Archive for the ‘ Free stuff ’ Category

Free eBook: Deploying Windows 7

A very useful free eBook is available on Microsoft Downloads: Deploying Windows® 7 Essential Guidance

Overview:

Microsoft’s eBook Deploying Windows® 7 Essential Guidance from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and TechNet Magazine combine selected chapters written by industry experts Mitch Tulloch, Tony Northrup, Jerry Honeycutt, Ed Wilson, and the Windows 7 Team with select Windows 7 articles from TechNet Magazine. Sample topics include: Deployment Platform, Planning Deployment, Testing Application Compatability, and 8 Common Issues in Windows 7 Migrations.

2009
10/29
CATEGORY
Downloads
Free stuff
Microsoft
Windows
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Microsoft Security Essentials is available!

Microsoft Security Essentials, the free antivirus from Microsoft is finally out of beta. :)

It’s available for XP, Vista and Windows 7 users (both x86 and x64), with the sole mention that your PC must run genuine Windows in order to install it.

2009
09/30
CATEGORY
Downloads
Free stuff
Microsoft
Security
Windows
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Microsoft launches Open Source foundation

Microsoft and Open Source: now there’s two things we rarely see in the same sentence. Even so, Microsoft recently announced they will start and fund a non-profit open source software development foundation, called CodePlex Foundation.

More details on Port 25. :)

2009
09/14
CATEGORY
Coding
Free stuff
Interesting facts
Microsoft
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Exchange Server 2010 RC

As promised, Microsoft has delivered a public Release Candidate (RC) version of Exchange Server 2010. It’s available in three different ways:

Trial Software

The new Exchange Server 2010 Release Candidate is here. Download this 120-day free release candidate version and try the new features in your own environment. When you register for the Exchange Server 2010 RC software you will automatically receive valuable product evaluation resources assembled in one convenient location.

Virtual Hard Drive

The Microsoft VHD Test Drive Program provides customers with an enhanced server-based software evaluation experience that’s faster, better supported, and more flexible. You can now access the entire catalog of pre-configured Microsoft and partner products and solutions in the VHD format and start evaluating and testing today.

Online Trial

Experience the new world of Software plus Services through Microsoft Exchange Online, which enables you to try all the messaging and calendaring functionality you need with none of the administrative burden.

Enjoy! :)

2009
08/19
CATEGORY
Downloads
Free stuff
Microsoft
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Last chance to get Windows 7 RC

Just a quick reminder: you’ve got just a couple more days to download Windows 7 RC if you want to get a free legit copy of Windows 7 before October, because the Windows 7 Release Candidate Downloads End August 20th.

The official Windows 7 release date may be set for October 22nd, but if you’re not eager to buy the new OS yet, you can still go download the very usable Release Candidate for free through August 20th, which is tomorrow. :)

2009
08/19
CATEGORY
Downloads
Free stuff
Microsoft
Windows
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XP mode RC for Windows 7

Microsoft has released updated bits of Windows XP Mode for Windows 7.

XP Mode is a method to provide better compatibility in Windows 7, and to pull it off with as little trouble as possible. It’s also dubbed XPM, or formerly Virtual XP. XPM is built on the next generation Microsoft Virtual PC 7 product line, which requires processor-based virtualization support (Intel and AMD) to be present and enabled on the underlying PC.

Microsoft has made the following changes from beta to RC:

  • You can now attach USB devices to Windows XP Mode applications directly from the Windows 7 task-bar. This means your USB devices, such as printers and flash drives, are available to applications running in Windows XP Mode, without the need to go into full screen mode.
  • You can now access Windows XP Mode applications with a “jump-list”. Right click on the Windows XP Mode applications from the Windows 7 task bar to select and open most recently used files.
  • You now have the flexibility of customizing where Windows XP Mode differencing disk files are stored.
  • You can now disable drive sharing between Windows XP Mode and Windows 7 if you do not need that feature.
  • The initial setup now includes a new user tutorial about how to use Windows XP Mode.

Windows XP Mode RC requires RC or RTM version of Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise. It also requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, 15 GB of available disk space, and processor capable of hardware virtualization with AMD-V or Intel VT turned on in the BIOS. XP Mode RC is available from the Microsoft Virtual PC site.

2009
08/05
CATEGORY
Downloads
Free stuff
Microsoft
Virtualization
Windows
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Free Windows 7 Ultimate for beta testers

Yay! :)

To show our appreciation, members of the invitation-only Windows 7 Technical Beta Program will be eligible for a free, final copy of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Paul’s post in the microsoft.beta.win7.beta_program newsgroup is the following:

Thank you for doing your part in making Windows 7 great! As a member of the technical beta program you took the time to download, install and give us your feedback on Windows 7 during development. Over the last 7 months you have participated in chats, live meetings and newsgroups as well as reported bugs to help us find and fix many issues. To recognize your outstanding contribution to the product we are pleased to offer you a complimentary copy of Windows 7 for your personal use.

Details:

·         All current members of our English technical and international mini-beta programs are eligible.

·         We are offering you a full (non-upgrade) copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition for your own personal use, not to be resold.

·         You will be able to get access to your copy one of two ways:

A)     To get up and running quickly you will be able to download your copy and get your product key via Microsoft Connect. English downloads will be available August 6th and other languages will follow as they become available.

B)     Members of our English beta program have an alternative. We have reserved a limited amount of boxed retail copies that you can choose to receive instead. These are ‘first come, first served’. If you opt to have us ship you the boxed copy you should be aware that it will take much longer until you will be up and running on the final version. We will need time to manufacture and ship the copies to you. This means that you may not receive them until they are available on shelves October 22nd or later. Also, for people outside the United States you may be required to pay duties or other local taxes upon receipt.

Instructions and forms for choosing one of the above options will be available on Microsoft Connect on Monday August 3rd.

On behalf of the entire Windows product team, THANK YOU!

Paul

More details on August 3rd, I guess… :D

2009
07/31
CATEGORY
Downloads
Free stuff
Microsoft
Windows
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