Microsoft Makes Windows 7 Packaging Easier to Open

Microsoft has attempted to make everything in Windows 7 easier to use, including the packaging.

One of Windows Vista’s biggest criticisms was its insanely hard to open packaging. In an effort to prevent theft and piracy, Microsoft created boxes that required their own set of instructions to open.

In a blog post Microsoft said Windows 7’s packaging would be similar to Vista’s packaging, except that it would open like a standard DVD case.

 

The case will be recyclable and will contain only the Windows 7 DVD and starting guide. Microsoft said that overall it reduced the packaging weight by 37 percent.

Windows is scheduled to be launched on October 22 although pre-sales of the product as well as a free upgrade program for new PC buyers have started.

Change the Location of the Vista Documents Folder

The “My Documents” folder in Windows XP has been renamed to the “Documents” folder in Windows Vista. Vista creates Documents folder for each user that logs onto the computer and stores it in the appropriate profile folder. The default location for this folder is c:\Users\\Documents (assuming of course that you have installed Vista on your C: drive). You can store the Documents folder on another drive or in another folder. For example, if you have more free space on another drive, you can move it.

To accomplish this task, right click Documents from the Start Menu and select Properties. This opens the Properties dialog box for the Documents folder. Click the Location tab and type in the path to the location where you want to store the folder. Click OK. If the folder location you specified in the Target field does not exist, the Create Message dialog box will appear. Click Yes to create the folder and click OK. Alternatively, you can also select the Move button from the Location tab and browse to the location where you want to store the Documents folder.

Morro Screenshots Leaked; Will it be Cloud Based?

A Windows enthusiast blog on Tuesday posted what it says are leaked screenshots of Microsoft's upcoming free security software, code-named "Morro," which is due for public beta release soon.

Neowin.net has three screenshots apparently obtained by a secret source. Morro is said to be tested internally by Microsoft

ZDnet is reporting that Morro will be cloud based.

"Instead of scanning every file or network packet as they arrive into the computer from the Web or an external device, it creates a virtual tunnel between your incoming Internet pipe at the back of your computer to a Morro data center, which scans every byte and packet for malware," writes ZDnets’s Zack Whittaker

In November, Microsoft announced that they would no longer be selling or supporting it’s failed anti-virus software, Windows Live OneCare.

Microsoft says that Morro will be available in the second half of 2009. OneCare will be continued to be sold until June 30 2009.

Morro will be compatible with Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming Windows 7.

When OneCare launched 3 years ago it managed to make a dent in the security industry due to lower than normal prices.

"With a number of free products already available, McAfee has experienced more than three years of global growth. On a level playing field, we are confident in our ability to compete with anyone who might enter the marketplace."McAfee said.

 

"Microsoft isn't going to change the business dynamic. Freeware is really about customer acquisition," Dave Cole, Symantec's senior director product management. "Norton offers trialware as a means to secure customers and even freeware vendors such as AVG, Avira, and Avast recommend upgrading to their payware solution for more complete protection. The reality is that shareware and freeware vendors have been in the market for 20-plus years. The freeware space is crowded and Microsoft is just joining the fray." Symantec said

 

 

And this from Justin Priestley, senior vice president of consumer sales at Kaspersky Lab Americas: "Right now, Kaspersky Lab offers free access to our antivirus detection technology through our Web site, allowing consumers to scan their systems or suspicious files...and for the foreseeable future, that will be the extent of our no-charge offerings."

Here are the leaked screenshots obtained by neowin from an anonymous tipster. Morro is currently in testing and is subject to UI changes.

Windows 7 Build 7232 Screenshots

It has been quite a while since I last posted screenshots of Windows 7, because there has been a lack of changes in the builds. This build does not appear to have any major changes, except the new default wallpaper. I expect the final Windows 7 build will be completed a few days from now and will be tested for a few weeks. This is most likely one of the very last builds. Windows 7 is close to completion, so get ready!

Windows 7 Build 7232 Leaked Along With New Wallpaper

UX Evangelist has leaked a new Windows 7 wallpaper and build. For people who are addicted to downloading every single Windows 7 build Windows 7 Build 7232 can be found on BitTorrent.

A new wallpaper has also been included with the build:

Add or Remove File Association in Windows Vista

Back in the good old days with Windows XP, things were a little easier with performing simple tasks. One that comes to mind is file types. With XP you can easily associate and unassociate file types to a program or application, from the Control Panel or by selecting: Tools \ Folder Options on the menu of a folder.

With Vista, for some unknown reason, you can only associate file types, but you can not unassociate (delete) a file type completely. The only option allowed is to associate the file to another program or application. Until now…

First, let's look at two ways to find where File Type Associations lives in Vista. The easiest way is from the Start Menu, by clicking on Start \ Default Programs.

Then click on Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

The second way is from the Control Panel by clicking on Start \ Control Panel \ Programs then clicking on Make a file type always open in a specific program (under Default Programs).

Once you have accessed the window for file type association, you can easily associate (add) or change (modify) an existing file type, by highlighting a file type, then clicking on the Change Program… button.

NOTE: You will need to click the small down arrow  to see the list of Other Programs.

To remove (delete) a file type association, you can use a great utility found on winhelponline.com to unassociate file types.

Just download, unzipp and click on Unassoc.exe. No install is required.

To use, just find the file type you want to delete and click on the Remove file association button. The file type association will be deleted from the registry. Vista will then treat it as an unknown file type.

Now, the only functionality missing with File types in Vista, compared to XP, is the capability to change icons and create a new file type. If you come across how to do this, let us know!

Remove Optional Windows XP Components

Windows XP has plenty of options to get rid of the extra bloat on your computer. One of the best ways to do it is to get rid of the Windows components you don't use.

1. Click start –> Set Programs and Access Defaults.

2. Click Add/Remove Windows Components.

This “Please Wait…” dialog will open. This windows may stay open for up to 5 minutes, so be patient.

3. The below screenshot is self explanatory. Uncheck the components you wish to uninstall.

 

4. Click Next and your done!

Remove Optional Vista Components

In the quest to get rid of the unnecessary bloat it your computer, Windows Vista has less options than previous versions of Windows, but you can still get rid of some of the components.

Open up Control Panel and go to the Programs and Features section. Find the link for "Turn Windows features on or off" (or you could just search for it)

This dialog is quite self-explanatory… uncheck the things you don't want, and hit the OK button. Depending on the version of Vista you are running you might not see everything in the list.

Just to get you started, here's a few tips on what an average user might want to enable or disable. The rules will be different for everybody, depending on your applications and needs, so don't take these as absolute.

ActiveX Installer Service
No
Do you really want anything to do with ActiveX?

Games
Why Not
Your productivity can only increase with Spider Solitaire on your computer.

Indexing Service
No
This is the old indexing service that is no longer needed in Vista.

Internet Information Service
No
Used for hosting websites on your computer.

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0
No
Used for the new .NET 3.0 components, but only really needed for programmers.

Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) Server
No
Used by programmers as a way to reliably queue messages.

Print Services
No
You only need this if you use internet printers and like to kill trees. Our rainforests are depending on you disabling this service.

Remote Differential Compression
Maybe
This is likely required for utilities that use the network to download files. If it is enabled, don't mess with it.

Removable Storage Management
No
The only reason you'd need this is if you are restoring from old NTBACKUP files.

RIP Listener
No
You won't need this, it's a routing protocol.

Services for NFS
No
This can be used to map a drive to a linux NFS server. Unlikely you'd need it since Samba works so well.

SNMP Feature
No
This is used for management systems in workplace networks. You don't need it.

Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
No
This is used for compatibility with certain applications based on UNIX… you don't need it.

Tablet PC Optional Components
Maybe
If you have a Tablet PC, you should enable this. If you don't, you may still want to because this includes the Snipping Tool.

Telnet Client
AVOID
You should never use telnet. Ever.

Telnet Server
AVOID
You should never use telnet. Ever.

TFTP Client
AVOID
TFTP was used by many of the early internet worms… there's a reason it's disabled by default.

Windows DFS Replication Service
No
This is only really used in work environments. Don't bother with this if you are a home user.

Windows Fax and Scan
No
Why anybody still faxes anything is beyond me.

Windows Meeting Space
No
If you don't use Windows Meeting Space or the "People Near Me" feature, don't bother with this.

Windows PowerShell
No
PowerShell is a more advanced command line geared towards programmers and system administrators.

Windows Process Activation Service
Probably
This is likely required to support some .NET applications, so I wouldn't change whatever it's currently set to.

Windows Ultimate Extras
Maybe
If you like the extras, then enable them. (Ultimate Only)

Setup a Windows Media Center TV Signal

The very first thing most people would do when getting a new Windows Media Center PC is watch TV on it.

This guide will show you how to setup your TV signal and TV guide.

In this guide I’ll set up one digital (HD) antenna and programming guide for my area. Setting up a cable or satellite connection will be similar to this guide.

Setup TV Signal

1. Start Windows Media Center (WMC) by going to the Start orb, All Programs, and open Windows Media Center.

2. Navigate to Tasks, and select settings in WMC.

Note: Once WMC is running, navigating WMC with a Windows Media Center Remote Control is the best way to experience WMC. You could also use your mouse to point and click or your keyboard’s arrow keys to move around and the spacebar to select.

3. Select TV.

4. Select Setup TV Signal.

5. Select Next in the Set Up Your TV Signal section.

6. Select Yes, use this region to configure TV services if the Region is correct and then select Next.

7. WMC will download up-to-date TV setup options for your region.

8. Select to Configure my TV signal automatically in the Automatic TV Signal Setup section and then select Next.

9. WMC will scan for Cable, Satellite, and Antenna signals.

10. If everything goes well WMC will pick up your connection(s). If everything is right, select Yes and then select Next.

11. Let’s set up the Program Guide by selecting Next in the Programming Set Up Guide.

12. Select Yes when WMC asks you if you want to use their guide.

13. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the Terms of Service, select I agree, and then select Next.

14. Enter your ZIP code and then select Next.

15. The programming guide for your ZIP code will be downloaded from the internet.

16 When the download is complete, select Next.

If you’re using a digital antenna it’ll give you the option of adjusting your antenna and programming guide.

Select Next.

04 The next screen shows you all of the channels you could catch according to the programming guide you just downloaded.

WMC will scan for every channel listed in the guide and tell you the signal strength of each. Uncheck each channel with a low signal so they don’t show up in the programming guide. You can also use the signal meter to adjust the antenna. Checked off channel are continuously scanned and updated for signal strength. Click Next when you’re done.

18. That’s it! Select Finish and you’re done.

19. Click the green button on your Windows Media Center Remote Control or click the green orb in the top left corner of the WMC screen to go back to the main WMC screen. Go to TV + Movies, select guide.

10. Select the program you want to watch and you’re in business!

European Union Demands that Windows 7 Comes With Browser

European competition officials said that they were unimpressed by Microsoft's move to ship a version of Windows 7 without Internet Explorer or any other browser.

"If the commission were to find that Microsoft had committed an abuse, the commission has suggested that consumers be offered a choice of browser, not that Windows should be supplied with no browser at all," the European Union's European Commission said in a statement.

Microsoft on Thursday said that it would release a version of it’s next operating system called Windows 7 E, which would not include Internet Explorer. The firm said that it would be up to consumers and PC manufacturers what internet browser they install. The EC said that it could do more harm then good.

"Given that over 95% of consumers acquire Windows pre-installed on a PC, it is particularly important to ensure consumer choice through the computer manufacturer channel. Microsoft has apparently decided to supply retail consumers with a version of Windows without a Web browser at all. Rather than more choice, Microsoft seems to have chosen to provide less," said the EC.

Earlier this year the EC said that Microsoft’s bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows violated European anti-trust laws (funny that they don’t fine Apple). The EC has also find Microsoft with $1 billion in the past.

"Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users. This means that computer manufacturers and users will be free to install Internet Explorer on Windows 7, or not, as they prefer. Of course, they will also be free, as they are today, to install other Web browsers," wrote Dave Heiner, Microsoft's deputy general counsel.

In Europe Microsoft offered a version of Windows called Windows N, which did not include Windows Media Player. Windows N was highly unpopular with consumers.

Heiner said Windows 7 E will be available in 23 European languages and will ship the same time Windows 7 is delivered to the rest of the world " Oct. 22.

Snow Leopard vs. Windows 7: Round One

Its easier than ever to put Mac OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard head to head because they will be launching within a month of each other. This brings up the question: which is better? Hmm…

Windows 7 uses basically the same foundation as Windows Vista while fixing the insides and making it look better while Snow Leopard focuses more on the core.

Price and Availability

The obvious winner is Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard is shipping in September for an upgrade price of only $29, Windows 7 does not come out until October 22 and there are roomers that it could be more expensive than Vista.

Performance

Windows 7 are designed to chew up less system resources. Apple promises that Snow Leopard will give you back 6 GB of Hard Drive space because Apple got rid of all PowerPC code. Microsoft has not talked about how much less space Windows 7 will take up, but they have came up with innovative ways for drivers to take up less space.

Browser

Internet Explorer 8 is by far the best browser Microsoft has ever made but Safari is much better at handling JavaScript which is important now of days.

Networking

Networking is much easier in Windows 7. You can now create a home network without the need to click buttons a few million times, and the new user interface makes much more sense.

Backup

Time Machine is awesome because it just works. Backups in Windows 7 is much better as well, and its written in PLAIN ENGLISH.

Dock vs. Taskbar

I personally think that the new taskbar is much better. Jump lists help when doing common tasks and Aero Peek is a nice touch. Little changes like Aero Snap, Shake and Peek also helped.

Snow Leopards UI is pretty much the same as Leopard, but it manages to improve in Exposé. You can do much more with the dock now, so you can easily drop files in whatever app window you want to. Exposé, my "I would die without it" feature in Leopard, now arranges windows in a neat grid, rather than scattering them across whatever space is available. Stacks is actually useful now too, since they're scrollable and you can look in folders within stacks in Snow Leopard.

Backgrounds

Windows 7 backgrounds are much better. I'm kind of tired of the OSX space background, its getting old.

Battery Life

Windows 7 supposedly improves notebook battery life by a minimum of 11 percent. On the Snow Leopard front, well, um, all of the new Macs have much bigger batteries? Since Apple didn't drop a slide at WWDC telling the whole world, we can presume there isn't any benefit.

Media

Windows Media Player can handle pretty much any format you throw at it. The UI is a little complex because its trying to do too much. It has some nice tweaks like play to, which will stream media to any compatible devices on your network. Quick Time 10 isthe same except the new logo. Like Windows Media Player, Quick Time can can handle almost all major formats.