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Microsoft has issued an updated Internet Explorer (IE) 7 release that no longer requires Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation in order to download.

Program Manager Steve Reynolds announced the news on October 4 on Microsoft’s IE Team blog:

Because Microsoft takes its commitment to help protect the entire Windows ecosystem seriously, we’re updating the IE7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users. With today’s ‘Installation and Availability Update,’ Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users.

The new download can be found here.

Some minor UI changes:

• The menu bar is now visible by default.
• The Internet Explorer 7 online tour has updated how-to’s. Also, the “first-run” experience includes a new overview.
• We’ve included a new MSI installer that simplifies deployment for IT administrators in enterprises.

The flaw, which affects Windows XP and Windows Vista machines, opens up a backdoor that could enable a hacker to break into Firefox.

The company released an update for the Windows version of QuickTime media player on Wednesday afternoon to patch what Apple calls a “command injection issue” in the way the media player handles URLs. The flaw, which affects Windows XP and Windows Vista, was first disclosed in September of 2006 by Petko D. Petkov, a penetration tester.

Click for more on Apple Finally Patches Year-old QuickTime Flaw »

Microsoft have released a few updates on the Microsoft Download Center to resolve various issues in Vista and Server 2008

Vista:

• KB941229 (x86, WGA Free) (x64)
  This update addresses issues with Media Center for Microsoft Vista.
• KB941651 (x86, WGA Free) (x64)
  This is a reliability update. Install this update to improve the reliability of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows Vista in certain scenarios.
• KB941600 (x86, WGA Free) (x64)
  This update resolves some reliability issues in the USB core components on the Windows Vista operating system.
• KB941649 (x86, WGA Free) (x64)
  This update resolves some compatibility and reliability issues in Windows Vista. By applying this update, you can achieve better reliability and hardware compatibility in various scenarios.

Server 2008

• KB942239 (x86) (x64) (IA64)
  Install this update for Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 to provide the same storage upgrade support that is included with Windows Server 2008 RC0.

Microsoft’s move hopes to leverage the success of their Office client software to drive users to a new online collaboration site dubbed Office Live Workspace.

To that end, the company will give registered users 250 MB of storage space, which can be used to store documents “in the cloud” or even “host” them for comments by other users equipped with just a web browser. However, and this is important: you cannot create new Office documents with this feature nor can you edit documents beyond adding comments without having a copy of Microsoft Office installed locally.

Click for more on Office Live Workspace revealed: a free 250MB "SharePoint Lite" for everyone »

The new eBay Desktop app helps auction fans interact with the service whether they’re online or offline.

Ebay Desktop allows users to track auctions, see bid histories, and save relevant information directly to and from a mini-app that runs in the background on a PC desktop.

Click for more on Ebay launches beta version of Adobe-powered desktop app »

The company is readying a rival to Google’s Documents and Spreadsheets

The software maker is announcing Office Live Workspace, a free online tool for viewing, sharing and storing–but not editing–Office documents online. (It’s existing Office Live efforts will be rebranded as Office Live Small Business.) It’s not quite ready–starting Monday customers will be able to put in their name to be part of a beta testing program expected to begin later this year.

Click for more on Microsoft Office heads to the Web »

Adobe announces partnerships with content developers that it hopes will drive demand for Media Player, now scheduled to ship before July 2008.

Adobe announced Monday the acquisition of Virtual Ubiquity, the maker of a Web-based, multiuser word processor called Buzzword. Adobe also spun out the beta of a new service called Share that allows users to share and work on documents together online, as well as publish them to wikis or Web pages.

Click for more on Adobe Releases Media Player beta »

Enjoy your TV program without a TV tuner in Windows Media Center.

Just as we expected, Microsoft is getting official with its Windows Media Center Internet TV feature, which is set to go live in beta fashion tomorrow morning. According to Microsoft, US-based users of Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate will soon be able to download a simple update.

Click for more on Microsoft launches Windows Media Center Internet TV beta »

The much anticipated reliability and enhancement SP1 update for Vista reviewed.

As you might have known, the leaked beta of Vista SP1 is floating around now, and I get a chance to test it and would like to share my own experience.

Click for more on Hands-on: first impression on Vista SP1 Beta »

For those who are not in the test group, this is the full-featured installation package which supports all the 36 languages.

This is as the one released yesterday, Version .275(6001.16659.0709163)

Download for 32bit (torrent)

Download for 64bit (torrent)