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.

Note:

• If your computer is running Windows 7, the Browser Choice application removes Internet Explorer from a pinned location on the Start menu and in the taskbar.
• If you do not set Internet Explorer as your default Web browser, the Browser Choice application does not make any changes to your computer.

Use Group Policy to Disable Browser Choice

1. Press [Windows Key] + [R] to open the Run dialog box and type gpedit.msc to open Group Policy Management Console.

2. Now, navigate to Computer Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry.
   

3. Here, right-click and create a new registry item (Registry > New > Registry Item).

4. Type Software\BrowserChoice in the Key Path then type Enable in the Value name, then select REG_DWORD as the value type 0 in the value data and then click OK.
   

5. You can then restart the computer to see that the browser choice screen does not appear again.

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.

Visual Studio 2010 SKU

With the release of the new Visual Studio 2010, Microsoft has reduced the number of SKU from nine to four.

This new naming scheme of Visual Studio 2010 (i.e., Professional, Premium, and Ultimate) is very similar to the Windows branding. With all these changes, Visual Studio is also getting a new logo, which was never changed before.

How to get Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0?

The final releases of both Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 are now available to the public via the Microsoft Download Center.

Note: If you’re using beta version or the RC build, uninstall them before installing the final release version.

If you want to download the Visual Studio 2010 Express editions, then visit: Microsoft.com/Express/Downloads

Below you will find a list of all the download links that are now available:

• Microsoft Visual Studio Test Professional 2010 – ISO (408.0MB)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (41.0MB)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (4.8MB)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (869KB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate – ISO (2283.0MB)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (48.1MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Test Professional 2010 (2.7MB)
• Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile (868KB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Premium – ISO (2275.5MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional – ISO (2192.6MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional (4.3MB)
• Visual Studio 2010 SDK (11.5MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Premium (4.5MB)
• Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime (5.9MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Shell (Isolated) Redistributable Package (166.8MB)
• Visual Studio Agents 2010 – ISO (514.7MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 F# Runtime 2.0 (1.2MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Team Explorer 2010 – ISO (303.8MB)
• Microsoft Report Viewer 2010 Redistributable Package (4.5MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Shell (Integrated) Redistributable Package (165.8MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010 – ISO (1566.5MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate (4.5MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Remote Debugger (25.6MB)
• Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 Training Kit (165.6MB)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Team Explorer Everywhere 2010 (21.7MB)

If you are a MSDN subscriber, then you will now have access to the final releases of both Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 as well. If you have MSDN access, go ahead and start downloading. If you are a student and is verified then you can download Visual Studio 2010 Professional Edition for free Microsoft Dreamspark website.

For more information about the releases, check out any of the links below:

Visual Studio 2010 Readme, Quick Tour of the Integrated Development Environment, What’s New in Visual Studio 2010, and What’s New in the .NET Framework 4.

[Additional information via Arstechnica]

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.

How to open defrag.exe through command line?

• First, click on the Star Orb (Start Button) and type cmd in the Start Menu Search box.
• Right-click on cmd and select Run as administrator, to open an elevated command prompt.
• Now type Defrag.exe followed by the options according to your need in the following syntax:

Defrag <volume> | /C | /E <volumes> [/A | /X | /T] [/H] [/M] [/U] [/V]

Note: Defrag syntax used for Windows 7 is different from the syntax used for defrag in Windows Vista.

Explanation of all the command line options available for Defrag.exe:

• <volume> The drive letter or mount point of the volume to defragment (for example, to defragment D: drive, type d: or if you want to defrag a mount point, d:\vol\mountpoint)
• /C Defragment all local volumes on the computer.
• /E Defragment all local volumes on the computer except those specified.
• /A Display a fragmentation analysis report for the specified volume without defrag¬menting it.
• /X Perform free-space consolidation. Free-space consolidation is useful if you need to shrink a volume, and it can reduce fragmentation of future files.
• /T Track an operation already in progress on the specified volume.
• /H Run the operation at normal priority instead of the default low priority. Specify this option if a computer is not otherwise in use.
• /M Defragment multiple volumes simultaneously, in parallel. This is primarily useful for computers that can access multiple disks simultaneously, such as those using SCSI- or SATA-based disks rather than disks with an IDE interface.
• /U Print the progress of the operation on the screen.
• /V Verbose mode. Provides additional detail and statistics.

Just use the switches as described above and take control over the whole defragmentation process using defrag in Windows 7.

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.

How to Block/Disable Browser Choice Update Screen on Windows?

1. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Run dialog box (Goto Start Menu > Run, or, press [ Windows Key ] + [ R ] to access the Run dialog box.)
2. Navigate to the following Registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\BrowserChoice
3. Create a new entry by right-clicking on the right pane and choosing “New DWORD“
4. Name it “Enable” and set the value to 0. This will stop displaying the Browser Choice screen. If you want to revert back, set this value to 1.

Read a brief FAQ related to the Browser Choice update (KB976002)

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.

Under the Menu tab, you will find loads of videos, which you can download and documents to refer to the new features available in Windows 7. Users can experience Windows 7 Professional in a fully functioning environment, without the hassle to download and install the trial version just to test Windows 7. Initially the set up might take a few minutes but after everything is settled you can test drive all the features of Windows 7.

[ Visit Windows 7 Demo Website ]

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.

Windows Activation Technologies helps you confirm that the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer is genuine. Additionally, Windows Activation Technologies helps protect against the risks of counterfeit software. Windows Activation Technologies in Windows 7 consists of activation and validation components that contain anti-piracy features.

• Activation is an anti-piracy technology that verifies the product key for the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer. The product key is a 25-character code that is located on the Certificate of Authenticity label or on the proof of license label. These labels are included with each genuine copy of Windows. A genuine product key can only be used on the number of computers that are specified in a software license.
• Validation is an online process that enables you to verify that the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer is activated correctly and is genuine.

The update is now only offered on the Microsoft website but will be added to Windows Update at a later time. It will however be an optional update in Windows Update as well for the time being. Obviously, users who have illegally activated Windows 7 will not install and run the Windows Activation Technologies update for Windows 7 as they might get their Windows 7 flagged as non genuine.

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.

Windows Activation Technologies update will be for all Windows 7 editions, although Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise edition will receive the update first. The update will be available online at Microsoft.com/Genuine starting from February 16, 2010 and on the Microsoft Download Center the following day. Later this month, the update will also be offered through Windows Update as an “Important” update, but it will not be directly offered through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

The update will be voluntary and the user can opt-out of installing it. Even if the update is installed, it can also be uninstalled at any time. After installing the update if it finds any known activation exploits in use to activate Windows 7, the built-in antipiracy notifications will start appearing. If the copy of Windows 7 is genuine with no activation exploits in practice, then the user will not see any prompts since the update runs quietly in the background.

Microsoft said that the customer will never see any reduced functionality, applications will work as expected and access to personal information is unchanged. Windows Activation Technology will then download the latest “signatures” every quarter to find new activation exploits, just like antivirus software uses for detecting virus and other malware files.

Microsoft also promised that the update will respect user’s privacy and none of the information that WAT sends to Microsoft’s servers will include personally identifiable information.

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.

Below is a small FAQ posted at the official announcement post.

1) How much does it cost to take a beta exam? — Absolutely nothing but your time.   There is no charge.  Nothing from Microsoft or Prometric.

2) Is this a real exam? — Yes it is.  Even though the questions are not scored at the time you take the exam, they are real questions and the exam is real.  If you pass the exam, you earn the certification just the same as if you took it in a non-beta environment.  This means you don’t get a pass/fail or score immediately following the exam, but you do get notified 8 to 10 weeks later because we move slow in getting the final scoring in place.

4) What is the main difference between a beta and non-beta exam, besides cost?— The beta exam will show you questions that have not been through a final QA check.  You are that final QA check.  Non-beta exams expose you to 40 or 45 questions and you have a total of two hours to complete it.  The beta exam could expose you to as many as 125 to 150 questions and take up to four hours.  (bathroom breaks permitted).

5) Who is eligible? — The prep guides will go into more detail about the target audience for the exams, and the links to those will be forthcoming, but, If you use .NET 2.0, 3.5, or 4, and Visual Studio to create software applications using the technologies included in the .NET framework, you are eligible.

6) Why is this beta different from others? — In the past, we have focused our beta invitations on a small set of subject matter experts.  We want to expand the beta offerings even more to industry experts who haven’t taken an exam yet, are considering it but don’t want to invest the money until hey know what the exam is all about, and to get a larger set of experts providing the feedback to help drive quality.

7) In the past, I have tried to register but the exam slots were all full.  How will this be any different? — We set a maximum limit on the number of beta exams that can be delivered.  This is necessary for various reasons, some obvious and some not, but I won’t be going into those here.  To alleviate the issue of the exams filling up, we are increasing this maximum limit to address two problems, not enough open seats and no-shows.  That’s right, people actually register for an exam and then don’t show up to take it.  Even it is free.  No-shows result in exam seats being unavailable to someone who wanted to take it but could not.

When will these be available? — All but one exam will be available between the dates of March 31, 2010 to April 20, 2010.  Mark your calendars now!  We will also be opening registration earlier for these as well.

9) What exams are we talking about? —

70-511 TS: Windows Applications Development with Microsoft® .NET Framework 4 
70-513 TS: Windows Communication Foundation Development with Microsoft® .NET Framework 4 
70-515 TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft® .NET Framework 4 
70-516 TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft® .NET Framework 4 
70-519 Pro: Designing and Developing Web Applications using Microsoft® .NET Framework 4

70-518 Pro: Designing and Developing Windows® Applications using Microsoft .NET Framework 4 will not be available in this time frame but should be available in the April time frame.

10) How do you sign up? — In a little while, I will be making a post to this blog again with the link to the prep guide, Prometric’s web site for registration and the all important beta exam codes that change that cost in your shopping cart to $0.

As said in the FAQ, exams will be made available between the dates of March 31, 2010 to April 20, 2010. Registration will open soon. If you are interested then you can watch the Beta Exam blog for further notices.