How To Use Group Policy Management Console to Disable Browser Choice?

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We previously shared a quick tip about a registry tweak using which you can disable browser choice update screen on windows. Off late, I have found a lot of people still asking how they can disable the browser choice screen in Windows.

The registry tweak was based on a knowledge base article (KB2019411) released by Microsoft, explaining how IT administrators can disable a Browser Choice screen for their users using a simple registry key. Now, you can get the same result by using the Group Policy Preferences editor and its also easier to use than the registry editor. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browsers, Internet, Internet Explorer, Tips and Tricks, Vista, Windows, Windows 7

Visual Studio 2010 & .NET Framework 4.0 Released, Download Links Included

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Microsoft today announced the general availability of Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4. In addition, Microsoft boasted that the new Visual Studio editor, which now uses Windows Presentation Foundation, supports the use of multiple monitors, Windows 7 multi-touch, and the ribbon interface seen in other Microsoft products. One of the most useful features is IntelliTrace, which Microsoft claims that it makes non-reproducible bugs almost a thing of the past by recording the application’s execution history and providing reproduction of the reported bug.

.NET Framework version 4 adds more support for industry standards, which now includes the Dynamic Language Runtime for more language choice, supports high-performance middle-tier applications (including parallel programming, workflow, and service-oriented applications), and side-by-side installation with .NET Framework 3.5. With the new .NET Framework 4 Client Profile, size of the runtime has been decreased by over 80 percent. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News and Updates, Windows

How To Use the Command Line for More Control over Windows Defrag

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The graphical version of Windows 7 Defrag utility seldom offers much control over the defragment process. If you are a power user and want more complete control over the defragmentation process in Windows 7, then Microsoft provides you with the command line version of  the Defrag utility.

The command line version of Defrag (Defrag.exe) offers a number of options (command line argument or command switches) for the user to fiddle with all the features and control it offers. In this article, you will learn about the different command switches available that Defrag.exe offers you. You just need to append those switches according to your need. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tips and Tricks, Windows, Windows 7

How to Disable Browser Choice Update Screen on Windows [Quick Tip]

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Microsoft has recently published an article detailing steps required to disable or remove the Browser Ballot (or Browser Choice) screen. Starting this March, the Browser Choice screen began displaying on Windows machines for European customers. If you are a regular user annoyed by it or if you are a system administrator who wants to manage the display of the Browser Choice update screen in managed personal computing environments that are under a Volume Licensing program. Then here is a solution for you all which will help you disable the Browser Choice update screen.

Update: Another way to disable browser choice screen can be found here. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Browsers, Internet, Tips and Tricks, Vista, Windows, Windows 7

Microsoft Launches Windows 7 Demo Website to Lure New Customers

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Microsoft Windows 7 RC testers knows very well that the RC version is expiring in March, 2010. They have to now upgrade to the RTM/final retail version of Windows 7 to continue. If you have not still used Windows 7 or still using Windows XP or Windows Vista, Microsoft has launched a Windows 7 demo website, so that you can test drive Windows 7 features. The website is very straight forward and offers a very simple way to test drive Windows 7 before you make up your mind to buy it. The minimum requirement to run the website is IE6+ with JavaScript turned on. It will install an ActiveX control from Microsoft to run the demo. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News and Updates, Windows, Windows 7

Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7 Now Available

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We have covered the news about “Microsoft to Release Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) Update for Windows 7” earlier. This has been apparently made available as a knowledge base article that links to the update which can be downloaded for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 computer.

As discussed earlier, the update basically improves the capabilities of the Windows 7 operating system to detect activation hacks that is used to activate the operating system without a purchased genuine product key. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News and Updates, Windows, Windows 7

Microsoft to Release Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) Update for Windows 7

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Microsoft will be releasing “Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) Update for Windows 7“. As the name suggests, it is an update for WAT, the built-in activation and validation components present in Windows 7. This new update will detect “more than 70 known and potentially dangerous activation exploits” that attempt to bypass or compromise WAT and will decide if the copy of Windows 7 installed is genuine or not-genuine. It will also improve the integrity of key licensing components on the OS and will run periodic validation check every 90 days. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News and Updates, Windows, Windows 7

Microsoft Announces Free Certification Exams

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Microsoft has announced on TechNet blog about offering free certification “beta” exams for the developers. ”Beta” exams, as Microsoft have named this exam, are actual exams. During the exam development process, the actual exams will be made available, at a Prometric testing center, for no charge. This helps them increase exam quality by having industry experts evaluate each question, by taking the exam, and providing feedback to Microsoft. The feedback is then used to fix, replace, or scrap questions from the exams. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News and Updates, Windows