Official Release Dates for XP SP3 RTM Build 5512

Even though Windows XP SP3 was released to manufacturing on April 21, 2008, this is not the end of the road for the latest and last service pack for XP.

Just as is the case with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the serving of XP SP3 is a complex process that will span until mid-2008. Chris Keroack, Release Manager, Windows Serviceability, revealed the April 21 RTM of XP SP3 and the April 29 availability via Windows Update and the Download Center, and that's about it. However, there is more to it.

Nick MacKechnie, Senior Technical Account Manager at Microsoft New Zealand managed to leak the detailed availability of XP SP3 by channel schedule. "Windows XP SP3 has been released to manufacturing as of April 21st (US Time) with the release to web planned for April 29th (US Time)," MacKechnie stated in a post that was subsequently taken down.

On April 29, Microsoft also offered XP SP3 RTM to its original equipment manufacturing partners, and is now preparing to deliver the service pack to an additional array of user segments. Keroack said that MSDN/Technet would not be able to get their hands on XP SP3 just yet, revealing that it "will be available within the next month. [And that] XP Embedded and Windows Fundamentals will be available at a later date."

MacKechnie however stated that XP SP3 RTM will be available for download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers starting with May 2, 2008. Additionally, Microsoft is gearing up to offer the Windows XP SP3 Fulfillment Media on May 19 and the gold bits of the service pack to its Volume License customers on June 1. As of June 10 the Redmond company will also start the distribution of XP SP3 RTM via Automatic Updates to all XP users.

source: news.softpedia.com

April 23, 2008 | posted in Windows | 1 comments [ More ]

Restore the Run Command to the Vista Menu

One of my major hangups with vista is the 'Search Bar'. When I first started using Vista I felt that Microsoft had done a great thing - They made it so I could launch my favorite program with one click instead of two.

I was quickly disappointed to find that when you type a word into the search bar it is nothing like the old Start->Run command bar window. It starts searching for the words you type in, and many times you need to wait...and wait...and wait some more.

Additionally if you are like me...and have an old habit of clicking start, then run, then type c:\ to open up your hard drive...you are in for lots of fun with the search bar. Depending on what it finds it will almost never open your hard drive in explorer.

I found a few quick ways to ease the pain. First of all you can simply hold the windows key + R to bring up the command line window. That is the easiest.

You can also get the run command back on the start menu. This can be done by right clicking on the start button, go to properties.

Move over to the "Start Menu" Tab and click customize.

Now scroll down. Find the option that says "Run Command" Make sure it is checked, and click OK.

Now the run command will be added as an extra button to the bottom of the start menu:

Now I can get to back to my familiar old 'run' command line.

February 21, 2008 | posted in Hack vista, vista, Windows | 0 comments [ More ]

Bring the *nix "ls" to Windows with GNU ls

Windows only: Freeware app GNU ls brings the common ls terminal command for *nix to the Windows command prompt. Though subtle, this very lightweight download will bring you the nuances of the *nix terminal to Windows. If you're a heavy command line user or a heavy batch scripter, you'll appreciate the customizability GNU ls affords. GNU ls is a great companion for *nix heads stuck on Windows systems.

ls (also called msls) is a console utility that lists information on Windows files. It is based on the GNU/Linux ls directory information utility. It displays exhaustive information on Windows files including DACLs/SACLs, reparse points, shortcuts, hard links, hidden streams, encryption, compaction, and offline status.

GNU ls is an excellent way to obtain detailed file information in one location without downloading all of Cygwin. GNU ls is a free download for all versions of Windows. Thanks, Ben!

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Customize Your Dual Monitor Wallpaper in Vista

Windows XP and Vista only: Dual monitor utility DisplayFusion can set different wallpaper images for each of your desktops or stretch an image across desktops. Choose one of your own images or search and browse Flickr photos for new wallpaper images right inside DisplayFusion. (I recommend searching for "panoramic" images and setting one to stretch across both monitors.) DisplayFusion was a little crabby on my PowerBook Bootcamp'ing Windows XP, but the concept is spot-on and much-needed. Can't understand why Windows doesn't have better built-in dual monitor support like this. DisplayFusion is a free download (donations requested) which requires the .NET 2.0 runtime to run.

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Embed Web Widgets into the Desktop

Windows/Mac: Embed your favorite web widgets into the desktop with freeware app Hypercube. Hypercube supports several widget platforms including iGoogle, Pageflakes, Google Video and YouTube. (Netvibes modules are not currently supported.) All you need to do is select which widgets you'd like added to the desktop and Hypercube takes care of the rest. Hypercube is a free alpha download (so expect a few kinks) for Mac OS X and Windows.

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What to Install After Re-Formatting?

The official blog of ThemBid.com has an interesting write-up on what he installed after Vista made his machine go boom. First on the list? Back up your data.
Since I recently had a Vista implosion myself, I read this article with interest. Each program and application is entered in detail here, from tweaking automatic Microsoft updates to installing OpenOffice. If you've had to reformat Windows (and honestly, who hasn't, right?), please share your essential installs in the comments.w

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Microsoft DreamSpack Offer

If you’re a student, or able to prove that you’re a student, it’s time to rejoice, as Microsoft is giving away for free various software program primarily from category of software developer and design tools. The offer, called Microsoft DreamSpark, is a long term promotion, currently provides free licenses, product keys and downloads of to the following list of full version Microsoft products with no charge, fee or payment required.

* Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, which consists of JScript 8.0, Visual Basic 2008, Visual C# 2008 and Visual C++ 2008.
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition, which has additional Microsoft Visual J++/Microsoft Visual J# and Visual SourceSafe.
* Microsoft Expression Studio
* Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
* Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
* XNA Game Studio 2.0
* Free access to XNA Creators Club Online

The DreamSpark giveaway software can only be downloaded by student, and each registrants must verified via Online Student Status Verification process that he or she is and still is a student of a accredited school, college, university or higher tertiary institutions during initial access and once a year subsequently. Currently, only students from 11 countries and regions, i.e. the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium can download setup files for free from DreamSpark, but more countries will be added in future, with Microsoft plans to extend the availability to all countries all over the world.

Online Student Status Verification process of DreamSpark is linked to schools and organizations around the world that can confirm student status, but not all is linked. Those who not locating in one of the countries listed, not attending an accredited university or the studied organizations is not already connected with DreamSpark will have to wait until the verification source is listed, or get an alternate student identity providers (IDPs), such as the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).


Bill Gates also has an interview with Channel 8, where he talks about free software, students, and technology.

Microsoft has always offered significantly discounted and cheaper student price for most of its products, and the move to completely free giveaway its development and design tools is probably due to motive to maintain and gain its market share and acceptance among younger and future generation, which will hopefully always consider Microsoft products on future purchase due to familiarity.

Go to DreamSpark to select and download free Microsoft products. As usual with all Microsoft offers, Windows Live ID required in addition student status verification.

February 20, 2008 | posted in Windows, Windows Vista | 0 comments [ More ]

Windows Vista unsupported softwares and programs

More than one year after Windows Vista been officially launched and released, everybody including me is probably assuming that most of the program incompatibility issues have been addressed and solved. And any issues or problems should be addressed by the first service pack for Vista - SP1. Alas, installing Vista SP1 is now reported to be able to cause some programs to stop working, no longer runs and loss of functionality.

Microsoft publishes a whole (but guaranteed to be not yet comprehensive) list of programs that have been reported to experience a loss of functionality when they are installed on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer in KB935796 knowledge based article. And users affected are requested to visit manufacturers’ websites or contact the developers for solutions and workarounds. Luckily, newer supported versions of software is available for most of the apps listed.

Here’s the list of software programs that have problems on Windows Vista SP1.

Programs that are blocked from starting after you install Windows Vista SP1
BitDefender AV or Internet Security version 10
Fujitsu Shock Sensor version 2.1.0.0
Jiangmin KV Antivirus version 10
Jiangmin KV Antivirus version 2008
Trend Micro Internet Security version 2008
Zone Alarm Security Suite version 7.1

Programs that do not run after you install Windows Vista SP1

Iron Speed Designer version 5.0.1
Free Allegiance version 2.1

Programs that have a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1

NYT (New York Times) Reader version 1
Rising Personal Firewall version 2007
Novell ZCM Agent version 10.01

For more information, visit KB935796.

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Windows Vista CD/DVD driver error

When users select or click on an optical drive (including CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW or DVD RW) on Windows Vista, the drive tray will auto eject or open, and pop up an “Insert disc” dialog box to ask for a CD or DVD media to be placed into the drive.

Vista Optical Drive Insert Disc

This is a new convenient feature added in Vista, in addition of the previous operating system supported soft-eject option, where users right click on the icon or drive letter of an CD/DVD optical drive and then select “Eject” from the right click context menu does still work.

However, not all optical drive supports auto eject function and capability. If your optical drive doesn’t automatically open and eject when selected, check if it fulfills the characteristics and requirements for the automatic opening and ejecting of disk drive tray in Vista. Here’s the secret about auto eject feature in Vista:

* The automatic ejecting of CD or DVD drive tray works only in Vista system. It is not included as part of Windows XP.
* Only DVD RW drive will auto eject and open when clicked on its icon. DVD-ROM drive won’t has the effect.
* The automatic ejecting will only happen if there is no disc been inserted. If there is already a CD or DVD disc inside the optical drive, double click on the drive will get Vista will auto play the disc to run or play its content, and not eject it.
* If the disc inside the optical drive is a normal data CD/DVD without autorun.inf which instructs Vista to autoplay, selecting the drive will open Windows Explorer in the optical drive’s folder and lists its files and folders.

Thus, Vista will only open your CD-RW and DVD RW drive automatically if there is no disc been inserted yet.

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Windows Vista SP1

Microsoft sent an official email to beta testers of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 which titled “Windows Vista SP1 Beta Program Is Complete!”, marking the ending of beta and release candidate testing phase. The email further confirming that Windows Vista SP1 RC Refresh 2 with build version 6001.18000 is the valid RTM version with the same build numbers.

The email thanks the testers for the work on helping to test Vista SP1, and informs that the Vista SP1 has been released to manufacturing on February 4, 2008, with new PCs based on Windows Vista SP1 coming out soon. Inside the email, there is a paragraph says:

Special thanks to those of you who tested SP1 RC Refresh 2 (6001.18000). That was our very last release candidate and it was, in fact, the very same bits as the final release. (It was a Release Candidate in the truest sense of the word.) Those of you who installed the SP1 RC Refresh 2 will not need to update to the final version-you already have it.

Thus, the Release ‘Candidate’ of Refresh 2 version is the true ‘release’ which goes to RTM. May users may question or consent about the issue facing Vista SP1 which is regarding some drivers incompatibility issues on small set of devices. Apparently Microsoft decides that it’s not a problem of SP1, and thus won’t changing the code bits of SP1. Instead, it will be solved later with other solutions, probably by on device drivers by manufacturers.

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Mount New Partition in vista or Xp

When adding a new hard disk or create a new partition in Microsoft Windows operating system, typically users will normally assign a drive letter such as Local Disk (E:) to the new partition or volume. Beside normal way of allocating a drive letter, it’s also possible to assign a folder or directory (on partitions formated as NTFS) to represent the hard disk drive, partition or volume too, eliminating eliminating the use of drive letter and enabling browsing the volume and partition contents as in folder, or path.

Mounting a partition or drive as a folder also provides a workaround way or trick to allow a partition to appear as part of C:\ root system drive. This hack is particular useful to expand the hard disk space size of C:\ or other system drive without having to use a new disk drive letter or switching drive to accommodate older program or application that must store and save data on installed drive, typically at system drive.

To mount partition or volume as a folder, users must first have or create a empty folder on a NTFS formatted file system that users want to assign or associate with the partition or volume. And it’s also possible to mount a partition, a volume or a hard disk drive which already assigned with a disk drive letter as folder too, allowing two ways to access the volume or partition via different drive or different folder. And it’s not necessary that only a hard disk (which whole hard disk been allocated as single partition) can be mounted as an empty NTFS folder, unused partition or empty space on existing disk can be mounted as NTFS folder too as long as users can create a new partition on it.

How to Mount a New Volume/Partition as Folder

1. Click on Start Menu, then select Run. In Vista, press Win+R key to open Run command.
2. Type DiskMgmt.msc to open Disk Management.
3. Right click on the new hard disk or remaining unallocated space, and then select New Partition or New Simple Volume (in Vista). If the partition has been created, delete the partition and re-create it.

Create New Simple Volume

For partition that has been allocated with drive letter and path, right click on the partition and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

Change Drive Letter and Paths
4. In the “New Simple Volume Wizard” or “New Partition Wizard”, follow the instructions on screen such as selecting the size of the new partition, until the the Assign Drive Letter or Path screen.

For existing volume/partition, click on Add button to add a new path instead.
5. Select Mount in the following empty NTFS folder radio button, and then select Browse… button.

For existing volume/partition, the “Mount in the following empty NTFS folder” is automatically selected. Users cannot assign more than one drive letter to a partition, but can assign many paths (folders) to a partition.
6. Select an empty folder that you want to mount this new partition. Click on New Folder to create a new directory if needed. Once selected the mounting folder, click OK button.

Mount Partition as Folder
7. For existing partition already with drive letter, process is completed and users can now open Windows Explorer to browse the partition content in the mounted folder.

Else, back in the wizard, continue to follow instructions on screen to complete the wizard by selecting file system, allocation unit size, volume label, decide whether to perform quick format or whether to enable file and folder compression. Wait for the disk formatting to complete too. After process completed, a folder is linked to the partition/volume.

Folder mounted with partition

As mentioned, users can assigned many folder path to a single volume or partition. Users can also remove the relationship of folder mount point with volume at any time, or change back to a drive letter. Even already mounted on a folder path, a drive letter can still be assigned to the partition too. All these administrative operations can be done on the Disk Management. Best of all, changing drive letter or folder paths of a volume will not delete the data on the drive.

| posted in Windows, Windows Vista | 0 comments [ More ]

create shadow copy command line

When the world is using Novell NetWare network operating system (NOS), the NetWare File System keeps track and make copies of each and every deleted, altered, edited or modified files and documents as long as there is space on the hard drive, and allows users to salvage any files and folders that they accidentally deleted or modified. Windows Server NT and Active Directory networking doesn’t provide such a convenient feature though.

Instead, Microsoft introduces Shadow Copies for Shared Folders in Windows Server 2003, which works only on file server, and Previous Versions in Windows Vista, which enables on standalone computer as well. Volume Shadow Copy or Volume Snapshot Service (VSS) automatically created incremental (only differences are recorded) periodic snapshots or backup copies of files and folders at a specific point in time at regular interval.

However, Shadow Copy or Previous Versions only backs up at specific interval, and not capturing any changed files immediately. Thus if a document is changed several times between two snapshots, only the final change version will be saved, and users can’t revert, retrieve, get back or recover the versions of file in between. However, at least Shadow Copy works, and it’s better than no protection at all. But, most Windows operating system doesn’t actually has Shadow Copies or Previous Versions feature, especially when running as standalone system. All Windows operating system prior to Vista - XP, 2000, NT, Me, 9x, and Vista Home Premium, Home Basic and Starter editions does not support any user data files recovery option other than Recycle Bin.

To allow all users of Windows to have the protection against accidental deletion or modification of files and documents, Mogware develops FileHamster as an alternative to Previous Versions. FileHamster, a realtime file revision solution tracking tool, provides real-time backup and archiving of files while users such as typists and artists are working on them. FileHamster watches and monitors specific files or folders that have been selected and automatically create incremental backups whenever those files are modified. FileHamster also supports storing notes about changes that have been made, so users can easily find a specific revision, annotate the version, and has detailed account of changes been made.

FileHamster

Download FileHamster.

FileHamster is free for basic version. FileHamster supports Windows 2000, XP and Vista, and requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. There is a paid version FileHamster Plus which costs $19.95 and adds features such as filters, offline libraries, full UNC support and etc. FileHamster Plus can be purchased here.

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Microsoft Releases Vista SP1 for 5 Languages to MSDN and TechNet Plus Subscribers

After a lot of noise made by subscribers and customers of MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) and TechNet, Microsoft has decided to bring forward the schedule for release of the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows Vista SP1 for these IT professionals and developers, who pay hundreds of dollars annually just to have exclusive access to libraries of Microsoft software products.

The original schedule placed the availability of SP1 RTM on early March, which is too late for many, as Vista SP1 has been finalized and supposed to go live on February 4th. On February 14 Valentine’s Day, the RTM versions of Vista SP1 has finally been posted on MSDN and TechNet Plus, ahead of general availability which still unchanged on March.

TechNet Plus subscribers can now access Windows Vista SP1 in the Top Subscribers Download section on the subscriptions home page (http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions), while MSDN subscribers can also access Windows Vista SP1 via the subscriber Top Downloads area at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/subscriptions.

Windows Vista SP1 Downloads from Technet Plus and MSDN

The versions of Vista SP1 setup packages that currently available are:

* Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86, x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
* Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
* Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x64) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)

To use the Top Downloads , users need to install the Akamai Technologies Download Manager Browser add-on to access these files and will need to allow pop-ups (at least temporarily). The files are on the Top Downloads rather than Subscriber Downloads & Product Keys to load balance the with the download activity related to Windows Server 2008.

Previously, Microsoft had released the first Vista service pack to Connect testers, which has an odd filename of Windows6.0-KB936330-X86(x64)-wave0.exe. The slipstreamed and integrated full install of Vista with SP1 will be available for download prior to the end of the month too, while the general availability of the Windows Vista SP1 to the public will still in mid-March via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center.

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Release Schedule Info for Vista SP1 Thru Windows Update

Microsoft has disclosed further information and clarification on the availability of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) through Windows Update (WU) in an email to TechNet subscribers. It further confirms that SP1 RC Refresh2 (RCR2) is indeed RTM version of SP1, and hints that probably English version of Vista can now get SP1 via Windows Update without any registry hack code, once the system is installed with all prerequisite updates.

1. Before March 2008, only system installed with original Windows Vista media or image can get and download SP1 via Windows Update (WU).
2. Beginning March, Vista SP1 for English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese editions will be added to WU.
3. The Vista SP1 editions for remaining languages will be made available via WU gradually beginning April.
4. Currently the 543M size files downloaded from WU by using registry hack script which has the build version of 6.0.6001.18000.080118-1840 is the SP1 RTM with all languages, but the current download will still be called SP1 RC Refresh 2.
5. Currently, except by installing Vista using official slipstreamed SP1 integrated Vista, any other methods of installing SP1 will not change or alter the version of End User License Agreement (EULA).

Thus, whether a Vista PC can now been offered the service pack is not depending on whether the system is a Home Basic, Home Premium, Business or Ultimate edition, instead, the service pack availability will only based on language of Vista.

According to the statement above, Windows Vista users who use English version installed with retail channel DVD, MSDN or Technet download can probably now download Service Pack 1 for Vista from Windows Update without any hack, provided all two or three prerequisite hotfix packages KB937287, KB938371 and KB935509 (which WU offers first sequentially before SP1 is shown when using registry hack) are installed. Good news is Microsoft has distributing these SP1 prerequisites thru WU.

If you don’t manage to get WU to offer you Vista SP1, add the SP1 RCR2 registry keys now to hack WU to detect and offer your system SP1.

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Recover files from Previous versions

Volume Shadown Copy (VSS or Shadow Copy for Shared Folders prior to Vista) or more commonly known as Previous Versions which used as the name for right click context menu command and for one of the tab for files and folders properties, is a useful feature that automatically or manually backup copies or snapshots of files or folders on a specific volume or drive at a specific point in time incrementally so that users can quickly and easily restore or recover (or go back to) the older versions of files or folders in future when needed. When will you need to use Previous Versions? On time such as accidental file deletion or modification of documents and files.

Unfortunately, Microsoft decides to support Previous Versions feature only in the Ultimate, Business, and Enterprise editions of Windows Vista. Windows Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions are left out in the cold, probably to encourage sales and upgrade to Ultimate edition. However, the baffling point is that the Shadow Copy Service (VSS, also known as Volume Snapshot Service) is actually included in Vista Home Premium and Basic, up and running by default. The Shadow Copy Service is used by both Previous Versions feature and Vista’s backup utility, System Restore, which enabled in all editions of Vista.

The worst part is, although Previous Versions feature in not enabled in Vista Home Premium and Basic, but the snapshot backup of Shadow Copy actually includes all files including user data files, which is not necessary for System Restore function. This behavior eats up plenty of hard disk space and system resources, yet users cannot access the backups of these user data files in the event they need it most.

It looks like Microsoft simply remove the graphical user interface (GUI) of Previous Versions that allows users to recover restore lost or changed or altered files in Vista Home Basic and Premium editions, with all other background process running intact. This arrangement of saving and keeping backups of user files but hide the user backups probably is to ‘please’ users who decide to upgrade to Vista Ultimate edition using Windows Anytime Upgrade, where changes to older versions of user data files prior to upgrade can still be found. It can be also that programmers of Vista too lazy to ‘fine tune’ VSS to exclude users data files from backup.

Thus, to access the Previous Versions or Shadow Copy backup of user data files, users have the option to upgrade to Vista Ultimate, which is expensive. In this case, ShadowExplorer can come in handy.

Side note: From security point of view, it’s best to turn off Shadow Copy (include both System Restore or Previous Versions) if you’re not actually using it, especially in Vista Home Premium and Basic, since you’re not aware that copies of files have been saved as backup, nor can see, view, use, access, remove or delete them without advanced technical skill.

ShadowExplorer takes advantage of the Vista Volume Shadow Copy service and the backup snapshot copies that created by it to allow users to browse the shadow copies. ShadowExplorer can access the shadow storage, which often off-limit to novice users due to complex permissions and rights issues, and make the point-in-time copies accessible to the users. Thus, ShadowExplorer is especially useful for Vista Home Basic and Premium users who do not have Previous Versions feature, but need to recover or get back earlier version of accidentally edited documents, or retrieve lost deleted files. Shadow Explorer can retrieve all versions of files and folders saved by VSS.

Download ShadowExplorer-0.1-setup.exe. Future upgrade can be found here.

Unfortunately, users will need to run ShadowExplorer as administrator to access Shadow Copies and recover old files. It’s a little inconvenient than the contextual based Previous Versions built in Vista Ultimate, Business and Enterprise. But it’s better than no access and no hope at all.

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Volume Snapshot Services error

Volume Shadow Copies (VSS or also known as Volume Snapshot Services) is the technology used to perform snapshot and backup of system files and user data files at a specific time at regular interval. The incremental backup or snapshot by Shadow Copy is then used by System Restore or Previous Versions feature in Windows to restore Windows to previous state or recover deleted or altered files and folders.

When enabled and running properly, Shadow Copy service will backup almost everything on the drives. And Shadow Copy, which commonly known as System Restore accessible by System Protection in Vista System Properties is turned on by default on system drive. Thus, various System Restore Points created will save copies system and user data files incrementally in Shadow Copy repositories.

The existence of backup copies of files and folders in another location in VSS repositories may bring several issues. Firstly, for users who don’t use Previous Versions or System Restore features, or those (users of Home Premium and Home Basic editions of Vista) who can’t access shadow copies of user data files, keeping these files is wasting disk space. Secondly, Shadow Copies may potentially leak trace and record of sensitive and private files or documents.

The first issue can be solved by disabling the Shadow Copy (or commonly known as System Restore). And for users who just want to keep some private confidential data out of the reach of been monitored and backed up can exclude files from Shadow Copies. MSDN Library describes how to using registry key to exclude files from Shadow Copies by deleting the selected files from shadow copy during creation.

Using the FilesNotToSnapshot Registry Key to Exclude Files from Shadow Copy

Files can be deleted from a shadow copy during shadow copy creation by using the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToSnapshot

This registry key has REG_MULTI_SZ (multi string) values for each application whose files can be excluded. The files are specified by fully qualified paths, which can contain the * wildcard. If a fully qualified cannot be specified, then a path can also be implied by using the $UserProfile$ or $AllVolumes$ variable. For example:

* UserProfile$\Directory\Subdirectory\FileName.*
* $AllVolumes$\TemporaryFiles\*.*

To make the path recursive, append ” /s” to the end. For example:

* $UserProfile$\Directory\Subdirectory\FileName.* /s
* $AllVolumes$\TemporaryFiles\*.* /s

In all cases, the entry is ignored if there are no files that match the path string. Note that the exclusion (or rather the deletion of the files from the Shadow Copy repository during creation by the shadow copy optimization writer) of the files been added to the appropriate registry key value, is on a best-effort basis.

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COSMOS - A New OS Available

A new microkernel, .Net-based operating system is available now. This new and independent operating system, Cosmos, is the effort from the former Microsoft Developer and Platform Evangelism team member Chad Khudzu Hower. Cosmos (Its only upper case C, ie not COSMOS or CosmOS) is an acronym for C# Open Source Managed Operating System. Even though the name C# is part of the name of Cosmos, Cosmos can work with any .NET language that compiles to pure IL without P/Invokes.

Technically, Cosmos is a set of operating system legos written completely in C# that allow developers to easily build custom OSes with little OS experience by simply selecting new project in Visual Studio, then pressing F5 to build, deploy, and debug. Cosmos comes with a compiler (IL2CPU) that compiles the resulting intermediate language (IL) to X86 code. The compiler includes a cross-platform-support layer and the developer has planned to add support for other processors and platforms. Users can run Cosmos on other platforms such as Wii, iPhone, etc.

Cosmos has a lot of similarity compared to Microsoft’s Singularity. But unlike Singularity, Cosmos is publicly available now with full source code at Codeplex. Anyone can try it and participate in it. Users can read more about Cosmos.

February 18, 2008 | posted in Windows | 0 comments [ More ]