A Review On Windows 8 Vs Windows 7

Ever since Microsoft released their flagship operating system with a new user interface- Windows 8, people have been debating on Windows 7 vs Windows 8 pros and cons. If you ask me, even though the operating system has been slow on sales, it has a wonderful user interface. The metro user interface from Microsoft completely changed the view that one might have about desktop operating systems. The only problem that people fear to have with Windows 8 is related to compatibility of old Windows software. Most of the users who have installed Windows 8 complain about accessibility issues, well it is true that the operating system might look little complicated when you compare it with Windows 7.

However, today’s tablet and smartphone users might feel at home with the Metro user interface as they can experience the same interface on all their devices. There is a significant change in the shutdown and startup time with Windows 8 operating system. Laptop and desktop users would be able to use their system faster if they install Windows 8, as the boot time for Windows 8 when compared with Windows 7 is lower. The program also shuts down faster than its predecessor. Another field in which Windows 8 scores in against Windows 7 vs Windows 8 feud is in multimedia performance.

But if you take into account graphic performance of the two operating systems with respect to 3D graphics rendering, Windows 7 does better than its successor. If you are into gaming, then there is nothing to worry about getting Windows 8 as both Windows 7 and Windows 8 performed similarly in the benchmark tests conducted with the same level of graphics and graphics devices. Most of the games were well rendered with Windows 8 operating system. To top all of that, you will be able to get new Metro style games for playing on your device if you install Windows 8.

It will be a relief for Microsoft to know that even though the operating system did not raise much sales and hype, it did not become a complete failure like Windows Vista. One of the greatest advantages that users have if they upgrade to Windows 8 is that they will be able to get much longer support period than that for Windows 7. The mainstream support for Windows 7 is all set to end next year, however Windows 8 will provide you with support for a few couple of years more.

What Is Hyper-V Virtualization Platform?

Nowadays, virtualization techniques are becoming a lot popular in the IT field. The benefit of using such solutions is that they offer a flexible, reliable and faster disaster recovery solution. Microsoft provides one such virtualization solution by the name of Hyper-V or Microsoft Hypervisor Based Server Virtualization Technology. This service provides a virtual platform for businesses and help in their growth.

As stated in the Microsoft support site, Hyper-V was released in 2008 and is available in a total of four versions i.e. Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008. The microkernelized hypervisor architecture of Hyper-V enables the users to virtualize their infrastructure. This enables the users to effectively manage their virtual and physical resources with only one set of tools. Moreover, the IT professionals are also able to increase the productivity of the organization by maximizing their process, management and provisioning of resources.

The 64-bit microkernelized hypervisor architecture in Hyper-V makes it support a number of devices by ensuring improved security and performance of the system. Microsoft Hyper-V is a standalone and shortened version of Windows Server where Microsoft has omitted every aspect that is irrelevant to virtualization, devices as well as Graphical user interface. This is done to make the server as small as possible. By doing so, the Windows Server would also require less maintenance time and would be less vulnerable to security issues. If you check the Microsoft Support Site, you will get to know more about the features of this virtualization program. It has been mentioned that this hybrid supervisor, although is installed from the OS, redesigns the architecture of the operating system completely and hence, works as an adjacent layer to the physical hardware.

Installing Hyper-V involves almost the same process of installing any other program. First, you need to check the type of Windows version you’re running in your system. This is because if you’re running an older version of Windows server that is prior 2008, you would need to upgrade to a newer version before you try installing Hyper-V. Once you have successfully installed the program, your computer will reboot. After rebooting, you will be able to notice the additional services in your system, including Hyper-V.

Hence, by installing Hyper-V, you can create, change and delete Virtual Machine. To know more about the features included in Microsoft Hyper-V, you may get in touch with our technical support personnel.

More Firmware Updates Released For Surface Pro 3

The much hyped laptop-replacement device from Microsoft, Surface Pro 3 has received its first update within a few months after its public release. Surface Pro 3 became an instant hit due to its tremendous capabilities and has been touted as the best tablet in the price category. The Intel powered device is available in three different variants (i3, i5 and i7) and runs Windows 8.1 operating system. To know more about the features of Surface Pro 3 and why it’s better than the rest of the tablets available in the market, head over to the official Windows support page.

If you have purchased the Surface 3 Pro tablet, you should install the updates as they come by to utilize all the features that are available for use. The new update includes tons of new stuff. Moreover, the updates are cumulative and any further updates are available only after the previous and existing ones are downloaded and installed. The latest update includes the following new fixes and upgrades:

• Surface Pro Embedded Controller Firmware (v36.5.50.0) [Firmware update
• Surface Pro System Aggregator Firmware (v3.7.50.0) [Firmware update]
• Surface Pro UEFI (v3.7.150.0) 
• Surface Pro Touch Controller Firmware (v426.27.66.0) [Firmware update]
• Wireless Network Controller (v15.68.3040.75) [enhanced WiFi service]
• Bluetooth (v15.68.3040.75) 
• Surface Integration (v2.0.739.0) 
• Surface Type Cover Firmware Update (v2.0.735.0) 
• Microsoft LifeCam Front (v2.0.733.0) [Camera update]

The latest update addresses power management issues that were reported in previous versions and includes major performance improvements that were lacking in previous versions. Apart from that, global IT giant has fixed several bugs reported by Surface 3 Pro users in this short interval. The speedy attempts to fix this issue have been lauded by all.

To manually install the updates, follow these instructions:

• Swipe from the right edge of your tablet screen and then tap on the Settings button.
• Navigate through the list of options and then tap on Change PC settings.
• Inside this menu, you will find Update and recovery.
• Click Check now. Your Windows 8.1 powered tablet will immediately search online for any available updates.
• You will be able to view the new updates when you tap on View details.
• Select the updates you want to install and then tap or click Install.

If the automatic updates options are selected, your Surface Pro 3 tablet will download every update and install them automatically. Hence, if you do not see any available updates, you can assume you are running the latest Surface updated OS. To know more about each update, head over to the official Windows support page.

User Data Not Protected In The Outlook Webmail App For Android

One of the Outlook problems reported to Microsoft help desk recently related to the lack of data protection features in the Outlook webmail app for Android. It was the tech security firm Include Security, who first reported this issue. The company highlighted that Microsoft has not put in place any strong security options in Outlook’s Android app for protecting user data.

About the Outlook problems mentioned in the Include Security report

Include Security, like many other tech security firms out there, research on popular applications and operating systems in order to find out security flaws in it. This helps them to design better security solutions. As a part of their research on the Outlook Android app, they realized that Outlook webmail app for Android leaves user data unprotected against hackers.

The two things that protect Outlook data in an Android device include the inbuilt security feature of the device and the security measures of the Outlook app. The Pincode feature in the Android OS is something we all use to lock our smartphone, but not many users are aware of the same feature in Outlook app.

However, according to the Include Security report, both these Pincode security functions only lock the graphical user interface. This means that if you have any Outlook files stored in the micro SD card in your smartphone, they can be easily accessed by removing it from your phone. As you can see, the Pincode security feature can be easily bypassed when the micro SD card is inserted in a PC.

Researchers at Include Security point out that the main shortfall in the Outlook app for Android is lack of an encryption feature. In addition, even if an Outlook user wants to use the Pincode feature in the app, it has to be enabled first. In response to these reports, Microsoft issued a clarification note stating that the Outlook app relies on the security features of the operating system. In other words, there is no encryption option in the Outlook app.

So, if a user wants to protect his Outlook data stored in the smartphone by encrypting it, he can either use the options offered by the device platform, or use an external encryption application for this purpose. It is also a smart idea to keep all your Outlook data stored in the smartphone’s internal memory and not on the external micro SD card.

What To Do When Outlook Fails To Load

Microsoft Outlook is an email application client from Microsoft that helps a user to send and receive email messages, thus making communication with friends and families easier. Moreover, it provides a task manager, address book, and calendar, making the tasks of a business or home user easier. However, even though it is much popular and provides many advantages, Outlook can sometimes show some problems, where it will not work properly. If these issues crop up, you can make use of some troubleshooting steps to solve the problems easily.

By executing some simple steps, you will be able to solve the issues when Outlook not working. When you are working with Outlook, there is a chance that it may show some error report or crash. The main reason for such an issue will be due to change in the computer registry or because of a system update. However, it can be solved easily by following the below given steps.

Instructions

• Move the mouse pointer towards the lower left corner of your Windows computer display and locate the button called Start. Once it is located, you need to click the Start button. This will open a Windows Start menu on your system. From the Windows Start menu, you need to click the button called My Computer. 
• From the local drive, you need to find the folder called Microsoft Office seen in the directory called Program Files. 
• Next, from the sub directory called Office, locate the file that is named Outlook.exe. The name of the sub directory will change depending upon the version of Microsoft Outlook that you are using in your computer. This can be Office9, Office10, Office12, or Office14. 
• After finding the specific file named Outlook.exe, you need to right click it and from the available drop down menu, you need to choose the option labeled Properties. 
• Now, checkmark the box that is seen adjacent to Run this program in compatibility mode. To save the changes that you have made, you need to click the OK button seen at the bottom right side of the window called Properties. Finally, you need to restart your computer and start Microsoft Outlook. Now Microsoft Outlook will work without any problems. 

These instructions will help you to fix the Outlook not working issues in Microsoft Outlook. To know more, contact our Outlook support desk.

Software Giant Provides Support For Xbox One Controller On Windows Pc

Here comes an exciting news for Xbox One gamers. Microsoft recently revealed that Xbox One games will be compatible with Windows PC from now on.

If you were an Xbox One user, then you would surely know what an excellent piece of gear its controller is. It is normal to wish for using it with your Windows powered PC. Gamers from across the globe have been waiting for the software giant to incorporate a facility allowing Xbox One controller to be used with their personal computers. There are many Microsoft tech support forums flooded with requests concerning the same. And now, Microsoft has finally announced that it will be baking Windows PC compatibility for Xbox One controller into a Windows update in the pipeline.

The wish has been granted, though a year late. Microsoft Corporation is now offering drivers that will make the handset usable on a computer without spending any extra money on a gamepad. Larry Hryb, aka Major Nelson noted that the drivers would come bundled with the forthcoming Windows software update. He further added that mentioned drivers can be installed manually as well.

You are required to choose the drivers that corresponds to your PC (x86 for 32-bit and x64 bit for 64-bit systems). After installing the drivers, all you need to do is connect the handset or controller using a micro USB cable. If unsure, you can approach Microsoft tech support team for help regarding the new update installation.

The Xbox One controller will work perfectly fine with any game as it supports on the gaming console. The great thing is that the controller can be used with any personal computer with USB facility using a micro-USB cable. Now, the only disadvantage is that wireless controllers are not supported (not yet) and there is no dongle that is PC compatible for allowing wireless usage.

You might know that the Xbox 360’s handset is compatible with PC. Players can connect their gamepads to the PC through a USB port. But, if you remember, wireless controllers were made compatible with PC only after nine months of Xbox 360 roll-out. Now, since the announcement of PC support for wired gamepads for Xbox One, the next logical move for Microsoft is to provide wireless capabilities similar to the Xbox 360.

The new controller for Xbox One is a nice upgrade over the old one. There are some marked improvements compared to the old one. Unlike the old one, the use of black plastic in the new controller makes sure that it will not look yellowy and dirty.

Unblocking Links In Microsoft Outlook

Many users prefer using Microsoft Outlook mainly because of the useful options this program provides them. Outlook is Microsoft’s most advanced email applications, which you can synchronize with a POP3 account. In addition to being such an amazing email application, Outlook also serves as a personal information manager for the users. While the personal information is stored in specific folders known as personal storage tables, Outlook address book stores the contact information. There is also a dedicated technical support team known as the Outlook help desk, which fixes all the issues related to this program.

It is quite obvious to have links in an Outlook message, which you can click on to follow them. But sometimes, you may find the links in the messages blocked. In some cases, such an issue occurs because Outlook may consider these links not to be safe.

But you don’t have to worry now. Follow these instructions provided by the Outlook help desk to unblock links in Microsoft Outlook:

• At first, you can try adjusting Outlook’s Junk Mail filters. In the Outlook settings, you can either increase or reduce the Outlook’s security levels. Once you change the settings, you may be able to unblock the link in the Outlook message. It is recommended to reduce Outlook’s security level temporarily.
• Now, you can go ahead and try adjusting Outlook’s Automatic Download settings. This can be found in the Trust Center. Here, you can check the Don’t Download Pictures Automatically in HTML Email Messages or RSS Items option. This will help you to temporarily unblock the link in the message.
• You can now paste the link outside of Outlook. After this, you need to right-click the blocked link in Outlook. This will open a shortcut menu, wherein you need to click on the Copy Hyperlink option.
• Next, you can open a new browser window or tab and paste the copied link into the address bar of the browser.
• Try searching for the characters BLOCKED: in the hyperlink and once you find it, delete them. Then, you can hit Enter to enable the browser to follow the link.

By following these steps, you can easily unblock links in the messages you get in Microsoft Outlook application. To get more information on the features and options in Microsoft Outlook, feel free to dial our 24/7 Outlook technical support team.