The blog of Rob Margel - Windows Help

Windows Compatibility Center from around the world.

Today we launched the Windows Compatibility Center in a number of languages

• Germany: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/de-de/
• Spain: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/es-es/
• Italy: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/it-it/
• Russia: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/ru-ru/
• China: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/zh-cn/

Of course if you can always use the English language version at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility

Rob

Latest Windows Help articles: Activation error 0xC004F061, Windows Media Center Extenders, Play to & sharing videos

There have been a few new and improved articles posted to the Windows Online website recently and I just wanted to point them out.

1. Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061

“If you receive error "0xC004F061" when trying to activate Windows 7, it means you're using a product key for an upgrade version of Windows 7 and a previous version of Windows wasn't on your computer when Windows 7 was installed”

2. Optimize your home network for Windows Media Center Extenders

“With a Windows Media Center Extender and the right setup, you can stream media stored on your Windows 7 computer to another room in your home. To do this, your computer and your Extender must be connected to a home network”

3. Play To: frequently asked questions

“Play To is a feature you can use to stream music, pictures, videos, and recorded TV to other computers and devices on your network. You can control playback using your computer. For example, you can create a song playlist in Windows Media Player on your computer, and then stream it to a compatible stereo receiver that's connected to your network.”

4.Great ways to share your videos using Windows 7 and Windows Live

“Do you have your own videos or home movies on your computer that you want to share? You can burn your videos to DVD if you want to share with a few friends or family members, or you can upload videos to different video sharing websites to share them with the world. There are other options for sharing videos with friends and family, too, such as by using Windows Live SkyDrive, Windows Live Sync, e‑mail, or instant messaging. And if you want to be able to watch your videos on different computers and devices at home, there are ways to do that, too. Windows 7 and Windows Live provide many options, so you can choose the ways that work best for you. "

Rob

Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7

I spotted this being mentioned over on the MVPBlog and looks very interesting and something worth a look at if you are interested in getting more out of Windows Live

“MVP Brad Jones with Marcus Schmidt recently released a new book entitled “Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7”.

The book is a full-colour, step-by-step guide for using Microsoft's new Windows Live Essentials series of free applications. Step-by-step instructions show you how to use not only these applications, but also associated Windows Live on-line services.   As an example, you'll learn just how easy it is to create panoramic pictures in seconds or how to create movies from pictures in just a few minutes. Then you'll get the inside scoop on how to communicate and share using Messenger, SkyDrive, Spaces, and Groups.

With this book, you'll quickly be on your way to accessing these useful applications in an effort to making your life easier.

· Learn how to get Live Essentials Applications free and install them on your computer

· Chat with Live Messenger, keep in touch with Live Mail, and set up and create your own blog with Live Writer

· Get creative with Photo Gallery and Movie Maker, which let you manage and enhance your photos and turn them into movies

· Socialize with the help of Live Spaces

· Organize appointments and special days with Live Calendar

· Use SkyDrive to store files and documents online for easy access from anywhere

· Explore additional apps and services such as Live Contacts, Live Groups, Bing Maps, Bing Search, and more”

You can buy it at Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7: Amazon.co.uk: Bradley L. Jones, Marcus Schmidt: Books

Don’t forget we have loads of great Windows Live content on the Windows website which we should be keeping up to date as well.

Rob

I’m a PC and my chops are done - Australian 7 second demos

Some great Australian 7 second demos

Parental Controls

Peek

Wake up

Rob

Its official : Sky Player in WMC. Plus a Windows 7 special offer.

So it is official now, you should be able to watch TV from Sky Live and On-Demand with Windows 7 Media Center.

“A new world of high quality television programming is now open to Windows Media Centre users in the United Kingdom as Sky Player on Windows 7 launches today. That’s more than 500 movies available anytime from SkyMovies and thousands of programmes from 24 channels – all delivered to your PC, on your schedule. There’s plenty of great live sporting action, including Barclay’s Premier League, UEFA Champion’s League football and loads more.”

You can find out more at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/skyplayer/

Also there is a special promo offer to celebrate this, again detail on the above link:

To celebrate the launch of Sky Player on Windows 7, Sky and Microsoft are offering three months of Sky Player for the price of two with any Windows 7 purchase. Those who already have Windows 7 can subscribe to the offer via the Sky Player sign in page in Windows Media Centre.

You can find lots more info at the UK Windows Media Center web site.

Rob

Over 883,000 applications on Windows 7 and other facts

Well yet another year and I have not made it to PDC however I have been keeping up to date on the news from the conference.

One snippet of information from Steven Sinofsky’s presentation looked really interesting:

Not entirely sure how all the numbers are crunched…

Rob

Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals: Download available

I spotted this on the download center yesterday and tweeted about it at the time

“The Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals is a Microsoft Office Excel-based spreadsheet containing software applications with Windows 7 compatibility information verified by the software publisher or by the Windows 7 Logo Program testing requirements.”

Download details: Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals

1. The list includes 5,542 software products as published on the site

2. Products can have a compatibility status of Windows 7 Logo, Compatible, Free or Paid Update, Future Compatibility or Not Compatible (explanations of what these mean in the xls)

3. The list also includes an “Updated Date” columns for each architecture to show when the 32-bit and 64-bit status was last updated (to help identify changes when new lists are published)

Rob

2 More UK 7 Second demos – Preview and Wake

Following on form the previous 7 second demos, here are two more

Preview

Wake

thanks to @WindowsUK for the video links, see more UK Windows 7 videos at http://www.youtube.com/windowsukvideos

Rob

34 Essential Bing search tips

Matt over on MSN UK has posted a great article covering 34 essential Bing search tips.

http://tech.uk.msn.com/microsoft/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=149716726&page=1

Some new ones to me as well such as:

• specifying file types

“For a tighter search, Bing allows you to specify the file types you want included in the results. Restrict your search to MP3s, PDFs and other such files. Enter your keyword followed by "contains: [file type]" substitute [file type] for your chosen format.”For a tighter search, Bing allows you to specify the file types you want included in the results. Restrict your search to MP3s, PDFs and other such files. Enter your keyword followed by "contains: [file type]" substitute [file type] for your chosen format.

• Look up directions

“By specifying 'maps' in your search options, Bing Maps will provide you a miniature map of your searched-for area. Follow the map link to maximise the map in your browser.”

• Specify length of videos

“Search for your favourite TV show, then, tailor the results by video length. The options available to you are; short (< 5 min), medium (5-20 min), or long (> 20 min).”

Bing went out of Beta last week in the UK and read a little more about it here

Rob

Disabled users will be in Windows Seventh heaven

Nice article on Computer World from David Barnes development director of national disability and computing charity AbilityNet about the improvements in accessibility in Windows 7.

Disabled users will be in Windows Seventh heaven - 12 Nov 2009 – Computing

‘Windows 7 is a giant leap forward for “non-standard” users ­ real progress at last for the UK’s 10 million-strong disabled community.’

If you would like to know how to use the features David mentions try the following links:

• Windows 7 On screen keyboard Learn how to use a mouse, joystick, or other pointing device to press keyboard keys on a virtual on-screen keyboard.
• Magnifier Learn how to make items on the screen appear larger by using Magnifier in Windows.
• Voice recognition Learn to say commands so you can use your voice to dictate text and control your computer
• Tablet, touch & multi-touch
• Narrator - Learn how to have text that appears on the screen read aloud.

Rob

Serbian-Cyrillic Windows 7 LIP now available

If you like you Windows 7 in Serbian Cyrillic then download the latest Language Interface Pack (LIP) now.

Click here to download the Serbian-Cyrillic Windows 7 LIP

Please note that the Serbian-Cyrillic Windows 7 LIP can only be installed on a system that runs an English or Serbian-Latin version of Windows 7.

Rob

Updated Windows 7 Tips and Tricks from ComputerWord

Way back in April I pointed out a nice set of tips and tricks from Computer World.  Well it now seems that Preston Galla has updated the article, Windows 7 tricks: 20 top tips and tweaks

The updated areas include, (I have added some extra links and pointers on some subjects):

1. 1. Use Hidden international wallpapers and themes.  I am not sure if the way he explains how to do this is support by Microsoft, however if you want to grab themes from other countries there is an easier way, just go to the personalization gallery, scroll down to the International Themes section and download the one you want.  We have 20 different ones to choose from across the world.
2. Search the internet from the Start Menu
3. Customize the shut down button
4. Add a Videos link to the Start Menu
5. Use check boxes to select multiple files
6. Open a command prompt at any folder
7. Speed up the display of thumbnails on the taskbar, via a registry hack, again not Microsoft supported, so not for the faint hearted.  The recommendation of creating a restore point is very valid here

Rob

Find information about Windows in 36 languages

Find information about Windows in your language and region.

We have 57 countries/regions covered and 36 languages.

Rob

Windows 7 Terminology in 35 Languages

Following the general distribution release of Windows 7, we made the Windows 7 terminology and UI strings available for 35 languages on the Microsoft Language Portal. This allows any user of Microsoft products to search and discover Windows 7 terms and software translations.

Simply enter the English term, your corresponding language and press search.

Thanks to my Japanese colleague Akiko for the tip

Rob

How Windows 7's Iconic Home Screen Evolved

This is a nice piece from Gizmodo Ask the Artist: How Windows 7's Iconic Home Screen Evolved - Windows 7 art – Gizmodo about Chuck Anderson the creator of the Windows 7 default wallpaper and login screen.

Rob