gHacks technology news » technet http://www.ghacks.net A technology blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:31:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Microsoft Download Portals Overview http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/08/microsoft-download-portals-overview/ http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/08/microsoft-download-portals-overview/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:26:07 +0000 Martin http://www.ghacks.net/?p=11786 microsoftMicrosoft is not only maintaining one public download repository on the Internet but several. Many of these download sites are offering downloads for a specific Microsoft product or group of users. Some are accessible from within Microsoft products while others are only accessible from a web browser. This makes it rather complicated to create an overview of those download sites. The benefit of maintaining such a list is that these download sites do not only contain downloads for Microsoft computer software programs but also patches, updates, beta software and even prototype software that might only be available for a limited amount of time before it is removed from the servers.

The following overview will list the major Microsoft download portals (Keep in mind that these link to the English language portals):

  • Codeplex: Download Portal for Open Source third party software
  • IE Addons: Provides information and downloads about add-ons for the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser.
  • Microsoft Developer Network: The developer portal. Most content is restricted to subscribers but some can be accessed publicly.
  • Microsoft Download Center: Microsoft’s main download repository that contains links to updates, trial versions and service packs.
  • Microsoft Office Labs: Office concepts and prototypes
  • Microsoft Research: Site for tech demos and prototypes that can be downloaded publicly.
  • Microsoft Security: Security portal that provides latest security news and downloads for Microsoft products.
  • Microsoft TechNet: Contains resources for IT professionals. Lots of technical stuff plus downloads.
  • TechNet Evaluation Center: Download of beta and trial software.
  • Microsoft Update: Works only in Internet Explorer. Will scan the computer system for Microsoft products and suggest updates that can be downloaded and installed on site.
  • Office Update: The main page for Office updates and downloads of all kind including updates, service packs and add-ons.
  • Vista Gallery: Gadget downloads for Windows Vista.
  • Windows Live: Download the Windows Live software and install all or selected products.
  • Windows Live Gallery: Download and review sidebar gadgets, emoticons, toolbars, display pictures, web gadgets, winks and sideshow gadgets.
  • WM Plugins: Codecs, skins, effects and additional tools for the Windows Media Player.

Did we miss a website or portal? Let us know in the comments.

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]]> http://www.ghacks.net/2009/04/08/microsoft-download-portals-overview/feed/ 7 Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta Download http://www.ghacks.net/2008/12/04/windows-vista-service-pack-2-beta-download/ http://www.ghacks.net/2008/12/04/windows-vista-service-pack-2-beta-download/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:48:30 +0000 Martin http://www.ghacks.net/?p=8718 Microsoft is making the betas of the Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 available through their Customer Preview Program. Links are currently up for MSDN subscribers and Technet subscribers with public links announced to follow soon on the very same page.

Windows Vista Service Pack Beta 2 is available in the five languages English, German, Japanese, Spanish and French. Microsoft did publish the release notes for Windows Server 2009 Service Pack 2 Beta and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta already. The release notes do not contain many information at this point but they contain information about incompatible applications and updates which should be updated or installed prior to installing the beta release of the Service Pack.

Users with previous versions of Service Pack 2 have to uninstall that Service Pack before being able to install the beta 2. This is done in the Control Panel as usual. The website where MSDN or Technet subscribers can find their download links and where regular users will find their download links as well is available here. Interested users can also take a look at the updates and patches that are included in both betas of the Service Packs.

It should be noted that this is still a beta release and therefor intended to be installed on development or test computer systems.

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