Windows XP Mode on Windows 7 (Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions) simplifies running applications on Windows XP by utilizing a virtual environment. While you can run the guest OS in the Virtual PC window and execute your applications from there, you can also run them from the Windows 7 Start Menu (or Desktop). XP Mode is great for running older applications and for testing new ones that you aren’t ready to put on your Windows 7 system.

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Windows 7 might still not be officially complete. And Microsoft is laying people off. But the company’s already gearing up to launch its next operating system: Windows 8.

Early job postings indicate at least one focus for Windows 8 will be systems and data management.

The company has advertised for developers and testers to deliver “major improvements” in Windows’ File Server.

Indications are Microsoft’s looking to make management of files easier across wide area networks and the internet and to make WinFS capable of scaling to more machines than you get with Windows Server 2008 R2 and even with the as-yet unfinished Windows 7.

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Rich from mintywhite.com is offering an excellent pocket guide for Windows 7. Get it here.

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The service pack brings a number of changes and bug fixes to Windows Vista. It provides support for VIA’s new 64-bit CPU, Bluetooth v2.1, Windows Connect Now (WCN) Wi-Fi Configuration wireless functionality, faster Wi-Fi resume times after hibernation, and most significantly the ability to record Blu-ray.

It also features a number of software/connectivity improvements, including faster RSS feeds in the sidebar, Windows Search 4.0, the ability to configure the maximum number of TCP connections.

The service pack is also for Windows Server 2008, and offers the Hyper-V virtualization environment as a free fully integrated feature, with one free daughter OS with Windows Server 2008 Standard, four free licenses with Windows Server 2008 Enterprise, and an unlimited number of free licenses with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter. It also improves the management options in Windows Server 2008 and fixes some licensing key problems.

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At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft presented a demonstration of the Windows Mobile 6.5, and My Phone.

The Windows Mobile 6.5 would be released in the second half of 2009, which will only be available as the pre-installed OS on new devices. Windows Mobile 6.5 comes with a hexagon-based layout rather than the default grid layout. The hexagon layout almost matches with the shape of the fingertip’s point of contact, making it an intuitive design choice.

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Most of my friends, who are not techies, complain that their system is very slow and windows takes lot of time to start up. I always give them these 5 simple tips. I thought I will post it here so that some one might find it useful.

Techies!!! These tips are not for you

1. Remove unwanted programs from startup : The most annoying habit of a software is attaching itself to windows startup without the permission of the user. More programs in the startup means more time to start windows. Here is how you can remove unwanted programs from starting up automatically when windows starts.

• Click Start -> Run -> msconfig

• Select Startup tab and you will see a list of programs which will start when windows starts

• Remove all unwanted programs. This includes Messengers also. You can always start them manually. Make sure you don’t remove anti virus software

• Click Apply and ok.
• Restart the system.

2. Remove unwanted software: Make sure you uninstall all those software which you installed for testing. Sometimes Windows Add/Remove Programs will not remove all the necessary files and registry entries. You can use free Uninstallers like Rev Uninstaller to clean up your system.
3. Defrag your System regularly : If you are tired of using Windows Defragment tool which is very slow, Try out Auslogics Disk Defrag. Its Free, Light weight and one of the fastest tool I have ever seen. Defragmenting your hard drive will make the system to load your programs faster.

4. Shutdown your system : Most of us have the habit of using “Hibernate” mode as it is faster during startup and shutdown. We get very addicted by using hibernation that some of us don’t shutdown the PC. Make sure you shutdown or restart the system once in a while.

5. Use startup delayer : Tip 1 is very useful to make your windows faster but there are some programs which cannot be excluded from starting automatically (ex: Anti virus). But you delay their starting time by using any startup delayer. r2 Studios has a free startup delayer which I use to delay startup of programs. This will help windows load even faster.

Do you think these 5 tips are not enough? Check these 23 tips to speed up Windows XP.

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Looking for Windows XP, Vista or 7 tips and tricks? then check out this site run by Rich. He writes loads of useful windows hacks.

He also runs a Forum where yu post your questions about Windows XP, Vista or 7.

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