Microsoft Windows software
Microsoft Windows is the most successful and ubiquitous enterprise software product ever created, and its future developments affect nearly every IT manager in some way. Browse all the latest news and analysis about Microsoft Windows software and the issues around buying, implementing and delivering benefits from Windows.
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News
12 Nov 2024
Microsoft fixes 89 CVEs on penultimate Patch Tuesday of 2024
High-profile vulns in NTLM, Windows Task Scheduler, Active Directory Certificate Services and Microsoft Exchange Server should be prioritised from November’s Patch Tuesday update Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2024
AI becomes Microsoft’s fastest-growing business
Artificial intelligence has delivered $10bn to Microsoft’s bottom line, but the business is not in cloud GPUs for third-party inference engines Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2014
Microsoft retaliates to China’s Windows 8 spying claims
Microsoft has launched a social media campaign against China’s claims that Windows 8 is being used for US spying Continue Reading
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Photo Story
21 May 2014
Can Microsoft make Surface Pro 3 the best tablet for BYOD?
Microsoft has unveiled its latest Surface Pro tablet, which now boasts a 12 inch screen, making it an option as a laptop replacement. Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2014
Oracle updates Solaris, but is its server strategy sound?
Oracle has released a beta versdion of Solaris 11.2. But does Solaris and the Sparc server platform have a future? Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2014
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has his Trustworthy Computing moment
In 2002, Microsoft chief Bill Gates sent out the Trustworthy Computing memo to staff. Microsoft’s new CEO, Satya Nadella, had his Trustworthy Computing moment this week. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2014
Microsoft halts Windows 8.1 update for businesses due to bug
Microsoft has suspended the Windows 8.1 update for business users because of a bug. Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2014
Government signs £5.5m Microsoft deal to extend Windows XP support
The government has signed a deal with Microsoft to support Windows XP across the UK public sector for 12 months after 8 April deadline Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2014
Application support and maintenance costs increase 29%
The cost of supporting and maintaining applications is increasing every year for Global 2000 companies in the US and UK, according to a study of 300 CIOs Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Mar 2014
No more email? Why companies are turning to collaboration technology
Collaboration technologies are helping companies improve their employees' work-life balance Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2014
Microsoft takes aim at passwords
Microsoft says it is determined to solve the problem of ineffective authentication that relies on usernames and passwords Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2014
Executive interview: Microsoft targets the non-professional developers
The developer community is changing. There are far more people programming now, says Microsoft's Tim O'Brien Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2014
Cut Microsoft admin rights to mitigate 92% of threats, study shows
Removing Microsoft admin rights from employees mitigates 92% of critical vulnerabilities reported in 2013 Continue Reading
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Photo Story
17 Feb 2014
UK IT spending will outpace rest of Europe in 2014
Computer Weekly research reveals the IT spending priorities for UK and European organisations in 2014. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Feb 2014
Microsoft’s new CEO and his plans for the future
In this week’s Computer Weekly, Microsoft has announced only its third-ever CEO, Satya Nadella – we examine the software giant’s future as its new leader takes over from Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates. The BBC wasted £100m on its failed Digital Media Initiative - we take a look at what went wrong. And IT leaders at a recent CW500 Club discussed the role of the CIO – and they believe the future is bright. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
10 Feb 2014
The best tablet for the job
Windows 8 devices offer enterprise-grade computing but, as Android tablets exploit consumer appeal, other specifications will matter too. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2014
Met Police releases ‘Total Technology’ IT strategy
The Metropolitan Police Service has released a three to four-year plan on how to transform the use of technology in the organisation Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2014
BBC failed to get "sufficient grip” over failed DMI project, says NAO
The National Audit Office has slammed the BBC over its failed Digital Media Initiative (DMI), project saying the broadcaster was “too optimistic” and the BBC executive “did not have sufficient grip of the programme" Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2014
Allianz deploys Rumba to provide secure mainframe administration
Insurer Allianz UK has deployed Rumba terminal emulator software from MicroFocus to provide a mainframe-based policy admin system Continue Reading
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E-Zine
20 Jan 2014
The IT risks facing Universal Credit
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the ongoing IT risks facing the UK government’s highest-profile IT project – the troubled Universal Credit programme to reform the UK’s welfare system. We talk to IT leaders to find out their spending priorities for 2014 and how their IT budgets are shaping up. The digital chief at BBC Worldwide talks about managing technology innovation. And we find out about the latest best practice in improving datacentre performance. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2014
Microsoft extends XP security updates by 15 months
Microsoft has caved in to user concerns over XP end of support and will now extend security updates by another 15 months Continue Reading
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Photo Story
23 Dec 2013
IT at the WWF Living Planet Centre
WWF’s Living Planet Centre is one of the greenest buildings in the UK and aims to demonstrate to the public using technology how it is possible for people to live in harmony with nature Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Dec 2013
User acceptance testing needs real training, not just a short course
In spite of its importance, user acceptance testing (UAT) is often chaotic, problematic and ineffective Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2013
Nvidia delivers GPU grid to power Citrix virtual workstations
Nvidia has released vGPU grid technology for Citrix XenDeskop and Xenserver to support remote, hardware accelerated graphics processing. Continue Reading
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News
05 Dec 2013
700,000 benefit claimants miss out on Universal Credit deadline
The secretary for work and pensions has admitted the Universal Credit benefit scheme will miss its 2017 deadline Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2013
Microsoft changes its licensing terms
Microsoft is offering a single Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA) to simplify its volume licensing agreements. But what does it mean to SAM? Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2013
Microsoft admits RT mistake
Microsoft has admitted that its RT operating system may have confused people, who expected full blown Windows. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2013
Poundland chooses Microsoft Office 365 as it overhauls IT infrastructure
Poundland is implementing Microsoft Office 365 to enable staff to collaborate and communicate more efficiently. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2013
Software licensing: SAP terms and conditions are not above European law
The district court of Hamburg has ruled against SAP over its case against a German second-user software reseller Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2013
CIO Interview: Ann-Marie Rafferty, head of IT, Access, on partnership models
Ann-Marie Rafferty, who heads up IT for the partnership between Serco and Glasgow council, discusses strategic frameworks Continue Reading
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News
21 Oct 2013
Microsoft withdraws faulty Windows RT 8.1 update for Surface tablets
Microsoft has widthdrawn its Windows 8.1 update for Surface RT tablets after some users reported system crashes Continue Reading
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Photo Story
18 Oct 2013
Microsoft Server 2012 R2: the OS for the hybrid cloud
Microsoft has released Windows Server 2012 R2, along with an R2 update to System Center 2012. Tim Anderson takes the new OS on a test drive. Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2013
VMworld 2013: Hertz deploys thin clients using VMware across Europe
Car rental firm Hertz is using VMware to virtualise 4,000 PCs across its European operations Continue Reading
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News
14 Oct 2013
Scottish Government pilots Windows 8 tablets to improve services
The Scottish government is piloting how Windows 8 could be used to improve citizen relationship Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2013
Steve Ballmer uses final investor call to target Google
In his last investor call as CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer took the opportunity to attack Google’s business practices Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2013
CW Enterprise Software case studies
Brian McKenna presents 6 case studies on enterprise software drawn from the winners of Computer Weekly's European User Awards. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Sep 2013
What buying Nokia means for Microsoft customers
In this week’s Computer Weekly, following Microsoft’s $7.2bn purchase of Nokia’s mobile phone business, we look at what the deal means for the software giant’s customers. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the options for cloud storage systems. And we offer seven expert tips for securing Android devices in the enterprise. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2013
Windows 2012 Server Network Security
This book chapter offers an introduction to Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 network security and IPv6. It includes a 30% discount code for Computer Weekly readers. Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2013
Windows Server 2012 Security from End to Edge and Beyond
This extract from the book Windows Server 2012 Security from End to Edge and Beyond shows you how to plan your platform security requirements and gives you the critical questions to ask. Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2013
How the sale of Nokia’s mobile phone business will affect Microsoft
Microsoft forges ahead with Steve Ballmer's vision to focus on hardware, software and services, with the $7.2bn acquisition of Nokia Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2013
UCAS adopts public cloud to process university admissions
Ten days before the A-level results, UCAS adopted a public cloud infrastructure to scale up its IT and to make admission process efficient Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2013
Microsoft concedes to BSkyB over SkyDrive trademark
The tech giant admits defeat and will be forced to rename its cloud storage service after losing a court battle in the UK Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2013
Office 365 now available on Android
Following the release of Office Mobile for iPhone, Microsoft has launched Office Mobile for Android Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2013
Ubuntu crowd sources funding for PC smartphone hybrid
Ubuntu has invited early adopters to join crowd-funding ventures to launch Ubuntu Edge, a hybrid PC and mobile phone platform Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2013
Case Study: Johnson Matthey consolidates Active Directory with Dell
Chemicals manufacturer Johnson Matthey uses tools from Dell to simplify a complex, multinational Active Directory infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2013
Windows 8 Secrets
Download a step by step guide to installing Windows 8 from the book Windows 8 Secrets. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2013
CW Buyer's Guide: Client Computing
Computer Weekly looks at Windows 8 and the complexities of mobile working. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2013
Azure powers Eurozone network to combat counterfeit drugs
Microsoft Azure will be used to power a cloud platform designment to combat counterfeit pharmaceutical product in the EU Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2013
Oracle offers enterprise software on Azure and Hyper-V
Microsoft and Oracle form an alliance to enable Oracle software to run on Hyper-V and Windows Azure infrastructure Continue Reading
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Photo Story
13 Jun 2013
Software Gallery opens at the National Museum of Computing
The National Museum of Computing has opened a new exhibit charting the history of software Continue Reading
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Photo Story
03 Jun 2013
Windows Server 2012 R2: a first look
Microsoft has announced Windows Server 2012 R2, which brings Azure technology to private clouds Continue Reading
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Photo Story
16 May 2013
Microsoft brings Surface Pro tablet to the UK
Following the launch of Windows 8 and the Windows RT-powered Surface tablet, Microsoft is introducing a full-blown tablet for Windows 8 Professional Continue Reading
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Feature
13 May 2013
Workplace IT services in flux: wherever, whenever, whatever
Enterprise computing is in upheaval as the emphasis shifts towards automation and user-device provision. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2013
CIO Interview: Graeme Hackland, CIO, Lotus F1 Team
Graeme Hackland, CIO of Lotus F1, has worked for the race car team for 16 years. He has seen major changes in IT both on and off the track Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2013
Microsoft to bring back the Start button in Windows 8?
Amid lacklustre take-up of Windows 8 and a declining PC industry, Microsoft may be set to reintroduce the much-loved Start button in Windows 8 Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2013
Windows 8 passes 100 million in sales
Microsoft says Windows 8 OS has sold more than 100 million copies, roughly matching Windows 7 in the six months after launch Continue Reading
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Photo Story
19 Apr 2013
Mega vendors: Quarterly results Q1 2013
A number of the larger IT suppliers reported their quarterly financial results for the first quarter of 2013. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2013
Microsoft reports strong quarterly results for all divisions
Microsoft reported profit of $6bn for the past quarter, up 17% from a year ago, despite a mixed response to Windows 8 and a decline in PC sales Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Apr 2013
Windows XP end of support: What to do next
CIOs may not wish to carry on running a 12-year-old desktop OS, but thousands of incompatible applications leave many with no choice Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2013
Microsoft catches up with iPad support for Dynamics CRM
Nucleus Research assesses Microsoft's long-awaited announcement for iPad support and new Yammer capabilities for Dynamics CRM Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2013
Microsoft announces new office 365 offerings
Analyst group, Nucleus Research assesses Microsoft's plans to update to its Office 365 cloud services, including enhanced social capabilities with SharePoint and Yammer. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2013
IT expert in Microsoft monopoly case faces £2.5m legal fight
A computer expert who advised the European Commission in its investigation into anti-competitive behaviour by Microsoft faces £2.5bn legal battle Continue Reading
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Photo Story
08 Feb 2013
BYOD with VMware
New Windows 8 tablets and laptops are great...but not exactly corporate. So why not run a Windows 7 virtual machine? Continue Reading
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Photo Story
04 Feb 2013
Five steps to turn Windows 8 into Windows 7
Windows 8 ships with new PCs, but many people prefer the old user interface. Here is a guide to getting it back. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2013
EasyJet lifts off with Azure seat bookings
The Azure cloud has allowed Easyjet to enable web site and mobile users to check seat availability Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2013
CW Special Report on Microsoft
This 12 page special report updated for 2012 gives you the facts on Microsoft, its strategy, products and services and financial performance. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jan 2013
Gartner predicts the demise of the desktop PC refresh cycle
Data from market analyst Gartner paints a bleak picture of the PC industry, suggesting the era of desktop replacement cycles has ended. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2013
Are software audits good for your health?
The Business Software Alliance's claim that 90% of all audit letters sent in 2012 were the result of tips from whistle-blowers is a wake-up call to CIOs Continue Reading
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News
28 Dec 2012
Top 10 business software articles of 2012
The main thrust in enterprise software this year has been the introduction of a new Windows OS, programming model and user interface. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2012
Mott MacDonald rolls out Microsoft software globally
Engineering firm Mott MacDonald is rolling out Microsoft products globally over the next year as it moves towards a Microsoft-centric business strategy Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2012
CW Buyer's Guide: Windows 8
This 11 page buyer's guide looks at the implications of Windows 8 for corporate IT. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2012
G-Cloud success depends on champions and a change in attitude
G-Cloud director Denise McDonagh has called for public sector champions to push forward adoption of the service. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
26 Nov 2012
Infrastructure as a Service on Windows Azure
Microsoft’s Azure cloud was conceived as an abstracted platform for applications. It now offers infrastructure as a service. Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2012
Emirates takes Windows 8 HP ElitePad 900 to the sky
Airline Emirates is rolling out in-flight Windows 8 tablets to enable cabin crew to access core IT Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2012
Stories That Move Mountains: Improve your presentation skills
Learn how to make your presentation stand out from the crowd and make 'death by slide presentation' a thing of the past with this book extract especially written for IT professionals. Continue Reading
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News
07 Nov 2012
The future of Windows 8 is still on the desktop, says Fujitsu
Windows 8 must work effectively on its core desktop platform despite Microsoft’s recent move into the tablet space, says Fujitsu CTO Continue Reading
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Photo Story
31 Oct 2012
Review: System Mechanic from Iolo
Computer Weekly reviews System Mechanic software from Iolo Continue Reading
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Photo Story
25 Oct 2012
Microsoft in New York: Windows 8, Surface and Times Square
At the Microsoft launch event in New York, the company unveiled Windows 8, its Surface tablet and opened its Times Square store Continue Reading
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Photo Story
14 Oct 2012
Developing software for Windows 8
With Windows 8, Microsoft hopes to make developing enterprise client applications easier, but will compatibility be an issue? Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2012
Microsoft investigates IE zero-day flaw
Microsoft says it is investigating reports of a vulnerability in Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8, and 9 Continue Reading
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Photo Story
04 Sep 2012
Windows Server 2012: inside Microsoft's Enterprise Server OS
Tim Anderson takes a look at Microsoft Server 2012, to see whether it is worth upgrading Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2012
VMware demos Horizon for workspace aggregation
VMware has fleshed out its desktop virtualisation strategy with products designed to make desktop computing more manageable Continue Reading
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Photo Story
20 Aug 2012
Open source review: Ubuntu OS 12.04 LTS
Adrian Bridgwater reviews Canonical's latest operating system for Linux and assesses its fitness for business users Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2012
Guide: Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7
This Computer Weekly Buyer's Guide gives you the facts and advice you need to migrate your organisation from Windows XP to Windows 7. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
18 Jul 2012
First look: Microsoft Office 2013
Steve Ballmer unveiled the new Office on July 16 2012 in San Francisco, describing it at the “biggest, most ambitious release in our history.” Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2012
Microsoft faces substantial EC fine over browser rules breach
Microsoft faces a large fine for failing to offer Windows users a choice of web browser despite apologising to the European Commission (EC) Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2012
Steve Ballmer launches cloud-based Microsoft Office 2013
Steve Ballmer releases a preview of Microsoft's cloud-based Office 2013 suite of productivity tools, which he says works best on Windows 8 OS Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2012
Microsoft confirms Windows 8 OS release in October
Microsoft's latest operating system (OS), Windows 8, will be released to manufacturing in August, with full release due three months later Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2012
Microsoft ramps up Windows 8 security for IT consumerisation
Microsoft is building antivirus and secure, role-based authentication into Windows 8 to make the OS enterprise-ready Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2012
Government slashes SAP and Microsoft spend by £150m
The government expects to slash licence and maintenance spend with Microsoft and SAP up to £150m by 2015, via a framework renegotiation. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2012
Special Report on Microsoft
This special eight-page report from Computer Weekly analyses the challenges facing Microsoft, its financial performance, the services it offers, its place in the IT market and its future strategy. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2012
Microsoft publishes its response to government open standards consultation
Microsoft has become the first major IT supplier to publish its submission to the government's consultation on the use of open standards. Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2012
Microsoft softens July licence blow
Microsoft has lowered the price hike planned for July, but businesses still face paying up to 25% more for their software. Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2012
CW Buyer's Guide: IT Tools
This Computer Weekly buyer’s guide to IT tools shows how you can use software and systems to improve the running of your IT department. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2012
Microsoft Convergence 2012
Nucleus Research assesses Microsoft’s plans to extend and develop the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2012
Infosec 2012: Patching alone can deliver 80% protection
Keeping software up to date with security patches can deliver 80% protection from cyber threats, says security firm Secunia. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2012
European PC sales boosted by Windows 7 upgrades
European PC sales grew faster than expected in the first quarter of 2012 as corporate users started Windows 7 upgrades, according Gartner. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2012
Busy security patch month for Microsoft administrators
Microsoft has released six patches, four critical, for 11 vulnerabilities in Office, Windows and various server products in its April security update. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2012
Microsoft improves virtual desktops but drops inventory software
Microsoft is expanding its desktop virtualisation product family with software that retains user preferences as they switch between devices Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2012
Bodycote simplifies Microsoft licensing to save £411k
Thermal processing plant operator Bodycote has reduced the complexity of its Microsoft environment through an enterprise agreement, saving over £400,000 Continue Reading
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Photo Story
05 Mar 2012
A first look: Windows 8 consumer preview
Windows 8 is not just an upgrade. It is a complete rework of the Windows OS. Speaking at the launch of the beta last week in Barcelona, Windows chief Steven Sinofsky called it a "generational change" Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2012
Government launches CloudStore and names G-Cloud suppliers
The government has launched its CloudStore, a catalogue of 1,700 cloud-based, pre-approved IT services now available for the public sector to buy. Continue Reading