Microsoft - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Microsoft links malware rates to pirated Windows

  Microsoft today said computers in countries with high rates of software piracy are more likely to be infected by malicious code because users are leery of applying security patches.

• Microsoft cleans up bugs after biggest patch release

  After releasing its largest-ever group of security patches two weeks ago, Microsoft has done a little cleaning up.

• Microsoft confirms Windows 7 install trick is legal

  Microsoft has confirmed that users can apply a workaround trick to do a clean install of Windows 7 on a blank hard drive as long as they toe the licensing line.

• Google Apps scores in LA, with assist from Microsoft

  Los Angeles City Council approved a US$7.25 million five-year deal Tuesday in which the city will adopt Gmail and other Google Apps.

• Windows 7: Where consumers lead, enterprises will follow?

  Windows marketing VP Tami Reller looked like she could finally exhale at the Windows 7 launch in New York City last week.

• Windows 7 endless reboot answer evades Microsoft

  Users remained stymied today by endless reboots after trying to upgrade their PCs to Windows 7, according to messages posted on Microsoft's support forum.

• Sneaky Microsoft plug-in puts Firefox users at risk

  An add-on that Microsoft silently slipped into Mozilla's Firefox last February leaves that browser open to attack, Microsoft's security engineers acknowledged earlier this week.

• Microsoft to open Outlook's .pst file format

  Microsoft has taken another step towards better interoperability between third-party groupware products by pledging to document its .pst file format used by Outlook to store personal data.

• Windows Mobile worries mount as competition heats up

  When Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer admitted publicly in September that the company did "screw up with Windows Mobile," many experts were left wondering how the mobile operating system can be fixed with the arrival of version 7 next year -- and beyond.

• Microsoft wants ISO security certification for its Cloud services

  Microsoft wants to get its suite of hosted messaging and collaboration products certified to the ISO 27001 international information security standard, part of an effort to try and assure customers about the security of its cloud computing services. It comes amid broad and continuing doubts about the ability of cloud vendors in general to properly secure their services.

• Microsoft sales and earnings drop less than expected

  Microsoft reported revenue that was down 14 percent year-on-year for its first fiscal quarter, with net income down 17 percent - but it still beat analyst expectations on both counts.

• Investor Carl Icahn quits Yahoo board

  Carl Icahn, the activist investor who pushed for some of the big changes that have taken place at Yahoo, announced his resignation Friday from the company's board of directors.

• Microsoft sales and earnings drop less than expected

  Microsoft reported revenue that was down 14 percent year-on-year for its first fiscal quarter, with net income down 17 percent -- but it still beat analyst expectations on both counts.

• Microsoft confirms Windows 7 upgrade install snafu

  Microsoft has confirmed a problem that hundreds of users have reported with downloading Windows 7, according to its support forum.

• Windows 7 install trick saves up to $US100

  Users can do a "clean" installation of Windows 7 using an upgrade license to save $80-$100 over the price of a 'full' edition, a popular blog has reported.