Month: October 2009

Amongst all the Windows 7 activity, you may have missed the news that Microsoft released their latest free consumer level anti-virus / anti-crapware solution, named Microsoft Security Essentials. I’ve started installing it on some consumer systems to see how it performs. But it got me to thinking about prior antivirus offerings that Microsoft has released. So, I put together a short list.  Hmmm .. wonder what was going on in the years between1994 and 2003! 1993: MSAV – Microsoft Anti-Virus for DOS, originally developed by Central Point1994: MWAV – Microsoft Anti-Virus for Windows, also developed by Central Point2003: Microsoft purchases antivirus software from GeCad and Pelican2005: Microsoft AntiSpyware – based … Continue reading Microsoft Latest Antivirus Solution

I have been testing and doing presentations on Windows 7 for over 6 months. With Windows 7 officially release, it was time for me to step up to the plate, and move my production workstation over to Windows 7. This is the same workstation that I wrote about two years ago when I made the switch from XP to Vista. So last night I took the plunge and did an in-place upgrade (IPU) of my Vista Ultimate desktop to Windows 7 Ultimate. Yes, I know there are those who will say that a wipe and clean is the only way … Continue reading Upgrade to Windows 7 in 3 Easy Steps!

Windows 7 hits the street today. Find out if your PC is ready for Windows 7 by running the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft. If your computer is already running Windows Vista, it should run Windows 7. And there are many reports of people doing successful in-place upgrades of Vista to Windows 7.

With the official release of Windows 7 just a day away, many will be asking: can or should I do an in-place upgrade (IPU) from Vista to Windows 7? Based on recent comments and feedbacks from many of my fellow MVP’s, I can summarize my answer as follows: 1. Everyone agrees that doing a clean reload of Windows 7 is always preferred over an in-place upgrade.2. However, there is also a strong concensus that an in-place upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 works very, very well Some words to the wise: 1. Be sure to do a full image backup of your system beforehand. … Continue reading Windows 7 – In Place Upgrade?

One of the knocks on Windows Home Server (WHS) is that it contains the word ‘Home’ in its name. If that issue has kept you from selling or installing WHS in businesses, then check out the news from HP — they have released WHS with a new name: HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault!  The equipment is almost identical to their HP MediaSmart Server models, except with a faster processor, and SKU’s with larger (1TB and 1.5TB drives) in them. I install WHS in all my business client offices — even those with SBS servers. Are you?

Harry Brelsford, CEO & President of SMB Nation, performed as Elvis at the recently concluded SMB Nation 2009 Fall conference. [View:http://www.kwsupport.com/videos/SMBNation2009_0003.wmv:350:0]