Microsoft Talk

Microsoft Download Notifications is a weekly mailing that points you to the latest free downloads and download-related services from Microsoft. The following offerings are now available in your preferred categories.

Download Fun Extras for Windows Media Player 11

Get skins, visualizations, plug-ins, and more.

Microsoft Update

Visit Microsoft Update for the latest updates to Windows, Office, and other Microsoft applications. Also, learn how to have automatic security updates delivered to your computer.

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

The latest update of this tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software and helps to remove it.

All recently published Windows downloads

Office Downloads

Visit Office Online for free updates, add-ons, language packs, and more.

Office Update

Scan your computer for updates that help improve the stability and security of the Office programs on your computer.

Microsoft Office Outlook Connector

With Microsoft Office Outlook Connector, you can use Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 or Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 to access and manage your Microsoft Windows Live Hotmail or Microsoft Office Live Mail accounts, including e-mail messages and contacts, for free.

MSN Messenger 7.0 for Windows

Use MSN Messenger to send instant messages to your friends, and much more.

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 Construction Update

Download the latest construction data to keep your maps current.

All recently published Office and home downloads

Download the 90-Day Trial of System Center Essentials 2007

Try this IT management solution for companies with up to 500 PCs and 30 servers.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 - Evaluation Software

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 delivers adaptive, policy-based automation to manage the lifecycle of servers, clients, and handheld devices, across physical, virtual, distributed, or mobile systems.

Extended Security Update Inventory Tool

The Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is used to detect security bulletins not covered by MBSA.

Microsoft Forefront Server Security Management Console Release Candidate

Forefront Server Security Management Console allows administrators to easily manage Forefront Security for Exchange Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint, and Microsoft Antigen.

All recently published server application downloads

Download Windows Server Update Services

Manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers in your network.

Extended Security Update Inventory Tool

The Extended Security Update Inventory Tool is used to detect security bulletins not covered by MBSA.

Enterprise Scan Tool (standalone)

Detect needed security updates for September 2007.

Related Post: Last Week’s Downloads 

Recommended: Cleaning the Junk Off Your Computer

Microsoft have released a few service packs this week. Of interest to the community at large is the Office Service Pack 3.

List of issues that the service pack fixes

Office 2003 SP3 fixes the issues that are described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

938790 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938790/) Issues that are fixed in Excel 2003 by Office 2003 Service Pack 3

938792 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938792/) Issues that are fixed in Office 2003 by Office 2003 Service Pack 3

938802 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938802/) Issues that are fixed in Outlook 2003 by Office 2003 Service Pack 3

938801 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938801/) Issues that are fixed in PowerPoint 2003 by Office 2003 Service Pack 3

938799 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938799/) Issues that are fixed in Word 2003 by Office 2003 Service Pack 3

Download | Related KB

• Featured Resources
  • Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008
  • Command Reference
• Active Directory Certificate Services
  • Evaluation
  • Getting Started
• Active Directory Domain Services
  • Evaluation
  • Getting Started
• Active Directory Federation Services
  • Evaluation
• Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
  • Evaluation
  • Getting Started
• Active Directory Rights Management Services
  • Evaluation
  • Getting Started
• Application Server
  • Evaluation
  • Planning and Architecture
  • Operations
  • More…
• Availability and Scalability
• Backup and Recovery
  • Evaluation
• Device Management and Installation
  • Device Management and Installation Operations Guide
  • Troubleshooting Device Management and Installation
• DNS Server
  • Evaluation
• File Services
  • Evaluation
  • Planning and Architecture

• Group Policy
  • Group Policy ADMX Syntax Reference Guide
• Network Policy and Access Services
  • Evaluation
• Networking
  • Troubleshooting Network and Sharing Center
  • Network and Sharing Center Operations Guide
  • Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Performance and Reliability
• Print Server
  • Evaluation
• Server Manager
• Security and Protection
  • Threats and Vulnerabilities Mitigation
  • Secure Configuration Assessment and Management
  • Identity and Access Control
• Terminal Services
  • Evaluation
• Troubleshooting
  • Active Directory Federation Services
  • Active Directory Rights Management Services
  • DHCP Infrastructure
  • More…
• Web Server
  • Operations
• Windows Deployment Services
  • Evaluation

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Keyxl.com is the largest online database of keyboard shortcuts in the world.

Keyboard shortcuts for

• Microsoft Apps,
• Adobe Apps,
• Google Apps,
• Web Browsers,
• Email Apps,
• Imaging,
• Mp3,
• HTML Editors

Check them out!

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Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users’ knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.
Many companies require testing of patches before they are widely installed, and businesses in this situation are objecting to the stealth patching.

Files changed with no notice to users

In recent days, Windows Update (WU) started altering files on users’ systems without displaying any dialog box to request permission. The only files that have been reportedly altered to date are nine small executables on XP and nine on Vista that are used by WU itself. Microsoft is patching these files silently, even if auto-updates have been disabled on a particular PC.
It’s surprising that these files can be changed without the user’s knowledge. The Automatic Updates dialog box in the Control Panel can be set to prevent updates from being installed automatically. However, with Microsoft’s latest stealth move, updates to the WU executables seem to be installed regardless of the settings — without notifying users.

Read more at source

These gadget samples are intended to demonstrate the functionality of the Windows Sidebar scripting elements. In addition, most of the code snippets found throughout the Sidebar Reference documentation are extracted directly from the gadget code provided here.

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These simple, easy-to-use customizable job aids created by Microsoft IT help employees get started with something new, learn more about using a technology or product effectively, select the right product or service, or review best practices.

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The Windows Home Server web site was updated today to a new look and feel, and over the next few weeks/months additional content, links and other great stuff will be added to the site.  The new look and feel and site map is close to being finalized.  The home page, now has pages for:

• Home Users
• Enthusiasts
• Partners
• Developers
• Press

…to help different people quickly find what they are looking for.  I would love to have people comment to this blog post - how can we make it better?  What additional information / stuff would you like to see ?  The home server team is listening.

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Microsoft Download Notifications is a weekly mailing that points you to the latest free downloads and download-related services from Microsoft. The following offerings are now available in your preferred categories. Register now if you are not already receiving this free mailing. To find more downloads, visit the Microsoft Download Center. For support with downloads, visit the Help and Support site.

Download Windows XP Service Pack 2

Help protect your computer against viruses, hackers, and worms.

Microsoft Update

Visit Microsoft Update for the latest updates to Windows, Office, and other Microsoft applications. Also, learn how to have automatic security updates delivered to your computer.

Group Policy Diagnostic Best Practice Analyzer for Windows Server 2003 (KB940122)

The Microsoft Group Policy Diagnostic Best Practice Analyzer for Windows Server 2003 is designed to help identify Group Policy configuration errors or other dependency failures that may prevent settings or features from functioning as expected.

All recently published Windows downloads

Download Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007

Save time, get organized, and sell online.

Office Update

Scan your computer for updates that help improve the stability and security of the Office programs on your computer.

Virtual Earth 3D (Beta)

Add realistic 3D capabilities to your online Live Search Maps.

All recently published Office and home downloads

Moving to VoIP? Download the Office Communications Server Beta

Don’t rip and replace your PBX hardware. VoIP as you are with Microsoft’s software solution for unified communications.

Speech Server 2007 Management Pack for MOM 2005

This management pack monitors the Speech Server services and their availability.

Readme Files for SQL Server 2005 SP2 and SQL Server 2005 SP2 Express Editions and Tools

Before you install SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 (SP2), download, extract, and read the SP2 Setup documentation (sqlhotfix_setuphelp.exe), and review the SP2 readme file.

All recently published server application downloads

Download Windows Server Update Services

Manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in your network.

Windows Script 5.7 for Windows XP

This download installs Microsoft Windows Script containing Visual Basic Script Edition (VBScript.) Version 5.7, JScript Version 5.7, Windows Script Components, Windows Script Host 5.7, and Windows Script Runtime Version 5.7.

Windows Script 5.7 for Windows Server 2003

This download installs Microsoft Windows Script containing Visual Basic Script Edition (VBScript.) Version 5.7, JScript Version 5.7, Windows Script Components, Windows Script Host 5.7, and Windows Script Runtime Version 5.7.

All recently published system management tool downloads

Want to try Microsoft software before making a decision? Well then here is the link to trial software from Microsoft!

Server Products and Technologies

•BizTalk Server 2006

•Commerce Server 2007

•Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003

•Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2007

•Exchange Server 2007

•Identity Integration Server 2003

•Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007

•SharePoint Server 2007

•Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2

•Speech Server 2004

•SQL Server 2005

•Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1

Server Operating Systems

•Windows Server 2003 R2

Security Products and Technologies

•Microsoft Antigen

•Forefront Client Security

•Forefront Security for Exchange Server

•Forefront Security for SharePoint

•Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 [Standard Edition]

•Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006 [Enterprise Edition]

System Center Products

•System Center Configuration Manager 2007

•System Center Data Protection Manager 2006

•System Center Essentials 2007

•Microsoft Operations Manager 2005

•System Center Operations Manager 2007

•Systems Management Server 2003 R2

Office System Products

•Live Communications Server 2005

•Office Enterprise 2007

•Office Project Server 2007

•Office Project Professional 2007

Link | Source

Windows CE .NET 4.2 Platform Builder Monthly Update (August 2007)

Download this set of updates for Windows CE .NET 4.2 Platform Builder released during the period of August 1 -August 31, 2007. These updates are fixes for Windows CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Monthly Update (August 2007)

Download this set of updates for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 released during the period of August 1 - August 31, 2007. These updates are fixes for Windows Embedded CE operating system problems you run into during the development and maintenance of your custom platform.

Windows Live Writer 2008 has been released.

You may need to update the Windows Update Agent.

If you want to download WUA directly, here are the links:

Download x86 version | Download x64 version | Download ia64 version

FlickrSync is a free desktop application for Windows XP and Vista that allows you to synchronize photos from your computer to Flickr. FlickSync displays local folders on your computer, your online Flickr sets and establishes synchronization rules between them.

Key features of FlickrSync include:

-Browse local folders and flickr sets and match your local folders to the corresponding flickr sets.
-Create new Sets when uploading new folders.
-Define flickr permissions for each folder and other synchronization options
-Preview all operations (including photo thumbnails) before applying them to flickr.
-Synchronize specific folders or all selected folders
-Synchronize all image information, including metadata like title and description, keywords/tags and even geo information.
-Use different synchronization methods according to your needs (ex: by date taken, by caption, by filename).
-Define optional filters for each folder. For example: only synchronize to flickr images that have a certain keyword/tag on a specific folder.
-Support for all flickr image formats
-Support for Windows Vista (including Picture Gallery tagging and caption)

Download FlickrSync for Windows here[codeplex]

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Continuing on Windows Server 2008, here are the latest downloads for Windows Server 2008.

1. Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 Standard
   Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
2. Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 for Itanium-based Systems
   Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
3. Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 Datacenter
   Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
4. Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 Enterprise.
   Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
5. Windows� Web Server 2008 Beta 3.
   Windows Server� 2008 Beta 3 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.

Are you ready for Windows Server 2008? In last couple of days, I have pointed you to some good learning resources for Windows Server 2008 and now the countdown has begun for it’s launch.

Global launch in 180+ days. Got Vista? Get yourself Vista Sidebar Gadget.

Download | More Info on Windows Server 2008