windows

Universal Media Server 2.1.2 Universal Media Server is a free software tool for Windows capable of streaming and transcoding most types of media file formats. In most cases, no configuration is required from the user. This program is written in Java ... and works with all major operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. http://www.universalmediaserver.com Windows Media Player Plus! 2.5 Windows Media Player Plus! is a completely free plug-in utility for the standard Microsoft Windows Media Player platform. Once installed, it adds convenient user interface and playback options and ... (view more)

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free antivirus software tool, which makes it a tempting download for many Internet users. However, a new report suggests it will protect computers only from two in every three or so worm, virus, or Trojan horse ... threats. An independent computer security lab based in Germany recently carried out tests of Security Essentials' effectiveness in detecting and removing security threats affecting Microsoft's popular Windows 7 operating system (OS). The lab is affiliated with AV-Test, an independent security institute that performs tests of security products every ... (view more)

Microsoft has officially set the price for its upcoming Surface Pro tablet computer. When it goes on sale early next year, the device will retail for $899 and up. Microsoft's Surface tablet officially launched on October 26, 2012 (along with Windows ... 8), but observers made clear that was just one of the versions of the Surface that Microsoft has been developing. The Surface released in October runs Windows RT, a slimmer version of Windows 8 designed for portable devices with more limited hardware specifications. The new Surface Pro is capable enough to run a full-fledged version of Windows 8. ... (view more)

Here's a great question we recently received from a loyal Infopackets subscriber: "Dear Infopackets Team, I just purchased a brand new Windows 8 PC. I was really excited to try out the new operating system, but I've been having trouble getting used ... to all the small changes. For example, it's been difficult figuring out just how I'm supposed to shut my new laptop down! Is there a way to do this quickly and easily? Thanks, Merrill B." My Response: When Microsoft introduced Windows 8's new user interface, it changed a great many operating system features. One major change: the shutdown process. ... (view more)

DivX for Windows 9.0 DivX for Windows will play every type of DivX video right on your computer. It includes many exciting and useful features that allow users to add menus, subtitles, and more. You can also use this program to create DVDs that you ... can play on DivX-supported DVD and Blu-ray players. http://www.divx.com USB Oblivion 1.9 USB Oblivion is designed to protect your personal digitized information by removing all traces of USB devices and CD-ROMs from the Windows registry in your computer. It can be set to perform this function automatically and is compatible with all versions of ... (view more)

Here's a letter that may interest you from a loyal Infopackets subscriber: "Dear Infopackets Team, I'm really enjoying your articles and learning a lot about my computer. But things are not perfect. My wife is going crazy with her new Windows 8 ... computer because there's no 'Start' button. Is there anything she can do to get it back, short of returning to Windows 7? Please keep your useful information coming. Thanks, Bob G." My Response: Your wife is not the only person unhappy with some of Windows 8's new features. One of the least favorite changes appears to be the removal of the ... (view more)

Windows 8's uptake rate might be low by comparison to its predecessor, Windows 7, but a new report shows it's considerably higher than Windows Vista's adoption rate. Internet analyst firm Net Applications recently released a report examining user ... acceptance of each of these operating systems' during their first full month of availability. According to that report, Windows 8 was running on approximately 0.45 per cent of all Windows computers during the month of October, 2012. Windows 7 5X More Popular Than Windows 8 That's far lower than Windows 7's first month of availability back in 2009, ... (view more)

A new type of malware targeting Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system (OS) reportedly uses Google Docs to carry out its attacks on unsuspecting users. According to a report from security firm Symantec (which discussed the issue in one of its ... recent Security Response blogs), a Trojan horse known as Backdoor.Makadocs is targeting Windows 8 users. Malware Disguises Itself; Tricks Users Here's how it works, according to Symantec: the malware exploits a vulnerability in the Google Docs program called "Viewer." Apparently the malware masks itself as a Rich Text Format (RTF) or Microsoft ... (view more)

Getting Windows 7 users to make the switch to Windows 8 continues to be a difficult challenge for Microsoft, despite an aggressive marketing blitz. Now the company is hoping to entice more prospective users to upgrade their computers to the new ... operating system by allowing them to escape worrying about any long-term commitments. Windows to Go is a feature in Windows 8 Enterprise that allows the operating system to boot and run from mass storage devices like USB flash drives and external hard disk drives. All that is needed to start computing with Windows 8 in this manner is to plug the pre- ... (view more)

According to a new report, just one in four enterprise users are planning to upgrade to Microsoft's new Windows 8 any time soon. In fact, these users are only half as excited about Windows 8 as they were about Windows 7 in 2009. Enterprise software ... is used in large organizations, such as private corporations and government agencies. A huge part of Microsoft's Windows revenue depends on these kinds of organizations buying Windows licenses in bulk. Only 24% of Enterprise Users Plan to Upgrade to Windows 8 That's why it's bad news to hear that of 1,200 North American and European information ... (view more)