Computer Support Blog

On October 22, 2010, Microsoft will end pre installed sales of Windows XP.  Rescuecom’s computer repair experts reveal what the end of Windows XP means for you.

After the 22^nd, users will not be able to purchase a new computer running XP, and retailers are not allowed to sell the boxed version of the OS any longer.   “This is effectively the end of windows XP as a product,” says Rescuecom CEO David Milman.

However, computers that come with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate preinstalled will maintain the ability to downgrade to Windows XP professional throughout the Windows 7 lifecycle.   “Microsoft,” says Milman “is targeting its enterprise customers, as many of them requested additional time before making the move to Windows 7.” Read more »

Microsoft officially announced its Windows Phone 7 OS on Monday and, by doing so, put itself firmly back into the smartphone market.

Totally disconnected from Microsoft’s previous phone OS offerings, Windows Phone 7 continues the pattern first displayed in the Internet Explorer 9 Beta – a product more in line with the competition than the company’s previous work. Read more »

Samsung has debuted their Galaxy Tab, one of the first of the so-called “iPad Killers” from a major manufacturer.

The Galaxy’s specs will vary slightly from carrier to carrier, but all versions will run Google’s Android 2.2, the same OS that has helped propel some smartphones – including Samsung’s Galaxy class devices – into direct competition with the iPhone. Read more »

For users of Windows and its associated applications, the news is not good this morning.

Noted Internet security researcher HD Moore, of Rapid 7, reported Wednesday that 40 different Windows applications have serious security vulnerability.

The vulnerabilities are, according to Moore, similar to one found in Apple’s iTunes for Windows.  Apple has patched the vulnerability in that program. Read more »

As part of its continued efforts to catch up to Apple in the mobile technology market, Microsoft has announced that it will directly connect new Windows Phone 7 smartphones with its Xbox Live service.

The move was announced at the Game Developers Conference Europe, in Germany.  There, Microsoft revealed a list of Xbox Live games coming to the Windows 7 Phone platform, and reiterated their intent to make portable gaming a focus. Read more »

Microsoft has announced an invitation only event in San Francisco on September 15, to launch the beta of Internet Explorer 9, the newest version of the company’s web browser.

The beta had previously been announced, though no official date was released until this week.

The San Francisco event will focus on the “beauty of the web”, and promote IE 9, which Microsoft hopes will restore it to the top of the browser market. Read more »