My Technology Guide

Microsoft has released the official beta version of Windows 7 SP1 at last publicly. Users who want to download and install the beta version of SP1 are first needed to register at the Evaluation Center. During registration remember to select IT or any developer related occupation to be able to download Windows 7 Service Pack 1. SP1 is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7, and are available in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish language.

This service pack is also offered via Windows Update and in standard ISO image format, which is around 1.2 GB in size and required to be burned to a DVD first to use it.

Microsoft has released Office 2010. It is available in three different retail editions:

1. Office Home and Business 2010
2. Office Home and Student 2010
3. Office Professional 2010

Office Home and Student 2010 is the basic edition that is retailing for $149.99 and includes the core Office modules including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Office Home and Business 2010 which retails for $279.95 and includes Microsoft Outlook on top of what is offered in the basic edition. Office 2010 Professional which retails for $499.95 and is the only edition that includes Access 2010 and Publisher 2010.

We are back with another awesome giveaway for our readers! This time you will be able to win 2 free licenses of Handy Backup Professional absolutely FREE. Usually the license costs $99 but you can get it FREE!

We reviewed Handy Backup, a complete and extensive backup solution for day-to-day backup tasks. You can read about it: REVIEW: Handy Backup Server – Reliable Backup Solution for Enterprise Network.

Just follow these simple steps to be eligible for the lucky draw:

The award-winning server backup software by Novosoft LLC, Handy Backup Server is designed specially for centralized backup of enterprise networks. The program consists of a server part and client workstations. This software works well on windows server backup (including Windows 2008, 2003, 2000 Server), performing client-server backup scheme.

To protect your business from loss of critical data and to set you free from routine actions like manual backup and sync, Handy Backup Server has the following features:

If you need to change your Microsoft Office 2010 or Visio 2010 product key to resolve activation issues or other reasons, then you can do so very easily. You may also find How To Use Microsoft Office 2010 for 180 days Free without Activating? useful.

Previously we have shown "How To Change Windows Product Key After Install", so if you need to change your Windows 7 or Vista key, you can head over to that post for reference.

Now, coming back to today's topic on How to Change Product Key of Microsoft Office 2010 & Visio 2010, just follow the simple steps below:

If you have installed Microsoft Office 2010 and haven't activated it, you will find that Microsoft allows you to use the full functionality of Office 2010 for 30 days. After this 30 days of free usage, you have to register Microsoft Office 2010 to continue using it. But most of you will be happy to know that much like Microsoft Windows 7 (you can extend the trial up to 120 days), you can rearm and use Microsoft Office 2010 and extend the trial up to 6 months or 180 days. After this grace period, Office 2010 will automatically start functioning in reduced functionality mode to remind the user that the software needs to be activated.

Microsoft now requires all installed copy of Office 2010 to be activated, including licenses sold through volume licensing. So, the rearm function in Office 2010 is actually provided for the convenience of corporate customers. Microsoft allows in total 5 rearm of Office 2010, where after reset, added 30 days of free usage is allowed without activation. If the rearm is timed correctly at the last day of current 30 day cycle's end, theoretically, the 5 rearm can extend the free usage of Office 2010 up to 6 months or 180 days.

Microsoft is going to soon launch Microsoft Office 2010 for the public soon. If you are still not sure if you should switch to Microsoft Office 2010 or stay with the present Microsoft Office version, Microsoft is providing you the option to download and test the latest version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 free for 60 days through Technet Evaluation Center.

Since, Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 is the most complete edition of Microsoft Office 2010 (see Microsoft Office 2010 Edition Comparison table below), therefor it is best suited for testing and evaluation purposes. Hence, Microsoft is providing Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 for testing and evaluating purpose.