All about Microsoft

MSDN and TechNet users: Get ready for your Win 7 Beta 1 bits

Mary Jo Foley — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:59:22 +0000

Tonight's the night. Expect Microsoft to make the official, sanctioned Windows 7 Beta 1 bits available to Connect testers, Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) and TechNet subscribers for download some time after the CEO Steve Ballmer keynote begins (6:30 p.m. PT).

January 7: Join our Ballmer CES live-blog keynote coverage

Mary Jo Foley — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:04:56 +0000

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer kicks off the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas tonight at 6:30 p.m. PT. I'll be joining Paul Thurrott of WinSupersite fame, plus Tom Warren of Neowin.Net, in a live-blogging fiesta on Friendfeed tonight.

Microsoft preps to push IE 8; makes blocking tool available

Mary Jo Foley — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:28:45 +0000

As it has done with previous Internet Explorer (IE) releases, Microsoft has made available an IE 8 blocking toolkit to allow users to keep Microsoft's browser from being downloaded automatically on their Windows machines.

Another former Softie joins VMware

Mary Jo Foley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:39:50 +0000

A year ago when I wrote that former Microsoft manager -- and current VMWare CEO -- Paul Maritz was getting the old band back together, I had no idea how many members would end up reuniting.

Public betas of Windows 7 client and server could hit this week

Mary Jo Foley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:19:57 +0000

It's not much of a secret at this point, but CEO Steve Ballmer is expected to announce official availabilty of the closed Windows 7 Beta 1 release during his Consumer Electronics Show keynote address on January 7. The actual bits should be available to pre-approved Windows 7 Beta 1 testers later that night or early on January 8.

Report: PC makers to provide free Vista-to Win-7 upgrades starting July 1

Mary Jo Foley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:05:45 +0000

In yet another indicator as to the progress of Windows 7, the Tech ARP site reported that Microsoft plans to allow PC makers to offer customers who buy Windows Vista machines as of July 1 free upgrades to Windows 7 once it ships.

Another Microsoft watcher joins Microsoft

Mary Jo Foley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:16:04 +0000

In spite of predictions of mass firings, Microsoft is still hiring. IT market watcher Peter O'Kelly has joined a number of other former industry analysts who've taken the Red Pill and joined Microsoft over the past few years.

Microsoft reorg season begins: Muglia gets the presidential nod

Mary Jo Foley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:36:50 +0000

A year ago, I wondered when and whether Microsoft would make Bob Muglia, head of the company's Server and Tools business, one of the company's presidents. On January 5, 2009, that happened.

It takes a lot to dismantle an Empire

Mary Jo Foley — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:18:06 +0000

I'm not buying the rumored 15,000-person layoff that first percolated on Mini-Microsoft's blog before Christmas. There is a long legacy -- and lots of layers of fat -- protecting Microsoft from annihilation. This isn't a Microsoft apologist talking; it's a Microsoft realist.

Macs vs. PCs: Is it still a ‘tax’ if users happily pay a premium?

Mary Jo Foley — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:15:05 +0000

It's the eve of MacWorld Expo and Microsoft officials are out talking up the idea of the "Apple tax" again.