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Posts Tagged ‘vista’

Important Windows support deadlines: XP SP2, Vista RTM and Windows 2000

February 25th, 2010

Microsoft have posted on their blog some important dates for Windows users. If you are using Windows XP Serivce Pack 2, Windows 2000 (all versions) or Windows Vista RTM (ie with no service packs) – this affects you.

On April 13th 2010, Windows Vista RTM will loose support. To continue support, you’ll need to (at the very least) download Service Pack 1. You’ll be better off if you download Service Pack 2 as well.
On July 13th 2010, all versions of Windows 2000 will loose support. You must upgrade to a newer version of Windows (ie Windows 7) to regain support. Windows XP Service Pack 2 will also loose support on this date. You must upgrade to Service Pack 3 to regain support, but bear in mind that support for SP3 will end soon.]

That should tell you all that you need to know. If you need to get your hands on Service Packs, check Windows Update.

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Posted in In the News, Software

Tags: 2000 deadline end support vista windows xp

How much Vista User Account Control annoys me!

August 8th, 2009

Yes, I know, it’s a bit late for me to be going on about problems in Vista since Windows 7 will be publicly available in a matter of months, but I’ve just been reflecting on how annoying it really is.

A couple of days ago, a friend of mine set up a user account for their Vista PC. On my laptop, I am (of course) an administrator and always have UAC off. But on my friends computer I am a standard user, and he has UAC on. Fair do’s – it’s his choice whether he wants it on .

Anyway, it really starts to bug me after a while. I have to have password confirmation from an admin to delete a bloody desktop shortcut on my own user. What the hell?

It’s simple things like running some programs, updating virus databases, and adjusting user-specific settings. Why can’t I do that without administrator confirmation? It really bugs me.

OK – if it was installing software or deleting Windows files that’s understandable. But the fact that I can’t choose my own desktop shortcuts without administrator approval – I mean, doesn’t that annoy anyone or am I just being silly? Probably the latter.

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Posted in Rants, Software

Tags: uac user account control vista

Microsoft extending browser choice to XP and Vista as well as Windows 7

July 30th, 2009

Remember a while back when I was talking about Microsoft giving users the choice of which browser they use in Windows 7? Well, Microsoft is apparently now going extend this consideration to Windows XP and Vista too.

From what I’ve heard from various sites on the net, Microsoft will be releasing an update (via Windows Update) sometime in the next six months. The update will only appear in Europe and the update will be either a “high priority” or “important” update. Once the update is installed, the next time IE runs, a “ballot” screen will appear showing users all other internet browsers with more than 0.5% (per cent) of the internet browser share in Europe.

Users will then be able to choose a browser that appeals to them and install it.

Users can also choose to stick with Internet Explorer, or be asked again at a date in the future.

In my opinion, this is great news. We might actually be able to get accurate results as to which browser is most important, and users wont be biased into using Internet Explorer anymore.