With the launch of Windows 7 just a week away, many businesses will already be thinking of how to shift their PC estate to the new OS.   According to analyst house Gartner, there are a number of issues companies should already be considering ahead of any planned switch - including the need to put an end to Windows XP.   The looming end of support for Windows XP will be the spur for many businesses to adopt Microsoft's latest OS, Gartner distinguished analyst Michael Silver said.   more >

Microsoft has been thinking about Windows 8 for a while now even through the production of Windows 7. Some information has been gathered by our friends over at Ars, and all of this said information points to possible 128-bit versions of Windows 8 and definite 128-bit versions of Windows 9. Update: Other technophiles better-versed than I in this whole 64/128-bit business pointed out that it must be for the filesystem (such as ZFS described in this article) rather than the processor and memory sch

At a Glance:   * Make Windows 7 faster * Get more done with Windows 7 * The best Windows 7 shortcuts * Securing Windows 7       Windows 7 may be Microsoft’s most anticipated product ever. It builds on Windows Vista’s positives, and eliminates many of that OS’s negatives. It adds new functionality, too—all in a package that is less resource-hungry than its predecessor. And whether or not you're upgrading from Vista or skipping it altogether and moving up from Windows XP,

InfoWorld's J. Peter Bruzzese takes an admin look the key decisions and options you'll have to address to ensure a successful migration to Windows 7. Bruzzese's guide -- which includes a hands-on video tour of Windows 7 and a deep-dive PDF report that provides Windows 7 benchmarks -- examines hardware and software compatibility issues, addresses the licensing question, and lends insight for those Windows shops considering the virtualized desktop route.   via > http://www.osnews.com/story/22

"Thanks to everyone's feedback, we're happy to announce that Windows XP Mode has RTM'd today. We expect to make the final release of Windows XP Mode available via the Microsoft Download Center on October 22nd. OEMs will be able to offer Windows XP Mode on their PCs based on their manufacturing schedules."   via http://www.osnews.com/story/22272/XP_Mode_Hits_RTM_Status

Windows 7 will be released October 22, and the pricing information for both the full and upgrade versions have been known for a while. However, as most of us geeks will know, there's a third variant you can buy, apart from upgrades and full versions: OEM or system builder releases. NewEgg has leaked the pricing information for these releases too.     In stores in the western world, you'll be confronted with three Windows versions: Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate (although that last

Microsoft have released their free anti-virus and anti-malware software (codenamed 'Morro') to the public, under the name of 'Microsoft Security Essentials'.   Microsoft's intent to release free anti-virus software has been known for as long ago as 2004 when Microsoft bought out GeCad and Pelican Software.   Microsoft also purchased Giant Antispyware (which was generally considered to be a good product at the time) and later became Windows Defender, as well as being built into Windows Vista

ActiveWin has published their usual in-depth review of the new Windows release, in this case, Windows 7. It's 70 pages long, and divided up into 26 sections. "Should you upgrade? Most certainly, there is no on the fence, if’s or buts about it. This is a major upgrade both Windows XP and Vista users will certainly see benefits from. Vista was of course a hard sell because of the major architectural changes it introduced, Windows 7 reaps the benefits."   via > http://www.osnews.com/story/2221