In the context of Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista RTM was easy to ignore throughout, but with the introduction of Service Pack 1, the equation of the latest Windows client has evolved.

SP1 represents not only a maturity milestone for Windows Vista, but also a stage in the life of the operating system that will catalyze a boost in uptake. But at the same time, the rapidly approaching cut-off date for the availability of Windows XP and the increasing focus of the OEM market on XP’s successor mean that consumers will find it increasingly hard to avoid Windows Vista. Continue Reading »
The Art of Blocking and Dodging Vista SP1

When Windows Vista was unleashed in January 31, 2008, Microsoft was promising performance, security, innovation, all wrapped up under an umbrella of a Wow user experience.

Instead Vista got a mixed reception, and a barrage of criticism over how bloated it was, over hardware resources consumption, over hardware and software incompatibility issues, over poor support, over the nagging User Account Control, etc. Everything that didn’t tic to perfection in Vista was dissected and thrown to the dogs. And Vista made it easy… Microsoft’s own customers’ satisfaction studies for Vista indicates that potential buyers failed to warm up to the latest Windows client. The same is not valid for end users. Continue Reading »
Vista SP1 to Cure the Vista RTM Wow Hangover

Software licensing is often hard to understand. But that’s no excuse for so-called Windows experts to deliberately publish sensational stories that turn the facts upside-down.

I’m talking about the fuss that Scott Dunn and Brian Livingston kicked up in yesterday’s version of the Windows Secrets newsletter, in which Dunn breathlessly proclaimed the existence of an “upgrade hack” in Windows Vista that “allows end users to purchase the ‘upgrade edition’ and install it on any PC — with no need to purchase the more expensive ‘full edition.’” Continue Reading »
A Cute Vista License Loophole

The fact that Microsoft has relaxed its antipiracy mechanism built into Windows Vista concomitantly with the release of Service Pack 1 failed to stop hackers from providing a crack for the latest version of Windows Genuine Advantage Validation.

Various reports point out that Genuine Advantage Validation and Notifications versions 1.7.69.1 (1.7.0069.1) and 1.7.69.2 released in March 2008, following the March 18 availability of Windows Vista SP1 through Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center, have been cracked. Continue Reading »
WGA for Vista SP1 Already Cracked!

I like my PCs fast. Really fast. The problem is, Windows is an inherently slow system. It loads device drivers you don’t need. It has a crappy file system that leaves fragments. It runs services that conflict and add to boot time. Why- I remember that a brand new install of Vista normally takes 1.5 minutes to load- and all it has is MS Office, Adobe and Corel Draw installed!

It’s for this reason that I love using system optimizers. I’ve spent a lot on various offerings from download.com but have fallen in love with just one: Ashampoo WinOptimizer. It’s one baby that did everything for me! Continue Reading »
Review: Ashampoo WinOptimizer Puts PC On Nitro

This comprehensive PC-care utility has a one-click approach to helping protect, repair and optimize your PC. Advanced WindowsCare Personal Edition helps protect, optimize, and repair your PC –– with daily use. Continue Reading »
Review: Advanced Windows Care 3 B1

There’s rumor that Vista SP1 enhanced Linksys Extenders with a punchy of a speed boost, especially in the transition and animation arena.

Now, it’s doubtful that the system would match the Xbox 360 just yet, but partnered with a speedy PC and SP1 the overall experience might just bump past the ceiling. Continue Reading »
Review: Vista SP1 Gets Extenders a Speed Boost

This week, Microsoft has updated the set of offerings which permit end users to access free copies of Windows Vista and Windows XP SP2.

Despite the fact that giving out free versions of its operating system contradicts the Redmond company’s proprietary business model, both its latest Windows client and its predecessor are up for grabs at no charge at all. The downloads are made available via the Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Image. Continue Reading »
Windows Vista and XP SP2 Downloads Updated