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How to run Windows Server 2008 for 240 days without activation legally!
2008-02-12 20:00:00
Microsoft published an article that describes in detail how to automatically extend the evaluation period for Windows Server 2008 to 240 days. How to install Windows Server 2008 without activating it 1. Run the Windows Server 2008 Setup program. 2. When you are prompted to enter a product key for activation, do not enter a key. Click No when Setup asks you to confirm your selection. 3. You may be prompted to select the edition of Windows Server 2008 that you want to evaluate. Select the edition that you want to install. Note After Windows Server 2008 is installed, the edition cannot be changed without reinstalling it. 4. When you are prompted, read the evaluation terms in the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then accept the terms. 5. When the Windows Server 2008 Setup program is finished, your initial 60-day evaluation period starts. To check the time that is left on your current evaluation period, run the Slmgr.vbs script that is in the System32 folder. Use the -dli switch...
More About: Days , Activation

Beta Announcement: Project Hana (MOF v4)
2008-02-10 22:37:00
Interested in improving your IT Service Management?  Optimize your IT Processes with Hana (MOF v4) Hana guidance provides a structured approach for IT process optimization.  Hana integrates MSF and MOF, plus extends the guidance to include planning and governance. Hana enables you align IT with your business goals, deliver IT as a service, and leverage compliance activities to optimize your people?s effectiveness.   HANA Life Cycle Model   Guides Available in this Release This beta includes the following documents: · Hana Beta Reviewers Guide 3 · Business/IT Alignment SMF · Change and Configuration SMF · Customer Service SMF · Financial Management SMF · Problem Management SMF · MOF Overview · Mapping Spreadsheet (earlier versions of MOF to version 4.0) · Design and Deliver Phase Overview · Operate and Support Phase Overview · Plan and Optimize Phase Overview · Manage and Adapt Integration Layer Overview · Build SMF · Deploy SMF · Envision SMF · Governance, Risk, and Compliance SM...
More About: Announcement , Project

Windows Server 2008 Enterprise - RTM Screenshots
2008-02-07 13:54:00
Yesterday I installed Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and found the OS rock solid. The last build I tried before this was Release Candidate 0. I have taken some screenshots from RTM (Build: 6001.18000.080118-1840) x86 version of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise. Screenshots could be found in Photos section. Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

Photo Album: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
2008-02-07 13:52:00
Windows Server 2008 EnterpriseWindows Server 2008 BoxWindows Server 2008 InstallationWindows Server 2008 BootscreenWindows Server 2008 LoginWindows Server 2008 Login (1)Windows Server 2008 DesktopWindows Server 2008 Desktop (1)Windows Server 2008 Start MenuStart Menu on Windows Server 2008Windows Server 2008 Server ManagerMore Photo s...
More About: Windows , Photo Album

Photo Album: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
2008-02-07 05:42:00
Windows Server 2008 EnterpriseWindows Server 2008 BoxWindows Server 2008 InstallationWindows Server 2008 BootscreenWindows Server 2008 LoginWindows Server 2008 Login (1)Windows Server 2008 DesktopWindows Server 2008 Desktop (1)Windows Server 2008 Start MenuStart Menu on Windows Server 2008Windows Server 2008 Server ManagerMore photos...
More About: Windows , Photo , Photo Album

Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2008 to Man
2008-02-04 20:31:00
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released to manufacturing today and will start being available to customers in March, starting with Microsoft Volume Licensing customers. Windows Server 2008 was also released to manufacturing today and will be available for purchase to new customers on March 1. Microsoft Volume Licensing customers with active Microsoft Software Assurance coverage or an Enterprise Agreement will be able to download the server software toward the end of February as part of the joint Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 ?Heroes Happen Here? launch event. Where: http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windows vista/default.aspx http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/featur es/2008/feb08/02-04WS2008.mspx How: Windows Vista SP1 includes quality improvements that help enhance reliability, security and performance. Windows Server 2008 builds on the success and strengths of past server solutions and helps give organizations a sol...
More About: Windows , Windows Vista

iPhone clone powered by Windows Mobile 6 could be coming from China
2008-02-04 12:47:00
It's iPhone clone running Windows Mobile 6, that even has motion and light sensors! And this Windows Mobile logo instead of Apple logo on the back of the phone - is just precious... Information from the hardware vendor follows.   Operating System: Windows 6.0 mobile pocket PC Support 26 languages RF frequency: GSM / EDGE; / GSM900/DCS1800/PCS1900 LCM: TFT 3.2 inch, QVGA 240 x 320 resolution front camera of actual 3 megapixels ,behind camera of actual 2 megapixels ,both CMOS high-definition camera 1Gb+512 Mb RAM (DDR) system memory built-in Bluetooth 1.2, support A2DP standards and the use of Bluetooth stereo headphones built-in GPS satellite navigation system, Wi-Fi wireless Internet access support for Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT, Html, enable you to do online business anywhere agenda, music, photos, business cards and other information easily synchronized with the computer (ActiveSync4.5 synchronization software) built-in Media Player, with PC synchronizat...
More About: China , Iphone

Windows DreamScene now available on Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2
2008-02-01 20:13:00
I just checked for updates on my PC running Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 RC Refresh 2 and got an update to install Windows DreamScene as an Ultimate Extras download. So it seems like finally Microsoft has made Windows DreamScene available to SP1 users.    Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Dreamscene

So much for Windows 7 (Seven) .. !
2008-01-28 17:17:00
This past week saw all sorts of news & rumors on different sites about Windows 7; from leaked screenshots/videos to leaked ISO's on torrents.. Windows 7 had it all! While all this was going on, I randomly found this wallpaper (not official ofcoarse) of Windows 7 while surfing internet and thought of sharing it with you all. If anyone find the original author of this wallpaper then please let me know so that I could give him/her the due credit. In mean time, enjoy this peaceful Windows 7 (Seven) wallpaper: Wallpaper: Windows 7 (Seven)Resolution: 1280x800 (16:9 Widescreen)Size: 170 KB   Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

1 year old today!
2008-01-27 08:42:00
January 27, 2008 marks the completion of first year for this blog.  I started writing this blog on January 27, 2007 just a couple of days before Microsoft shipped Windows Vista to consumers. Have a look at my first post here titled "Lets make a difference!". In this last one year, I have received close to 50,000 unique hits (49,472) to be exact and ofcoarse a bit of recognition on the web too ;) Looking forward to the year ahead i.e. 2008!             Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: General , Today , Year

Microsoft's Redmond HQ Gets Ready For Windows Server Launch
2008-01-27 07:17:00
With the clock ticking toward its Feb. 27 product launch -- and cold, snowy weather blanketing its Redmond , Wash., campus -- Microsoft employees are battening down to get Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 out the door. During a mid-January visit to Microsoft's headquarters, employees walked determinedly from one office building to another, where recently installed Starbucks coffee machines were in constant use. Ping-pong tables sat unused, and the company cafeteria was mostly empty. The campus baseball field and soccer pitch were more tundra than playgrounds. With barely a month to go before its most important product launch since the release of Windows Vista a year ago, Microsoft still has some work to do. Microsoft has booked the time and the place -- the morning of Feb. 27 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles -- for the official launch of Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008, and Visual Studio 2008. But Visual Studio 2008, which shipped in November, is the only one of the...
More About: Launch , Ready

Vista's 'Wow' v.s. XP's 'Soar'
2008-01-26 10:13:00
You be the judge! Windows Vista Wow Ad     Windows XP Soar Ad Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

Microsoft releases Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2
2008-01-25 15:06:00
MIcrosoft released Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2, wonder why they don't just call it Release Candidate 3.Microsoft said it will just be released to the 15,000 official beta testers who can download it through Windows Update.     Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Windows Vista

Zune 2.3 Update To Fix Bunches
2008-01-24 16:03:00
Wow. There are a ton of bullet items in this patch! The following was posted by Cesar in the Zune .net forums? Fixed top crashing bugs submitted by users Fixed bug where Zune software thinks the device memory is full (but isn?t) Key Marketplace fixes Allow users to view top music videos in marketplace Misc improved error messaging including splitting sign-in issues into 4 separate errors for customer and support benefit Retrieval of subscription download history no longer stalls if the content is revoked Better handling of accounts that have expired credit cards Podcasts with spaces in their name can now be subscribed to Marketplace no longer blocks explicit content purchases when parental controls are set to allow Points balance label is now updated when user purchases new points Key Player UI fixes Allow zooming in/out (2x, 4x, fullscreen) during video playback to prevent stretched playback Ability to switch Zune to GDI mode through command-line parameter Key Podcast ...
More About: Update , Bunches

Build Your Valentines card using Silverlight and Windows Live Services
2008-01-22 19:12:00
Check this cool Valentine's Day card brought to you by Microsoft Silverlight and Windows Live teams , Share the love.Just go to http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/shar ethelove/default.html and start building your own Valentines Card . You can add any photos from your flickr account or Windows Live Spaces, then you can type your message to be sent and select a nice tune to make it musical and send this valentine card! Source: meraTechPort Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Services

Real meaning of "Security" ? - flashback to Office XP
2008-01-20 12:13:00
The uneXPected eXPerience on Office XP...   Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Security , Meaning , Flashback , Real

90's flashback: Funny Microsoft Windows 95 video with Matthew Perry, Jennif
2008-01-18 04:00:00
  Matthew Perry Jennifer Aniston Windows 95 guide Part 2 Matthew Perry Jennifer Aniston Windows 95 guide Part 3 Matthew Perry Jennifer Aniston Windows 95 guide Part 4 Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Video , Funny , Microsoft Windows

Microsoft to release Windows Vista Plus Pack
2008-01-16 23:52:00
Microsoft seems to be preparing to release an unusual "Vista Plus Pack" on February 15th. Based on the provided box art, the Plus Pack appears to be a collection of four casual games that are "Enhanced for Windows Vista". The listing for the software was found on Future Shop's online catalog by MadDoggyca in our forums. Details below:Release s 15 Feb/08. User-friendly software combines the features of Vista Home Basic with even more impressive and user-friendly capabilities. Features Windows Aero, an efficient and visually stunning interface that makes it easier to accomplish multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all of your open applications and documents.FEATURES: By integrating search throughout the operating system, helps you quickly find and organize large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos, and music. Includes Windows Tablet and Touch Technology that enables you to interact with your Tablet P...
More About: Microsoft , Windows Vista

Sign up for Windows Sever 2008 Launch events worldwide
2008-01-16 00:44:00
Be a part of history! Sign up for the biggest software launch of 2008: For other cities and countries, see source     Source: www.microsoft.com Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Windows , Events , Launch , Worldwide

Microsoft Student Experience beta site launched
2008-01-15 23:55:00
Microsoft has launched Microsoft Student Experience beta, a site for the Students. It has various links to sections like Academics, Careers, Socialize. It provides links to various discounted software and offers. Hope such offers are offered to Students Worldwide.And lots of cool 'How -to' and I hope lot more will be kept added to the list. And also a download section with lots of good ones. Check out! Source: meraTechPort Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Microsoft , Beta , Site

Windows Mobile 7 to have Zune, Touch Interface, Motion Gestures and more!
2008-01-15 02:44:00
Windows Mobile 7 will have Zune built in, and use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not?  The guys over at InsideMicrosoft seem to have gotten their hands on some confidential internal-use-only documents that detail tons of information about the up-coming Windows Mobile 7 complete with images!!  Check out what we might expect:   Windows Mobile 7 will ... emphasize the use of touch on the device, as well as motion gestures created by using the device. It is, absolutely, Microsoft?s effort to beat back the iPhone, and the iPhone is referenced several times in the document. Windows Mobile 7 will use touch gestures, similar to how the iPhone does. You will be able to flick through lists, pan, swipe sideway, draw on the screen. A lot of emphasis has been put on making navigation easier and doing away with scrollbars, including a new scroll handle that allows for multiple ways of finding items extremely fast.                   Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, some...
More About: Windows , Motion

Media Center Finally Gets Live Messenger Plug-in
2008-01-14 02:31:00
plug-in. Damien Bain-Thouverez, developer of the Media Control Plug-in (ffdshow) has added functionality in the same plug-in to act as a Windows Live Messenger frontend. This is the first attempt for a Live Messenger plug-in in Vista Media Center . Media Center 2005 had a built-in Windows Messenger plug-in, but with the release of Windows Vista this was kicked to the side as was Windows Messenger all together. Last year Microsoft announced a beta of Windows Live for TV which promised Live Spaces and Live Messenger integration, the product appears to be dead without a release. Setup instructions can be found in the User Manual, and while the integration is not complete it does work pretty well. Maybe the new load of downloads mixed with a few donations will get full functionality and bugs fixed. Source:Chris Lanier's Blog Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Finally

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 ? Learning Portal
2008-01-12 22:34:00
The new SQL Server 2008 Learning Portal contains the latest trainings including eBooks and e-Learnings, Instructor-lead Trainings and Certification Exams on SQL Server 2008. Go to this site to be ready for SQL Server 2008 today! Go to the Microsoft Learning Portal for SQL Server 2008 Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)

Windows Server 2008 RC2 Unlikely - Source
2008-01-12 14:55:00
Windows Server 2008 is now close enough to being released to manufacturing that it's unlikely Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) will issue a third release candidate for the long awaited OS, according to a source close to the company. Windows Server 2008 is currently in RTM "escrow," which means that the product team thinks the code is good to go but wants to tinker with it just a bit longer, said a source close to Microsoft, who requested anonymity. "There may very well not be an RC2," said the source. A Microsoft spokesperson declined comment, saying only that Microsoft "is making good progress on Windows Server 2008" and is on track to launch it at the Feb. 27 launch event in Los Angeles, at which SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 will also be introduced. Microsoft last August pushed the Windows Server 2008 RTM timeframe from the end of 2007 into Q1, but many industry observers chalked this up to Microsoft's desire to synchronize the release of Server 2...
More About: Windows , Source

Microsoft's Xbox could consider Blu-ray support
2008-01-09 21:22:00
Microsoft Corp's Xbox video gaming unit still fully backs Toshiba Corp's HD-DVD high-definition DVD format but could consider supporting Sony Corp's  rival Blu-ray technology should consumers want it, an executive said on Tuesday. "It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to   consider," Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware said when asked whether Microsoft would support a Blu-ray DVD accessory in the event that HD-DVD failed. Microsoft does not believe the surprise decision last week by Time Warner Inc unit Warner Bros, the top seller of home movies, to abandon HD-DVD format in favor of Blu-ray should affect sales of its Xbox 360 video game console, Penello said. "I fundamentally don't think ... this has a significant impact on Xbox 360 versus (Sony's) PlayStation 3," Penello told Reuters in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "With the PlayStation 2...
More About: Support

Microsoft won't launch iPhone rival
2008-01-09 18:21:00
Microsoft will not launch a product that competes directly with Apple's iPhone, Chairman Bill Gates said in an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. "No, we won't do that. In the so-called smart phone business we will concentrate solely on software with our Windows Mobile program," Gates was quoted as saying in the interview published on Wednesday. "We have partnerships with a lot of device manufacturers from Samsung to Motorola and this variety brings us significantly more than if we would make our own mobile phone," he added. Apple's iPhone, which also plays music and lets users browse the internet, has been a big hit. Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Microsoft , Iphone , Launch

Windows Home Server Power Pack Announced
2008-01-08 01:44:00
A new update for Windows Home Server was announced last night at CES. The update, called Power Pack 1 (formerly code named UR1) will ship in the first half of 2008 and hit servers via Windows Update. This update will include new Home Server connector software (this is the systray app that connects your computer to the Home Server), and the ability to backup your Home Server (for offsite storage for example), and several other new features.  Todd Headrick from the Home Server team invited us over to see all the new features and talk a little bit about Home Server. We'll connect with that team again while we're here and check out some of the Home Server hardware. Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Windows Home Server

The funny CES 2008 keynote video: Bill Gates last day at Microsoft
2008-01-08 01:32:00
    Taimur Asad (The Microsoft "Wow" Blog!)
More About: Video , Funny , Keynote , Events

Windows Mobile 7 details & screenshots leaked!
2008-01-07 00:29:00
The first phones with Windows Mobile 7 will go on sale in 2009 but already now you can learn (almost) everything about it (including hint that it will support multi-touch!): Windows Mobile 7 will use touch gestures, similar to how the iPhone does. You will be able to flick through lists, pan, swipe sideway, draw on the screen. A lot of emphasis has been put on making navigation easier and doing away with scrollbars, including a new scroll handle that allows for multiple ways of finding items extremely fast. Windows Mobile 7 will use motion gestures, something the iPhone does not. It will not use an intricate and complicated series of gyroscopes and accelerometers. Instead, it will use the camera on the phone to detect motions and create appropriate actions. You will be able to shake, twist and otherwise manipulate the phone and get things done. The phone will be able to perform actions when placed face down on a surface, and it will know when it is in your pocket or bag. To learn mo...
More About: Screenshots , Details

Bill Gates? CES 2008 keynote
2008-01-06 05:23:00
Join Bill Gates , Microsoft Chairman, and Robbie Bach, President of the Entertainment & Devices Division, along with their surprise guests for the opening keynote of CES 2008. Since Bill Gates first keynoted CES almost 15 years ago, consumer technology has changed dramatically. Listen as Bill Gates and Robbie Bach discuss the impact of the digital decade and the future of connected experiences enabled by Microsoft?s consumer technology. Sunday, January 6th, 2008 6:30 p.m.Pacific Standard Time The webcast URLs are: 750k ?high quality? webcast stream 300k ?good quality? webcast stream 100k ?blob quality? webcast stream For Microsoft Corp., CES is about joining together with the industry to demonstrate the power of software and its endless possibilities. Microsoft technology is creating new ways for today?s active consumers to connect to each other and be entertained through innovative technology. Today, consumers can access and use information everywhere they go?via their mo...
More About: Keynote , Events