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
15 Oct 2025
Patch Tuesday: Windows 10 end of life pain for IT departments
Windows 10 is no longer supported, but that does not mean it is not impacted by the latest Patch Tuesday update Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Oct 2025
The importance of upgrading to the latest Windows operating system
Despite plans to make it the last major upgrade, Windows 10 was superseded by Windows 11, and now Microsoft support for Windows 10 has come to an end Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2015
Microsoft warns of fake SSL certificate for Windows Live
Microsoft has warned that a fake security certificate has been issued for the Windows Live domain that could be abused by attackers Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2015
CIO interview: Ivor Nicholson, Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottinghamshire County Council is facing £77m in cuts by 2018 and by rolling out new services, it plans to save £8m through technology alone Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2015
Microsoft to cut 9,000 jobs at Nokia plants in China
Microsoft plans to shut down two former Nokia manufacturing plants in China, which means 9,000 jobs will be lost in the latest round of cuts Continue Reading
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Photo Story
19 Feb 2015
Windows 10 Build 9926: A first look
We install and test-drive the latest build of Windows 10, which introduces desktop Cortana and Continuum for moving the GUI across devices Continue Reading
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Photo Story
06 Feb 2015
Universal apps in the enterprise
Windows 10 offers a new application platform, called universal apps. Should businesses consider using universal apps for new applications Continue Reading
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E-Zine
02 Feb 2015
Windows 10 in the enterprise
In this week's Computer Weekly, Microsoft has released more details of the forthcoming Windows 10 release – we look at what it means for enterprise IT. The UK government has set out its vision for an EU digital economy – we examine the issues. And our latest buyer's guide covers data science. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2015
Microsoft gets a step closer to Office everywhere with Office on Android
Microsoft has released a preview version of Office for Android, almost 10 months after the iPad version was released Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2015
Microsoft revenue drops due to “restructuring”
Microsoft’s year-on-year net income has dropped by around $695m due to “integration and restructuring” plans, according to the firm’s fiscal statement Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2015
Mobile banking will help the poor transform their lives, says Gates Foundation
Mobile banking can help the poor change their lives and two billion people who don’t have bank accounts store money by phone by 2030 Continue Reading
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Photo Story
21 Jan 2015
Windows 10: Microsoft gets serious on upgrades
Microsoft will offer users of Windows 7, 8, 8.1, Windows Phone a free upgrade to Windows 10. Plus there is a hologram version Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2015
Google under fire over Windows zero-day disclosure
Google has come under fire for publishing a proof-of-concept attack exploiting a flaw in Windows 8.1 before Microsoft had released a security update Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2014
How resilient is the public cloud?
The recent downtime that affected some Azure services following an update illustrates the precarious balance CIOs face in the cloud era Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2014
Microsoft releases emergency security patch for Windows and Windows Server
Microsoft emergency patch fixes a Windows and Windows Server vulnerability hackers are exploiting to compromise networks Continue Reading
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News
17 Nov 2014
Can Microsoft change its spots?
Since Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft, the company has become steadily more open and cross-platform Continue Reading
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News
12 Nov 2014
Government CTO Liam Maxwell says Microsoft “conversation has changed”
CTO Liam Maxwell says the government's relationship with Microsoft has changed after meeting CEO Satya Nadella Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2014
Qantas puts Oracle ERP in the cloud with Tata Consultancy Services
Airline Qantas signs IT outsourcing services firm TCS to upgrade its Oracle ERP platform and move it into the cloud Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Nov 2014
Migrating away from Windows Server 2003
In this week’s Computer Weekly, as Microsoft prepares to end support for the popular Windows Server 2013 operating system, we assess the risk for organisations that fail to migrate in time. We hear from IT leaders delivering benefits from enterprise social media use to improve staff collaboration. And we look at criticisms from Oracle users about the supplier’s software licensing practices. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2014
Government open standards - the curious case of Microsoft and the minister
What role, if any, did science minister David Willetts take in helping Microsoft try to overturn government IT policy? Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2014
Government replaces Becta education IT procurement framework
Government seeks up to 20 suppliers to form a £300m procurement framework for ICT services to public-sector education organisations Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2014
Industrial control systems: What are the security challenges?
Targeted attacks on industrial control systems are the biggest threat to critical national infrastructure, says Kaspersky Lab Continue Reading
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Photo Story
02 Oct 2014
Windows 10 Technical Preview: Installing and test drive Build 9841
We install Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 9841 on a virtual machine Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2014
Microsoft readies Windows 10 Technical Preview
Microsoft is today releasing a preview of Windows 10, the next version of the Windows desktop operating system Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2014
Conficker infections an indictment of IT security, says CWG
Conficker worm infections reflect the “sad state of affairs of IT security”, says the Conficker Working Group Continue Reading
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E-Zine
15 Sep 2014
The IT challenges facing an independent Scotland
In this week’s Computer Weekly, as Scotland goes to the polls to vote on independence, we assess the IT challenges the country would face. We look at the products available in the fast-growing market for object storage. And we ask if it will be worth migrating to future version of Windows given the rise in mobile usage. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2014
Surface Pro 3: An enterprise IT review
The latest version of Microsoft's Surface Pro tablet is the company's most compelling alternative to Apple. But how does it fit into corporate IT? Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2014
Microsoft re-releases security bulletin MS14-045
Microsoft has re-released a software security update that was withdrawn because it put some computers in endless reboot loops Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2014
Load balancing supports Kent County Council's VDI project
Kent County Council picks Kemp Technologies load balancers to support a deployment of VMware Horizon View and Workspace across its estate Continue Reading
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Photo Story
04 Aug 2014
Apple OS X Yosemite – How open beta will improve enterprise outlook
Apple recently submitted its most recent operating system, OS X Yosemite, for open beta. This move could signal greater opportunities for Apple in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2014
Microsoft attacks UK government decision to adopt ODF for document formats
Microsoft has questioned the merits of the UK government’s decision to adopt ODF - but meeting minutes show OOXML was given due consideration Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2014
Microsoft ditches Android after four-month fling
Microsoft pulls the plug on its short-lived Nokia X Android devices as it prepares to make 18,000 employees redundant Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jul 2014
Big Apple revolution: How to manage Macs in the enterprise
Apple’s products were once niche devices. Now, following a consumer-led initiative, they are widely used across the enterprise Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2014
PC sales bounce back as XP drives hardware refresh
Desktop and laptop upgrades, driven by the migration away from Windows XP, has bolstered PC sales in Europe Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2014
Tablet sales to slow in 2014, says Gartner
Gartner findings show that sales of tablets are set to slow in 2014 as uptake moves into the late adopters phase in mature markets Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2014
Interview: John Swainson, president of Dell Software
Dell Software president John Swainson's aims to make Dell Software a $5bn business Continue Reading
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Photo Story
16 Jun 2014
What’s new in SQL Server 2014
We give Microsoft’s latest release of SQL Server a test drive to find out if the new features really make the effort of upgrading worthwhile Continue Reading
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E-Zine
16 Jun 2014
The Met Office turns to open source
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out why the Met Office turned to an open source database to replace Oracle at the UK weather forecasting service. We take an in-depth look at Microsoft’s SQL Server 2014 release. And we analyse the revolutionary potential of cloud computing. Read the issue now. 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