Microsoft released Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) in February 2011. Now, Microsoft has made available Windows 7 ISO images integrated with SP1.

Earlier, we have provided official DigitalRiver direct download links of Windows 7. But, you had to download and run Service Pack 1 separately (or through Windows Updates) to update your Windows 7. If you want to slipstream SP1 into Windows 7 installation DVD, so that when you reinstall Windows 7, you don’t need to again download SP1 separately, you can now stop searching. You can now download Official Windows 7 SP1 integrated ISO images directly from Digital River Servers, who are the official partners of Microsoft for distributing Windows 7.

Downloading the files from Digital River is absolutely legal and free as Microsoft uses them as an official download channel. However, without obtaining a legally obtained product key, you will be able to run Windows 7 installation for 30 days. After 30 days, Windows 7 needs to be activated, or the evaluation grace period be reset. If you already own a key, you can activate the ISO you will download from Digital River.

You can very easily be convert the downloaded ISO image into universal Windows 7 editions installation media. FYI, the x86 is the 32-bit edition and the x64 is the 64-bit edition. All the links below are English (USA) language.

Download Windows 7 Integrated SP1 ISO Images

Windows 7 Home Premium x86 SP1 ISO

X17-24208.iso (bootable)

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 ISO

X17-24209.iso (bootable)

Windows 7 Professional x86 SP1 ISO

X17-24280.iso (bootable)

Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 ISO

X17-24281.iso (bootable)

Windows 7 Ultimate x86 SP1 ISO

X17-24394.iso (bootable)

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 ISO

X17-24395.iso (bootable)

After you have downloaded the ISO, you can burn it to DVD using any DVD writing software that supports writing disc images or double-click on the image if you are running Windows 7 already. [via]

We hosted two of the most anticipated giveaway for our readers. The first one, Windows 7 Ultimate License: Be Genuine giveaway, with WinSpark Networks collaboration and the second one, Online Microsoft Office Training by Webucator giveaway. Today, we will announce the winner of both the giveaways through this post.

Let us first announce the lucky winner of Windows 7 Ultimate license. But before announcing the name of the lucky reader, we would like to first thank everyone who participated in this giveaway. Everyone did a great job by sharing about this giveaway through various channels to their friends and loved ones. We received 100+ entries and everyone participated with great enthusiasm.

Believe us, we really had tough job in collecting the shares, verifying the entries and awarding the points. But we loved the job and we do liked everyone’s answer to the question “Which Windows 7 feature you loved the most?”

We learned a lot through this event and we will make our future events much more easy for everyone to participate. Without taking much more time, we would like to tell everyone that the person whom we have chosen the winner got 1220 points in total, closely followed by one participant who have received 1200 points in total.

Below is the name of the winner of our Windows 7 Ultimate License: Be Genuine Giveaway.

• elda taluta

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the license. The winner has to respond to our email (which will be sent within 24 hours of this announcement) within two weeks, failing which the next person will be awarded the license. We would like to thank again our partner WinSpark Networks, for sponsoring this giveaway.

Now, coming to our next giveaway “Online Microsoft Office Training by Webucator.”

Participating in this giveaway was made very simple for everyone. Out of the entries, we randomly chosen the winner of this giveaway. The winner will receive a free seat in a Microsoft Office instructor-led online class by Webucator worth $390. The class will run from 10am-5pm Eastern Time.

Below is the name of the winner of our Online Microsoft Office Training by Webucator giveaway.

• Steven Dubbs

Congratulations to the lucky winner. We will send you further instructions through email soon.

Thank you all for making these two events a grant success. Some other exclusive giveaways are on its way, so if you are not a winner this time, hope for the best in our next giveaway.

My Technology Guide readers will love this giveaway as they have to do nothing to win this! Thanks to LotSoft, the developers of the application, we were able to get unlimited licenses for the BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate. The application is a DVD clone software which can also backup and rip DVD’s. We will talk about the giveaway at the end of this article, but first, lets see how good is BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate.

Now, coming to the user interface, when you start the application, you will notice big buttons to do a full DVD disc backup or a DVD title backup at the top. When you click on those buttons, the program automatically changes the options that are available for the task. After inserting a DVD, it fills up information about the DVD, including cover art, name, studio, director and performers automatically.

The program supports all known copy protections like CSS, CPRM, CPPM, RC, RCE, APS, UOPs, SONY ARccOS, Rip-Guard, Disney X-DRM protection etc. It comes with GPU acceleration which can greatly improve the decryption and copying speed. Most of the time you simply have to click on the big Run button and the program will take care of everything.

The unique Sector to Sector copying and GPU accelerating technologies helps speed up tasks such as DVD Cloning, Data backup, ISO burning etc. Though the program will work depends largely on the speed of the DVD drive, the processor, computer memory available and if the video card can be used for GPU acceleration or not.

Features of BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate :

1. Can create perfect DVD Backups of Raw Content.
2. Removes all known DVD copy protections, such as CSS, CPRM, CPPM, RC, RCE, APS, UOPs, SONY ARccOS, Rip-Guard, Disney X-DRM protection, etc.
3. Clone Entire DVD to Blank DVD: Lets you backup full content of DVD-5 or DVD-9 movies as a DVD folder or ISO image on your PC hard drive or USB drive.
4. Lets you backup the “Main Movie” in the DVD or only certain chapters from the DVD.
5. You can burn ISO file or DVD folder to a blank DVD or re-writable DVD.
6. Built-in virtual DVD drive allows you to load and unload any ISO image file for processing.
7. Compatible with Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit), Vista (32 & 64 bit) and Windows XP

BDlot DVD Clone Ultimate is very easy to use and requires very little user interventions. The options available for the tasks are easy to understand and the help file is very extensive. It covers all the functions of the program along with How-To’s.

Giveaway

We have an unlimited amount DVD Clone Ultimate licenses. To win this giveaway, you don’t have to do anything, you don’t need to subscribe us (even though we will like it if you do as you will receive our updates in your email!) or do any other stuffs.

Simply, download the program from the developer website, and enter the license code BU-TUUPTTZU-HBRSRO after installation to activate it. But do remember, you have to register using the license code on or before August 7.

Two years back on June 14th, 2009, we posted our very first welcome message here. We officially started our journey as a technology website, with our commitment to bring the most benefits for our readers, subscribers, fans, followers, sponsors and everyone involved on July 1st, 2009.

Since, then almost two years have passed and we have enjoyed every single moment of being with you all. As we are getting ready to start another new term of My Technology Guide, we bring to you the most anticipated giveaway of all times in the history of My Technology Guide. And on this auspicious time, what more can we think of giving away except a genuine license of Windows 7 Ultimate to one of our most valued and loyal reader.

With WinSpark Networks collaboration, we bring to you all, Windows 7 Ultimate License and Be Genuine Giveaway. Through this giveaway, you can win yourself a genuine license of Windows 7 Ultimate edition.

Before we talk about the rules for entering this giveaway, let us give a brief description of WinSpark. The website is exclusively devoted to tech thoughts on various Microsoft technology products, software reviews, how to’s and troubleshooting tips. Do visit them, you will definitely like the website and its great content.

Overview of Windows 7 Ultimate

Windows 7 Ultimate is designed for people who want it all. It gives you everything Home Premium and Professional offers, plus added security features and the flexibility to work in multiple languages. Create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch TV programs for free, whenever and wherever you want.

How to enter Windows 7 Ultimate Exclusive Giveaway?

The rules are simple. Gain as much points as you can by performing any of the steps below, fill up the giveaway form and comment here.

Required Step, will earn you 200 points:

Subscribe for our email updates and don’t forget to confirm the subscription (served via Google FeedBurner)

Gain Points and Maximize your chances of Winning by performing the following steps:

Plus One us on Google. (10 points)

If you are on Facebook, Like our official Facebook page. (10 points)

Share this giveaway with your Facebook buddies and gain extra 10 points.

If you are on Twitter, Follow us and Retweet the following snippet. (20 points)

Get yourself a free #Windows 7 Ultimate License and Be Genuine : http://goo.gl/uGMih via @manekari @mytechguide

Answer this simple question and get 100 points:

Which windows 7 feature you loved the most?

Additionally, you can share about this giveaway with your buddies using the Share buttons below to gain extra 10 points for each action.

Update (22 June, 2011): You can increase your points by sharing on a daily basis, with one condition that you can share to respective services only once in 24 hours time span. For example, you can tweet about the giveaway only once in 24 hours.

The more points that you accumulate, better are your chances for winning!

Did we mention that if you are not into social networking that much, you can still take part and try your luck by simply being our email subscriber? Simply fill up the entry form below and don’t forget to answer the question.

Update (11 July 2011): We have disabled the entry form. We are not accepting any new entries. We will now validate the entries and will count the points. If you have shared about this in different channels but you have not commented about the shares in the comment section below. You can do so now. The winner will be announced after a week or so. We need at least this much time for all the validation of the huge number of entries. Best of luck to all the participants.

General Giveaway Terms and Conditions

Updated

1. No purchase necessary.

2. This contest is open worldwide.
3. Kindly use your genuine email id (used to subscribe to our email subscription) and full name for participating in this giveaway.
4. All entries must be made using the form on the giveaway page.
5. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost, or which are not received for any technical reason.

6. The closing date for the giveaway is 10^th July, 2011.
7. If you win, we will notify you by e-mail.
8. If we do not get a response to the email within two weeks, the prize will be offered to a runner-up.
9. 
The prize is not exchangeable for cash or any other prize.

10. If, for any reason, an advertised prize is not available, we reserve the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.

11. Incorrectly completed entries will be disqualified. An entry which doesn’t follow the terms and conditions and our comments policy will be disqualified.
12. All federal, state, local, and other taxes on items won are the sole responsibility of the applicable winner.
13. Void where prohibited by law.
14. By entering, entrants certify that they meet all eligibility requirements.
15. By entering, winners also agree to all Terms and Conditions of MyTechGuide.org.
16. My Technology Guide holds the complete rights to change the Terms and Conditions without prior notice.
17. Our decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered.

Play Fair and Be Genuine! Good Luck!

Microsoft is giving away a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate to the ten (10) “Best Windows Story” from IT Professionals. Stories can be related to how Windows 7 saved your company money, solving your application compatibility issues, deployment, management of your installations, and virtually anything else.

The more compelling your story, the better chance you have to win.

To enter in this contest, send an email to WinStory@microsoft.com. Emails must include your story as an attachment (in .doc or .docx format), must be written and submitted in English and your contact information including first/last name, business, and email address.

Story must be no more than 2 double spaced pages with normal margins. Story must be about how your business was helped by implementing Windows 7 or migrating to Windows 7 from Windows XP or Windows Vista.

You are eligible to enter this Contest if you meet the following requirements at time entry:

• You are an IT Professional 18 years of age or older whose business has previously deployed Windows 7;  and
  • If you are 18 of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, you should ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Contest; and
• You are NOT a resident of any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.
  • PLEASE NOTE: U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Therefore residents of these countries / regions are not eligible to participate.
• You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and
• You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest; and
• You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Contest.

On or around February 28, 2011, a panel of judges will review all eligible entries received and select ten (10) winners of the Contest Prizes described below based upon judging criteria described below.

Judging Criteria

• 25% – Compelling story about the value Windows 7 provides to your organization
• 25% – Ability to overcome migration or deployment challenges
• 25% – Solutions used to overcome challenges
• 25% – Ability to clearly document your story

Ten (10) Grand Prize. A Not for Resale English version of Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $299.99. The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes: $2999.90

This Contest starts at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on December 15, 2010 and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on January 31, 2011 (“Entry Period”).

Sounds interesting? Visit the actual contest page at TechNet for detailed rules and information about the contest!

[via TWC]

In Windows, you can use the shell: command to quickly open any special folder directly from the Start Menu, Search menu or the Run dialog box.

Suppose, if you want to launch the Documents folder of your user profile, you’ve to type shell:Personal. In Windows 7, if you want to get access to Libraries, you’ve to type shell:Libraries.

There are many shell: commands available in Windows. These shell: commands are very useful if you want to quickly access or open special folders in Windows. If you want to have all the shell: commands list, for quick reference, we have compiled the list of ultimate complete shell: commands available for Windows 7, Vista and Windows XP.

You may be also interested in Beyond Windows 7 “GodMode” — 94 More Secret Windows Shortcuts Unveiled and 140+ Useful Windows Keyboard Shortcuts.

Complete Windows XP shell command list

shell:Common Programs
shell:Favorites
shell:My Video
shell:System
shell:CommonVideo
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
shell:Cookies
shell:My Pictures
shell:Cache
shell:AppData
shell:My Music
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Profile
shell:Start Menu
shell:Common AppData
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:Administrative Tools
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:Common Startup
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:SendTo
shell:ResourceDir
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:PrintHood
shell:CD Burning
shell:Common Start Menu
shell:Templates
shell:Programs
shell:Recent
shell:Desktop
shell:CommonPictures
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:Common Templates
shell:Startup
shell:Common Desktop
shell:NetHood
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:SystemX86
shell:History
shell:Common Documents
shell:Local AppData
shell:Windows
shell:Fonts
shell:Personal

Complete Windows Vista shell command list

shell:Common Programs
shell:GameTasks
shell:UserProfiles
shell:MyComputerFolder
shell:SyncSetupFolder
shell:DpapiKeys
shell:SamplePlaylists
shell:Favorites
shell:My Video
shell:SearchHomeFolder
shell:System
shell:CommonVideo
shell:SyncResultsFolder
shell:LocalizedResourcesDir
shell:Cookies
shell:Original Images
shell:CommonMusic
shell:My Pictures
shell:Cache
shell:Downloads
shell:CommonDownloads
shell:AppData
shell:SyncCenterFolder
shell:My Music
shell:ConflictFolder
shell:SavedGames
shell:InternetFolder
shell:Quick Launch
shell:SystemCertificates
shell:Contacts
shell:TreePropertiesFolder
shell:Profile
shell:Start Menu
shell:Common AppData
shell:PhotoAlbums
shell:ConnectionsFolder
shell:Administrative Tools
shell:PrintersFolder
shell:Default Gadgets
shell:ProgramFilesX86
shell:Searches
shell:Common Startup
shell:ControlPanelFolder
shell:SampleVideos
shell:SendTo
shell:ResourceDir
shell:ProgramFiles
shell:CredentialManager
shell:PrintHood
shell:MAPIFolder
shell:CD Burning
shell:AppUpdatesFolder
shell:Common Start Menu
shell:LocalAppDataLow
shell:Templates
shell:Gadgets
shell:Programs
shell:Recent
shell:SampleMusic
shell:Desktop
shell:CommonPictures
shell:RecycleBinFolder
shell:CryptoKeys
shell:Common Templates
shell:Startup
shell:Links
shell:OEM Links
shell:SamplePictures
shell:Common Desktop
shell:NetHood
shell:Games
shell:Common Administrative Tools
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder
shell:SystemX86
shell:History
shell:AddNewProgramsFolder
shell:Playlists
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86
shell:PublicGameTasks
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
shell:Public
shell:Common Documents
shell:CSCFolder
shell:Local AppData
shell:Windows
shell:UsersFilesFolder
shell:ProgramFilesCommon
shell:Fonts
shell:Personal

Complete Windows Vista shell command list

Note: All the shell commands available in Windows Vista works in Windows 7, so we are not repeating them here. We have listed below only the new shell commands that are available in addition to the shell commands available in Windows Vista here:

shell:Libraries
shell:MusicLibrary
shell:VideosLibrary
shell:OtherUsersFolder
shell:Device Metadata Store
shell:PublicSuggestedLocations
shell:SuggestedLocations
shell:RecordedTVLibrary
shell:UserProgramFiles
shell:DocumentsLibrary
shell:User Pinned
shell:UsersLibrariesFolder
shell:PicturesLibrary
shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts
shell:UserProgramFilesCommon
shell:Ringtones
shell:CommonRingtones

Note: We have not given any description beside each shell: command as you can easily make out what they are supposed to do by looking at its name. If you are still confused about any of the command, simply comment below, we will help you out. If we missed out any command that you know or if you’ve found any errors in the above, do comment below.

Windows XP Mode is freely available for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise users. It allows you to run legacy applications inside a Windows XP virtual machine running in the background. Windows XP Mode was primarily designed to help businesses move from Windows XP to Windows 7. Almost all programs that are compatible with Windows Vista and a majority of Windows XP programs, run well in Windows 7. But, if a program doesn’t run properly even after trying the Program Compatibility troubleshooter, you can run the program in Windows XP Mode.

Windows XP Mode runs in a separate window on the Windows 7 desktop, much like a program, except it’s a fully functional version of Windows XP. When you install a program in Windows XP Mode, the program appears in both the Windows XP Mode list of programs and in the Windows 7 list of programs, so you can open the program directly from Windows 7. Do note that it isn’t optimized for graphic-intensive programs such as 3D games or for programs with hardware requirements such as TV tuners.

The most important hardware requirement for using XP mode is a computer with a processor that supports hardware-assisted virtualization such as AMD-V, Intel-VT or VIA VT.  Microsoft has a helpful tool that will detect if your hardware is compatible called the HAV Detection Tool. On some computers the feature may be turned off in the BIOS, click here for instructions on how to turn it on. The other requirements are as follows:

Setting up and Using Windows XP Mode

First, visit the Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC website, and click Get Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC now.

In the Windows 7 system type drop-down list, select 32-bit or 64-bit depending on what Windows 7 version that you are using currently running. Next, in the Windows XP Mode language drop-down list, select the language you want to use for Windows XP Mode.

To find out whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7, click on the Start button, then right-click on Computer, and then click on Properties. The information about the version that you are using appears under System, next to the System type.

After selecting the options, download both Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC.

After installing the Windows Virtual PC component you will need to reboot your computer.

After the reboot, click on the Start Menu and navigate through All Programs, Windows Virtual PC and select Windows XP Mode to begin configuring XP Mode.

Accept the license terms and then click on Next.

Next, you will need to specify the password for the local account XPMuser that runs in the XP virtual machine. Type in a password in both boxes and click Next.

Windows XP Mode runs a fully functional Windows XP virtual machine in the background so it must be patched every month as new security updates are released to keep applications running in the VM protected.  The best way to do this is by turning on Automatic Updates.  Check Help protect my computer by turning on Automatic Updates now and click Next.

Now click on Start Setup. Setup will now run and configure the Windows XP virtual machine.  This will take a few minutes.

After the setup is completed, Windows XP virtual machine will be displayed. At this point install any applications in the XP Virtual Machine like you normally install applications.

After the program’s setup is completed, you will see the programs icons in the Windows 7 Start Menu under All Programs, Windows Virtual PC and finally Windows XP Mode applications.

Just click on one of the shortcuts and the application will load in just like a locally installed app.

If you ever want to service or install more application in the XP Virtual Machine just click on the Start Menu and navigate through All Programs, Windows Virtual PC and select Windows XP Mode. That will start the XP virtual machine in desktop mode.

This article is a compilation of the 40 must have tools for any system administrator or power users. These tools are all freeware and comes very handy in those nightmarish situations to save our lives!

Picture courtesy Javier Aroche

[ Additional information courtesy Sunbelt Blog ]

Microsoft in an official announcement has released pricing information for the Windows 7 Family Pack and Windows Anytime Upgrade. For homes with multiple PCs, Microsoft is providing an affordable solution with their Windows 7 Family Pack. This special edition of Windows 7 is basically consisting of Windows 7 Home Premium which will be licensed for installation on up to 3 PCs. It is really useful if you want to run Windows 7 on more than one PC on a home network, and share files, music and photos with your family easily.

The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available starting on October 22nd until supplies last here in the US and other select markets. In the US, the price for the Windows 7 Family Pack will be $149.99 for 3 Windows 7 Home Premium licenses. Its a great value pack as you can save more than $200 for three licenses.

With Windows Anytime Upgrade (or WAU), it is very easy to upgrade anytime to a higher edition of Windows 7. WAU allows customers on Starter, Home Premium, or Professional to upgrade to a higher version of Windows 7 without paying the full price. For a step by step procedure for WAU click here.

[News Source: The Windows Team Blog, Windows 7 News ]