Author Archive
Windows 7 Software Logo Toolkit Now Publically Available
Microsoft is pleased to announce the public availability of the Beta release for the Windows 7 Software Logo Toolkit. The toolkit allows ISVs to submit and receive the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo for their products.
Improvements, including self-test for applications, instant approval of passing applications, and a streamlined waiver process dramatically speed up the logo testing and the submission process. Fees for logo submissions have also been eliminated.
As a valued logo partner, the "Compatible with Windows 7" program also offers a variety of benefits including co-branding, MS partner points, and premier placement on a variety of online consumer facing sites.
Here are a few simple steps towards getting started:
1. Download the Beta logo toolkit here: https://connect.microsoft.com/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?SiteID=831&DownloadID=19072
NOTE: this link also includes the logo requirements document, toolkit release notes, a toolkit user’s guide, and an overview of the submission process.
2. Submit the test report from the toolkit via: https://winqual.microsoft.com.
3. If a waiver is needed for a failing test case from the toolkit report, the streamlined waiver process can be initiated by completing the online form at the following link:
https://connect.microsoft.com/feedback/CreateFeedbackForm.aspx?FeedbackFormConfigurationID=3419&FeedbackType=3&SiteID=831&wa=wsignin1.0
Some additional information you may find helpful:
· Logo artwork and marketing guides can be downloaded from http://winqual.microsoft.com immediately once the following has been completed:
The passing logo report is submitted and the logo policies are accepted
The Software Logo License Agreement is signed online
· Instructions on how to perform the two manual tests can be found in the release notes.
· Windows 7 Logo Waiver/Exception Request: https://connect.microsoft.com/feedback/CreateFeedbackForm.aspx?FeedbackFormConfigurationID=3419&FeedbackType=3&SiteID=831
· Only test results generated by the Beta release of the toolkit can be used to submit for the logo
· Additional frequently asked questions (FAQ) and the corresponding answers are maintained at the following location:
Technical FAQ:
https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=11911&SiteID=831
Business FAQ:
https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=11912&SiteID=831
Source- MSDN Blog
Microsoft Wants Your Input to Help Improve Windows 7 Products
input.microsoft.com - Here’s your chance to help improve Microsoft products by submitting feedback that will be sent directly to the folks working on the features.
The following feedback programs are currently open:
- Network Monitor 3.3 - Provide feedback on Network Monitor 3.3 scenarios
- Windows 7 Enterprise Scenarios - Windows 7 scenarios for the Enterprise
- Windows 7 Scenarios - Provide your overall impressions of the Windows 7 Release Candidate
- Windows Virtual PC - Provide feedback on Windows Virtual PC scenarios
Source- Blake’s Blog
Now Available: Internet Explorer 8 MUI packs for Windows XP, Windows Server 03
We are pleased to announce the availability of Internet Explorer 8 Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packs for Windows XP SP2, Windows XP SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2. The MUI packs can be downloaded from here :
As detailed in our previous blog post, the following Internet Explorer MUI packs shipped today –
- Internet Explorer 8 MUI pack applicable to Windows XP x86 and Windows Server 2003 x86 for the following languages –
- Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Hong Kong), Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Slovenian, Slovakian, Thai
- Internet Explorer 8 MUI pack applicable to Windows Server 2003 x64 and Windows XP x64 PRO for the following languages –
- Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese (Brazil)
Note: If you have Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 and OS MUI pack installed, you need to install the English version of Internet Explorer 8 and then install the Internet Explorer 8 MUI pack for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (matching your Operating system and architecture).
Source- IE Blog
Windows 7 pre RTM build 7127 leaked
After Windows 7 RC public release this is the first build that has been leaked on the net.The full build string of this build is 6.1.7127.0.090507-1820,which shows that the build was compiled on 7 th May just after 2 days of the Windows 7 RC public release.Both the build X86 and X64 version have leaked on net.
Here are the details of the builds
Windows 7 Build 7127 x86:
7127.0.090507-1820_x86fre_client_en-us_Retail_Ultimate-GRMCULFRER_EN_DVD.iso
MD5 hash- 4045CB2A8E50B65ED9E1C2B8D6026B2F
SHA1hash- F2D615E674B64053D299CFA5E80B777269F0DFF2
CRC -32 F691687F
Windows 7 Build 7127 x64:
7127.0.090507-1820_x64fre_client_en-us_Retail_Ultimate-GRMCULXFRER_EN_DVD.iso
MD5 hash- F805A6595DDC6D12956588BB0F1B9B83
SHA1 hash-9BEB69BE3C2D113ECEB944145951A2123FBBBBF8
CRC -32 460FAD4E
Windows 7 December release confirmed
Their has been quite a speculation about the release date of Windows 7.A recent post on the Microsoft Press Release site has confirmed that Windows 7 is going to hit the stores by December this year.Here is what the press release reads-
“Microsoft is committed to ensuring that IT professionals and developers continue to have the platform and technologies to drive maximum value and business results. Getting the most out of IT investments is even more important in today’s economy,” said Bill Veghte, senior vice president of the Windows Business at Microsoft, who delivered a keynote speech at the event. During his speech, Veghte also talked about incredible partner support for Windows 7 and gave updated guidance on availability: “With early RC testing and extensive partner feedback we’ve received, Windows 7 is tracking well for holiday availability.”
Windows Sysinternals Updates: Autoruns v9.5, PsLoglist v2.7, PsExec v1.95
Autoruns v9.5: This update to Autoruns, a powerful autostart manager, adds display of audio and video codecs, which are gaining popularity as an extension mechanism used by malware gains automatic execution.
PsLoglist v2.7: This version of PsLoglist, a command-line event log display utility, now properly displays event log entries for default event log sources on Windows Vista and higher and accepts wildcard matching for event sources.
PsExec v1.95: This version of PsExec, a utility for executing applications remotely, fixes an issue that prevented the -i (interactive) switch from working on Windows XP systems with a recent hotfix and includes a number of minor bug fixes.
Source: Windows Sysinternals Blog
Download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta is now available for download.Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor scans your PC’s system, programs and devices to check if it’s able to run Windows 7. After a few minutes, the report will let you know if your PC meets the system requirements, if there are any known compatibility issues with your programs and devices, and will also provide guidance on your upgrade options to Windows 7.
You can download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor beta from here
Microsoft Agrees to Acquire BigPark Inc.
Microsoft Corp. today announced its intent to acquire BigPark Inc., an interactive online gaming company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
BigPark was founded in 2007 by a group of industry veterans who led the creation and growth of two hugely successful software companies, Distinctive Software Inc. and Electronic Arts Canada. BigPark’s founding team is composed of business leaders with over 80 years of collective experience in the video game industry, having produced or overseen blockbuster franchises including “Need for Speed,” “FIFA Soccer,” “NBA Street” and “SSX.”
The acquisition will bring BigPark’s talented developers into Microsoft Game Studios, where the team will continue development on an exclusive Xbox 360 game. Over the past year, Microsoft and BigPark have worked closely on this project, providing Microsoft with a clear view into the caliber of talent and innovation at BigPark.
“We are delighted by the opportunity to welcome the BigPark team into Microsoft Game Studios,” said Phil Spencer, general manager, Microsoft Game Studios. “The team is composed of some of the most experienced and creative minds working in the industry today. The combination of the BigPark and Microsoft Game Studios talent pools will be an accelerant for growth and innovation. We believe BigPark has tremendous potential to create new properties and innovative gaming experiences for our platforms, one of which we’re looking forward to showcasing at the E3 Expo in June.”
BigPark CEO and co-founder Hanno Lemke, who will report to Spencer post-acquisition, formerly served in executive and development positions with Electronic Arts and Distinctive Software Inc., where he produced or oversaw hit games such as “NHL Hockey,” “Need for Speed” and “Skate.”
Source- Microsoft Press Release
