Simple Hack Gives Windows XP Users 5 More Years Of Support

Forget Wolverine, clearly there is nothing more difficult to kill than Windows XP. Having finally ditched support for the 12 year old operating system in April, Microsoft MSFT -0.29% performed an arguably foolish U-turn just three weeks later when a massive Internet Explorer flaw blew holes through every version of Windows. And now it seems users will be able to get five more years of Windows XP support – for free .

No Microsoft hasn’t changed its mind yet again. Instead the life extension comes courtesy of a simple hack spotted by betanews. The workaround exploits Microsoft’s continued support of ‘Windows Embedded Industry’ (previously ‘Windows Embedded POSReady’) which will last until 2019. Embedded Industry is designed for use in industry devices across retail, manufacturing, healthcare and – you guessed it – the operating system is based on Windows XP Service Pack 3.





Consequently the security updates that continue to be released for Windows Embedded Industry are essentially the same as what Microsoft would have released for Windows XP, had support continued. Now with a simple hack you can trick Windows Update into thinking Windows XP is Windows Embedded Industry.

This is how you do it:
1. Create a text document, and call it XP.reg. Be sure that the ending is ‘.reg’ not ‘XP.reg.txt.’ (check this in Windows Explorer by going to Tools > Folder Options > View and uncheck ‘Show hidden files and folders’)
2. Right click the file, select ‘Edit’ and paste in:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMWPAPosReady]
“Installed”=dword:00000001
3. Save it and double click the file twice with the left mouse button which will add it to the registry.
You’re done. Windows XP will now tell Microsoft Update it is Windows Embedded Industry and automatically download and install security updates as they are released. The snag is this hack only works for Windows XP 32bit because Windows XP 64bit is based on Windows Server 2003. There is a more complex workaround for that which can be found here.





Now come the caveats. Firstly the updates are designed for Windows Embedded Industry not Windows XP and while that should not matter, it is possible there may be some compatibility issues. Secondly – and most importantly – it is impossible to say whether these hacks will keep working until support ends for Windows Embedded Industry in 2019 or if Microsoft will close this loophole.
The optimistic viewpoint is Windows XP’s end of life status should mean it receives no future software updates so Microsoft would have to make another U-turn to close the loophole.


The cynical viewpoint is Microsoft would prefer users to move to a newer operating system so closing the loophole would be in its interest. This is a fair point given the age of Windows XP, but countered by the fact 1-in-4 PCs still use it. Microsoft also hasn’t helped its case after releasing misleading data earlier this month suggesting Windows XP is safer than Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Either way Microsoft is left in a tricky situation. Following the controversial ‘Update 1’ patch Windows 8.1 is actually a very good operating system, but its reputation is irreparably damaged.


Furthermore, while it is fair to stop providing a free warranty service for a 12 year old OS, Microsoft is offering military and government organisations a paid service to keep their Windows XP computers safe as part of a scheme dubbed ‘Clandestine Fox ’. Surely this should also be a paid option for users who wish to stay safe, but can’t afford new hardware or fear the leap to a free Linux alternative like Ubuntu.
Yes Windows XP has arguably been Microsoft’s greatest success, but its troubled legacy is fast becoming the company’s Achilles Heel .

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/05/27/simple-hack-gives-windows-xp-users-5-more-years-of-support/

Microsoft Offers Free Windows To Encourage More Cheap Windows 8 Tablets, PCs

by Julie Bort, May 23, 2014, 6:32 PM

On Friday Microsoft announced that it was going to give away for free yet another version of Windows.
Microsoft is calling it Windows 8.1 with Bing, even though it won't force people to use Bing if they really want to use another search engine.
The free version of Windows will be available to hardware makers who are building low-cost devices with only 1GB of memory and 16GB of storage. Some of these devices, if they are tablets, might also include Microsoft Office.

Windows 8.1 with Bing use Internet Explorer and Microsoft's Bing search engine by default, just like all the other Windows 8 devices. 

But Microsoft promises that people can switch search engines. "Customers will be able to change that setting through the Internet Explorer menu, providing them with control over search engine settings," Windows spokesperson Brandon LeBlanc wrote in a blog post.
Some of these new devices will be announced in the coming weeks, leading to Computex in Taipei, a big conference for the PC industry.
 
This is the second version of Windows that Microsoft is offering for free. At its Build developers conference in March, the company announced that it would be giving away Windows for phones and tablets smaller than 9 inches in screen size.

Giving Windows away for free is a major shift for Microsoft, which makes over $4 billion a quarter licensing Windows revenue.

But device makers now have another choice, namely Chrome OS for laptops and Android for tablets, which Google gives away for free. (Ironically, Microsoft has gotten many of them to sign patent license agreements covering Chrome, so some device makers actually pay Microsoft when they use Chrome.)

In April, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the company would be willing to give away more versions of its operating system for free, or at different price points, as it expands Windows into new markets, like Windows for Wearables (which he said the company is working on).
 
To help Windows 8 become more popular, Microsoft is returning to the tried-and-true strategy of "it's hard to compete with free."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-windows-for-free-again-2014-5#ixzz32ilqM4uS

Chromium WPA Theme for Windows 7

For those who enjoy a clean gray/silver theme without wanting the Apple title bars, a theme modeled after the Chrome OS is available. The WPA theme is a nice alternative. Below is a link where you can get it. Enjoy.

 

 

You can get the WPA4 Theme here:

http://wifajo.deviantart.com/gallery/

How To Recall Sent Messages In Outlook 2013

By Cherlynn Low, LAPTOP Staff Writer | Sep 9, 2013 03:11 PM EDT

Most people use Outlook for professional correspondence, so making a blunder via email can be incredibly embarrassing and damaging to your career. Fortunately, the Outlook 2013 Recall Sent Message feature allows you to retrieve and fix your typo-ridden, attachment-less messages from your recipient’s inbox, as long as they haven’t read it yet.

Here’s how to quickly delete or fix your sent messages in six easy steps.

1. Go to your Sent Messages folder.

2. Double click the message you want to recall. This will open the message in a new window with more options in a dedicated ribbon at the top. 

3. Click Actions in the Move section at the top center of the window. 

4. Click Recall This Message.

 5. Select Delete Unread Copies Of This Message. Outlook will warn you if some of your recipients have already read the message, and you won’t be able to recall those messages. 

If you just want to add an attachment or fix a typo, select “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message” instead. This opens a new window with your message already in edit mode so you can quickly correct your mistake(s).

6. Click Ok and wait for Outlook to tell you if the recall had been successful. If you did not uncheck the box that says “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient”, you should get a message from Outlook informing you of the status of your recall.

If the recall was successful, the message will disappear from your recipient’s inbox. Otherwise, Outlook 2013 will let you know that the recall has failed, and you’ll have to prepare to face the music. But the quicker you react, the better your chances.

Source: http://blog.laptopmag.com/recall-sent-message-outloo
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10+ Useful System Tools Hidden in Windows

Whether you’re using Windows 7, Windows 8, or an older version of Windows, Windows contains a variety of system utilities that are well-hidden. Some are buried deep in the Start menu, while others can only be accessed via a command.

Most of these tools can be easily launched if you know their names — just open your Start menu or Start screen, search for the name of the program, and press Enter. On Windows 8, you may have to select the Settings category on the search screen first.

Windows Memory Diagnostic

Windows includes a Memory Diagnostic tool that can restart your computer and test your memory for defects, like the popular MemTest86 application. If you want to check your computer’s memory for errors, you don’t need a third-party tool — just open the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

Resource Monitor

The Resource Monitor application offers a detailed look at your computer’s resource usage. You can view computer-wide CPU, disk, network, and memory graphics, or drill down and view per-process statistics for each type of resource.

This means that you can see which processes are using your disk or network heavily, view which processes are communicating with which Internet addresses, and more. The Resource Monitor provides much more detailed resource statistics than the Task Manager does.

You can launch the Resource Monitor by opening the Task Manager, clicking the Performance tab, and selecting Resource Monitor. It can also be accessed by searching for Resource Monitorat the Start menu or Start screen.

Performance Monitor

The Performance Monitor application allows you to collect performance reports and view them. It can be used to log performance data over time, including determining how system changes affect performance, or to monitor the performance of a remote computer in real-time.

Computer Management and Administrative Tools

The Performance Monitor is actually one of many Microsoft Management Console (MMC) tools. Many of these can be found in the Administrative Tools folder, but they can be opened in a single window by opening the Computer Management application. Among other things, this window contains the following tools:

• Task Scheduler: A tool that allows you to view and customize the scheduled tasks on your computer, in addition to creating your own custom scheduled tasks.
• Event Viewer: A log viewer that allows you to view and filter system events — everything from software installation to application crashes and blue screens of death.
• Shared Folders: An interface that displays the folders shared over the network on your computer, useful for viewing what folders are being shared at a glance.
• Device Manager: The classic Windows Device Manager that allows you to view the devices connected to your computer, disable them, and configure their drivers.
• Disk Management: A built-in partition manager you can use without downloading any third-party tools.
• Services: An interface that allows you to view and control the background services running in Windows.

The Administrative Tools folder also contains other useful utilities, such as the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security application that allows you to create advanced firewall rules.

Advanced User Accounts Tool

Windows contains a hidden User Accounts utility that provides some options not present in the standard interface. To open it, press WinKey+R to open the Run dialog, type either netplwiz orcontrol userpasswords2, and press Enter.

This window also contains a shortcut to launch the Local Users and Groups tool, which offers more user management tasks, but can’t be used on Home or standard versions of Windows.

Disk Cleanup

Windows’ Disk Cleanup utility isn’t quite as hidden as some of the other utilities here, but not enough people know about it. It will scan your computer for files that can be deleted, from temporary files and memory dumps to old system restore points and leftover files from Windows upgrades. It does the same job a PC cleaning utility does, but it’s free and doesn’t try to extract any money from you. Advanced users may prefer CCleaner, but Disk Cleanup does a decent job.

Access it by searching for Disk Cleanup at your Start screen or Start menu.

Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor is only available on Professional or Ultimate editions of Windows, not the standard or Home editions. It provides a wide variety of settings that are designed for use by system administrators to customize and lock down PCs on their networks, but the local group policy editor also contains some settings that average users might be interested in. For example, on Windows 8, the group policy editor can be used to disable the lock screen and skip directly to the log-in screen.

To open it, type gpedit.msc at the Start menu or Start screen and press Enter.

Registry Editor

Sure, everyone knows about the registry editor — but it’s still hidden, with Microsoft not even providing a Start menu shortcut to it. It must be launched by typing regedit into the Start menu or Start screen and pressing Enter.

Many tweaks that can be made in the Group Policy Editor have equivalent tweaks that can be made in the registry editor. For example, on Windows 8, users with the standard edition of Windows 8 can’t disable the lock screen via the Group Policy Editor — but they can disable the lock screen with a registry hack.

MSConfig

The System Configuration window is another classic tool that many people know about. Prior to Windows 8, which features a startup-program manager built into its Task Manager, this tool was the only included way of controlling startup programs on Windows. It also allows you to customize your boot loader, which is particularly useful if you have multiple versions of Windows installed.

Launch it by typing msconfig into the Start menu or Start screen and pressing Enter.

System Information

The System Information utility allows you to view information about the current computer — everything from the model number of its CD-ROM drive to its attached peripherals, configured environment variables, and startup programs. It doesn’t provide the slickest interface, nor does it provide all the information a third-party system information tool like Speccy does, but it will display a lot of system information without forcing you to install another program.

Open it by searching for System Information at your Start menu or Start screen.

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Once you know these utilities exist, you can do more with the tools built into Windows. These tools are available on any Windows computer, so you can always use them without downloading and installing software.

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/164484/10-useful-system-tools-hidden-in-windows/

Which Browser Is Most Secure On Your Old Windows XP System?

You should be upgrading from Windows XP, but we have to face facts — many people won’t upgrade before the end-of-support date. If you’re still using one of those XP computers, the best thing you can do is ditch Internet Explorer for a more modern browser. This is the main thing you can do to make your Windows XP system more secure.

Stop Using Internet Explorer Now

The most recent version of Internet Explorer available on Windows XP is Internet Explorer 8. This version is already several major versions old — modern versions of IE like Internet Explorer 11 are surprisingly good, but Internet Explorer 8 is still stuck in the stone ages and isn’t much better than the old, busted Internet Explorer 6.
Not only is IE 8 already an outdated browser without the latest features and performance improvements, it will be completely unsupported with security patches when Microsoft ends support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014.  If you have to use Windows XP, that’s one thing — but you shouldn’t use Internet Explorer anymore.





We’re not the only ones saying this. US-CERT, part of the US Department of Homeland Security, recently recommended using a browser other than Internet Explorer if you must use Windows XP. Microsoft won’t tell you to use a different browser, but they’ll definitely tell you to stop using IE on Windows XP. Microsoft would rather you upgrade to a more recent version of Windows with a newer version of IE, of course.
You should also avoid browsers that use Internet Explorer’s rendering engine. For example, old versions of Maxthon and Avant Browser act as shells around Internet Explorer, providing a different interface, but being vulnerable to the same security bugs Internet Explorer is.

Don’t Use Safari Anymore

If you have Apple’s Safari browser for Windows installed on your Windows XP system, uninstall it. Apple are no longer updating Safari for Windows; they’re only updating Safari for Mac OS X. This means Safari for Windows is an old, out-of-date, insecure browser that isn’t receiving updates — just like Internet Explorer.
If you really want to use Safari on your computer, get a Mac. Safari for Windows was an unsuccessful and discontinued experiment for Apple.

The Most Secure Browser – Chrome or Firefox (or Opera)

This isn’t a Chrome vs. Firefox battle, so we’re not going to pass judgment on which of these two browsers is best. Both are great options for Windows XP users and will be supported with security updates going forward. Google says they’ll support Chrome for Windows XP until at least April 2015, while Mozilla has said they have no plans to stop supporting Windows XP.
If you’re using Windows XP, install Chrome or Firefox right now. Both browsers will offer to import your Internet Explorer favorites to make your switch as seamless as possible.







You could also use the Opera web browser. Opera Software has said they plan to support Windows XP for as long as it remains a popular choice among their users. Opera now uses the same browser engine and extensions as Chrome, so it will be familiar to Chrome users — but it’s also a less compelling alternative, as it feels so familiar to Chrome.
Better yet, all of these browsers offer their current version on Windows XP. You’ll get all the latest browser features and performance improvements, while Internet Explorer users will be stuck with a browser several major versions old.

But I Need Internet Explorer!

Some people still need an old version of Internet Explorer to connect to certain websites. For example, you might use an internal business website that requires an outdated version of IE. If you must use Internet Explorer for some things, don’t use it for everything — open it only to use that specific website and use another browser most of the time.
You can also install an IE Tab browser extension for Firefox or Chrome. Configure IE Tab to always load that old website in an Internet Explorer frame inside your browser and you won’t have to worry about opening and closing IE. Just browse with your modern browser and, when you visit the old website, it will automatically load with IE inside your modern browser.





If you’re still using Internet Explorer 8, you should have switched to Firefox, Chrome, or Opera long ago. These browsers support Windows XP properly, while Microsoft holds back new versions of Internet Explorer as a reward for upgrading to new versions of Windows.
Image Credit: Jorgen Kesseler on Flickr

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/browser-secure-old-windows-xp-system/

Make Internet Explorer 11 Work for You With These Tips

Chris Hoffman

On 20^th September, 2013

Windows

Internet Explorer 11 isn’t terrible! In fact, if you’ve got a Windows tablet and have bought into the whole Metro — sorry,  “Modern” — interface, it’s probably the best touch-based browser you can use. We’ve already looked at how Internet Explorer 11 has matured into a modern browser and has left behind IE 10′s more annoying limitations.
We’ll be focusing on the Modern version of Internet Explorer 11 here. The desktop version is almost the same as ever, aside from a few new features like Developer Tools and the ability to sync tabs with other Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices. Internet Explorer 11 is included as part of Windows 8.1, which will be available as a free upgrade for all Windows 8 users on October 18, 2013.

Split-Screen Multitasking

Windows 8′s Modern interface receives two much-needed upgrades in Windows 8.1. First, you can view two or more full apps on screen at the same time. You’re no longer limited to one app being a small sidebar on one side of the screen. Second, you can run multiple instances of an app.
Combined, this means that you can now have two web pages side-by-side in the Modern interface. We’re most of the way through 2013 and we’re celebrating the ability to view two web pages side-by-side, who’d have expected that?
To use this feature, right-click or long-press on an open tab and select Open tab in new window. You’ll see the web pages side-by-side.

Flip Ahead

The Flip Ahead feature tries to automatically predict the next page you’ll want to visit. For example, if you’re reading a multi-page article on a website, the Flip Ahead feature will detect the next page of the article as the web page you’ll want to visit. On MakeUseOf’s home page, flipping ahead will take you to the next page of articles.
To use flip ahead, just click the arrow that appears on the right side of a page or just swipe to the left.

Sharing

While viewing a web page, open the charms bar with a swipe in from the right or with the Windows Key + C shortcut and tap Share. You’ll be able to share the page with other apps you have installed. By default, you can email a link with Mail, use the People app to post the link to a social network, or add the page to your reading list. You’ll see more options here if you have more apps installed. For example, the Twitter app would allow you to share the link on Twitter.

Reading List & Reading Mode

Windows 8.1 includes a new Reading List app that integrates with Internet Explorer, allowing you to save articles to read them later. It’s sort of like Pocket or Instapaper, none of which offer official Modern apps.
Some websites offer a reading mode that you can activate by tapping a book icon that appears in Internet Explorer’s address bar on that page. Reading mode is just like Readability and other reading-mode browser extensions. You can add articles directly to your reading list from reading mode or add any article to your Reading List using the Share charm.

Always-Visible Tabs

For people who actually try to use Modern Internet Explorer 10, one of its most obnoxious features was the way it didn’t allow you to always view your tabs on-screen all the time. Tabs were hidden and you had to swipe or right-click to view them. IE 11 introduces an option that will shrink the tabs to a more standard size and make them always visible on your screen.
To use this feature, open the Settings charm, select Options, and set the Always show address bar and tabs slider to On.
Internet Explorer 11 also supports an unlimited amount of tabs — the Modern version of IE 10 only supported a maximum of 10 tabs at a time.

Pin Websites to Your Start Screen

You can pin websites you use to your Start screen and give them their own tiles. Just click or tap the star button on Internet Explorer’s app bar. Tap the pin icon afterwards and you’ll get a tile for the website.
Internet Explorer 11 allows websites to display live tile information as if they were an app after you pin them. Don’t expect many websites to support this for now as IE 11 is so new.

Activate Hover Menus

Hover menus aren’t designed for touch. They’re designed for mouse movements — move your mouse over a place on the page and a menu will appear. This is often impossible to do on touch devices.
If you’re using a Windows tablet, you can now long-press on something to perform a “hover” event. This will cause hover menus to appear on websites that don’t properly support touch input.

Manage Favorites

Internet Explorer 11 now allows you to manage your favorites from the Modern app without using the desktop app. While saving a favorite — tap the star icon to access your favorites and then tap the star icon with a plus sign over it — you’ll be able to create new bookmark folders and categorize your bookmarks. You can then navigate through folders of favorites from the Favorites bar.

Call Phone Numbers

By default, IE 11 automatically turns phone numbers on web pages into clickable links. These will open in any app you have installed that can handle them. Skype is included in Windows 8.1, so you’ll be able to call numbers in Skype just by clicking or tapping them on the web.
If you don’t like this feature, you can disable it from the Settings charm.

Tab Sync

To access tabs open on other Windows 8 or Windows Phone devices, click or tap the Tabs option and select the name of the device. On the desktop, you can access synced tabs from Internet Explorer’s new tab page.

Could It Be That Internet Explorer Is A Cool Browser?

Microsoft is seriously trying to build a browser you will enjoy. And if you happen to have a touch-enabled device running Windows 8, you should give Internet Explorer 11 a try! Not only is Internet Explorer catching up, it’s leading the way for what a touch-based browser should look like.
Do you know any other tips for Internet Explorer 11 or 10? Leave a comment and add your own!

Source: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/make-internet-explorer-11-work-for-you-with-these-tips/