Windows 7 Tablet: Success Against the iPad

Initial reactions to the iPad earlier this year may have been mixed, but Apple's elegant tablet PC has since caught fire, racking up a devoted following and monster sales.

Between March and June, over 3 million iPads were sold worldwide, and new data from market research firm iSuppli shows that the iPad will dominate the tablet market by almost three to one until 2012.

Meanwhile, all the major computer vendors are working on a tablet. Some are running Google's Android mobile OS; some are running a proprietary OS such as RIM's rumored BlackPad and Hewlett-Packard's planned consumer tablet running WebOS.

And then there's Windows 7. Microsoft's successful client OS is currently running on a few tablet PCs, and according to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will be on a variety of tablets "over the next several months." Two of the most anticipated Windows 7 tablets scheduled for 2011 are the MSI WindPad and the HP Slate.

But can a Windows 7 tablet really break ground against the mighty iPad? In a recent report titled "The Windows 7 Tablet Imperative", Forrester research analysts J.P. Gownder and Sarah Rotman Epps write that Microsoft can compete with the iPad, but it must make an impact quickly and work with hardware partners to match the iPad on design and price.

In fact, the report states, a successful Windows tablet has become crucial for Microsoft given that "tablets represent the next wave of mass-market consumer computing devices ... demonstrated by the iPad's proficiency in eReading, music and video consumption, and a variety of entertainment-oriented apps."

The main way to a successful Windows 7 tablet, according to Forrester, is through the use of "curated computing", which the research firm defines as "a mode of computing where choice is constrained to deliver less complex, more relevant experiences." In other words, have a simple and streamlined user interface that is easy to navigate.

Curated computing is something the iPad does very well, writes authors Gownder and Epps, and must be embraced by Microsoft if it wants to compete in the tablet space.

Here are Forrester's four keys to a successful Windows 7 tablet.

Enable Curated Computing via a "User Experience Shell"

The worst thing Microsoft can do is to give a Windows 7 tablet the same user interface as a laptop, which is too complex for a tablet, according to the Forrester report. Microsoft and its partners must develop a user experience (UX) shell that simplifies Windows 7 for tablet and touch-screen functionality.

"Windows 7 tablets can only compete if Microsoft embraces Curated Computing by providing a guided experience for users and drawing on the design strengths of other Microsoft products like the Zune HD and the Kin," writes Gownder and Epps, adding that a Microsoft tablet that synchs with the Xbox 360 and enables back-and-forth streaming of videos and games could one-up the iPad.

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150 Million Windows 7 Licenses Sold

Microsoft Corp. has announced that it had managed to sell 150 million licenses of Microsoft Windows 7 operating system released last October, which essentially makes the new OS the fastest selling operating system in the world.

“First off, we are excited to announce that Windows 7 has sold 150 million licenses to-date. As I’ve said before, Windows 7 is the fastest selling operating system in history with 7 copies of Windows 7 sold every second,” said Brandon LeBlanc, a spokesman for Microsoft, in a blog post.

Approximately 75% of enterprises are looking at Windows 7 for their organization, according to Microsoft. Moreover, since the economic situation gets brighter, consumers are accelerating the pace of buying new personal computers, which virtually all come with Windows 7 pre-installed.

According to estimates of IDC, sales of personal computers will total 355 million units in 2010, which means that around a million of personal computers is sold daily. As a result, it is not a surprise that over six months after the introduction Microsoft may claim 150 million copies of Windows 7 sold.

Minesweeper – Funny Game By Microsoft

Various up gradations are present in different versions but the game is always present as a bundle package along with Microsoft windows.

This is a very funny game by Microsoft and it increases a person’s patience too. This is not a two-player game and is very simple to play. The primary objective of the game is to locate all the mines present in the field. Since it involves fast mathematical calculations, it tends to sharpen our calculation speed as well.

At the beginning of the game, a player sees a matrix of grey blocks on the screen. The size of the matrix box depends on the level of the game selected. Once, a player clicks on a block that does not have a mine, it indicates a number present behind it. The number indicates the total number of mines surrounding that particular block in the grid.

As we can see that, a particular block in the grid can have a maximum of eight mines surrounding it. These eight blocks are supposed to be surrounding the particular block in question. If a block has the number five written on it, it means that there are five mines surrounding that particular block that are unturned. The player will then click on the next most probable block that cannot have a mine under any circumstance. This requires sharper calculation as a particular block is present next to many similar blocks and it gets confusing as the game progresses.

A person can also use a flag to mark a particular block that he suspects to be a mine. This feature is present for convenience of the player. It becomes easier to mark a particular block as mine and continue exploring other blocks as it gives a count of the mines and helps in further calculation of other blocks in the grid.

Sometimes, clicking on a particular block in the grid opens many blocks together in a shape. This eases the game and it gives idea of where can the mines be located within blocks that are just adjacent to the shape opened.

This game bases on patterns and if a player understands the patternsFree Articles, it very easy for him to complete the game.

Enhance Mobile Communication With newest Windows 7 Phone Operating System

Feature
After going through a web article I found a revolutionary tool Windows 7 Phone to enhance my communication over my phone. Its official release has been done by Microsoft at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, 2010. This will be an absolute operating system for your mobile, which will integrate Xbox LIVE and Zune features in a completely new format along with the latest improved social networking tools.

It will give you the pleasure to access your different e-mail accounts on a similar trend as is offered by Windows Live Mail in computer operating systems. I was taken into the flow of the new mobile OS.

But soon I began to face serious issues; I was unable to configure my previous Yahoo and G-mail accounts over Windows 7 e-mail (Windows Live Mail).

But fortunately I got an important clue about a remotely enabled tech support provider, while sharing my opinion over a tech forum. I called the service-provider on the toll free number and I was lucky to hit the right destination, where I got my e-mail account configured with Windows Live Mail. Now I am using the e-mail service with great confidence on my mobile.

There are different tech supports available, which can help you with your Windows 7 e-mail clients, but remote tech support service offers the best remedy. This presents a plethora of advantages over any other tech support service. Firstly you don’t need to wait for your turn; your issue would be resolved on real-time and with authentic support from experienced certified technicians. Next, you can access their service anytime from anywhere as these service provider work on a 24/7 basis with remotely enabled feature.

Usability

These tech support provider are absolute companion of yours, especially if you are into mobile business, because e-mail issues can pop up anytime without any prediction. With real-time resolution you can do your communication over your Windows 7 e-mail client in a more aggressive way. There is an important download in the form of Windows Mobile Center, which would help you to access e-mails of your Outlook over your phone, when you are away from office or home.

Limitation

Over your phone you can’t access your e-mails with much confidence and security. In addition mobile phone has limited hardware support so you can’t store abundant e-mails and sometime you may have to wait for long while sending or receiving your messages.

How to Get Windows 7?

It could be difficult for you to choose, whether migrate to Windows 7 or continue with existing operating system. And yet, as is often the case, the choice is not as easy as it looks because once you plan to switch to Windows 7, you will also have to determine the best place to get Windows 7 & an edition that will suit your needs.
Windows 7 Editions
There are six editions of Windows 7 available in the market – Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. Now choosing the appropriate edition out of these six may be a huge task but in reality, you’ll have only three Windows 7 editions to choose from. So your choice is therefore simplified to the left three editions: Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate.
The numerous versions of Windows 7 are built such that each edition has all the functionalities of the previous editions plus other extra features, which make that edition unique. Also, you can use the Anytime Upgrade tool to buy a product key online and upgrade your existing Windows 7 license to a better edition. For example, if you wish to buy Windows 7 Home Premium, you can use Anytime Upgrade and move to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate version anytime.
In my opinion, if you use your system mostly at home and for entertainment purpose, Windows 7 Home Premium is a great option. Or if you plan to run it on your office PC, Windows 7 Professional is a good choice. If you want a complete package, buy Windows 7 Ultimate.
How to Get Windows 7?
If you’re planning to get Windows 7 for your own PC, I would recommend you order or download it today from Microsoft official website: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/faq.aspx. When you buy Windows 7, you will have two options for instance, the upgrade and full version. Both comprise the same features. If you have Windows XP or Windows Vista running your PC, go for the upgrade version. If you don't, you'll need to get the full version.

Sure-shot Way of Windows 7 Installation

Microsoft’s latest Windows 7 has removed the issues of software confliction and difficult user-interface of previous Windows Vista. In addition to that it has been equipped with innovative technologies like multi-core support, handwriting recognition, virtualization and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), so that you can experience the next-generation computing features.
Hence, demands of installation/upgrade to latest Windows 7 is on the rise. However, it is always important to prepare yourself before rushing for the upgrade. You should check whether your computer’s configuration will support Windows 7.
If your present operating system is Windows Vista, then you don’t need to think much. Simply go online or purchase CD/DVD of Windows 7 installation.
However, if you have a computer with earlier versions like Windows XP, Windows 2000 etc, then you need to be careful
Firstly, check the compatibility of hardware components in your computer with respect to that of Windows 7. You can easily check it with the help of Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which is available for free download in Microsoft’s website. It scans and prompts the report. If your computer is lacking somewhere, it suggests the upgrade requirement.
Following are the minimum hardware configuration to install Windows 7:
• Processor-1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• Memory-1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• Hard disk-16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• Graphic card-DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Take the backup of previous files and settings of your computer. You can make use of external hard disk or USB flash drive to take the back up. If you are not an computer expert, then don’t worry. Microsoft presents Windows 7 Easy Transfer that can be downloaded from its website. This program can take back up of your entire computer’s storage, in few minutes in an easy way.
Now, start the process of Windows 7 installation. Drop the CD/DVD on the tray of your DVD drive and restart your computer. You will be prompted to “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD.” However, if you don’t get this option, go into the BIOS and change the boot order from hard drive to DVD drive. After the file is loaded, installation wizard appears. Mention your language preferences, and then click “Install Now.” You have to accept the license agreement and select to do a custom install. Enter username and computer name, when the installation is over.

Windows 7 faults

Microsoft has launched security advisories on two efforts that affect its newest operating system, Windows 7. One defect could let hackers carry out code remotely, the other could let them send a system into a crash spiral. The tapped code has been published on the Web. No fixes controlled in Microsoft’s latest Patch, which was issued less than a week ago, aimed at new Windows 7. Windows 7, which was publicly launched on Oct. 22, has been hit by at least two security defects.

One of these lets hackers run code remotely the other lets them activate an infinite loop remotely, causing a kernel crash. SMB, or Server Message Block, is a Microsoft file-sharing protocol used in Windows. It is mostly used with the NetBIOS transport protocol over TCP/IP. SMBv2 is a major rewrite of the SMB protocol, using different packet formats from SMBv1 and adding many improvements. Microsoft posted Security Advisory 977544 on Nov. 13, which stated the firm is investigating reports of a possible denial of service fault in the SMB protocol. The vulnerability affects Windows 7 executing on 32-bit and x64-based systems, and Windows Server 2008 R2 running on x64-based and Intel Itanium-based systems. The vulnerability may be used through Web transactions using any browser, the security advisory stated.

However, hackers cannot use the vulnerability to take control of or install malicious software on a user’s system, the advisory noted. Microsoft is growing a security update to address this vulnerability, although it rejected comment on how critical this defect is. This effort is more of a nuisance than anything else. It involves tricking an end user to click on a link to a server with a poisonous configuration, and it only locks up one machine. An assaulter who goes through the trouble of tricking users to click on a link will use an exploit that permits him to control the target machine after execution.

Someone also pointed to a National Vulnerability Database listing of a tap in the kernel that permits remote SMB servers cause a denial of service in computers executing Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. This attack comes through an SMBv1 or SMBv2 port containing a NetBIOS header with an incorrect length value, the listing stated. The kernel fault is under review for inclusion in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposure (CVE) section of the National Vulnerability Database.

It was detected that both defects while working on other issues with Microsoft and other vendors, launched the information to make sure Microsoft admits security issues and patch the flaws as soon as possible and with transparency. This bug can be activated from outside a user’s local area network by hackers using Internet Explorer. The bug is so noob, it should have been spotted two years ago by the SDL if the SDL had ever existed.

SDL is the Security Development Lifecycle, it is part of Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Initiative. The SDL is useful, and gives more secure software to users, but in this case it failed, as Microsoft likely centred way too much on Internet Explorer and the Office suite, and critical services execute with kernel privileges such as SMB are not well covered by this process. Software development is a process, it’s impossible to completely avoid all exposures while software development. Microsoft’s SDL process is specified to lower the number of vulnerabilities in software as well as reduce the severity and affect of the ones that occur.

Problem Steps Recorder In Windows 7

If you’ve ever worked as a technician and become extremely frustrated while trying to coax an end user into accurately describing the problem that has been encountered, you will definitely love a new tool in Microsoft Windows 7 called the Problem Steps Recorder. When started, this new feature will essentially record each and every step a user takes and document the entire operation in both screen captures and step-by-step details. When stopped, the Problem Steps Recorder will save the recorded information as a compiled HTML file and package it up in a ZIP file that the end user can then e-mail to the help desk.

The Problem Steps Recorder is an efficient tool in Windows 7 that can be used by the user to record the steps over phone by some expert. Hence, you don’t have to suffer calling again and again.
The beauty of this windows 7 feature is when any application starts misbehaving under Windows 7 then all your friends need do is click Start, type PSR and press Enter, then click Start Record. If they work through whatever they are doing then the PSR will record every click and keypress, take screen grabs, and accommodate everything up into a single zipped HTML file when they’re finished. After completing all this process it will be ready for emailing to you.

PSR (Problem Steps Recorder), can be start by a regular user or by an administrator.

1. User can record a series of actions performed on a computer.
2. Document those actions, in the order that they were performed using text and screen captures at the moment that the action was performed.
3. This documentation will include where the user clicked on each option on the screen.
4. The documentation won’t include anything that the end user typed for privacy reasons.
5. PSR will allow the user running it to create “Comments” throughout the process.
6. The PSR report will show the version of the operating system and even the URLs of any web pages that the user was accessing during the process.

In order to solve a network problem follow the given instructions:

● At First, start PSR by going to Start and type psr in the search box. Press Enter.
● When PSR comes up, press Start Record or use Alt-A.
● Now, perform your process. For instance, you can perform a number of steps.
● Do not forget to enter comments during your process to make your documentation even better. When you enter comments, you will be prompted to mark an area of the screen that will be added to the PSR report.
● When you are done with the process you want to document / record, press Stop Record and you will be prompted for the name to give your report.
● Now you are ready to view your report .
Note: In this article, we covered the new Windows 7 “Problem Steps Recorder”, how to use it, and how it can save you, as a Windows Administrator, so much time. Because the “PSR” is able to quickly and easily document any problem in Windows 7, step by step, in written form, it is a great way to document any series of steps on your computer or an end user’s computer.

Windows 7 Compatibility

The new Windows 7 is out, and that means a wide search for "Windows 7 compatible" software is on. While Windows 7 has received a lot of praise for its efforts to remain compatible with the bulk of existing applications, incompatibilities do exist, for instance in the areas of system security and system maintenance. Now the question is Will the tools that have been relied upon for years for your Windows XP or Vista systems have trouble under Windows 7? Some of the queries regarding these issues have been addressed.

The antivirus software currently in use on Windows XP may not be compatible with Windows 7. During Windows 7's lengthy pre-release phase, only a handful of antivirus applications were compatible with the operating system. But this has changed though, with the final release of the operating system. Now most of the major antivirus makers have either updated their current products or released new versions of their security software in order to address Windows 7 compatibility. By having a look upon the security software currently used, a user may have to pay an upgrade fee to get the version that's been certified to work properly with Windows 7.

However if the idea of paying for antivirus software is not appealing or if a user is running Windows 7 without antivirus software, one should probably give Microsoft's own Security Essentials package a try. It is free to registered users of Windows 7 and also to earlier versions of Windows . It generally gets high marks in the areas that matter most to computer users. Its detection rate is decent, its footprint is small, and it doesn't disturb with false alerts as much as many other packages do. In short, it's probably all that most people will need.
Partition Magic, another feature, however is not compatible with Windows 7. It is a program that allows to create and resize partitions on a hard drive. It is an important tool if, for example, you want to create a separate partition to hold all of your data files so that they are not mixed up with operating system and application files.

But there is good news. There is a free program that's just as easy to use as Partition Magic. It comes free for home use. Partition Wizard supports both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and it allows resizing partitions as Partition Magic did. To register most resizing operations, one will need to allow the program to reboot your computer pretty much hassle-free.
One may want to have a look at third-party Windows Explorer replacements. For example, Directory Opus (http://www.gpsoft.com.au), is being considered as one of the most powerful and customizable Explorer replacements. It can be set up to imitate closely the look and feel of the Windows Explorer found in XP. One can even tell Opus to respond to the same built-in keyboard command - Windows key+E - that originally opened Windows Explorer.

How can I Remove Shortcut Icon Arrow Overlay in Windows 7.

I find the arrows too ugly and I feel like that they are hampering the look of my desktop. Please tell me how the Shortcut Icon Arrow Overlay can be removed?

Ans:A small, free utility from Frameworkx.com can be downloaded. FxVisor allows you to remove or modify the shortcut arrows.

For more information..
Windows 7

Buyer’s Guide: Windows 7 Ultimate Edition

So if the wave of Windows 7 has hit you and you are curious about which edition to go for, and which one you think would best compliment your case and comfort, then compare the features of the Windows 7 Ultimate with your needs and see if they are compatible.

We all know that the Windows Vista also had a Ultimate version. And true to its name, the Windows 7 Ultimate also has the ability to combine all these features along with added features from the Windows 7 Enterprise.

The Windows 7 Ultimate Extras have been scrapped off. And the advantage this edition has over the other two versions - Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional - are that this edition has Support for BitLocker full-disk encryption. Another major exception of the Windows 7 Ultimate over the two editions is that, it has been built to switch between languages in no time.

Glance at Windows 7 Ultimate and you will find all the features of Windows 7 retail editions combined with features from Windows 7 Enterprise. But unlike its Windows Vista predecessor, it omits Windows 7 Ultimate Extras. Ultimate towers over other editions with features including, support for BitLocker full-disk encryption and the ability to switch between languages on the fly. Retooled BitLocker in Windows 7 can now encrypt external drives (including USB keys) allowing a user to transport data between home and office without being concerned about being mugged and winding up in the next data breach headline.

Well it is pretty obvious that unless your work demands of you to work with multiple languages on the same PC, the option to switch languages can be of no use to you. However, the BitLocker is quite a steal and this might be the option that eventually holds your attention to this edition. Here’s why. The BitLocker can easily encrypt external drives, almost any drive including USB keys. This will enable you to transport data at will from your home and office without the trouble of having to worry about being mugged and probably winding up in the next data breach headline. If this doesn’t seem to impress you and you choose to not upgrade both the ends of a data-transport chain with Windows 7 Ultimate then, here’s another punch to get you off. The BitLocker also comes loaded with a secure Bitlocker to Go feature that can enable Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP users with the proper authorization to procure BitLocker secure media in read only mode.

By and large, these features are pretty unique and can be enabled only by a Windows 7 Ultimate User. This will remain its USP, and sure enough it will find many buyers with these features it has harbored in it.

How smooth is the upgrade to Windows 7

Although upgrade to Windows 7 will be smooth, problem may arise if you are upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 directly because the hardware of your computer or laptop may not support Windows 7. So you need to upgrade your hardware before you install Windows 7 on it.

In some cases, upgrading will be simply a plug-and-play type of process. The hassle free process only involves loading the Operating System DVD, providing in a code and waiting for approximately 45 minutes to upgrade. Although, there is no need to take a back up of your data but still you must not take chances. Hence, you must take a backup before starting the upgrade.

When you run Windows 7, all your applications, programs, settings, and files will be available as it is. The process is called in-place upgrade. The problem here is that in-place upgrade applies only to those PCs that are running Vista with at least 20GB of free space in disk.

But, the ride is not smooth if you have Windows XP in your computer. You will not be able to enjoy in-place upgrade option. For upgrading XP-to-Windows 7, you will have to do a “clean installation”. It makes taking a backup of your data compulsory. And after the Windows 7 installation, you need to restore all your data and reinstall all the applications that you were previously using.

On the whole there are few issues that make the road to upgrade tough for the users. Because of incompatible applications and drivers, upgrade for Windows XP to Windows 7 necessitates clean installation. Furthermore, most of the old computers lack the power to run Windows 7 to its full capacity. All of this makes XP users think twice before trying to install Windows 7.

Microsoft team is working hard on upgrade issues faced by users so that there is marked improvement before the official release of Windows 7.

Profit off the Agenda in Microsoft's Windows 7

Microsoft plans to deliver much with its new OS Windows 7 with little profit margins for hardware manufacturers.

In what could be a move that could drive profit margins to new bottoms for hardware manufacturers, Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7, with its smaller footprint and also with its ability to be more adept at memory handling could be targeted at the new netbook market.

Prices of portable computers are at an all-time low and the entry of netbooks, which come small and light with low-cost prices, is not somthing new anymore now. And Windows 7, which comes in innovating types of Linux-based portables, could make a deeper dent into the hardware manufacturers market.

It sure looks bleak for the hardware manufacturers market with increasing pressure to sell products over $800 as becoming more tougher. There is a wide margin in the price of a notebook and a netbook. And, by market trends, it looks like the latter dominates over the former. In addition, the new netbooks, along with its cheap price, will come loaded with latest Windows 7 after its launch on the 22nd of October. This surely entails a steep decline in the revenue of OEMs and with upto an 11% decrease, which has been an outcome of the growth propensity of licenses which have been an offshoot of high Netbook PC sales, there will surely be a lot of thinking and mustering up to do for the hardware manufacturers.