Network Velocity

Microsoft Windows 7 to include “XP Mode”

Microsoft is getting closer to releasing the successor to Vista, currently named Windows 7. One of the interesting things about Windows 7 is that it will include "XP Mode" for backwards compatability. According to this article XP Mode is: a licensed, virtualized copy of Windows XP Service Pack 3 running inside Microsoft's own Virtual PC framework, customized and framed to allow anyone who needs a picky XP application to run to simply install it while XP Mode is enabled, then have it run as ...

Windows XP and Office 2003 reach end of Microsoft lifecycle

Microsoft has confirmed that they will be ending mainstream support for Windows XP and Office 2003 on April 14. The end of mainstream support means that Microsoft will no longer provide bug fixes or service packs for these products. Microsoft will continue to provide security updates through the year 2014, but only if Microsoft deems the flaw to be critical. Windows Server 2003, which is the basis of many company networks, is also approaching the end of mainstream support in Microsoft's softw...

Microsoft releases critical IE security patch

On December 17, 2008 Microsoft released a patch for a recently disclosed vulnerability in Internet Explorer. The patches fixes a problem where a specially crafted website could result in a hacker gaining remote control of your comptuer. Due to the risk involved, Microsoft's recommendation is that this patch is applied immediately. We will begin rolling out this patch tonight and plan to have all machines updated by the weekend. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions.

Microsoft releases critical security patch

It's been a while since Microsoft has published a critical security patch outside of their monthly schedule.  On October 23rd, 2008 a bulletin was released announcing a patch is breaking the cycle. Microsoft rates today's fix a level 3 critical patch.  (maybe Microsoft should adopt the color coded Homeland Security alert system?) Reviewing the bulletin, the non-technical explanation is that bad data sent from one computer can allow unauthorized users to run programs on another computer. Thi...

Windows XP downgrade deadline extended to July 31, 2009

Microsoft originally planned to stop distributing Windows XP media to large OEMs (OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, such as Dell/HP) on Jan. 31, 2009, but this week Microsoft said it would move the deadline to July 31 of next year. With Windows 7, the followup to Vista, scheduled for release in 2010, there may be just six months difference in time between availability of XP and the *next* version of Windows.  Our bet is that XP will remain available until the day Windows 7 ships...