microsoft

A newly-discovered flaw in Microsoft's popular Internet Explorer (IE) web browser could allow hackers to take control of a Windows-based computer. The Redmond, Washington-based firm has acknowledged that the problem exists and that it affects older ... versions of IE. The firm has also released a temporary fix for the problem. Microsoft Advises: Avoid Suspicious Links "Microsoft is aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer 8," Microsoft said in a security advisory issued on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Microsoft says the remote code ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Jim H. writes: " Dear Dennis, I'm trying to download the free eBooks online your website (such as the Windows 8 Guide eBook , the PC Maintenance Handbook , and the Windows 7 Pocket Guide , etc), but I'm having trouble. When I ... click on the orange 'Request Now' button to download the book, it is asking me for my name, a business email address, my company name, etc. Why do I have to enter all this information? How do I download the free eBooks? " My response: The answer to this is two-fold, and I'll try and break it down. Note that I've also ... (view more)

It appears Google may not be fully into the "spirit of giving" this holiday season. The search giant has announced its intention, as part of its business plan for 2013, to take 90 per cent of current Office users away from Microsoft. In a recent Q ... ... (view more)

Microsoft Expression Encoder 4 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Microsoft Expression Encoder is a free Windows software tool that allows advanced users to encode video and audio files. It's also a live-broadcasting application that provides you with feature ... support and updates while using Microsoft Silverlight. If you need these kinds of capabilities, this is a good way to go. http://www.microsoft.com Flutter 0.5.2 This cutting-edge software tool allows you to interact with your Mac or Windows computer by using only hand gestures. For example, it can be configured to play, stop, and fast-forward DVDs ... (view more)

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center This free application, which is specially designed for the new Windows 8 operating system, allows you to quickly and easily tailor your mouse and keyboard to meet your personal needs. This app can be launched from ... the Windows 8 Start screen. Please note that this application is designed for Microsoft devices only. http://www.microsoft.com RText 2.0.5.1 RText is an open-source text editing tool designed with computer programmers in mind. It features a fully customizable interface and supports more than thirty different languages. It is available for ... (view more)

Here's another probing question from an Infopackets.com reader: "Dear Infopackets Team, Have I missed one of your informative reports? I don't seem to know how to play DVDs in Windows 8? Actually, I can't even find Windows Media Center anywhere, and ... without it I'm stuck! I like Windows 8 so far, but I'm going to feel very frustrated if it won't let me play DVDs on my laptop. Thanks for your help, Frank G." My response: Frank, you're right: Windows Media Center is entirely missing from the new Windows 8 operating system. Fortunately, you can still find a way to play DVDs. Microsoft chose to ... (view more)

Here's a really interesting question from an Infopackets.com reader: "Hey there Infopackets team, I just bought a Windows 8 PC that came with a third-party antivirus program already installed. But the subscription has already run out. I want to try ... Microsoft's Windows Defender program, but can't seem to figure out why it hasn't automatically turned on. With all you seem to know about Windows computers, I'm pretty sure you can help me with this problem. Please! Jeff G." Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jeff. Of course we can help you. Windows Defender is just a new name for Microsoft's well- ... (view more)

According to a prominent analyst, Steve Ballmer's job hinges on the success of Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system (OS). Gartner's Carolina Milanesi says if the new operating system (OS) fails to pan out, Microsoft's chief executive officer ... could find himself among those looking for a new job. It has been more than a month since Microsoft formally released Windows 8 to the general market. As you probably know, the new OS features a completely new interface optimized for touchscreen devices like tablet computers and smartphones. Early reviews have been mixed, primarily because those ... (view more)

Microsoft has released a series of updates designed to fix several 'critical' security vulnerabilities in its software. Adobe has also released a new security patch for its Flash Player software. Both Adobe and Microsoft are urging their users to ... make sure their computers have installed these repair modules, and if not, to install them manually as soon as possible. Microsoft says most of the ten vulnerabilities addressed by this week's Patch Tuesday updates have been rated 'critical,' the firm's highest security threat level. Adobe has also rated its patch as 'critical.' Internet Explorer ... (view more)

Since its launch in late October, 2012, the Surface tablet computer has been available for purchase only through Microsoft stores and websites. However, that exclusivity seems to be over, and the Surface will soon begin appearing in third-party ... retail stores. A new report suggests the Surface will go on sale in Best Buy, Staples, and other major retail outlets as early as January 2013. That is the same time frame in which Microsoft will begin selling its Surface Pro tablet computer. (Source: cnet.com ) Surface Range Not Yet Complete Right now the only Surface available to consumers runs a ... (view more)