Latest on Microsoft: News, Features, Opinions and More  Aged Windows XP costs 5x more to manage than Windows 7
Microsoft has added ammunition to its aggressive battle to get users off Windows XP by citing a company-sponsored report that claims annual support costs for the older OS are more than five times that of Windows 7. Microsoft's upgrade avalanche a challenge for IT pros
Microsoft is in the midst of an unprecedented, massive upgrade cycle for its enterprise software products, a refresh wave that represents a major challenge for CIOs and IT managers responsible for charting their companies' technology strategy. Microsoft server and tool upgrades demand CIOs' attention
CIOs and IT directors tracking the barrage of major upgrades for Windows and Office also need to stay tuned to the refresh cycle for Microsoft's servers and tools, including Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, System Center 2012 and Visual Studio 11. Microsoft server and tool upgrades demand CIOs' attention
CIOs and IT directors tracking the barrage of major upgrades for Windows and Office also need to stay tuned to the refresh cycle for Microsoft's servers and tools, including Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, System Center 2012 and Visual Studio 11. Microsoft's upgrade avalanche a challenge for IT pros
Microsoft is in the midst of an unprecedented, massive upgrade cycle for its enterprise software products, a refresh wave that represents a major challenge for CIOs and IT managers responsible for charting their companies' tech strategy. Yahoo Axis may be game changer for search and the troubled company
With Axis, Yahoo is trying to change the search game, while also trying to change its image as a troubled company. 4.5 million Catholic school students to get Office 365
About 4.5 million Catholic school students will get access to Microsoft's Office 365 cloud e-mail and collaboration suite as part of a 3-year deal the software vendor struck with the Catholic International Education Office (OIEC). Microsoft clarifies Ballmer's claims of massive Windows 8 adoption
Reports earlier this week that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer predicted unprecedented sales of Windows 8 were wrong on multiple counts, Microsoft and independent analysts agreed. Motorola Mobility has infringed Microsoft patent, says Munich court
Google-owned Motorola Mobility has infringed a Microsoft patent related to SMS messaging, according to a ruling in the Munich regional court, which also dismissed a second case related to a localization patent. Windows 8 puts end to endless reboots
Microsoft yesterday promised that a feature it's added to Windows 8 will put a stop to endless reboots. Microsoft beats data-sorting record with new approach
Besting a record set by Yahoo in 2009, the research arm of Microsoft have deployed a new technique for quickly sorting large amounts of data, called Flat Datacenter Storage (FDS). Windows Vista infection rates climb, says Microsoft
Microsoft said that a skew toward more exploits on Windows Vista can be attributed to the demise of support for the operating system's first service pack. Microsoft-backed groups praise EU's antitrust ultimatum to Google
A pair of Microsoft-backed industry groups applauded the ultimatum European Union antitrust regulators issued to rival Google over alleged anti-competitive practices. Chrome trumps IE as world's top browser
Google's Chrome edged past Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) last week to become the world's most widely used browser, according to data from an Irish metric firm. No price cuts for Windows 8 upgrades, says analyst
Microsoft will not reduce the price of Windows 8 upgrades, as it did three years ago before the roll-out of Windows 7, a retail sales analyst said today. Microsoft's social networking site So.cl now open to all users
So.cl, an experimental research project from Microsoft, that combines social networking and search to promote learning, is now accepting all users interested in joining the site. Is cloud-based security really less expensive?
Businesses in new study were five times more likely to have decreased spending on managing security over three years as a percentage of their overall IT budget. ITC bans import of infringing Motorola Android devices
The U.S. International Trade Commission issued an import ban Friday on any Android devices from Motorola that infringe one of Microsoft's patents. Twitter jumps on Do Not Track bandwagon
Twitter has announced support for "Do Not Track," immediately implementing it to halt online tracking of users who trigger a setting in their browsers. Microsoft reprises free Xbox back-to-school PC promo
Microsoft will repeat last year's back-to-school promotion, kicking off the deal Sunday with an offer of a free Xbox 360 game console to eligible U.S. students who buy a new Windows 7 PC. We're not waiting for Android 5 'Jelly Bean,' developers say
Despite the rumors, developers are focused on making apps -- and money -- from today's Android Google aims to make search smarter, easier
The vaunted Google search engine is set for an upgrade that will make it easier for users to find the information they need by putting their searches in context, the company said Wednesday. Mozilla readies its app marketplace for public beta
Mozilla Marketplace will be online in a few weeks to take on Apple App Store and Google Play Store EU to 'remain vigilant' on Microsoft's browser commitments
Regulators in Europe said Tuesday they will watch closely to make sure Microsoft complies with its commitments to ensure competition in the browser market, after Mozilla complained its Firefox browser is being excluded from Windows RT. Microsoft to charge $15 for Windows 8 upgrade deal
Microsoft plans to charge users who buy a new Windows 7 PC $14.99 for an upgrade to Windows 8. The upgrade program is expected to kick off alongside the delivery of Windows 8 Release Preview in June. Consumer love for mobile sparks discontent with Microsoft's software
Satisfaction with Microsoft's software slipped last year, part of an industrywide downturn driven by U.S. consumer discontent with traditional PC programs, a national survey said today.
Lenovo working with Intel on ThinkPad Windows 8 tablet
Lenovo is working with chip maker Intel on a future ThinkPad tablet based on Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system, a Lenovo executive said. About 600,000 L.A. Community College students to get Microsoft Live@EDU
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) will provide email and collaboration applications to about 600,000 students via Microsoft's Live@EDU cloud suite, a project for which it also considered Google Apps for Education. Microsoft: Win8 simplifies, improves parental monitoring
Microsoft has designed Windows 8 to make parental monitoring and control of children's computer activities simpler and more effective, the company said on Monday. MacBook Pro refreshes may be imminent, say reports
Hints that Apple will soon refresh its iMac desktop and MacBook Pro laptop lines accumulated today as several Mac-centric blogs revealed new details gleaned from the Web and unnamed sources. Is November Win 8 tablet release too late?
If Intel-based Windows 8 tablets launch in November, as one informed source expects, Microsoft would face a narrow window to play a role in the important holiday sales period. Microsoft System Center 2012 review: Streamlined cloud service management
With System Center 2012, Microsoft delivers tools to help customers wring more efficiency, uptime and performance out of their existing hardware and software.
Senate to look at Mozilla's browser competition allegations
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee plans to look into accusations by Mozilla that Microsoft is restricting access to important programming tools for browsers that will run in Windows RT. Microsoft Bing goes social in search war with Google
Microsoft's move to boost Bing's social networking feaures could finally give it an opportunity to truly take on Google's dominant search engine, analysts say. Microsoft preps Windows 8 upgrade deal for early June debut, says report
Microsoft will reportedly kick off a Windows 8 upgrade program for buyers of Windows 7 PCs in early June. IllumiShare project connects physical desktops
Attendees at the Conference on Human Factors in Computer Systems (CHI) this week saw a device that looks something like a lamp shade and houses a projector and camera, designed to let a worker share a physical desktop with another, allowing the two to collaborate on a project in ways not otherwise possible. Samsung launches low-end Windows Phone with 4-inch display
Samsung Electronics Friday announced the Samsung Omnia M, a Windows Phone with a 4-inch Super AMOLED display that will first become available in Europe. Infringement case suspended; Samsung tests Apple's 'pinch-to-zoom' claim
Samsung Electronics may challenge the validity of Apple's intellectual property claims before the Regional Court in Mannheim, Germany, rules on whether the company has infringed them, the court said on Friday. It is the second time in two weeks that the Mannheim court has decided to wait for a validity verdict from the Federal Patent Court before ruling on an infringement case. Microsoft touts Windows 8's ability to detect, fix hard disk problems
Microsoft has revamped the way Windows 8 monitors hard disk operations and detects problems in an effort to make the diagnostic and repair process less intrusive and disruptive, even as disk capacity continues to balloon. Microsoft revamps Bing to include interactive social sidebar
Bing will soon include a search interface that offers social search results in a separate column to the right of the returned links, Microsoft said on Thursday. Intel CEO Otellini calls out ARM on Windows 8 tablets
Intel CEO Paul Otellini on Thursday said that the company has an advantage over its rival ARM on Windows 8 for tablets because of decades of developing x86 chips that support the Windows operating system. Gesture sensing alternatives use radio interference, Doppler Effect
Two Microsoft Research projects presented at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems used unique methods, completely absent of any cameras, to sense gestures. Apple's e-store satisfaction score jumps, thumps Microsoft's
Apple's online store scored the highest satisfaction rating of any computer-related company, and handily beat rival Microsoft, a consumer pollster said today. Microsoft revamps UI on Visual Studio IDE upgrade
Based on feedback from February beta release, revisions affect coloring, icons, and Metro style Microsoft security patches include fixes for Word, Office, Windows
Microsoft has fixed 23 vulnerabilities in its software products, including several considered critical, the company said on Tuesday in its monthly security patch report. Epicor to move its apps to Microsoft's Azure cloud
Epicor is planning to work with Microsoft to bring Epicor's ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications to the Azure cloud service, the companies announced Tuesday during Epicor's Insights conference in Las Vegas. HP, F5 partner to speed delivery of cloud apps
HP this week unveiled several initiatives at Interop 2012 in Las Vegas to enhance the provisioning and performance of virtual applications over a network, including an alliance with application delivery controller leader F5. US judge lets Microsoft continue to sell products with disputed patents
A U.S. judge has declined to lift an unusual order that prevents Motorola Mobility from enforcing a ban in Germany on the sale of Microsoft's Windows 7 OS and XBox 360. Half of all Macs will lack access to security updates by summer
Unless Apple changes its security update practice, nearly half of all Mac users will be adrift without patches sometime this summer. Office Live Small Business customers grapple with migration
The deadline to migrate email domains and websites hosted on the Microsoft Office Live Small Business (OLSB) online service suite passed on Monday, but customers continue to post a steady stream of complaints and problem reports, indicating that the number of businesses that haven't made the transition is considerable. Microsoft boots Chinese firm for leaking Windows exploit
Microsoft identified a Chinese security partner as the source of a leak last March in its highly restricted vulnerability information-sharing program. Bloggers plead for Windows Live Writer's life
A Windows developer, upset at the likely demise of Windows Live Writer as part of Microsoft's move to retire the Live brand, has launched an online petition drive to save the tool. iPad share of tablet market jumps as Kindle Fire slumps
Apple's iPad reclaimed a larger share of the global tablet market last month, in part because of a more-serious-than-expected slump in sales of the hot Kindle Fire in the first quarter, IDC analysts said today. Microsoft plans big May patch slate for next week
Microsoft today said it would ship seven security updates next week, three critical, to patch 23 bugs in Windows, Office and its Silverlight and .Net development platforms. At Interior Dept., Google Apps to co-exist with Outlook, Office -- for now
Although the U.S. Interior Department plans to replace its on-premise email servers with Google Apps' cloud-based Gmail, the agency will retain Microsoft Outlook and Office as its standard e-mail client and desktop office productivity software for end users. Sage moves ERP apps to Microsoft's Azure cloud
Following an ongoing industry trend, Sage Group is moving a number of its ERP software products to Microsoft's Azure cloud service. Nook deal lets Microsoft integrate e-bookstore with its software, services
Barnes & Noble will distribute its free Nook Metro app through Microsoft's Windows Store, putting to rest talk of Microsoft embedding the program in Windows 8. Cloud computing gains in federal government
The federal government may not be renowned for its operational speed or agility, and certainly IT is no exception, but federal agency CIOs and their employees have gradually been warming to the new model of cloud computing, according to a panel of industry executives speaking at a conference on Wednesday. Microsoft opens New York research lab, hires mainly Yahoo researchers
Microsoft is opening a research lab in New York City that aims to benefit from interaction with the academic and tech communities in the metropolitan area, as well as attract new talent to Microsoft, the company said. Microsoft to retire Windows Live brand ahead of Windows 8 launch
Microsoft will retire the Windows Live brand as it gets ready to release what it describes as a more connected set of online consumer services with the launch of its Windows 8 operating system. IE 'silent' upgrade helps put newest browser on Windows
Microsoft's decision late last year to switch on 'silent' upgrades for Internet Explorer (IE) has moved some Windows users to newer versions, but has had little, if any, impact on the oldest editions, IE6 and IE7, according to usage statistics. Mozilla ponders major Firefox UI refresh
Mozilla is working on a revamp of Firefox to synchronize its various versions -- desktop, tablet, phone and Windows 8 Metro -- into a single visual style, according to documents posted by members of its UI design team. German court grants Motorola an injunction against Windows 7 and Xbox
Motorola Mobility won an injunction on Wednesday preventing distribution of Microsoft products including Windows 7 and the Xbox in Germany, but it can't enforce the injunction yet. Microsoft will appeal the case and is confident it can keep doing business in Germany, the company said. Microsoft detects new malware targeting Apple computers
Microsoft has detected a new piece of malware targeting Apple OS X computers that exploits a vulnerability in the Office productivity suite patched nearly three years ago. After legal tussle, Google beats Microsoft for large US contract
The U.S. Department of the Interior has picked Google Apps to provide cloud-based email and collaboration applications to about 90,000 staffers, choosing Google's services over Microsoft's Office 365. IE on a rebound, browser share data shows
Microsoft's Internet Explorer in April again gained usage share, the third time in the year's first four months, to stay well above the 50% mark and remain the world's top browser, a Web analytics company said today. Is Google Drive ready for prime time?
In summing up the experts' thoughts, Network World's Brad Reed put it rather succinctly about the emergence of Google Drive: "We like it, but couldn't it have been released two years ago?" Insider (registration required) Microsoft mute on Nook app's bundling with Windows 8
Microsoft on Monday declined to say whether Barnes and Noble's Nook app for Metro will be embedded into Windows 8 or Windows RT. Microsoft to take closer look at "racy" apps on Marketplace
Microsoft will from now on be paying more attention to the icons, titles, and content of apps on Marketplace, and expects them to get more subtle and modest in the imagery used, the company said in a blog post on Monday. Review: Quickoffice Connect is a poor iCloud clone
Stick with the original Quickoffice HD app and either Dropbox or Box instead for a more reliable, cheaper alternative Microsoft's Office Live Small Business closing today
Microsoft is sticking to its plan to shut down its Office Live Small Business (OLSB) suite of cloud-based services on Monday, even though it seems many customers are either unaware of the deadline or are having difficulties migrating. Wait, is Linux on the desktop a flop? Readers weigh in
While one could be forgiven for expecting a flame war in the comments on an article entitled 'Why Linux is a desktop flop,' the discussion that followed its publication was, in the main, thought-provoking and respectful. LG backs off Windows Phone for now, report says
Smartphone-maker LG Electronics has backed off producing Windows Phone devices for now and will instead focus on Android phones, according to a report. Microsoft-Barnes & Noble deal could lead to Windows-based tablet
Microsoft's partnership with Barnes & Noble could lead to development of a Windows-based tablet or e-reader, not just a Nook e-reader application for Windows 8, some analysts said. AT&T, Google among top lobbying spenders in Q1
AT&T spent nearly $7.1 million on lobbying Congress and President Barack Obama's administration in the first quarter of 2012, making it the leading corporate spender on lobbying, with Google, Comcast and Verizon Communications also making the top five. Slow uptake of Windows 8 preview hints at lack of interest
Windows users appear half as interested in trying out the new Windows 8 as they did three years ago when they jumped at the chance to test drive Windows 7, data shows. Microsoft invests in new Barnes & Noble unit, settles litigation
Microsoft will invest $300 million in a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary, which will include the digital Nook and College businesses of Barnes & Noble, the companies said in joint statement on Monday. Down but not out: Conficker camouflages new Windows infections
Windows PCs infected with Conficker are more likely to be compromised by other malware because the worm masks those secondary infections and makes those machines easier to exploit, a security expert said. Microsoft links Metro theme to jQuery Mobile, Windows Phone
With Microsoft Open Technologies release, websites and mobile apps can use Metro style I have seen the future (and it's made of glass)
Expect to see incredible innovation in consumer electronics glass over the next few years from Apple, Google, and Microsoft, writes columnist Mike Elgan. Does the iPad cannibalize Apple's laptops?
Is Apple cutting the MacBook's throat with the iPad? Apple CEO Tim Cook seems to think so, and analysts agree. House passes CISPA cyberthreat sharing bill, despite privacy concerns
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a cyberthreat information-sharing bill that critics say will give U.S. government agencies access to the private communications of millions of Internet users Microsoft re-releases Office for Mac 2011 upgrade after fixing bugs
Microsoft yesterday re-released Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 (SP2) after fixing a bug that wormed into the original update. 'Obstinate' Conficker worm infests millions of PCs years later
The long-suppressed Conficker botnet is still actively infecting millions of new machines, giving Windows enterprise users a two-and-a-half-year headache. Microsoft issues Office 2011 SP2 update, hopefully it works
The other day I detailed how I recovered my Office 2011 apps after installing Microsoft's ill-conceived Office 2011 SP2 update. A few days later, Microsoft pulled the update. Now Microsoft has released an update to that update in the form of the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.2.1 update. Can Dropbox, other cloud providers survive Google Drive?
The 800-pound gorilla has landed and is leveraging its existing relationship with hundreds of millions of users to port them to their cloud storage and file sharing service Google Drive. Can smaller cloud storage players survive this assault? Canonical gears Linux upgrade to the cloud
Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS will feature the Essex release of the OpenStack cloud fabric layer California to develop mobile privacy guidelines
The state of California will issue a set of best practices for mobile app developers this summer, responding to concerns that have emerged nationwide about smartphone use and privacy. Big acquisitions, distractions may delay Facebook IPO
Less than a week ago, the Internet was abuzz with reports that Facebook's IPO would come in mid-May. Today, news reports are adding several more weeks to that timeline. An RDP client and a Smartphone 'Copter
Ah, what a week it's been. Ravelling the unravelled and fixing stuff I thought was fixed. Microsoft to support ODF 1.2 open document standard in Office 15
Microsoft has demonstrated support for the Open Document Format (ODF) 1.2 standard in a technical preview of the forthcoming Office 15 productivity suite, and plans to release a beta version with the feature late this summer. Service unveiled for building Windows Phone apps in the cloud
Windows Phone can now be targeted by PhoneGap Build, a cloud-based service for creating cross-platform mobile phone apps, according to a Tuesday blog post from Nitobi, the service's creators. iPhone sales boom pushes Apple to first-quarter records
Apple on Tuesday announced record first-quarter revenue on the back of soaring iPhone sales, with an assist from the iPad. Review: SQL Server 2012 stands tall
Huge HA and indexing improvements top the list of great new features in Microsoft's latest database release With Google Drive, 'personal cloud' will soon overshadow the PC
The launch of Google's cloud storage and synchronization service -- Google Drive -- means hundreds of millions of tech users will now be introduced to file sharing, collaboration and integrated document search. Macs more likely to carry Windows malware than Mac malware, Sophos says
One in five Mac computers is likely to carry Windows malware, but only one in 36 is likely to be infected with malware specifically designed for the Mac OS X, according to study performed by antivirus firm Sophos. How to Build Your First Database With Microsoft Access
If you own a version of Microsoft Office that includes Access (Office Professional 2010 is the most current version), but you've never used it, you're overlooking a powerful tool for organizing and analyzing business data. I'll show you how to make the most of this relational database program. Motorola wins round in Xbox patents dispute
The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that Microsoft infringed on patents of Motorola Mobility in its Xbox games console. Facebook to pay Microsoft $550M for AOL patents
Facebook on Monday continued its latest spending spree by agreeing to pay Microsoft about $550 million for some 650 former AOL patents and patent applications. Is Windows RT on tablets DOA because it lacks needed enterprise features?
Omissions from the feature set of Windows RT are leaving analysts increasingly skeptical that enterprises will gravitate toward tablets running the new forked version of Windows. Is Windows RT on tablets DOA because it lacks needed enterprise features?
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