News Micrsoft Windows Update : Windows 10 Downloaded To Computers Automatically

 A laptop computer featuring Windows 10 is seen on display at Microsoft Build in San Francisco in April. Even people who haven't indicated they want Windows 10 may be getting it downloaded to their computer, Microsoft confirmed. (Robert Galbraith/Reuters)

Microsoft is downloading large Windows 10 installation files to Windows 7 and 8.1 computers even if users didn't indicate they're interested in upgrade, gobbling up internet bandwidth and hard drive space.

Microsoft has been pushing Windows 7 and 8 users to reserve a free upgrade of Windows 10.

But some people who haven't officially reserved an upgrade and indicated they want Windows 10 are still getting Windows 10 downloaded to their computer, Microsoft confirmed.

In an email to CBC News, Microsoft confirmed that "we may help customers prepare their devices for Windows 10 by downloading the files necessary for future installation" if they fall into one of two groups:

• Those who have chosen to reserve their upgrade of Windows 10.
• Those that have Windows Update automatic updates enabled.

"This results in a smoother upgrade experience and ensures the customer's device has the latest software," Microsoft added.

Most users have automatic updates enabled because it's the default setting and the one recommended by Microsoft in order to make sure your computer is protected by the latest security patches.

The company said the installation file is approximately 3GB, although some users on technology websites have reported a downloaded Windows file in the 6 GB range.

Removal with Disk Cleanup:

Microsoft says Windows Update checks if there is "sufficient" free disk space before downloading this or any other update. Users who want to remove the files to free up extra hard drive space can use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility and upgrade later, it suggests.

To prevent the download, users can change their Windows Update settings. For example, they can opt to receive notifications before downloading updates.
Many technology watchers have criticized the huge size, covert nature, and lack of user consent for this download.

Many technology watchers have criticized the huge size, covert nature, and lack of user consent for this download.

"If you didn't reserve a copy and it just goes ahead and downloads it anyway, it's going directly against your wishes," wrote Chris Merriman in the Inquirer Tuesday

"And let's remember, it's going into a hidden folder that you actually have to change settings to be able to see. That says a lot."

To see whether your computer has already downloaded Windows 10, change your settings in Windows Explorer so you can view hidden files and look for something named $Windows.~BT and can be found by changing your settings in Windows Explorer so you can view hidden folders and looking in the root directory for the drive where Windows is installed.

Overage charges possible:

Many critics are upset because the download uses up valuable hard drive space and could potentially cost users if it pushes them over the download limits for their internet service — overage charges in Canada can be as high as $3 per gigabyte over the limit. The download can also cause internet sluggishness while it is happening.

When Apple similarly forced all its devices to download a new U2 album, Songs of Innocence, last September — also for free — the public outcry prompted Apple to release a special tool to remove the unwanted files.

While Windows 10 doesn't install automatically, it has eroded public trust in Microsoft, suggests Woody Leonhard, senior contributing editor for the technology website Infoworld.

"I have no idea what the people at Microsoft thought they were accomplishing," he wrote, "but that Redmond reality distortion field has done some serious damage to the company's credibility."

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, September 16, 2015

News Microsoft Product Update Report : Microsoft Office 2016 To Launch On 22 September

After officially rolling out Windows 10, Microsoft is now gradually releasing updates to match up the new operating system. The company is rumoured to release the final version of the Office 2016 next month.

WinFuture learned from a source close to Microsoft that the company will launch Office 2016 on September 22. The report also claims to have sources inside Microsoft who provided them with a leaked screenshot of the company’s intranet site.

A page called the Office 2016 Launch Hub stated, “We’ll release Office 2016 with updates for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Skype for Business, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher. The innovation wave continues in Q2 with the release of E5 and Skype for Business, and on-premise servers will follow.” Microsoft has apparently already informed its employees in the last few days that the official launch for Office 2016 will take place end of September.

Back in June, Microsoft had released Office 2016 for Mac along with new apps for Android phones as well. An Office 365 subscription gets you – $70 for a single Mac or Windows PC at a time, or $100 for five. Mobile apps are free, though a subscription unlocks advance features that most people won’t need. Mac and Windows versions are sold the traditional way, too, with a one-time payment, though you can’t use Office on another PC without buying it again.

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, August 26, 2015

News Operating System App Update : Microsoft Sway Now Available To Everyone; Gets Windows 10 App

Microsoft on Wednesday announced the release of its digital storytelling app, Sway, to the general public. The app was until now under 'Preview' mode. The firm also introduced Sway's Windows 10 app along with a new layout and publishing features. The iOS app has also been updated.

For those unaware, Sway was first introduced in October last year. The app is used to create professional designs including images, videos and text together to make a story. It also comes with a compatibility engine that does not hamper the presentation whether it is viewed on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC. Users can even import content from social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. The app can be taken as an alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint. Also, it is the company's newest addition to the Office productivity suite, and is integrated with Office Online.

Users can simply sign in with their Microsoft account on Sway.com to get started, or download the iOS or Windows 10 app. There are not many differences between the Web and app versions. While the Web version would need a constant Internet connection, the Windows 10 version can be used offline as well. However, to import images and videos from Facebook, Twitter etc., it would require an Internet connection. Sway for Windows 10 can be downloaded from Windows Store. The Windows Phone version would be arriving in the 'coming months'.

Microsoft has added a new layout in Sway's navigation pane that "displays groupings of content (images, text, videos, tweets, etc.) one screen at a time." The company adds that, "Whether it's a few words with a knockout background image, a set of images and supporting bullet points, or a cluster of interactive elements, now you can deliver a killer presentation in-person or for viewing across many devices." Also, sharing a Sway presentation to Docs.com is also possible. "Along with adding support for Sway, we've also improved the overall Docs.com experience for publishing, managing and consuming content."

New features of the Microsoft Sway for iOS app include more sharing options, more publishing options, and more language options.

Posted by Unknown Thursday, August 06, 2015

News Microsoft Windows Update : Microsoft Delivers First Cumulative Windows 10 Update

Microsoft is rolling out what's expected to be the first of a number of cumulative fix/update rollups for Windows 10.

Microsoft is rolling out the first cumulative package of non-security-focused updates and fixes for Windows 10 one week after the company began making available to users the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version of the operating system.

Referred to by some company watchers as "Service Release 1," the actual update package is officially known as KB3081424. (Thanks to The Verge's Tom Warren for a pointer to the KB.)

There's not a lot of information so far about what's in today's update, which Microsoft is delivering via Windows Update. The KB page says the following:

    "This update includes non-security-related changes to enhance the functionality of Windows 10 through new features and improvements.Windows 10 updates are cumulative. Therefore, this package contains all previously-released fixes (see KB 3074683). If you have installed previous updates, only the new fixes that are contained in this package will be downloaded and installed to your computer."

Technically, this isn't the first set of updates to Windows 10 RTM. Microsoft applied a few updates to Windows 10 RTM as part of users' initial upgrade process. That's because there were a couple of weeks between the actual RTM of Windows 10 on July 15 and the July 29 kick-off of customer availability of those bits. Microsoft made available a few updates that the company developed during that delta period.

Today's cumulative update is one of a series of regular performance and reliability fixes and updates for Windows 10 that Microsoft is expected to deliver. One of my contacts said Microsoft is planning to deliver more cumulative update rollups possibly on a weekly basis at least for the first month of Windows 10 availability.

I've asked Microsoft for more information as to what's in today's update and whether the company is planning to deliver similar updates weekly. No word back so far.

We do know that Microsoft will be patching and updating Windows 10 on a rolling basis, with various "servicing branches" available to different customer groups as part of its "Windows as a Service" strategy.

Some customers will have the option of postponing updates for a set period of time, while others on the so-called "Current Branch" will be expected to apply all updates once Microsoft pushes them to them via Windows Update.   

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, August 05, 2015

News Microsoft Windows Update : The Operating Systemels Evolution Of Microsoft Windows Through Out The Years

Microsoft Windows has seen ten major versions since its first release in 1985. Over 30 years, Windows evolved to look very different while retaining a degree of familiarity.
The evolution of Windows is both a reflection on computing power of that generation and the dominant input devices, be it a mouse and keyboard earlier and a touchscreen now.

Here’s a brief look at the history of Windows:

Windows 1

The original. This is where it all began. The original Windows 1 was released in November 1985 and was Microsoft's first attempt at a graphical user interface.

Windows 1 ran on top of the then dominant operating system, Microsoft's DOS, which relied on command-line input. Windows 1 was one of the first software to heavily rely on mouse control before the mouse was a common input device.

Windows 2

Arriving two years after the release of its predecessor in December 1987, Windows 2 introduced features like the ability to minimise or maximise windows and allowing different windows to overlap each other. Windows 2 introduced the control panel, where system settings and configuration options resided. It also introduced the world to Microsoft Word and Excel.

Windows 3

Windows 3 launched in 1990 and was the first version of the OS to see widespread success and be considered a challenger to Apple’s Macintosh and the Commodore Amiga graphical user interfaces, coming pre-installed on computers from PC-compatible manufacturers.

It introduced the ability to run MS-DOS programmes in windows, which brought multitasking to legacy programmes, and supported 256 colours, bringing a more modern, colourful look to the interface.

It also introduced the world to one the most iconic timesink ever created, Solitaire.

Windows 95

Windows 95 launched in August 1995 and brought with it the start button and start menu.

Its big push was “plug and play” – connect a peripheral and the operating system finds the appropriate drivers for it and makes it work. That did not pan out as expected and led to millions of “plug and pray” jokes.

Internet Explorer too made its debut on Windows 95.

Windows 98

Released in June 1998, Windows 98 built on Windows 95 and came with Internet Explorer 4, Outlook Express, Microsoft Chat and eventually Windows Media Player.

It introduced the back and forward navigation buttons and the address bar in Windows Explorer, among other things.

USB support was much improved in Windows 98 and led to its widespread adoption, including USB hubs and USB mice.

Windows ME

Released in September 2000, Windows Millennium Edition (ME) was the last Windows to be based on MS-DOS, and the last in the Windows 9x line.

Considered the worst version of Windows ever, ME was the consumer-aimed operating system twinned with Windows 2000 that aimed at the enterprise market. It introduced some important concepts to consumers, including more automated system recovery tools.

IE 5.5, Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker all made their appearance for the first time. Auto-complete also appeared in Windows Explorer, but the operating system was notorious for being buggy, failing to install properly and being generally poor.

Windows 2000

The enterprise twin of ME, Windows 2000 was released in February 2000 and was based on Microsoft’s business-oriented system Windows NT that later became the basis for the much more successful Windows XP.

Windows 2000 was the first time that Microsoft offered automatic updates and it was the first Windows to support hibernation.

Windows XP

Released in October 2001, Windows XP was a product of a Microsoft at the peak of its powers.

The start menu and task bar got a visual overhaul, bringing the familiar green start button, blue task bar and vista wallpaper, along with various shadow and other visual effects.

Windows XP was the longest running Microsoft operating system, seeing three major updates and support up until April 2014 – 13 years after its original release. Windows XP was still used on an estimated 430 million PCs when it was discontinued.

But its huge popularity turned out to be a boon for hackers and criminals, who mercilessly exploited its flaws, especially in Internet Explorer.

Windows Vista

Windows XP was replaced by Windows Vista in January 2007. Vista updated the look and feel of Windows with focus on transparent elements and search and security. Its development was long and troubled, with ambitious elements abandoned in the final release.

It was buggy and burdened the user with hundreds of requests for app permissions under “User Account Control” – the outcome of XP’s security problems. It also ran slowly on older computers despite them being deemed as “Vista Ready”.

Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7 debuted, along with Windows Defender, an anti-spyware programme. Vista included speech recognition, Windows DVD Maker and Photo Gallery, and was the first Windows to be distributed on DVD.

Windows 7

Windows 7 was released in October 2009 following the lukewarm response to the buggy Windows Vista. It was intended to fix all the problems and criticism faced by Vista, with slight tweaks to its appearance and a concentration on user-friendly features and less “dialogue box overload”.

It was faster, more stable and easier to use, becoming the operating system most users and businesses would upgrade to from Windows XP, forgoing Vista entirely.

Windows 8

Released in October 2012, Windows 8 was Microsoft’s most radical overhaul of the Windows interface. In an effort to bring Windows into the post-PC world dominated by touchscreen smartphones and tablets, Microsoft ditched the start button and start menu for a more touch-friendly start screen.

The new tiled interface saw programme icons and live tiles, which displayed information normally associated with “widgets”, replaced the lists of programmes and icons. A desktop was still included, which resembled Windows 7.

The radical overhaul led to a fallout with loyal Windows users. Microsoft's attempted to walk a fine line between touchscreen support and the traditional mouse and keyboard and somewhat failed on both fronts.

Windows 10

Released on July 29, 2015, Windows 10 is a sharp U-turn from its predecessor, bringing back the start menu and more balance to traditional desktop computer users.

It was released as a free upgrade to all users with legitimate copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

A major feature called Continuum introduced the ability to switch between a keyboard and mouse mode and a tablet mode, for those computers like the Surface Pro 3 with a detachable keyboard.

In an effort to recapture the web browser market it ceded to Google Chrome, Windows 10 comes with a new browser called Edge, which allows users to annotate web pages, save them to read later, or select "read mode" to strip out adverts and sidebars.

Windows 10 comes with Microsoft's virtual personal assistant, Cortana, which pops up with notifications and suggestions, and learns the user's preferences over time. Cortana responds to voice commands similar to Apple's Siri and has been touted as one of the core features of Windows 10.

Posted by Unknown Sunday, August 02, 2015

News Microsoft Windows Update : Windows 10 Review – Final Version Of Windows Might Be Microsoft's Best Ever

Microsoft’s last version of Windows is finally here: Windows 10 is arguably the best version of the ubiquitous operating system. But the question is, should you upgrade for free immediately? Or will it be another Windows 8 moment?

Windows 10 is a big step towards the Microsoft classic becoming an always-connected operating system for every device, not just PCs, which is continuously updated for free. It’ll run traditional desktop Windows apps, like Windows 7. But it will also run new “universal” apps downloaded from the Windows Store, which Microsoft hopes will become a trusted source of traditional Windows desktop programs as well.

Windows 10 on almost every device :

“Universal” is the key word for Microsoft’s ambitions. Windows 10 will run on everything from smartphones to giant servers, via tablets, convertibles, laptops, all-in-ones, desktop PCs and Surface Hubs with 84in screens. Universal apps will run on all Windows 10 devices and the Xbox One games console, removing the pain of learning different user interfaces for numerous incompatible devices, and making it simpler to share things between them.

Obviously, this will depend on how widely adopted Windows 10 becomes. Microsoft hopes to attract a billion users in three years by offering free upgrades to Windows 10 for devices running Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. That’s also why it’s a bit of a hybrid, skewed to appeal to the majority of Windows 7 users, while retaining a tablet mode familiar to Windows 8 users.

Installation should take 20 to 90 minutes, depends on your hardware.

The Start menu is back, baby :

It is the Start menu is Windows 10’s most obvious feature and it will please Windows 7 users. It combines a list of programs similar to Windows 7 with one or two panels of live tiles pulled from Windows 8. Selecting “all programs” shows them in alphabetical order, but the search box is familiar to users of Vista and Windows 7 has been moved to the taskbar, where it is more obviously accessible.

You can run your traditional desktop programs from either side of the Start menu, from the taskbar, or from XP-style icons on the desktop. If you really don’t want to change the way you work, Windows 10 won’t force you.

Microsoft’s pre-installed apps are improved over Windows 8 versions, particularly Mail and Calendar, Microsoft Photos and the PowerShell command system for power users. Windows Media Center, games and gadgets from Windows 7 are gone, but Windows Media Player is still there. Free replacements for missing apps are available in the Windows Store.

Highlights :

Windows 10 also offers some new features to encourage upgrades. The main one is Cortana, the personal assistant already familiar to Windows Phone users, but there are others.

• Windows Hello is a new sign-on system, which includes face recognition if you have an Intel RealSense-compatible camera.
• Action Center replaces the loathed Charms bar from Windows 8. It provides notifications and quick access to common settings.
• Task View provides an Apple expose-style view of all running programs at once, though Alt-Tab still works.
• Multiple virtual desktops are included as standard.
• Groove is a new music app/service that replaces Xbox Music. It can import and play your Google Play and iTunes music libraries.
• Continuum switches between desktop and tablet modes, and will enable future Windows 10 smartphones to work like desktop PCs.

Microsoft’s DirectX 12 is new for Windows 10 and more efficient enabling better gaming performance and longer battery life.

Microsoft’s new lightweight, standards-oriented and faster browser called Edge is also included, which feels faster than Internet Explorer and Chrome. With it you can write or type annotations on to web pages and email them to people, but it doesn’t support extensions yet.

Cortana loaded : 

The most Star Trek-like feature is Cortana, a digital assistant that competes with Apple’s Siri and Google Now, who can remember interests such as TV shows and sports teams, as well as previous questions. (Ask Cortana what she thinks of Siri and she says: “I think it’s great that we have Bing in common.”)

I couldn’t get voice to work on a Surface Pro 3 running the latest version of Windows 10. Cortana is much less fun if you have to type your questions, and if you do, she will only type her replies not talk to you.

Verdict :

Windows 10 works well, and didn’t break any of my older Windows software. The launch is just the start. Microsoft intends to continuously upgrade it over time, which the user has no choice about as you can’t turn updates off without becoming unsupported. There is a Microsoft tool to hide or block unwanted driver updates, however.

Should consumers take the free upgrade? If you use Windows 8 without a touch screen or you’re a gamer, it’s a no-brainer: get it as soon as you can, but back up first of course.

If you use Windows 8 on a tablet with no mouse and keyboard, Windows 10 is optional.

If you only use Windows 7, you will have some relearning to do into which the Get Started app provides a gentle introduction. You can certainly put it off for four-to-12 months, eventually you might be forced to upgrade.

Windows 10 is a significant upgrade and the extras are worth a try, especially if you can talk to Cortana. That’s probably not what I would have said three months ago, but using the final build has changed my mind.

• Pros: Smaller, lighter and faster than previous versions, works better with a mouse and keyboard, Cortana, “In place” upgrades should be painless, free upgrade
• Cons: Requires some relearning, some new features require new hardware, somewhat stark appearance won’t appeal to everyone, may break some very old applications

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, July 29, 2015

News Xbox Gaming Update : Xbox One Streaming Goes Live For All

On Friday, Microsoft announced that game streaming for its Xbox One console to Windows 10 PCs has been opened to everyone running the latest build of Windows 10, which is currently 10240. The software giant also said it was planning several updates on features to the Xbox app during the next couple of days, including the ability for that app to mine old PC games and then add them to your complete game collection.

Just as it suggests, game streaming sends game play from Xbox One to a PC that is connected, allowing a gamer to play one game in his bedroom for instance, while another family members watches football on the television in the living room.

This ties the ecosystem at Microsoft together, which gives bonuses for owning a number of different gear made by Microsoft, including Xbox One and a PC with Windows 10.

Previously, game streaming was made a preview application by Microsoft, which required users to run a preview version of the dashboard of Xbox One in order to gain access. With this new update, all users must do is ensure they are running on Windows 10’s most recent build and the most recent version of the app for Xbox.

Microsoft said that the Xbox app should update automatically via Windows Store, but you will need to go to Settings in the Xbox One app  to ensure it possesses 7.7.16004.00000 or higher.

Game streaming needs to be enabled on both the console and on the PC with Windows 10. Once both are enabled and you are connected, you can choose a game from the collection you have and just push play on the console.

Then you will have to own and connect to either a wire Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller to a tablet or PC for it to work.

Throughout the month of July, Microsoft said other new capabilities would be added to the app for Xbox.

The updates include support for PC games that are older, allowing old games to be shown by gamers.

Posted by Unknown Sunday, July 19, 2015

News Windows OS Update : Windows 10 vs. Windows 8: Performance Benchmarks Show A Close Battle For Fastest

Windows 10 performance is one of the hardest things to nail down right now. Testing of the new OS, due to ship on July 29, isn’t exactly easy, because the public doesn’t yet have a way to install the RTM version of it. Microsoft has been pretty mum about any under-the-hood changes. Even worse, hardware partners of Microsoft have been handcuffed from talking about the OS at all.

One thing we do know: Among the many big changes over Windows 8, Windows 10 may literally change the game in graphics performance as the only Microsoft OS with DirectX 12. Early testing of the OS shows performance gains elsewhere will be far smaller, though.

What I did have was access to two identical HP Spectre x360 laptops. One had build 10240 of Windows 10 Home, which Microsoft has officially blessed as “reviewable code,” while the other had Windows 8.1 Home.

Both laptops had the same screen, same battery, same 8GB of LPDDR3, same 128GB SSD make and models, and the same Intel Core i5-5200U CPUs inside and the same BIOSes. Other than OS, they were exactly the same.

I threw a bunch of different benchmarks to see if I could coax out any performance differences. I ran compression tests, chess benchmarks, and 3D rendering, as well as a spate of DX9 and DX11 benchmarks.

We were hoping for a daramatic face-off. What we got was a tie, or well within the margin of error.

For example, here’s the performance in PCMark 8 Creative Conventional. PCMark, for those who don’t know, simulates various “real-world” application loads. The Creative Conventional, for example, tests simulated web browsing, photo editing, video editing, gaming and group video chat. The Home load adds writing and casual gaming.

The result persisted just about everywhere between Windows 8.1 and Windows 10: mostly a tie with some loads giving Windows 10 a very slight edge. I could produce a lengthy page of graphs between the two in WinRar, CineBench, Valve’s old Particle Test, 7Zip, Passmark and 3DMark, but what’s the point? The bars would be almost the same on all of them and I’d just be wasting Internet bandwidth. If you want to see a graph, just take the above and change the name of it to 7Zip or whatever test you want.

I won’t throw away a day of testing without giving you more numbers, though, so here’s some of the results I saw. Other tests I simply didn’t record because after a while, it felt silly essentially writing down the same number twice.

But what about gaming?:

There is more promise on the gaming side. DirectX 12, in games that implement it, should see healthy improvements. But in games that don’t use DX12, it’s probably going to be a lot closer.

For example, I ran Tomb Raider on our PCWorld zero-point system. It has an Intel Core i7-4770K, 16GB of DDR3/1600, and a GeForce GTX 980. I used the same Nvidia drivers with both OSes. Note that I ran Wndows 10 build 10162 rather than the current build 10240, as that’s the last ISO of Windows 10 preview that Microsoft made available—no amount of coaxing would get Microsoft’s servers to kick down anything newer. My tests show a definite, if small, edge for Windows 10. Here’s Tomb Raider for you to gawk at: 

Other tests gave up a little more of a win for Win10, but this won’t set the world on fire like DX12 is expected to once games that support it are out. We’re planning a more in-depth look at Windows 10 gaming performance, so stay tuned.

Here are the takeaways: The first is that despite all the Windows 8 hate out there, the OS is actually quite fast. Anecdotal reports I’ve seen from when Battlefield 4 was released, for instance, attributed many performance improvements to running Windows 8 over the beloved Windows 7. Windows 8 offered improvements in video and audio decoding that made it faster, too. Another takeaway is that if Windows 8 was zippy, Windows 10 will be, too.

This isn’t the last word:
There’s a lot my initial testing doesn’t cover. Battery life improvements, file system improvements and other areas may indeed have been buffed by Microsoft. Once I get a proper ISO of the OS I can perform clean installs, and I’ll have a better feel for its performance outside of the areas I’ve touched on today.

OS performance testing has other challenges. Many of the benchmarks I ran are designed to test hardware, not the OS. Cinebench R15, for example, is a pure CPU test, though the OS has some impact. Windows Vista famously destroyed USB performance until SP1 was released, and the overhead from the OS can pull down performance elsewhere too.

Conclusion :

Windows 10 seems to offer basically no performance advantage over Windows 8 in mainstream tests, but let’s not be too negative, because there’s no reason to be. With Windows 7, Microsoft updated the scheduler for how the OS dealt with CPUs, which promised improvements and battery life savings for both Intel and AMD CPUs. That wasn’t a check-off item for Windows 10. because Windows 8.1 performance was already very good.

And, again, let’s not forget that Windows 10 ushers in DirectX 12, which should very much yield significant performance increases in games that support it.

Posted by Unknown Saturday, July 18, 2015

News PC Gaming Update : Xbox One Game Streaming To Windows 10 PCs Goes Live For Everyone

Microsoft said late Friday that game streaming from the Xbox One to Windows 10 PCs has come out of preview, opening it up to everyone running the latest build (currently build 10240) of Windows 10.

Microsoft also said it planned several feature updates to the Xbox app over the next few days, including the ability for the app to mine your old PC games and add them to your game collection.

As the name suggests, game streaming relays game play from Microsoft’s Xbox One console to a connected PC, allowing a gamer to play Forza Horizon in the family room, for example, while other family members watch Monday Night Football on the living-room TV.

Why this matters: There’s two ways of looking at this: On the one hand, it ties Microsoft’s ecosystem together, giving bonuses for owning various sets of Microsoft gear, including the Xbox One and a Windows 10 PC. On the other hand, it’s just plain cool.

From preview to public :

Previously, Microsoft had made game streaming a preview application, requiring users to run a special preview version of the Xbox One dashboard to access it. With the update, all users need to do is ensure they’re running the latest Windows 10 build and the latest version of the Xbox app.

Microsoft said Xbox app should automatically update via the Windows Store, but you’ll need to go into the Settings menu of the Xbox app and ensure you have version 7.7.16004.00000 or higher. (You may actually need to search for the app in the Store and download it; I had to.)

Note you’ll have to enable game streaming on both your Xbox One console and your Windows 10 PC. On the One, enter  Settings > Preferences > Allow game streaming to other devices, and make sure streaming is enabled. On your Windows 10 PC, launch the Xbox app, then scroll down the left-hand menu to the Connect icon. You’ll be offered the option to connect to your Xbox One. (You may need to enter the console’s IP address manually.)

Once connected, you can pick a game out of your collection and then select Play from Console, or else just use the Xbox One native menu. Finally, you’ll need to own and connect either an Xbox One or wired Xbox 360 controller to your PC or tablet to make it all work.

Other Xbox app updates :

Throughout July, Microsoft said it would be adding new capabilities to the Xbox app. The updates will include support for older PC games, allowing gamers to show off older titles from their collection. Gamers will also be able to upload game clips and screen shots from Windows Store games to Xbox Live.

Finally, gamers will be able to take a photo of their avatar and use it as their “gamer pic,” or representation of themselves. Users will have access to many more customization options, Microsoft said.

Posted by Unknown Saturday, July 18, 2015

News Microsoft Update : Microsoft Brings Minecraft To Windows 10

New Delhi: When Windows 10 goes live on July 29, Minecraft lovers will have another reason to feel joyous about as the software giant has added the iconic game to its upcoming Windows version.

On July 4, MineCon conference, a worldwide gathering for Minecraft players was held where Microsoft announced that the Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Beta will be arriving on the platform when it goes live.

It isn’t the first platform where the game has been added. The game rests on varied platforms including Windows, Mac, Windows Phone, iOS, Android, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 and PS Vita. After purchasing its creator Mojang last year, Microsoft extended the game to its virtual-reality headset HoloLens as well.

However, the game has been optimized for Windows 10. A report on Cnet notes that Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Beta includes seamless swapping between touchscreen, controller or keyboard/mouse controls, Xbox Live and Minecraft Pocket Edition online play, and record/share support for built-in GameDVR functions.

The company is also said to be bringing the classic Solitaire and Candy Crush as in-built games with the new OS.

For the existing Minecraft PC owners, the game will be free, while it will cost $10 for others.

Posted by Unknown Sunday, July 05, 2015

News SmartPhones Update : Microsoft Brings Windows 10 Mobile Preview To Lumia 930 And HTC One

Microsoft has released a new preview of Windows 10 for phones featuring for the first time access to the app store, universal Office apps and support for a new range of smartphones.

When Microsoft finally releases its new operating system that has been designed to work on phones and tablets, it will be called Windows 10 Mobile, but for now, as part of its Windows Insider program, the company is continuing to refer to the previews as Windows 10 for phones.

The latest update to be released by Microsoft is Build 10080 and it brings with it the biggest update to the system we have seen so far over Windows Phone 8.1.

As described by Microsoft Gabe Aul in an extensive blog post, the latest preview of Windows 10 for phones "brings many improvements but also because it adds support for a few important phones that Insiders have been asking us about".

One of the biggest additions is access to a beta version of the Windows Store for phones, which mirrors the Windows Store available in preview builds of the desktop version of Windows 10 – though app selection and the markets where the Store are available on phones are currently limited.

Carrier billing

Microsoft has also yet to roll out one of the most interesting Windows 10 features, which is carrier billing, allowing users to buy apps and in-app content without the need for a credit card, with the cost being added to the user's mobile phone bill – a feature which is extremely important in many of the developing markets Microsoft is targeting.

Aside from the new store, Build 10080 brings Universal Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote), for the first time as well as the new Xbox app, new Music and Video apps and an updated Camera app for Windows 10.

Microsoft has expanded the range of compatible phones to include the Lumia 930, the recently released Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL and the first non-Lumia device to get the Windows 10 previews – the HTC One (M8) for Windows.

Initially Microsoft limited the preview to just a handful of Lumia devices but it has gradually increased the number of compatible phones since it began previews in February.
Windows 10 Mobile release date

Microsoft has this week revealed that Windows 10 will be available in seven different versions or Editions, with two focused at smartphones and small tablets – Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise – with the latter aimed at winning a slice of the business market.

Aul also reiterated something which was first mentioned at the company's developer conference last month regarding the release date of Windows 10 on phones:

    Because we're treating Windows more like a service, this allows us to release Windows 10 on different devices and customers at different times. For phones, Windows 10 will arrive later this year – both on new devices and also upgrades for existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices. Even though Windows 10 will be arriving for phones later than it does for PCs, the underlying OS code is still the same.

There are however a number of bugs in the preview, with the most significant being one which means that MMS messages may not get through to your phone if you are out of coverage at the time the message is sent.

If you are feeling brave however, and you do want to download the Windows 10 for phones preview, here's how to go about it:

     How to install Windows 10 Previews for Phones

• First, sign up for the Windows Insider Program, if you haven't already
• Download the Windows Insider app from the Windows Phone Store
• Once it finishes downloading, open the app on your phone and follow the instructions to install Technical Preview
• Builds will come to you automatically as they are ready, after being validated by engineers at Microsoft and used on their own phones
• Use the built-in Windows Feedback app to report problems and suggestions
• Updates will continue all the way up to the final build that goes out to all customers
• You can roll your phone back to the previous OS at any time

Posted by Unknown Monday, May 18, 2015

News Microsoft Windows Update : Windows Media Center Is Dead

This past week was filled with Microsoft related announcements as the company held its premier developer conference in San Francisco. While nearly all the announcements were forward looking, for Windows Media Center fans, this week included the final blow to the platform.

Microsoft has confirmed that the media software is dead and if a user upgrades to Windows 10, their PC will lose this functionality.

It's not a huge surprise that this platform is now being put to rest, and as Microsoft did not introduce any updates with Windows 8 or with Windows 10, it will no longer be compatible. But, the timing is a bit odd, with the rise of cord cutting, Media Center seems like a great companion for those who want cable-box like features, without the service.

Of course, the company's Xbox One is a good solution for cord cutters as well, which now even has the option to connect a tuner directly to the console. Seeing that for Media Center to work well, you would need to put a PC in the living room, the Xbox One is likely a more cost effective solution than a Windows Media Center setup.

Yes, we know the Xbox One is not a perfect solution, but if you are looking for similar capabilities in your living room, this is the best device for the job.

Posted by Unknown Saturday, May 02, 2015

News Microsoft Windows Update : A Photo Tour Of Microsoft's Exhibition Stand At Mobile World Congress 2015

Like many of the world's leading tech giants, Microsoft is at this year's Mobile World Congress - and it's here in considerable force. The company unveiled two new handsets - the Lumia 640 and Lumia 640 XL - at their keynote yesterday, along with a new Universal Foldable Keyboard, but is that enough to fill an entire exhibition stand at the world's biggest mobile industry event?

Not even close - but Microsoft has far more on its stand than just a couple of demo units for its new devices.

Microsoft's stand at MWC is in the same location occupied by Nokia in previous years, and its scale is immense - the image above shows just one corner of the giant stand.

The stand offers visitors the opportunity to check out some of Microsoft's products - including its digital 'personal assistant', Cortana.

Indeed, more than just viewing demos, visitors are offered the opportunity to try stuff like Cortana out for themselves. I have to admit that I had a bit of a giggle listening to people with a dizzying array of beautiful and exotic accents trying to interact with Cortana in English - although I was rather surprised by how well it appeared to cope with some of the more unusual pronunciations that I overheard....!

Booths and interactive displays are available for those who have never actually used some of Microsoft's products. This one introduces Windows Phone, using the same 'emulator' that is available on the company's website.

But visitors are also invited to play with the various devices on Microsoft's stand too. Here, a lady examines the Lumia 635, which has the Windows 10 Technical Preview for phones pre-installed.

It's just not phones either - Microsoft is pushing the idea of "Windows for multiple screens" at MWC, showing continuity of the Windows experience across PC, tablet and phone. Of course, that story isn't exactly complete yet - but it will get better with Windows 10.

But, of course, this being the Mobile World Congress, phones and tablets are the real stars of the show, and the Lumia range is displayed prominently across the stand, along with its Surface Pro 3.

All those devices have been maintaining a decent footfall to the Microsoft stand over the last couple of days - no mean feat considering that it's vying for attention with LG, Sony, Samsung and many other leading brands, who are its immediate neighbors at the show.

...and yes, that is a giant hot-air balloon. The basket is the DJ's booth!

Microsoft's "first phones" range is also on display here - these are its 'non-smart' feature phones (sometimes called 'dumb phones), which target buyers primarily in emerging markets, who have never owned a mobile handset before.

But of course, the Lumia range is what Microsoft really hopes buyers will choose - including those in business environments. While Android and iOS have made serious in-roads into the enterprise mobile space, Microsoft has succeeded in gaining significant business share in many markets, such as the UK. Understandably, it's keen to build on this (it's a rare success story for Windows Phone, after all).

And despite Windows 10 still being months away from its official launch, Microsoft is already courting business and enterprise customers - including many key decision makers and influencers visiting MWC this week from around the mobile world - and talking up the benefits of its next-gen OS for the workplace.

Windows 8 failed to make significant progress into the business market, but Microsoft is hoping that the shallower learning curve of Windows 10 - and its broad similarities to Windows 7 - will make it an easier sell to companies.

The company has also been talking up its apps platform to just about anyone who will listen. Here, users are being shown demos from a Windows Phone handset, and I've overheard many reps on the stand talking up the big name apps available on the platform today (presumably in an effort to continue fighting the perception that Windows Phone has 'no apps').

There are many 'zones' across the Microsoft stand - each attempting to reach out to a different part of the Mobile World Congress audience.

But there is another side to the Microsoft stand at MWC. The company has continued a tradition started by Nokia, of offering hospitality and seating to all of the world's press attending MWC, as well as Microsoft partners.

...and in the interests of full disclosure, it's only fair that I mention all the delicious food that Microsoft heaps upon journalists from all publications, along with plenty of tasty fruit juices and other (non-alcoholic!) beverages.

There's also a huge work and meeting space, where press can gather to casually listen in on conversations between Microsoft executives and other very important people, while we pretend to be distracted by all the yummy food.

Of course, a big shout-out must go to the staff on Microsoft's stand (and those on the stands of every other brand exhibiting at MWC, for that matter). These folks work long, long days - often dealing with stupid questions and, occasionally, a bit of self-entitled rudeness from some of the more arrogant attendees. Indeed, regardless of which company the reps working on the show floors at MWC represent, they are the true heroes of the entire expo.

For all their hard work, the Microsoft team enjoys a bit of fun now and then - for example, by spontaneously bursting into a quick dance to celebrate winning a bunch of best-in-show awards at MWC for its new devices.

...and again, just 'cause.

So, it's (mostly) hard work at the Microsoft stand, showcasing the company's latest and - it hopes - greatest products. Now, if anyone has any ideas for how to steal that hot air balloon

Posted by Unknown Wednesday, March 04, 2015