Vista SP1 to Include Common Security APIs for Partners
A spokesperson for Microsoft Thursday evening characterized as "grossly inaccurate" reports from earlier in the day, including from Reuters, stating that a technical glitch in the company's Live Meeting services led to a dissolution of a meeting between Microsoft and security products vendors.
These stories were wrong, said the spokesperson, on three major counts: 1) the exclusivity and number of vendors attending the meeting (20 security vendors participated in this one meeting, possibly including Symantec and McAfee, though this was one of several such meetings); 2) the subject of the meeting (it did not involve a possible revelation or licensing of PatchGuard code or methods); 3) the damage caused by the technical glitch (it only delayed the meeting for 15 minutes, after which, representatives from all 20 companies remained on the call).
Windows XP SP3 Pushed to 2008
Microsoft has further delayed the release of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, moving expected availability from the second half of 2007 to the first half of 2008. The change came silently in an update to the company's service pack roadmap.
Although that date is still listed as "preliminary" a similar delay for Windows Server 2003 SP2 seems to be finalized. Initially planned for the end of this year and currently in beta testing, SP2 will now arrive in the first quarter of 2007.
Symantec: MS Making Vista Insecure
Microsoft's partners are continuing to cry foul over the decision to lock down the Windows Vista kernel with a feature called PatchGuard, claiming an announcement about sharing security APIs is simply a "red herring" to fool the press.
The contentious issue revolves around the ability of security vendors to write applications that essentially "patch" the Windows kernel to protect it from viruses and other malware. With PatchGuard, Vista attempts to do this on its own, in turn thwarting both protectors and attackers.
Microsoft Restricts Vista Transfers
Microsoft has changed its licensing terms, limiting the number of times that Windows Vista can be transferred to a new computer to just once. Despite Redmond's claims that the move is aimed at combating piracy, it has been questioned by some of the company's biggest supporters.
Previously, Microsoft had allowed its operating systems to be installed as many times as the customer liked, as long as it was uninstalled on the previous computer. However, with the arrival of Windows Vista, that will no longer be possible.
MS Opens Vista Code to Security Firms
Microsoft has ostensibly caved into the demands of security firms wanting better access to the core kernel code of Windows Vista, as the company said starting Monday it would make such data available. Vendors such as McAfee had earlier accused the company of locking them out of Vista.
McAfee and Symantec have publicly complained in recent weeks that Microsoft has locked down Vista to support its own entrant into the security space, Windows Live OneCare. However, neither company has filed legal actions.
Microsoft to Alter Vista for EU, Korea
Microsoft issued a statement this morning saying it is going ahead with plans to release Windows Vista to volume licensees worldwide on November 30, as previously scheduled. There will be no further delays, even in Europe and Korea where competitors have recently raised complaints, but Microsoft will be making changes to Vista.
Microsoft indicated last month, it might have had to delay Vista's release in the EU in order to address concerns raised by the European Commission. Some of Microsoft's rivals had raised concerns there that some Vista features might be too exclusive, preventing customers from choosing alternatives from other suppliers. South Korea will also benefit from these changes, as the company has been facing antitrust proceedings there as well.
Corel Extends 'Vista Ready' to Software
UPDATE: Thursday evening, Corel spokesperson Greg Wood commented to BetaNews, "Today's announcement is intended to communicate our plans to be very active in providing our products on Windows Vista, and to advise customers that they can choose Corel products with confidence on the new OS."
Wood added that the company will be announcing its Vista certification for software products on an ongoing basis, but is currently continuing to work on possible additions to existing products that could help maintain their compatibility with Vista.
Vista Holiday Promotions Announced
The consumer edition of Windows Vista won’t be available in stores and outlets until at least January; but in the meantime, the big holiday push is proceeding on schedule, especially for the benefit of hardware manufacturers whose prospects for a cheerful Christmas depend on at least the promise of Vista.
One week from Monday, Microsoft and Intel will jointly kick off a 23 city tour of North America, starting in Miami and ending on December 14 in Seattle. The so-called “Ready 2 Rock Road Show” is ostensibly geared toward channel partners – those in the business of selling their equipment.
Microsoft Tests OneCare Beta for Vista
Microsoft has released a beta of Windows Live OneCare version 1.5, which most notably adds support for Windows Vista. The original iteration of the PC protection and maintenance suite was only compatible with Windows XP.
OneCare, available online and at retail outlets, includes antivirus, anti-spyware and PC tuning and backup tools, along with free support for $49.95 USD per year. The package falls under a new class of all-in-one utilities being offered by security vendors such as McAfee and Symantec, as well as AOL.
Windows XP SP1 Support Ends Today
Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and SP1a Tuesday, with users being recommended to install SP2 as soon as possible. The move means that no more security updates will be released for the now-obsolete version of Windows.
Windows XP SP2 was released on September 17, 2004, and Microsoft notes that it provided two years of support to SP1 customers since that time. The company traditionally offers only 12 months of support for previous service packs, but because SP2 was a major upgrade to Windows XP, Microsoft opted to give customers additional time for deployment.
Vista RC2 Out, Last Build Before RTM
As expected, Microsoft on Friday issued the second release candidate of Windows Vista - the last public build before the next-generation operating system is released to manufacturing. As with the interim build before it, RC2 will be available to a limited number of CPP participants, beta testers, as well as TechNet and MSDN subscribers.
"Since the release of Windows Vista RC1, Microsoft has continued to receive excellent feedback that is helping to improve the overall quality and performance of the product," a company spokesperson told BetaNews. "RC2 reflects that feedback and includes important improvements in performance, application compatibility and fit and finish work. Customers should verify any outstanding issues not addressed during their RC1 testing." Download Windows Vista RC2 from FileForum now.
MS to Offer Free, Discounted Vista
Microsoft is set to offer either free or discounted Vista upgrades to those who purchase new computers during the holiday season, press reports indicate. To qualify for the coupons, a PC would need to be purchased after October 28 of this year, and the upgrade would be good through March 15, 2007.
The Redmond company would not confirm the program publicly, other than saying "we're working with partners on this." Reports indicate that the free or discounted upgrade would be based on the version of operarting system installed.
Windows Vista RC2 Set for Release
A Portugese-language blog post from a member of the Windows Local Test and Support team in Brazil Wednesday, along with a download page on Microsoft's Web site confirmed that Windows Vista RC2 is arriving shortly, and will be available for public download.
According to the Web page for Customer Preview Program (CPP) participants, which has since been removed, RC2 will be build 5744.
Microsoft to Lock Pirates Out of Vista
Microsoft said Wednesday that it plans to clamp down hard on piraters of its next-generation operating systems, crippling both Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn" if users fail to activate their copies within 30 days.
While the restriction of operating system features has been around since the advent of Windows XP in 2001, the new program takes that process a step further. It would also make widely distributed volume-license product keys -- traditionally supplied to corporations -- harder to use.
Sophos on Symantec's Vista Complaints
The scope of security vendor Symantec's recent set of complaints against Microsoft concern a future feature of Windows Vista entitled PatchGuard, which Microsoft describes as a facility that protects the operating system kernel against being patched or rewritten by an outside, unauthorized source - for instance, a rootkit.
"Patching fundamentally violates the integrity of the Windows kernel," reads an August 11 blog post by Microsoft kernel security architect Scott Field, "and is undocumented, unsupported and has always been discouraged by Microsoft." Without explaining exactly how PatchGuard will do this - for obvious reasons - Field makes the promise that, "If the operating system detects an unauthorized patch of certain data structures or code it will initiate a shut down of the system."
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