Microsoft extended the general availability of  its free Windows 7 Beta trial offer through Jan. 24 and removed the cap on the  number of downloads within that time.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    New global research forecasts a swift rise in development plans for Software as a Service applications in the next 12 months.
                    
			            - By Kathleen  Richards
- 01/12/2009
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    The new version of Vizioncore's backup and restore software for VMware virtualized environments, vRanger Pro, is the first in the industry to provide full backup support for VMware ESXi, according to Vizioncore.
                    
			            - By Joab  Jackson
- 01/09/2009
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    The beta release of the update to Windows Server 2008 will be of special interest to those who work with virtualization, as it unveils a key technology long-promised by Microsoft.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    TechNet Plus and Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers have reportedly had problems getting product keys for the Windows 7 Beta, and the free general public version is slightly delayed, Microsoft says.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    The beta of Windows Server 2008 R2 is currently available  for download by TechNet Plus and Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN)  subscribers, as well as by technology enthusiasts.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Microsoft's first security update rollout of 2009 may be a quiet one, according to an advance notification released Thursday. 
                    
			            - By Jabulani  Leffall
- 01/08/2009
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Bob Muglia, a Microsoft veteran of 21 years, has been named to the newly created position of president of Microsoft's Server and Tools Division.
                    
			            - By Herb  Torrens
- 01/06/2009
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    A memo purportedly from Microsoft to its OEM partners suggests  that Microsoft will offer upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows 7, starting  possibly on July 1, 2009.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    The upcoming Windows 7 beta -- scheduled to be released this month -- found its way onto the Internet over the holidays.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Sun Microsystems recently released the latest version of its desktop virtualization software, xVM VirtualBox.
                    
			            - By John K. Waters
- 01/04/2009
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    A startup company called MagCloud.com is currently using Windows Azure, the new Microsoft "cloud operating system" supporting software as a service applications and storage.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Microsoft on Tuesday showed off a pre-beta version of Windows Server 2008 R2 at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    At its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles this week, Microsoft is unveiling the end-to-end vision for its Software plus Services platform.
                    
			            - By Kathleen  Richards
- 10/27/2008
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    A new cloud-based lab service for developers will be  demonstrated by Seattle-based Skytap Inc. at Microsoft's Professional  Developers Conference (PDC) in Los    Angeles next week.
                    
			            - By Herb  Torrens
- 10/24/2008
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Redmond on Thursday released a critical out-of-cycle security patch affecting Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems.
                    
			            - By Jabulani  Leffall
- 10/23/2008
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    One of the most closely tracked companies on Wall Street's radar screen did not disappoint expectations with reported revenues for the third quarter of $472 million, a 32 percent increase achieved under increasingly difficult market conditions.
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Microsoft released System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 (VMM 2008), the second major component of its virtualization strategy.  
                    
		            
                
                    
                    
                    
                 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    An IDC study released on Thursday depicted a slowing worldwide  market for virtualized servers.
                    
			            - By Herb  Torrens
- 10/20/2008
 
            
                
	                
                    
                                        
		            
                    Microsoft's CEO talked about Windows  7 and the company's vision for syncing up applications in the  Internet cloud at a Gartner-sponsored event on Thursday.