Archive for October, 2009
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Microsoft’s virtualization solution for Windows 7, Windows Virtual PC (VPC) and Windows XP Mode (XPM) final RTM builds have been compiled and signed off as build 7600.16393 on September 22nd, 2009.
Windows Virtual PC requires hardware-assisted virtualization, thus it’s recommended to check and verify system supports hardware virtualization (VT) or not prior to downloading and installing.
The main purpose of Windows Virtual PC, an optional component for Windows 7 is to support application backward compatibility for software and programs that can only run on older versions of Windows. With RemoteApp, which allows application installed on guest operating system to be accessed directly from host operating system (Windows 7) seamlessly, users can run and access virtualized instance of programs without running virtual machine. Windows XP Mode is provided by Microsoft with free Windows XP OS license as a way for users instantly install and run virtualization environment without having to manually install operating system in virtual machine, and have to acquire a genuine product key to activate the installed OS again.
When comparing with classic Virtual PC for Windows Vista and Windows XP, Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 features the following advantages:
* USB device support
* Seamless application publishing and launching
* Support for multi-threads
* Clipboard sharing
* Printer redirection
* Smart card redirection
* Drive sharing
* Integration with Windows Explorer
* Known folder integration between host and guest
* Support for higher resolution
* Requires AMD-V or Intel-VT CPU features
* Integration with XP Mode
Windows Virtual PC is available for free download by all Windows 7 editions except Windows 7 Starter, while Windows XP Mode is available only for Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, And Windows 7 Ultimate.
According to Windows 7 Team Blog, the final RTM version of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode will be available officially on October 22nd, 2009, together with the official retail release of Windows 7. The RTM version for Windows Virtual PC is 6.1.7600.16393.20090922-1800, however, Windows XP Mode setup installer displays version 1.3.7600.16423 during installation.
Users who can’t wait till October 22nd 2009 from official Virtual PC website can now download the setup installer for final RTM version of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode via MSDN or TechNet Subscriber Downloads, which are been posted on October 7, 2009. Earlier, the final RTM builds of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode have also been leaked to the web, and available to download for free via torrent or the following download links.
Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 (Multilingual)
32-bit (x86): Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu or mu_windows_virtual_pc_x86_435190.msu
64-bit (x64): Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu or mu_windows_virtual_pc_x64_435190.msu
Windows XP Mode (requires Windows Virtual PC)
English: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe (known as en_windows_xp_mode_x86_x64_439180.exe in MSDN or TechNet)
All Inclusive Torrent Download
Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) Detection Tool Free Download
Microsoft has also released a application tool that able to detect status of Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) support on the computer system’s CPU microprocessor. Aptly named as Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool or simply as HAV Detection Tool, the utility can detect and check if the computer meets the processor requirements to run Windows Virtual PC, i.e. hardware-assisted virtualization.
Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) is another initiative by Microsoft to stem the piracy and counterfeit copy of Microsoft Office business producitivity suite and applications.
After installed, OGA validation component will perform a check on install Office software, and OGA Notifications notifier component will display various “This copy of Microsoft Office is not genuine” message if the Office software is determined as not genuine or not legitimate.
Although officially Microsoft prevents and disallows end-users from removing OGA Notifications (KB949810), there are several workarounds or hacks to remove Office Genuine Advantage Notifications. In fact, as it’s a MSI (Windows Installer) package which installed the OGA, the KB949810 OGA update can be removed and completely uninstalled properly and completely by using MSI uninstall string.
How to Uninstall Office Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB949810)
1. Open an command prompt window with elevated privileges.
2. Depending on the version of OGA (Office Genuine Advantage) installed (can be view from properties of %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\OGAAddin.dll or DEL %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\OGACheckControl.dll), run following commands below (see Tip below if you only want to run one command):
MsiExec /X {049F2E8F-D5EC-4133-87FA-8E94837D8D0C} /QN /NORESTART ALLUSERS=1
MsiExec /X {B148AB4B-C8FA-474B-B981-F2943C5B5BCD} /QN /NORESTART ALLUSERS=1
MsiExec /X {DB427EF6-F13E-4AA6-9D40-5D962394774F} /QN /NORESTART ALLUSERS=1
MsiExec /X {B2544A03-10D0-4E5E-BA69-0362FFC20D18} /QN /NORESTART ALLUSERS=1
Note that the GUID identifier for OGA application may vary from system to system, depending on version and language installed. Generally, it works for OGA v1.7.0102.0, OGA v1.7.0105.35.0 and OGA v1.7.0105.35.0 v2.0.48.0.
Tip: To determine which is the exact application ID for Office Genuine Advantage installed on your system, run Registry Editor (RegEdit), and navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurentVersion\Uninstall
There are many registry sub-keys that resembles the product ID above. Go into each and everyone of the registry sub-branches to look for and locate DisplayName REG_SZ value data which matches or similar to Office Genuine Advantage or OGA.
3. After uninstalling OGA properly, it’s wise to clean up and remove all trace of OGA from the system. Run the following commands to delete all registry entries and system files, if still present:
REG DELETE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins\OGAAddin.Connect /f
REG DELETE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\OGAAddin.Connect /f
REG DELETE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Powerpoint\Addins\OGAAddin.Connect /f
REG DELETE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\OGAAddin.Connect /f
DEL %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\OGAVerify.exe
DEL %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\OGAEXEC.exe
DEL %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\OGAAddin.dll
DEL %SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\OGACheckControl.dll
User who want an automated solution to remove Office Genuine Advantage can download the OGA Uninstaller, a batch script that automatically run all of above commands.
We’re thrilled about the growing number of people who are using Microsoft Office every day to get things done at work, at home, at school and on the go. For instance:
- 500 million people worldwide use Microsoft Office
- From July, 2008 through June, 2009 – Office 2007 experienced 92% year over year growth in trials, equating to 23 million trial downloads
- Office 2007 Home and Student edition has been the top selling PC software title at US retail for the last two years
On the heels of such positive momentum, we’re excited to talk about big improvements in the way we’ll deliver the next version of Office to consumers.
Along with the great product innovations we’re delivering in Office 2010, we’re introducing even more choice and flexibility for consumers in how they can try, buy and experience Office 2010 on new and existing PCs. This includes:
Product Key Card and Microsoft Office Starter 2010
For consumers who purchase a new PC, Microsoft is working with major PC manufacturers and our retail partners to make it simpler than ever to try and buy Office 2010.
Through our retail partners, Microsoft is introducing an all-new Product Key Card to help consumers more easily access and experience Office 2010 on new PCs that have been pre-loaded with Office 2010. The Product Key Card is a single license card (with no DVD media) that will be sold at major electronic retail outlets.
An added bonus: The card’s packaging is smaller than the full package (DVD) product, and is eco/retail-friendly. The key number contained on the card will unlock Office 2010 software that has been pre-loaded by the PC manufacturers on their PCs, and enables a simpler and faster path for consumers to begin using any one of three full versions of Microsoft Office – Office Home & Student 2010, Office Home & Business 2010, or Office Professional 2010.
As part of Office 2010 software that will be pre-loaded by the PC manufacturers on their PCs, we’re introducing Microsoft Office Starter 2010. Office Starter 2010 is a reduced-functionality, advertising-supported version of Office 2010, available exclusively on new PCs. Office Starter 2010 will provide new PC owners with immediate exposure to the Office 2010 experience on new PCs right out of the box.
Office Starter 2010 will include Office Word Starter 2010 and Office Excel Starter 2010, with the basic functionality for creating, viewing and editing documents. Office Starter 2010 will replace Microsoft Works, offering a consistent Office user experience, such as the Ribbon, with a simple path to upgrade to a fully-featured version of Office 2010 directly from within the product.
Click-To-Run technology for downloading trial and purchasing Office 2010
For people who want to try or buy Office 2010 on existing PCs, Microsoft is unveiling Click-to-Run, a new and enhanced download experience for consumers. Click-to-Run makes it easier than ever for customers to try or buy Office digitally by significantly reducing the time and effort required to download Office 2010 over the Internet. Click-to-Run automatically downloads and installs any software patches when connected to the Internet, helping people maintain and keep their Office software up-to-date. Click-to-Run uses virtualization technology so it allows customers to maintain multiple versions of Office. This enables them to try Office 2010 side-by-side with the existing version of Office.
We will have the broad beta of Office 2010 later this year and invite people to become familiar with Office 2010, in the way that works best for them, and then easily upgrade to a full version of Office Home and Student 2010, Office Home and Business 2010, or Office Professional 2010 when they’re ready to buy. To find out more information about Office 2010 visit www.microsoft.com/office2010.
Takeshi Numoto, Corporate Vice President, Office
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