Posts Tagged ‘windows’
It has been decided by Microsoft to pull its Windows 7 for Netbooks downloading tool from its online store. While Microsoft refused to formally comment, the takedown is likely in response to accusations that code for the tool was lifted from a CodePlex-hosted open-source project. The original program, the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT) was determined to help Microsoft capitalize on netbooks’ enduring popularity among consumers.
Microsoft draw its Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT) from the online Microsoft Store on Nov. 10, allegedly because the program include code from the GPLv2-licensed ImageMaster project. Microsoft originally introduced the USB/DVD Download Tool as a method for netbook users, for those who lack DVD drives on their devices, to install Windows 7 on their machines.
The ImageMaster project, hosted on Codeplex, is addressed on its site as “a .Net C# application for reading and writing disc images.” One of the user said that it is a very weird feeling after poking through the WUDT’s internals because there was too much codes for such a simple tool.
According to one of the user, Microsoft may have destroyed ImageMaster’s terms for use of the open-source code decline to offer source code for their customizations to ImageMaster and stapling on their own licensing terms, further prohibiting their rights to the software.
As this comment spread in the larger media, it appears that Microsoft made the decision to pull the WUDT from the offerings on the Microsoft Store, although the “Windows 7 for Netbooks” page remains active without an “Add to Cart” link.
One of the Microsoft spokesperson said in response to it that they are currently looking into this issue and are taking down the Windows USB/DVD Tool (WUDT) from the Microsoft Store site until their review of this matter is complete. They apologize to their customers for any inconvenience.
WUDT was originally designed to make porting Windows 7 onto netbooks a relatively easy process.
One of the Microsoft spokesperson wrote while cautioning the users who would need to configure their netbook’s BIOS before they could boot off that USB device or external DVD player. For netbook users without DVD drivers, the M Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool [WUDT] will take an ISO image and create a bootable UDB device that can be used to install windows 7.
Despite so much hype and popularity of netbooks something that led Microsoft to create a Windows 7 solution for the devices in the first place is that Redmond has publicly indicated that it would like consumers to gravitate towards higher-priced “ultra-thins” that can potentially run higher-margin editions of Windows.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said during the company’s annual Financial Analyst Meeting over the summer that Microsoft’s manufacturing partners would likely start introducing ultra-thin PCs with a higher price-point than netbooks by the end of 2009.
Ballmer told one of the analysts that they want people to be able to get the benefits of lightweight performance and also be able to spend more money with them.
It may not be well obvious but the registry is an important component of your Windows operating system. The registry needs to be maintained and protected because your whole system may crash if it gets damaged. Unwanted data files and vacant registry keys give to an unnecessary overflow of the registry. This is where a true registry cleaner comes in handy. Windows Vista does not let an automatic process to backup your registry. The good news is there are ways to do this like getting a manual backup tool, among others. Here are some steps that you should fallow:
Step 1: Registry Editor Tool
The Registry Editor function could be given to carry out manual edits to your Windows Vista registry. It effectively creates a backup for either a specific part or your entire registry. To get using this tool, apply the following steps:
* In the Run command in your Start menu, typewrite regedit then press Enter.
* From the File menu, click Export. The File name box will be displayed.
* Type the name of the backup file in the File name box.
* In the Export Range portion, click All if you want to back up the entire registry. If you are targeting single a part of the registry, choose Selected Branch then in the next field, type the name of the branch you wish to create a back up for.
* Finally, click Save and the backup file is created.
Step 2: System Restore Tool
The System Restore function is also another effective way to secure your Windows Vista registry. The tool enables the restoration of your PC system to how it was in a specific period of time, much similar to a time machine. Try this in case your computer crashes.
System Restore is ready by default in Windows Vista. It works by taking snapshots of different system settings inside your registry so that when you opt to restore your system, relevant information is restored with the service of the snapshots. However, the tool cannot be used to back up the registry.
Step 3: Registry Cleaners
Registry cleaner tools are effective means to back up your registry. An advanced registry cleaner performs quickly in doing partial or complete backup. All it would take is a few clicks of the mouse to perform the task. Almost computer owners heavily rely on registry cleaners.
Step 4: Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore Tool
The Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore Tool is extremely effective in retrieving your Windows Vista system. It comes available with the Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise editions of Vista. You could also opt to produce a full or a partial backup using this tool.
If you opt for a complete backup, your whole operating system, all your installed applications, your registry, data files, and user configuration will all be preserved. You also have the option to just make a complete registry backup with the Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore Tool.
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge about the importance of securing your Windows Vista registry, be reminded that it is also necessary to regularly perform registry backups. Using the given tools, you could be assured of the safety of your system. It is also advisable to save your files in external devices, like CDs and DVDs, as extra precaution.