ed bott

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What the "Black screen of death" story says about tech journalism

I've spent the better part of the last 48 hours looking into the colossal fiasco that is the "Black Screen of Death" story. It's a near-perfect case study in how Internet-driven tech journalism rewards sloppy reporting and how the echo chamber devalues getting the story right. Here, let me walk...

Tags: Story, Black Screen, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-12-02

Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft

If you go shopping online for Windows 7, you'll find OEM System Builder copies at significant discounts from full retail prices. Microsoft's own web sites and support forums give conflicting, confusing, often inaccurate information about these products. What's an honest consumer supposed to do? by Ed Bott

Tags: PC, OEM, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Web Site Development, Web Technology, Operating Systems, Software, Internet, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-11-15

Your top Windows 7 questions, answered

Since Windows 7 launched on October 22, my e-mail inbox has been deluged with questions, comments, and pleas for help. I can't possibly reply to them all personally, so I thought I would answer some of the most interesting questions here. Learn the ins and outs of 64-bit upgrades, how...

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, E-mail, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Online Communications, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-11-12

Why I'm letting someone else run my Exchange 2010 server

Microsoft officially released Exchange Server 2010 today. I could go download the code from my MSDN or TechNet account and install it in-house. Instead, I'm planning to let someone else handle the heavy lifting for me, and I suspect I have a lot of company. The biggest objection to a...

Tags: Hassle, E-mail Servers, Workforce Management, Storage Management, Servers, Enterprise Software, Software, Human Resources, Storage, Hardware, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-11-09

Seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)

Only suckers pay retail. You don't have to pay full price for Windows 7. Most people have much better options available, if you just know where to look. I've researched deals in three separate categories: upgrade offers available to anyone, special deals just for students, and subscriptions intended for technical...

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-11-06

What Microsoft won't tell you about Windows 7 licensing

If you're not a lawyer, the subject of Windows licensing can be overwhelmingly confusing. Over many years of studying this stuff, I have learned that Microsoft has buried much of this information in long, dry license agreements and on sites that are available only to partners. Microsoft hasn't assembled this...

Tags: Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-11-03

Clean install with Windows 7 upgrade media? Get the facts!

If you purchase a discounted upgrade edition of Windows 7, can you use it to perform a clean installation of the operating system on a PC that doesn't currently have Windows installed? The answer, it turns out, is really quite simple. I've broken down the license agreement and have specific...

Tags: Clean Install, Media, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-11-02

Internet TV goes live on Windows 7 Media Center

One fascinating detail almost got lost in the shuffle of last week's Windows 7 launch. Microsoft flipped the switch on some partner deals that turned its ho-hum Internet TV feature into something worth watching. I've got the details and a gallery of images to show what you get.. by Ed...

Tags: Media Center PC, Internet TV, Microsoft Windows 7, Media Center PCs, Microsoft Windows, TVs, Personal Technology, Home Entertainment, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-28

Internet TV in Windows 7 Media Center

When Microsoft launched Windows 7 on October 22, it also flipped the switch on a new Internet TV feature. Here's what you'll find. by Ed Bott

Tags: Media Center PC, Internet TV, Microsoft Windows 7, Media Center PCs, Microsoft Windows, TVs, Personal Technology, Home Entertainment, Operating Systems, Software, Windows 7, Media Center, Ed Bott

Image galleries 2009-10-28

Dear Microsoft: What's the deal with Windows 7 upgrades?

Did you just get a retail upgrade copy of Windows 7? Do you have questions about how it works? Sorry, I probably don't know the answers. And I can't point you to anyone who does know how this product works. Why is Microsoft refusing to publish or even discuss this...

Tags: Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-27

Finally, some answers to Windows 7 upgrade questions

Every day for the past few months, I have received at least one question from readers wanting to know how the Windows 7 upgrade process will work. And in every case, my answer has been consistent: I didn't know. So when I got home from the Windows 7 launch event...

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-25

Windows 7: An impressive upgrade

Windows 7 is officially available to the public tomorrow, after nearly a year of testing. I've covered its features and capabilities in detail over the past few months. Today, on the eve of the official launch, I look at Microsoft's new operating system and answer the big question: Who should...

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-21

Windows XP Mode Q and A

In comments and private e-mails, I've received a surprising number of questions about Windows XP Mode, a new feature in Windows 7 that I demoed in today's screencast. How much does it cost? How do you install it? Does it require antivirus software? Get the answers to these questions and...

Tags: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-20

Windows 7 in action: a closer look at Windows XP Mode

For any sort of upgrade, software or hardware, compatibility issues can be true deal-breakers. If a mission-critical program originally written for Windows XP won't run under Windows 7, you're stuck. And the economics can get ugly if an expensive or hard-to-replace peripheral doesn't have Windows 7 drivers. In this week's...

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-19

Windows 7 in the real world: 10 PCs under the microscope

When the slow-motion launch of Windows 7 finally ends and it hits store shelves next week, will it erase the memory of Windows Vista? Over the past three months, I’ve been test-driving the final version of Windows 7 in my home and office on six desktops and four notebooks. Will...

Tags: PC, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-14

Windows 7 in action: smarter search

If Windows 7 has a killer feature, this is it. As I demonstrate in my latest screencast, you can find search boxes throughout Windows 7. The indexed search is fast and accurate, and the indexing process itself is barely noticeable in terms of performance. The best change, though, is the...

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-13

Windows 7 in the real world

Take nine PCs and one Mac. Add Windows 7. Shake well for three months. What do you get? A well-seasoned sampler of how Windows 7 will fare when it reaches the consumer market next week. by Ed Bott

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Windows 7, performance, reliability, Ed Bott

Image galleries 2009-10-12

The single biggest reason why Windows 7 won't be another Vista

You want to know why Windows 7 isn’t going to be another Vista? Here’s one big reason: drivers. Crappy, late drivers killed Vista. Hardware makers and system builders don't want to see that happen again. This time, they're keeping pace with the operating system. by Ed Bott

Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-09

Measuring Windows 7 performance

For nearly three solid months, I've been running the final, RTM version of Windows 7 on six desktop PCs and four notebooks here, using them for a variety of roles. As part of my evaluation, I've recorded the built-in Windows test scores for each machine. Here's a quick comparison that...

Tags: Performance, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-08

Windows 7 in action: do more with the taskbar and Jump Lists

In this week’s Windows 7 screencast, I offer a closer look at the new taskbar, which represents a striking departure in form and function from its predecessors. Its design is clearly intended to make it easier to manage large numbers of programs and open windows. I show how to "pin"...

Tags: Window, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Construction, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

Blog posts 2009-10-05