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DirectX 11 Comes To Vista

Justin Kerr — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:00:32 -0500

Microsoft launched Windows 7 with full DirectX 11 support, but until now, Vista users running ATI’s newest 5000 series cards were left out in the cold. Its not like you’ve been waiting months to play the newest DX11 titles, but at least you now have the comfort of knowing that you don’t need to upgrade your OS in order to take advantage of your new GPU.

DirectX 11 isn’t a massive leap forward over the DirectX 10.1 found in Vista SP2, and in fact, is actually a superset implemented using WDDM (Windows Display Drive Model). Windows XP users will need to continue making do with DirectX 9 because it is not compatible with WDDM, and Microsoft has been pretty clear that this isn’t likely to change anytime soon.

The platform update KB971644 should be delivered to Vista users automatically via Windows update. Now all you need is an Radeon 5870. DirectX 11 support in Vista seems as good a reason as any don’t you think?

Windows 7 Test Updates, the Sequel

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:24:20 -0500

This week, Microsoft is releasing another series of test (aka "fake") updates for Windows 7 (Redmond released test updates for Windows 7 Beta 1 back in February). As with the test updates for Windows 7 Beta 1, the test updates for Windows 7 RC are designed to make sure that the Windows 7 update mechanism is working properly.

The release started Tuesday, so you may already have some test updates set to arrive on your system. Most will install automatically, but KB970420 must be installed manually through Windows Update. According to PC World, as many as ten test updates may be sent. Look for the phrase "Test Update" when you review Windows Update history.

Speaking of Windows Update and Windows 7 RC, 32-bit users should make sure they've installed the update referred to in KB970789, released late last week. This fixes a major show-stopping bug affecting folders created under the root folder and the applications that try to access them.

[Not So] Crazy - Redmond to Protect Pirated and Legit Window 7 Copies

Mark Edward Soper — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:54:01 -0500

Softpedia reports that pirated copies of Windows 7 will be provided with security updates, update rollups, and even service packs. What is Microsoft thinking? Is Redmond promoting piracy?

The idea of providing security and other updates to pirated copies as well as legit copies of Windows might seem crazy, but here's the reasoning, straight from Paul Cooke, director of Windows Client Enterprise Security:

Keeping a machine up to date is one of the first steps in helping ensure that they remain reliable, compatible, and safe from threats when they are online. Some of the most famous incidents of malicious software infection have come after security updates were publicly available from Microsoft - Blaster, Zotob, Conficker and Sasser, just to name a few. Rest assured that we at Microsoft are committed to making sure that security updates are available to all of our users to help ensure a safe online experience for everyone.

Note that Cooke is laying the blame for many recent security problems where it belongs: on users and companies who will not upgrade their software to block such threats. By continuing the recent policy of allowing users of non-genuine Windows to receive security updates, Microsoft is saying, in effect, 'don't blame us if unpatched systems are compromised.'

However, don't think that Redmond's turning a patched eye to either casual piracy or software counterfeiting. Pirated copies of Windows 7 won't be eligible for some of Microsoft's goodies, and Softpedia points out that counterfeit copies of Windows often come with a "free" bonus: malware.

For your chance to sound off on security for software pirates, hit Comment.

Power Up with Windows Home Server Power Pack 2

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:44:26 -0500

Windows Home Server's latest update, Power Pack 2, is now available via Windows Update, the TechNet Windows Home Server Team Blog reports. WHS users must have Power Pack 1 installed before they can receive Power Pack 2. If you missed Power Pack 1, get it here.

Power Pack 2 fixes a number of irritating bugs left over from Power Pack 1 and the original release, and adds new features. MS MVP Philip Churchill's MS Windows Home Server blog has an excellent rundown (with screen shots) of what's new in Power Pack 2. Here are the highlights:

You can now view WHS shared media folders via either Vista or Windows 7 Media Center or a Media Center Extender (such as an xBox 360)
Media Center Extenders no longer need to use the Guest account.
WHS now supports MP4 audio and video files, including metadata.
Remote access is simpler and now includes a configuration and repair wizard.
WHS backups and restores are now more reliable.
Notification messages use fewer processor resources.
Vista file copies to a WHS shared folder are no longer limited to the free space on the WHS primary drive, but can be as large as all of the drives connected to WHS.
WHS now features a Recorded TV gallery so you can watch your TV recordings with Windows Media Center.

Before you install WHS PowerPack 2, be sure to grab the release documentation (WHS_ReleaseDocs_PP2.doc). This file, as well as documentation for the original and Power Pack 1 releases, are available here. In addition to a new features list, the documentation includes information on a registry fix needed for using the Windows Media Center Connector software with the 64-bit version of Windows 7 beta and what to do if the upgrade doesn't install automatically.

Have you tried Power Pack 2? Hit Comment and tell us what you liked best or what still needs work.

Patch Tuesday Also Intros Redmond's New Active Protection and Exploitability Index, WMC Updates

Mark Edward Soper — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:36:49 -0500

October's Patch Tuesday's bigger than normal, with 11 security bulletins (four critical, six important, and one moderate) affecting the following desktop operating systems and applications:

Internet Explorer 5.01, 6, and 7 on Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP, and Windows Vista get patched to stop a remote code execution threat
Windows XP SP2 and SP3 and Windows XP Professional x64 and XP Professional x64 SP2 will be patched to stop elevation of privilege attacks
Windows 2000 SP4 through Windows Vista SP1 will also be as updated needed to prevent remote code execution
Microsoft Excel 2000 SP3, Excel 2002, Excel 2003 SP2/SP3, and Excel 2007/2007 SP1 will be updated against a critical vulnerability, as will Excel Viewer 2003/2003 SP3, Excel Viewer, and MS Office Compatibility Pack and Compatibility Pack's SP1.

What else is coming down the chute starting Tuesday?

Windows Vista Media Center gets a pair of updates (one for the TV Pack, and one for everyone), as well as the usual updates to the Malicious Software Removal Tool, Windows Mail Junk Email Filter and Customer/Windows Vista Experience Improvement Program.

However, the biggest news is the premiere of the Microsoft Active Protections Program and Exploitability Index we told you about in August. Hopefully, these programs will aid the never-ending battle against the bad guys in cyberspace.

Windows Update Beats Apple, Ubuntu Updaters - Or Does It?

Mark Edward Soper — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:39:10 -0500

Pingdom AB, a Swedish-based website monitoring firm, recently studied the uptime of the update sites for the three most popular desktop operating systems, Microsoft, Apple, and Ubuntu. During the second quarter of 2008 (April-June), Pingdom reports that Windows Update was up 100% of the time, compared to Apple Software Update's 99.9% uptime, and Ubuntu Archive's 98.64% availability. During the period, Apple's update service could not be contacted for a total of 2 hours, 34 minutes, while Ubuntu's update service could not be contacted for a total of 1 day, 5 hours, and 45 minutes.

Ubuntu Versus MacOS, Windows = Apples Versus Oranges?

In the comments section of the Pingdom report, a number of Ubuntu users point out that only the main Ubuntu Archive was monitored, not its mirrors, and that Ubuntu's archives are used for application distribution as well as operating system files. Meanwhile, Windows users note that you don't need to select a different mirror to get an update from Microsoft - Microsoft transparently switches to different servers as needed.

Food for Thought

How about it, Microsofties? Did you have problems in April-June getting to Windows Update? Ubutuites, speak up. Was Archive out to lunch when you needed an update? And Apple fans, how's your experience with Apple's Software Update? Tell us about your experiences.

Ready or Not, Windows XP SP3's Coming to Automatic Updates - New Tips Added

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:47:06 -0500

InfoWorld reports that Microsoft will release Windows XP SP3 to Windows Update starting Thursday, July 10. If you don't have SP3 installed and Windows is configured to use the default Automatic (recommended) settings, you'll be upgraded to SP3 on Thursday or shortly afterwards (as usual, Windows Update uses a staggered schedule).

What to Do if You Absolutely, Positively Don't Want SP3

If you absolutely, positively don't want SP3 right now, you can put off automatic delivery of SP3 by installing the Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit. Using the blocker will delay the automatic download of SP3 until April 2009.

What to Do if You're Worried About Installing SP3

Worried about installing SP3? You're not alone. We've provided plenty of help for Windows XP SP3 upgrading, so if you're still running SP2, take time to read our suggestions before SP3 comes knocking on your door.

If you don't want it delivered automatically, but don't want to install the SP blocker, here's a simple alternative: change your Windows Update configuration away from Automatic to a setting that informs you of updates, but doesn't install them automatically, as we suggest here.

(Update: 10:40PM CDT, July 10, 2008)

Reader pcfxer recommends updating your Windows Installer to version 3.1 before installing SP3 (see comments below for details). If you're not offered Windows Installer 3.1 via Windows Update, get it here.

How About You and SP3?

If you're already running SP3, how do you like it? Did you have any problems? Any suggestions for latecomers to the SP3 party? Give us your thoughts.

Update to Windows Update Improves Performance, Stirs Controversy

Mark Edward Soper — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:24:48 -0500

Faster Scans and Signature Updates

Windows Update will itself be updated, starting in late July, according to Windows Update product manager Michelle Haven, in a recent TechNet post. The updates for Windows Update will change both the WU clients used by Windows XP and Vista-based machines as well as the back-end infrastructure, and as a result, "you may notice some improvements in the length of time it takes Windows Update to scan for updates and how quickly you’ll receive signature updates." Some systems might see scan times reduced by almost 20 percent.

The update sounds like a good idea, but what happened the last time Windows Update was updated? You don't need a time machine to find out - we'll take you back to last year, courtesy of the Maximum PC archives.

Despite Clarification, The Update Controversy Continues

Updating Windows Update, as we first told you after last year's updates, continues to be controversial (scroll down to comments) among users who want to lock down their systems and don't want Microsoft making any changes.

To Microsoft's credit, the announcement about the new updates to Windows Update does a good job of explaining that Windows Update must be updated to keep you informed about security and other updates. Even if you have selected the Windows XP options "download" or "notify" or the equivalent Windows Vista options "download" or "check for updates," which prevent other updates from being installed until you give the order, Windows Update will self-update. The only way to prevent Windows Update from self-updating is to use the Windows XP "Turn off Automatic Updates" or Windows Vista "Never Check for Updates" WU settings.

Will History Repeat Itself?

As we mentioned previously, the last major update to Windows Update took place about a year ago. In addition to causing controversy among Windows users concerned about so-called "stealth updates" to Windows, the update caused problems for users who needed to perform a repair installation of Windows XP. The repair installation sent Windows Update back to its old configuration, preventing it from working after the update.

Fortunately, we'd also discovered Dial-a-Fix, which turns out to be the easiest way to repair Windows Update. Will Windows Update's summer 2008 update cause similar problems for users? We don't know yet, but our advice is this: If you must run a repair installation of Windows XP, you'll want to have a copy of Dial-a-Fix standing by in case of trouble.

That's Microsoft's Stand - What's Yours?

How do you use Windows Update? Do you let Redmond update everything for you, or do you control when updates are installed? How do you feel about Windows Update's self-update policy? Use the comments section to tell us what's on your mind.