Microsoft Support has released a new Fix-It solution to fix Windows display quality issues. A Fix-It is a small portable program that can resolve common Windows issues automatically. Each Fix-It offers to resolve issues that it finds automatically or give the user the option to select the fixes manually. The second option is usually the recommended one as it gives users more control over the troubleshooting process and repair.

The display quality Fix-It is available as an app that downloads needed files from the Internet and as a portable version.

When you start the program the following screen is presented to you.

I’d recommend to select Detect problems and let me select the fixes to apply to avoid additional issues that the troubleshooter may cause. The Windows Display Quality Troubleshooter analyzes the system and displays fixes after the diagnosis has been completed on the next screen.

Here it is then possible to run some or all of the fixes if the manual option has been selected. It is also possible to display a detailed report that displays all issues that the Display Quality Troubleshooter checks for.

• Clear Type settings may not be adjusted
• Display settings are not optimized
• Calibrate display color settings
• The video card driver is not Windows Display Driver Model compliant
• Blurry text or graphics

The troubleshooting tool runs all selected fixes to resolve display quality issues in the Windows operating system. Depending on the issues, wizards may be displayed that walk the user through the configuration or fine tuning of a feature. This is for instance the case if Clear Type settings appear not to be adjusted.

Windows users can download the solve windows display quality issues Fix-It from the Microsoft Support website. (via)

Microsoft today has releases a security advisory to give customers “guidance for the Windows kernel issue related to the Duqu malware”.

The advisory describes a vulnerability in TrueType font parsing that could allow elevation of privileges. Attackers who manage to exploit the vulnerability can run arbitrary code in kernel mode which would allow them to install programs, “view, change or delete data” and create new accounts with “full user rights”.

Microsoft confirms that targeted attacks are carried out currently that use the vulnerability. The overall impact is however rated as low.

Microsoft is offering a manual workaround for affected versions of Windows on the security advisory page:

On Windows XP and Windows Server 2003:

For 32-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:

Echo y| cacls “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll” /E /P everyone:N

For 64-bit systems, enter the following command from an administrative command prompt:

Echo y| cacls “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll” /E /P everyone:N

Echo y| cacls “%windir%\syswow64\t2embed.dll” /E /P everyone:N

On Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2:

For 32-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:
Takeown.exe /f “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll”

Icacls.exe “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll” /deny everyone:(F)

For 64-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:
Takeown.exe /f “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll”

Icacls.exe “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll” /deny everyone:(F)

Takeown.exe /f “%windir%\syswow64\t2embed.dll”

Icacls.exe “%windir%\syswow64\t2embed.dll” /deny everyone:(F)

The workaround may impact applications that “rely on embedded font technologies”.

The workaround can be undone again the following way:

On Windows XP and Windows Server 2003:

For 32-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:
cacls “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll” /E /R everyone

For 64-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:
cacls “%windir%\system32\t2embed.dll” /E /R everyone

cacls “%windir%\syswow64\t2embed.dll” /E /R everyone

On Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2:

For 32-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\system32\t2embed.DLL /remove:d everyone

For 64-bit systems, enter the following command at an administrative command prompt:
Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\system32\t2embed.DLL /remove:d everyone

Icacls.exe %WINDIR%\syswow64\t2embed.DLL /remove:d everyone

Microsoft furthermore has released a fix it solution that users can run on their system to protect it from the security vulnerability

The fix it can be downloaded from the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article.

It is recommended to apply the workaround on computer systems until Microsoft releases a security patch that resolves the issue without side effects.

Please note that there is a fix-it for enabling and one for disabling the workaround.

Most Windows users can uninstall the web browser from the operating system’s Control Panel applet. Some users have however reported that the uninstallation does not remove the Internet Explorer version from their computer system.

Finding out if the removal of Internet Explorer was successful is not complicated. You could first try and start the browser and check the reported version under Settings > About Internet Explorer.

If Internet Explorer 9 is listed, or if the browser does not start up at all, it is time for a thorough clean-up to remove the browser from the system.

Microsoft has released a Fix it application to resolve Internet Explorer 9 uninstallation issues. Microsoft Fix Its are lightweight programs that resolve specific issues on a system without user interaction.

All that is usually required to do is to run the Fix It with elevated rights. The program will take care of the rest on its own. The particular Internet Explorer 9 Removal Fix It creates a System Restore point before it starts the removal of the browser.

The Fix It app will remove Internet Explorer 9 automatically and prompt for a reboot once it is done.

Microsoft has furthermore posted a manual fix if IE9 cannot be uninstalled correctly on Windows.

To uninstall Internet Explorer 9, follow these steps:

• Log on to the computer as an administrator.
• Close all Internet Explorer browser windows.
• Start Notepad.
• Copy and paste the following HTML text into Notepad to convert the HTML text into plain text:

  FORFILES /P %WINDIR%\servicing\Packages /M Microsoft-Windows-InternetExplorer-*9.*.mum /c “cmd /c echo Uninstalling package @fname && start /w pkgmgr /up:@fname /norestart”

• Click Start, and then click Run.
• Copy and then paste (or type) the following command in the Open box, and then press Enter: cmd
• Copy the text from Notepad, paste the text into the Command Prompt window at a command prompt, and then press Enter.
• After the command runs, and the Command Prompt window returns, repeat step 7, and then go to step 9.
• Restart the computer to complete uninstallation of Internet Explorer 9. When you do this, the previously installed version of Internet Explorer is installed.

The Fix It hopefully resolves all Internet Explorer 9 removal issues for Windows users. Did you try out Microsoft’s latest web browser? What’s your verdict? (via)

While it is usually relatively easy to resolve uninstallation issues, for instance by using a third party software uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller, the same cannot be said for installation problems, especially if the programs do not throw error messages or hint at the problem during the installation attempt.

Microsoft has released one of their Fix-It tools to “diagnose and fix program installing and uninstalling problems automatically”. A Fix-It is a small portable program that Windows users can run to resolve and repair issues on their operating system semi-automatically.

The Microsoft Support page, which is also the page where the Fix-It can be downloaded, lists the following issues that are repaired by the application:

• Removes bad registry key on 64 bit operating systems.
  Windows registry keys that control the upgrade (patching) data that become corrupted.
• Resolves problems that prevent new programs from being installed.
• Resolves problems that prevent programs from being completely uninstalled and blocking new installations and updates.
• Use this troubleshooter for an uninstall only if the program fails to uninstall using the windows add/remove programs feature.

Windows users who run the program can select to let the program handle both the detection of problems and the fixes, or to let the user apply the fixes manually after issues have been identified.

The second option gives more control over the process and is usually the better choice.

The type of problem, installing or uninstalling related, needs to be selected in the second step. If uninstalling is selected, a list of all programs that are currently being detected as installed is displayed. There is also an option to select Not Listed if the program that is causing the uninstalling problems is not listed here.

If the program is not listed, users can still uninstall the application by entering the program’s product code represented as a string GUID.

Windows users who have problems installing or uninstalling software can download the Fix-It from the official Microsoft Support website.

The issue is caused selecting the checkbox to “Treat all future networks that I connect to as public, and don’t ask me again” during configuration of the network connection.

A Fix-It has been created by Microsoft to resolve the issue and restore the option to click on the network location. Since it is a Windows 7 specific issue, the fix is only provided for that operating system.

Windows 7 users can download the Fix-It from the Microsoft Support website. All it takes then is to execute the program on the target system. The fix resets the settings and displays a prompt to select a location for the active network.

The Fix It displays a fixing status report in the end with options to leave feedback, get online help or read additional information about the Microsoft Fix It.

Experienced users and users who have no success with the Fix It can try the manual fix to repair the network location issue instead. The manual fix is listed on the same support web page. Here are the steps to troubleshoot the network location issue manually.

• Close all applications that use the network connection.
• Click on the Start Orb, type device manager in the search and run box and press enter.
• Expand the network adapters listing
• Right-click on all network adapters and select Disable from the context menu.
• Now re-enable the adapter that is causing the troubles.
• Click on the Start Orb again, type in network and sharing center and select the program with the same name from the available selection.
• Select Choose homegroup and sharing options on the lower left side of the window.
• Click on the What is a network location link and select the network location
• You can continue the Homegroup setup dialog or exit it at this point.
• Re-enable all disabled network adapters in the last step.

Both the Fix-It program and the manual repair should fix the issue under Windows 7. Did you ever run into this problem? Let me know in the comments.

Microsoft knows that and has created a Fix It to extend the battery life of mobile computers running Windows. The Fix It furthermore can be used to troubleshoot power consumption problems on the system.

Fix Its are tiny programs designed to troubleshoot, repair or optimize features and functions of the Windows operating system.

The programs can be started right after they have been downloaded to the local computer system. This particular Fix It can be run automatically or manually. When run automatically, it will scan power related settings and correct issues that have been found automatically. While that’s probably the better options for users without computing experience, it is suggested to run the manual power settings scan instead for detailed information about suggested fixes before they are applied to the operating system.

All power issues that have been found by the scan are listed, giving the user the chance to analyze them before they are applied.

Hovering the mouse cursor over a suggested fix displays a tooltip with additional information. These are usually good enough to understand the issue at hand. Checkboxes are provided to uncheck fixes so that they are not applied on the system.

A click on next runs the fixes that have not been unchecked. This does not take longer than a few seconds the most.

Some of the issues that the Fix It finds are:

• Period of time before the computer goes to sleep is set too long
• Screen saver is used instead of setting the computer to enter sleep mode
• Display brightness is set too high
• Power plan is not set to the most efficient power plan
• Wireless adaptor in not optimized for power saving
• Minimum processor state is set too high

Windows users can download the power consumption Fix It from the official Microsoft Support website. (via)

The Malware Prevention Fix-It belongs to that category. While it still comes with an option to check and repair everything automatically, it can also be run manually to give the user the option to accept or deny suggested actions.

The program runs a series of security related checks on the system to find possible security issues. It can fix a variety of settings and tools, including Windows Firewall, Antivirus protection, User Account Control, Data Execution Prevention or the system’s phishing and smartscreen filters.

Users get the option to let the Fix-It tool detect the problems and apply the fixes, or to do that manually. The manual option is suggested for experienced users, and users who want to know about the changes that are made to the system.

Users who select the manual option get a list of possible security issues that have been found on the system. All issues are displayed with checkboxes to enable or disable their fixes.

Additional information are displayed in a mouse over popup. These can be handy for users who want to know more about a specific tool, feature or service listed there. There is also an option to display a detailed report which lists all issues that have been checked on the system.

The Fix-It then tries to resolve the issues on the Windows operating system. It displays a status report in the end listing the issues and their fix status.

The Windows Security Fix-It can be handy for users who are recovering from a malware attack on their system. Malware sometimes makes changes to the system’s security, and this tool can be used to revert possible changes. It can also be used if you want to check your system’s default security settings, for instance during regular security assessments.

Windows users can download the Fix-It from the Microsoft Support website. (via)

The Windows Media Player Fix It repairs several issues that users may experience when trying to run the built-in multimedia player.

• Windows Media Player 11 or newer crashes or stops responding.
• Windows Media Player does not start at all, or some of its user interface elements remain blank.
• Streaming video or audio are not playing because settings for Windows Media network streaming are corrupt.
• Users encounter browsing and searching problems in Windows Media Player. This can be caused by corrupt Windows Media Player libraries.
• An installed copy of Nero Video Burning plugin causes Windows Media Player to crash or stop responding. This is caused by incompatibilities.

Windows Media Player users who are experiencing any of the issues listed above may want to download the Fix It tool to their system. All they need to do locally is to start it and follow the instructions.

Some Windows users on the other hand experience problems with their CD and DVD drives that have nothing to do with this feature. Microsoft describes the problem the following way:

Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or not recognized by Windows or other programs, so you cannot play or access a CD or DVD. This issue might have occurred after you installed, uninstalled, or updated a program or Windows Vista.

This is a generic description. Users who scroll down on the Knowledgebase page find details at the end of the page:

This issue may have occurred after one of the following situations:

• You upgrade a computer to Windows Vista or install Windows Vista Service Pack 1.
• You install or uninstall CD or DVD recording programs.
• You uninstall Microsoft Digital Image.

You may see one of the following error messages: One of the following error messages appears when you view the CD drive or the DVD drive in Device Manager.

• Error message 1 – The device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device (Code 31).
• Error message 2 – A driver for this device was not required, and has been disabled (Code 32 or Code 31).
• Error message 3 – Your registry might be corrupted. (Code 19)
• An “error code 39″ error message.
• A message that resembles the following appears in the notification area:
  Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41)

Users should check the CD drive or DVD drive in the Device Manager before they apply the Fix-It solution.

The Knowledgebase article offers instructions on how to manually fix the issue as well. Windows 7 users can use the Playing and Burning CDs, DVDs, and Blu‑ray Discs troubleshooter (link), while Vista and XP users have to edit the Windows Registry.

No word out yet if Microsoft will develop a patch to fix the issue permanently.

All recent Microsoft operating systems are affected by the vulnerability. Microsoft today, has updated the Security Advisory. The update now links to a Fix-It solution, which basically is a one-click solution to correct the issue.

The program will disable .lnk and .pif file functionality, which will change the graphical representation of icons in the Windows Taskbar and Start Menu. The images below show the changes.

start menu

blank icon

The blank icons can be highly confusing, especially for users who did not apply the fix by themselves. It is advised to test it thoroughly before implementing it in a computer network.

Microsoft provides a Fix-It to enable or disable the workaround to protect the computer system from the attack.

Microsoft has also updated the manual workaround.

1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler
3. Click the File menu and select Export.
4. In the Export Registry File dialog box, enter LNK_Icon_Backup.reg and click Save.
Note This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default
5. Select the value (Default) on the right hand window in the Registy Editor. Press Enter to edit the value of the key. Remove the value, so that the value is blank, and press Enter.
6. Locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile\shellex\IconHandler
7. Click the File menu and select Export.
8. In the Export Registry File dialog box, enter PIF_Icon_Backup.reg and click Save.
Note This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default.
9. Select the value (Default) on the right hand window in the Registy Editor. Press Enter to edit the value of the key. Remove the value, so that the value is blank, and press Enter.
10. Log all users off and on again, or restart the computer.

The manual workaround has the same effect as the Fix-It solution.

Microsoft furthermore recommends to block the download of lnk and pif files, but does not go into detail on how to do that. Visit the updated security advisory for additional information.

Microsoft is aware of limited targeted attacks that exploit the vulnerability. These attacks use specially crafted links on web pages or email messages with the hcp:// prefix instead of http://.

The HCP protocol is used to execute links in the Help and Support Center. The threat is caused by the Windows Help and Support Center not properly validating links that use the HCP protcol.

Attackers who successfully exploit the vulnerability could take complete control of the system if the user is logged in with administrative privileges. The vulnerability can only be exploited if the user clicks on a prepared link.

Microsoft has created a Fix-It script that can be used to protect Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems from the vulnerability.

The script disables the threat by unregistering the HCP protocol on the target system.

A manual workaround was also posted

• 1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedit in the Open box, and then click OK
• 2. Locate and then click the following registry key:
  HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HCP
• 3.Click the File menu and select Export
• 4.In the Export Registry File dialog box, enter HCP_Procotol_Backup.reg and click Save. Note This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default.
• 5. Press the Delete key on the keyboard to delete the registry key. When prompted to delete the registry key via the Confirm Key Delete dialog box, click Yes.

Using a Managed Deployment Script

• 1. Create a backup copy of the registry keys by using a managed deployment script that contains the following commands:Regedit.exe /e HCP_Protocol_Backup.reg

  HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HCP

• 2. Next, save the following to a file with a .REG extension, such as Disable_HCP_Protocol.reg:Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

  [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\HCP]

• 3. Run the above registry script on the target machine with the following command from an elevated command prompt: Regedit.exe /s Disable_HCP_Protocol.reg

Disabling the HCP protocol will break all links, be they local or remote, that use the HCP procotol.

The Microsoft Fix it Center Online is a new beta service by Microsoft that offers information on a centralized web page, especially a software compatible with many Microsoft operating systems that can be installed to fix various OS related issues.

The software program is not what users familiar with Fix it solutions would expect. It does not list all the Fix it solutions in its interface. It rather is a independent solution that offers help for many different support issues (and how to questions) that users experience and have when working with the Windows operating system.

The Microsoft Fix it Center installation will automatically identify possible troubleshooting issues during installation

It is furthermore possible to link the software to a Microsoft Fix it Center Online account which can be entered or created during setup.

The main Microsoft Fix it Center is displayed afterwards. Several common support issues are displayed in the interface from changing the display quality to creating a Homegroup, troubleshooting the network adapter or printer problems.

A click on the Detail button next to each Fix it solution displays a short description and the time it takes to complete the troubleshooting process.

The run button will launch the tools to support the user in troubleshooting the selected issue. Those are usually opened in new windows to aid and guide the user.

Experienced computer users will not find a lot of issues listed that they cannot fix on their own. The program in its current stage seems to have been developed for casual users who are having difficulties with their Windows operating system.

Microsoft Fix it Center Online is currently released as a beta. The software program is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 as well as Windows server 2003 and 2008. It can be downloaded from the Fix It Center website.

The vulnerability only affected Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7; Anyone updating their web browser to the latest official version of Internet Explorer would protect the computer system from the security vulnerability.

But not everyone was able to update. Especially users in corporate environments have still to cope with outdated versions of Internet Explorer.

Microsoft now has released a so called Fix It solution to patch the vulnerability so that it cannot be exploited anymore. A Fix It solution is basically a small program that can be executed right from the web browser to fix problems on the operating system.

Actually, there are two fix it solutions for the same vulnerability and it is enough to use one of them to protect the PC from the Internet Explorer vulnerability.

• Fix it solution for peer factory in iepeers.dll We have created an application compatibility database that will disable peer factory in the iepeers.dll binary for supported versions of Internet Explorer on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
  To install this application compatibility database, click the Fix it button in the “Fix it solution for peer factory in iepeers.dll” section.
• Fix it solution for Data Execution Prevention We have created an application compatibility database that will enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) for all versions of Internet Explorer that support DEP. You do not need this database if you are using Internet Explorer 8 on Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) or on Windows Vista SP1 or later versions. This is because Internet Explorer 8 opts-in to DEP by default on these platforms.
  To install this application compatibility database, click the Fix it button in the “Fix it solution for Data Execution Prevention” section

The second Fix-It patch requires a computer system that supports DEP which means that it works on every Microsoft operating system from Windows XP on which obviously excludes Windows 2000. The processor also needs to support Hardware-enforced DEP

Both Fix It solutions can be executed or downloaded form this Microsoft Knowledgebase article.

All Microsoft Fix It solutions can be accessed at the Microsoft Fix It Solution Center. The website does not display the fix it solutions in a comfortable way which is why all of them have been added to the list below. Each entry describes the problem and links to the fix it page at the Microsoft Support website.

Windows Update Fixes

• Error message when you use the Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web site to install updates: “0x8007000B” [link]
• Error message when you try to update a Windows XP-based computer: “0x80072EE4″ [link]
• MBSA 2 and other programs do not offer Windows Server 2003 SP2 as an update on a Windows Server 2003-based computer that has the Windows Server 2003 SP2 Blocker Toolkit installed [link]
• Error message when you try to perform a backup on a Windows Vista-based computer: “0x80071A91″ [link]
• Error when you download updates using Windows Update or Microsoft Update: 8000FFFF [link]
• How do I reset Windows Update components? [link]
• You are not offered the option to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 when you use Windows Update or Automatic Updates [link]
• Why doesn’t my computer detect my new USB device when I’m running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003? [link]
• Error message when you check for updates on the Windows Update site: “0X800A138F: There are no updates available at this time” [link]
• MapPoint or Streets & Trips does not respond or gives an error message about the license when you try to start the program [link]
• Description of the Receive Window Auto-Tuning feature for HTTP traffic on Windows Vista-based computers [link]
• I cannot open Help files that require the Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) program [link]

Windows fixes

• How do I enable User Account Control in Windows Vista? [link]
• The Recycle Bin icon does not refresh automatically in Windows Vista or in Windows XP [link]
• The Bluetooth item in Control Panel on a Windows Vista SP2-based computer does not work as expected when you click the item [link]
• How can I disable wireless configuration services and enable the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration services [link]
• How do I enable the NUM LOCK key for the logon screen? [link]
• How do I open the firewall port for SQL Server on Windows Server 2008? [link]
• When I used the Online Media feature of Media Center Extender on a Windows Vista-based computer, I received an error message: “Video Error” [link]
• You may receive error messages when you install the .msp files that are contained in hotfix 950009 [link]
• Navigation is canceled when you browse to Web pages that are in different Internet Explorer security zones [link]
• 10060 Connection timed out error with proxy server or ISA Server on slow link [link]
• On a Windows XP-based computer, icons are displayed as a red X [link]
• Error message when you perform various System Center Data Protection Manager (DPM) 2007 operations after you install DPM 2007 Service Pack 1: “An Unexpected error occurred during a VSS operation” [link]
• How do I reset Windows Update components? [link]
• Information about the discontinuation of Encarta Encyclopedia Research Service in Microsoft Office [link]
• You cannot open the “C:\Programme” folder in the German version of Windows Vista or Windows 7 Beta [link]
• How can I recover items that I have “hard deleted” in Outlook? [link]
• Error message when you start Outlook: “Unable to open the Outlook window,” “No profile has been created,” or “The list of Profiles cannot be loaded” [link]
• Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Microsoft DirectShow could allow remote code execution [link]
• How to fix MSI software update registration corruption issues [link]
• How do I reset the hosts file back to the default? [link]
• Description of the Receive Window Auto-Tuning feature for HTTP traffic on Windows Vista-based computers [link]
• Terminal Services event messages 1100 or 1114 in Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003 [link]
• You cannot open a PowerPoint attachment in Windows Mail in Windows Vista [link]
• How do I uninstall the 2007 Office suites if I cannot uninstall it by using the “Add or Remove Programs” feature? [link]
• An optional update is available to update the Daylight Saving Time for Bangladesh for the year 2009 for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 based computers [link]

Internet Explorer

• The Internet Explorer icon is missing from your desktop [link]
• Fix Runtime Errors in Internet Explorer [link]
• How to solve Internet Explorer 7 installation problems [link]
• How to reset Internet Explorer settings [link]
• How to solve Internet Explorer 8 installation problems [link]
• How can I configure my Internet Explorer browser settings after I have removed malicious software from my computer? [link]
• How to troubleshoot network connectivity problems in Internet Explorer [link]
• There are no options under Settings on the Advanced tab of the “Internet Options” dialog box in Windows Internet Explorer 7 [link]
• How do I move the Standard toolbar to a location that is above the Address bar in Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8? [link]
• After I install Windows Internet Explorer 7 on a computer that is running Windows XP with Service Pack 2, a “Restore My Active Desktop” button appears on the desktop [link]
• The menu bar and the toolbar are missing in Internet Explorer on Windows Vista or Windows XP or in Windows Explorer on Windows XP [link]
• How do I configure Internet Explorer to download more than two files at one time? [link]
• After you upgrade to Internet Explorer 7, hyperlinks do not work in Outlook Express [link]
• Navigation is canceled when you browse to Web pages that are in different Internet Explorer security zones [link]
• How to optimize Internet Explorer [link]
• You cannot log in to or connect to secured Web sites in Internet Explorer [link]
• A new window opened in Internet Explorer displays a blank white page [link]
• Outlook 2007 does not honor the folder structure that was created in Internet Explorer 7 for the RSS Feeds folder [link]
• The Windows Search feature does not work correctly, you receive script errors in Internet Explorer, or some information is missing after you upgrade to Windows XP or after you uninstall Norton SystemWorks 2003 from a Windows XP-based computer [link]
• When I tried to open Device Manager or the Computer Management window, I received an error message: “MMC cannot open the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\devmgmt.msc” [link]
• You are not offered the option to install Windows XP Service Pack 3 when you use Windows Update or Automatic Updates [link]
• A Visio 2003 drawing control does not load and the Visio drawing contents are not displayed when you visit a Web page that contains the drawing control [link]
• Application errors occur after you run Xmlinst.exe on production servers [link]
• Error message when you check for updates on the Windows Update site: “0X800A138F: There are no updates available at this time” [link]
• How to determine and to recover from Winsock2 corruption in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, and in Windows Vista [link]

Configuration Manager

• Distribution Manager in System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 may require several hours after startup before it begins to process packages [link]
• Stop error message when a Windows Server 2008-based computer randomly restarts: “0x000000BE ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY” [link]

Exchange

• The installation of the Exchange Server 2007 Hub Transport role is unsuccessful on a Windows Server 2008-based computer [link]
• Mail flow to certain domains does not work when you run Exchange Server 2007 on a Windows Server 2008-based computer [link]
• How can I recover items that I have “hard deleted” in Outlook? [link]
• Application errors occur after you run Xmlinst.exe on production servers [link]
• When users access their Free/Busy information, the Outlook Web Access service stops on the computer that is running Exchange 2007 [link]
• You cannot prevent Office Communicator 2007 from controlling the call forwarding settings [link]
• Outlook 2003 users may not be able to use Outlook in offline mode [link]
• Network connectivity fails when you try to use Windows Vista behind a firewall device [link]
• An update to turn off default SNP features is available for Windows Server 2003-based and Small Business Server 2003-based computers [link]
• Update for Windows Search 4.0, December 2008 [link]
• Client connections return a “STATUS_INVALID_PARAM” error code when you use a “Send NTLMv2 response only” authentication level in Windows Server 2008 or in Windows Vista [link]

Internet Application Gateway

• Endpoint detection fails when a client computer connects to IAG [link]

Microsoft Message Queuing

• How to avoid routing queries with no routing servers in the site [link]

SharePoint

• Problems occur when you try to open an Office document from a Web site hyperlink in a 2007 Office application on a Windows Vista-based client computer [link]
• Error message when you try to open multiple instances of an InfoPath 2007 form at the same time by using different input parameters [link]
• Description of the Receive Window Auto-Tuning feature for HTTP traffic on Windows Vista-based computers [link]
• After you upload encrypted files from a computer that is running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 to a WebDAV share, the files remain encrypted [link]

Windows Server

• How do I open the firewall port for SQL Server on Windows Server 2008? [link]
• How to remove administrative shares in Windows Server 2008 [link]
• PS/2 mouse is not connected to a Windows Server 2008-based computer or a Windows Server 2003-based computer when the computer starts [link]
• An optional update is available to update the Daylight Saving Time for Bangladesh for the year 2009 for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 based computers [link]
• How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) [link]
• How do I disable balloon tips in the notification area in Windows XP or Vista? [link]
• MBSA 2 and other programs do not offer Windows Server 2003 SP2 as an update on a Windows Server 2003-based computer that has the Windows Server 2003 SP2 Blocker Toolkit installed [link]
• Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Microsoft DirectShow could allow remote code execution [link]
• Terminal Services event messages 1100 or 1114 in Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003 [link]
• Microsoft Security Advisory: Vulnerability in Microsoft Video ActiveX control could allow remote code execution [link]
• An update to turn off default SNP features is available for Windows Server 2003-based and Small Business Server 2003-based computers [link]
• The print queue status is displayed as “Offline” on a Windows Server 2003-based print server if SNMP is enabled and if the printer devices do not respond to SNMP commands [link]
• DCOM Error 10021 is logged when you run a WinRM command against a remote computer that has update 936059 applied [link]
• Stop error message when a Windows Server 2008-based computer randomly restarts: “0x000000BE ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY” [link]
• How to avoid routing queries with no routing servers in the site [link]
• 10060 Connection timed out error with proxy server or ISA Server on slow link [link]
• Error message when you try to view an ASP Web page that is hosted on IIS 6.0 or on IIS 5.0: “HTTP 500: Internal Server Error” or “The requested resource is in use” [link]
• When you send and receive e-mail messages by using a POP3 e-mail account, you receive one of the following error messages: “0x8004210A” “0x800CCC0B” or “0x8004210B” [link]
• How do I enable the NUM LOCK key for the logon screen? [link]
• When I used the Online Media feature of Media Center Extender on a Windows Vista-based computer, I received an error message: “Video Error” [link]
• You may receive error messages when you install the .msp files that are contained in hotfix 950009 [link]
• How can I disable wireless configuration services and enable the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration services [link]
• How do I enable User Account Control in Windows Vista? [link]
• The Recycle Bin icon does not refresh automatically in Windows Vista or in Windows XP [link]
• The Bluetooth item in Control Panel on a Windows Vista SP2-based computer does not work as expected when you click the item [link]

Office

• When you try to open an Office file that contains a damaged AutoShape object in Office 2003 Service Pack 3, you receive an error message: “ experienced an error trying to open the file” [link]
• The Templates dialog box does not appear for three or four seconds when you try to create new documents by using the templates in Office 2003 [link]
• Information about the discontinuation of Encarta Encyclopedia Research Service in Microsoft Office [link]
• How do I uninstall the 2007 Office suites if I cannot uninstall it by using the “Add or Remove Programs” feature? [link]
• Problems occur when you try to open an Office document from a Web site hyperlink in a 2007 Office application on a Windows Vista-based client computer [link]
• Description of the 2007 Office system hotfix package: June 10, 2008 [link]
• You cannot prevent Office Communicator 2007 from controlling the call forwarding settings [link]
• A graphic image changes unexpectedly when you copy it from Excel 2003 to another Office 2003 program in a spanned RDP session [link]
• The text in a Graph object in an Office 2003 application seems to overlap or seems to be squeezed together when you use Excel 2003 on a Terminal Services client that is running in Monitor Spanning mode [link]
• Project 2003 crashes when you expand many subprojects in a master project [link]
• Some text is unexpectedly inserted into a new e-mail message from OneNote 2007 [link]
• Error message when you click a hyperlink in an Office 2003 document: “The address of this site is not valid”" [link]
• Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook disables Outlook to search the Outlook data [link]
• The changes in the TOC and PageRef fields do not appear when you compare Word 2007 documents [link]
• A hotfix is available for Outlook 2003 that enables certain MAPI applications to create new items in a .pst file after the PstDisableGrow registry entry is configured [link]
• Project 2007 takes longer than expected to add new values to a lookup table [link]
• Pictures that have certain shadow settings display incorrectly in PowerPoint 2003 [link]
• A Visio 2003 drawing control does not load and the Visio drawing contents are not displayed when you visit a Web page that contains the drawing control [link]
• An Outlook 2003 user cannot open a network share from a hyperlink in an RTF e-mail message if the e-mail message is sent from an Outlook 2007 user [link]
• How do I fix the problem that I experience after I install an automatic update for Word 2007 on a Windows Vista-based computer? [link]
• How can I configure Outlook to read non-digitally-signed e-mail messages or nonencrypted e-mail messages as plain text in Office XP SP1? [link]
• Finish date of a project plan may change in Project 2003 [link]
• You cannot open a PowerPoint attachment in Windows Mail in Windows Vista [link]
• Error message when you start Outlook: “Unable to open the Outlook window,” “No profile has been created,” or “The list of Profiles cannot be loaded” [link]
• You may receive error messages when you install the .msp files that are contained in hotfix 950009 [link]

Outlook and Outlook Express

• A hotfix is available for Outlook 2003 that enables certain MAPI applications to create new items in a .pst file after the PstDisableGrow registry entry is configured [link]
• Error messages when you create a new MAPI form or you try to open custom forms in Outlook 2003 [link]
• Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook disables Outlook to search the Outlook data [link]
• An Outlook 2003 user cannot open a network share from a hyperlink in an RTF e-mail message if the e-mail message is sent from an Outlook 2007 user [link]
• After you upgrade Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2007, Outlook 2007 crashes when you start the program [link]
• Error message when you start Outlook: “Unable to open the Outlook window,” “No profile has been created,” or “The list of Profiles cannot be loaded” [link]
• Outlook 2007 does not honor the folder structure that was created in Internet Explorer 7 for the RSS Feeds folder [link]
• If you change the Appointments font setting for the calendar in Outlook 2007, the new font setting is not used when you print the calendar [link]
• Outlook 2007 may stop responding when you select an e-mail message that is restricted by Information Rights Management [link]
• A hotfix is available for Outlook 2007 that enables certain MAPI applications to create new items in a .pst file after the PstDisableGrow registry entry is configured [link]
• When you use Outlook 2007 to send an e-mail message, the recipient of the message sees an attachment that is called Winmail.dat [link]
• A hotfix is available to enable Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) messages to use INTERNALDATE as the delivery date of a message in Outlook 2007 [link]
• A Color Category that uses a dark color may print lighter than other Color Categories in Outlook 2007 [link]
• You cannot disable the “No end date” option for appointments, meeting requests, tasks, or task requests in Outlook 2007 [link]
• It takes much longer than expected to download an e-mail message from a POP3 server in Outlook 2007 [link]
• How can I configure Outlook to read non-digitally-signed e-mail messages or nonencrypted e-mail messages as plain text in Office XP SP1? [link]
• Outlook 2003 users may not be able to use Outlook in offline mode [link]
• How can I recover items that I have “hard deleted” in Outlook? [link]
• When users access their Free/Busy information, the Outlook Web Access service stops on the computer that is running Exchange 2007 [link]
• When you send and receive e-mail messages by using a POP3 e-mail account, you receive one of the following error messages: “0x8004210A” “0x800CCC0B” or “0x8004210B” [link]
• Network connectivity fails when you try to use Windows Vista behind a firewall device [link]
• Error message when you try to use a keyboard shortcut in an Outlook 2003 custom form that has an embedded Web Browser control: “The operation failed” [link]
• An e-mail message does not appear in a user’s mailbox if the e-mail message was sent on behalf of the user by a delegate in Outlook 2003 [link]
• Error message when you click a hyperlink in an Office 2003 document: “The address of this site is not valid”" [link]
• Hyperlinks do not work in Outlook Express or in Word [link]

Windows Media Player

• When I try to use Windows Media Player 11, the program does not start, or some UI elements are blank [link]
• Windows Media Player stops responding after you install a third-party product that registers its own version of the Wmp.dll file [link]
• How can I enable or disable automatic updates in Windows Media Player? [link]
• How to troubleshoot sound problems that you experience after you install a Windows Vista Service Pack [link]
• How can I disable changes in Windows Media Player that are introduced after I install security update 936782? [link]

Xbox

• You tried to set up your Xbox 360 console as a Media Center Extender, but the Setup program did not start [link]
• Error message when you try to install a program for the Xbox 360 Media Center Extender in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Service Pack 3: “There is a problem with the installation of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005″ [link]

Zune

• When you try to play music that you downloaded from the Zune Marketplace, you receive an error message: “C00D11B1” [link]
• Your CD drive or DVD drive is missing or is not recognized by Windows or other programs [link]

Games and Consumer Products

• How can I troubleshoot activation issues or error messages for Games for Windows, Streets and Trips, and MapPoint? [link]
• When you try to start MapPoint or Streets & Trips, you receive an error message: “A removable device or network share cannot be found” [link]
• MapPoint or Streets & Trips does not respond or gives an error message about the license when you try to start the program [link]
• Error message when you try to use Street & Trips 2008: “Construction information for routes could not be downloaded” [link]

Windows Media Player

• When I try to use Windows Media Player 11, the program does not start, or some UI elements are blank [link]
• Windows Media Player stops responding after you install a third-party product that registers its own version of the Wmp.dll file [link]
• How can I enable or disable automatic updates in Windows Media Player? [link]
• How to troubleshoot sound problems that you experience after you install a Windows Vista Service Pack [link]
• How can I disable changes in Windows Media Player that are introduced after I install security update 936782? [link]

The security vulnerability affects only Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems. Computer systems running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 are not affected because “the ability to pass data to this control within Internet Explorer” is restricted in these operating systems.

A successful attack will give the attacker the same user rights as the currently logged in user. Microsoft has issued a workaround for the Internet Explorer vulnerability that can be applied manually or using Microsoft Fix It.

The fastest way to patch the security vulnerability is to use the Microsoft Fix It script that will perform all the actions of the workaround automatically. The fix will basically remove support for the ActiveX Control in Internet Explorer. This should not have any impact on the web browser’s functionality according to Microsoft.

All the fixes that Microsoft is offering can be accessed directly at the official website. A recent addition is the Fix It gadget which can be added to both the Windows Vista and the Windows 7 operating system (and probably even for the Windows XP sidebar mod.).

The Fix It sidebar gadget provides access to all of the fixes that have been created by Microsoft for the various operating systems and applications. It offers a search that can be used to search the database for fix it solutions or a tag cloud alternatively. Solutions will be displayed in the gadget including their name and download count. A click on a problem will open a new window with additional information and a link to the one click solution.

The footer of the gadget contains links to additional information including the Technet and Facebook pages of the Fix It project. The Microsoft Fix It gadget is a handy tool for users who use the sidebar in Windows Vista or Windows 7.