
