Microsoft researchers have found that many new computers purchased in China are delivered directly with malware installed in the operating system.
Microsoft purchased 20 computers in different cities of China, 10 laptops and 10 desktops and found that four of them were delivered with an virus present in the standard software.
Microsoft representatives have blamed the installation of malware on account of unfair suppliers, which would be installed illegal copies of Windows XP or Windows 7.
Nadim Kobeissi, an independent Canadian developer, recognized the existence of at least questionable function of Windows 8. This allows the operating system to notify Microsoft every time the user installs a new application.
This process isolates using SmartScreen function that provides the full details to Microsoft about your installed applications. Obviously, the accusations about privacy violations and data collection appeared. And this time for good reason.
Microsoft has responded to the accusations, saying it is a function that protect users from malware.
Moreover, according to several experts who reviewed the application, it seems more checking the legitimacy of installed programs on the operating system than the risk it poses to the system, concluding that it would be a tool to collect data and to hold liability a user which uses, for example, pirated software, without knowing that it is followed.
Windows is now the most popular operating system for PCs and laptops. It recently appeared the logo of the next version, Windows 8.
It is interesting that it looks like the first Windows logo, which appeared 26 years ago, when this Microsoft product was not a Microsoft operating system, but a GUI application made for MS-DOS system.
The new Windows 8 logo
The retro style brings us very well remember the Windows 1.0 and Windows 2.x.
Here it is the history of the Windows logos since 1985 to today:
Windows 1.0 (1985), Windows 2.0 (1987) and Windows 2.1 (1988)
Eight years have passed since Microsoft came up with a new vision in terms of operating system. Distributions followed radically changed from what was used to receive the user before. Windows Vista and Windows 7 were the versions that announced a new era in the development of the Windows operating system. Now, after eight years of changes, Microsoft is back to basics with the launch of Windows 8.
Microsoft announced on September 14 the launch of Windows 8, designed to run on both PCs and touch screen devices and which is based on Metro concept, a concept used by Microsoft in Windows Phone 7.
Perhaps, beyond the concept design and brand new, Windows 8 has as strength points adaptability at devices with touch screen, tablets, and the speed with which it opens and closes: it needs only 8 seconds to start .
Also, Start menu, as we knew it in Windows 7 disappears and the desktop user can bring that information wants to have on hand. Being adapted for device's touch screen, Windows 8 has a virtual keyboard, directly on the screen, making the touch screen technology user experience much easier.
Other notable and wonderful things at Windows 8 is the speed with which it opens and closes, probably because the new concept of running applications, completely new version of Internet Explorer 10 store applications and integrated antivirus.
Google said it is launching an operating system that all your data will be loaded into a personal account online. Apple came up with a similar system, iCloud.
The idea to put your data in the cloud is not new. Instead of physical hard disk, there will be a virtual cloud that will store your photos, favorite music, files and personal documents. That will happen with the launch of laptops that will work with Chrome OS operating system.
Steve Jobs presented ICloud, which will provide, for the beginning, a space of 5GB (about 400 pictures, books and documents and about 700 songs).
In fall, those who want a bigger cloud, to put more data online, can buy more space from Apple. Such data storage services already have Microsoft and HP.
Even if Chrome OS operating system that only works via the Internet has just been announced, there was already a pretty big competition, there are some programs more than five years.
Microsoft announced that the support for Windows XP, the most popular operating system it will eventually terminate in 1000 days.
Windows XP is a 10 years old operating system, still the most used os in May 2011 with 37.92% usage share but is declining from month to month, followed in second place of Windows 7 and probably soon by Windows 8.
Millions of users worldwide it will still use Windows XP, only that of 8 April 2014, they will not get media updates and improve services offered online by Microsoft. The Microsoft company officials say the best alternative for XP is Windows 7, the newest Microsoft operating system.
The news that Windows 8 will not need any hardware upgrade and it will have the same or lower system requirements as Windows 7 does comes as a relief for users of Microsoft operating systems.
This might be because Microsoft could try to create an operating system suitable for both tablets and for PCs. The result would be lower hardware requirements, knowing that a tablet has weaker hardware features than a computer.
Windows 8 is the codename for the next version of Microsoft Windows operating system.
According to officials, Windows 8 will be at the same level or even below, so users that are satisfied with how their PC's are running Windows 7, will certainly be satisfied and how to run future OS of the giant from Redmond on the same configuration.
Remember that the minimum system requirements for Windows 7:
- 1 GHz processor
- 1 GB RAM (for versions of OS 32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit version)
- 16 GB free space on HDD / SSD (32 bit) or 20 GB (64 bit)
- Video card with DirectX 9 and WDDM drivers or newer.
Microsoft is expected to reveal more information about Windows 8 at BUILD event, intended for developers, which will take place in September 2011.
Windows 8 will not replace Windows 7 but will be marketed in parallel. The launch of the OS will be in the summer of 2012. The RTM (Release to Manufacturer) version could be launched even in April 2012.
