Network Velocity » Microsoft

Microsoft Windows 7 to include “XP Mode”

Stuart — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:49:29 +0000

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 a virtualized app in the future without thinking about it.It is, in a way, a 100% compatibility promise

Simply put, XP Mode will be a licensed version of XP that is run on top of Windows 7. Important items to remember from this announcement:

-Microsoft is not offering Vista Mode. That omission speaks to their success with Vista.
-Running XP Mode on top of Windows 7 will not be available in all versions of Windows 7.
-XP Mode will require additional hardware resources

This announcement shows that Microsoft has learned from the migration to Vista but it’s far from a convenient solution for users.

Full disclosure: Network Velocity has been running Windows 7 on several test machines for months. So far Windows 7 is better than Vista, but migration issues may remain for those upgrading from XP. For more information, contact us.

Windows XP and Office 2003 reach end of Microsoft lifecycle

Stuart — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:39:23 +0000

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 software lifecycle.

Microsoft plans to launch the next version of Windows (named Windows 7 while in beta) in early 2010. Windows Server 2008 was released last year.

Where does this move leave small businesses that run Microsoft Software? There are two choices: budget for licensing upgrade fees for Microsoft Office or consider Microsoft alternatives. Network Velocity is recommending every client give Google Apps serious consideration. Google Apps is now a viable alternative to Microsoft Office for small to medium sized businesses.

For more information on how the end of support for Microsoft products may affect your business or to learn about Google Apps as an alternative please contact us at 858-270-3595.

Microsoft releases critical IE security patch

Stuart — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:58:20 +0000

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

Stuart — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:57:12 +0000

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. This is a favorite exploit method for hackers as they can easily propagate bad software via this type of vulnerability to any computer on the same network. This patch affects all versions of Windows, including the beta release of Windows 7 (the successor to Windows Vista).

Network Velocity has already begun deployment of this critical patch to our clients. We recommend everyone read about and deploy this patch for their home computers as well.

Windows XP

Windows Vista

UPDATED:

Two worms have been recognized as exploiting this vulnerability.

Windows XP downgrade deadline extended to July 31, 2009

Stuart — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:44:26 +0000

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.

Our recommendation remains to stick with Windows XP for business class machines. The learning curve and compatibility issues of Vista don’t make good business sense!