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German government tells public to stop using Internet Explorer

Update: 3:48 PM PT The fallout from this weekend's discovery of security holes in several versions of Internet Explorer continues to spread. The latest: Germany is urging its citizens to stop using Internet Explorer until there's a fix.

"A fast spreading of the code has to be feared," the German government's Federal Office for Information Security, or BSI, said. The BSI recommended that users access the Internet using alternative Web browsers until Microsoft's security update becomes available.

It's unusual for a government to flatly urge its citizenry to stop using a popular … Read more

Windows 8: As cheap as Win7, if you're building your own PC

Pricing information around Windows 8 has been trickling out over the past few months. I've received a new drip of information -- this time about system-builder pricing for Windows 8.

Here's what we know so far about Windows 8 pricing: In June, Microsoft announced an upgrade offer for those who purchasing Windows 7 PCs between early June 2012 and January 2013. For an additional $14.99, these users will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, as of October 26.

In July, Microsoft shared another drop of information: For $39.99,  Windows XP, Vista and Windows … Read more

Microsoft: Come 'celebrate' Windows 8 on Oct. 25

Microsoft plans to hold a special event next month celebrating the launch of Windows 8.

The company today sent out an invite to a Windows 8 celebration for October 25 in New York City. Microsoft didn't offer up any details on the announcement, including the location or the time. The company also didn't say exactly what it plans to discuss, though it's easy enough to guess.

Microsoft has already announced that it'll launch Windows 8 commercially on October 26. It seems likely that it will take this opportunity to show off computers, tablets, and other hardware … Read more

How to dual-boot Windows 7 with Windows 8

If you have a Windows 7 PC but aren't sure you're ready to upgrade to Windows 8 yet, a dual-boot system might be a good way to ease into it. This will let you use both operating systems, side-by-side, until you're comfortable enough with Windows 8 to go all in. To configure your PC for dual-boot, all you have to do is create a new partition for Windows 8, then install it.

Caution: Before you begin, make sure to back up your system. This is a simple procedure, but there's always a risk of data loss … Read more

Microsoft opens up on managing Win RT, Win Phone 8 devices

Ever since it revealed that ARM-based Windows RT PCs and tablets would not be able to join Active Directory domains, Microsoft has been keeping users in suspense as to how Windows RT devices could be managed.

Yesterday, Microsoft officials finally shared a few more details about its plans.

The next version of Windows Intune, Microsoft's PC management and security service, coupled with System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Service Pack (SP) 1, will be the way administrators will be able to manage Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 devices both, according to a new post on the Microsoft "Server &… Read more

Windows 8 gets 'browser ballot' amid EU antitrust probe

Microsoft is pushing out an update to Windows 8 users to enable the "browser ballot" screen, even though the forthcoming operating system's release date is set for over a month away.

Windows 8 users in Europe are now given the choice of which browser -- including Microsoft's own Internet Explorer -- they wish to install.

The Windows Update-offered patch provides a Windows 8 "tiled" (formerly known as "Metro") application, which offers a range of third-party browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Maxthon 3, and Opera, along with Internet Explorer to be … Read more

Bypass the Windows 8 Start screen with RetroUI

Still not crazy about the Windows 8 Start screen? A new app helps you avoid it entirely by taking you directly to the desktop.

Sold by a company named Thinix, RetroUI breezes right past the Windows 8 Start screen to deliver you to the desktop. You can still choose to open the Start screen and other Windows 8 UI features, or you can disable them entirely so that the Charms bar, hot corners, and other Win 8 elements are inaccessible.

The software costs $4.95. But you can try before you buy via a 14-day fully functional trial version. And … Read more

Acer eyes Windows Phone 8 device amid its 2013 smartphones

Hardware maker Acer, better known for its PCs and tablets, is planning to release six new smartphones next year, according to reports -- with the devices to run either Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 or Android.

Acer president Jim Wong told Taiwanese publication Digitimes:

One of the six models will be a Windows Phone 8 device and the rest will run on Android platforms, with high-end models to be built with Qualcomm's dual-core CPUs and entry-level models using chipset solutions from MediaTek.

Digitimes' report, later confirmed by other publications, also says that from next year Acer smartphones will be … Read more

At Windows 8 launch, these 40 games will be ready to go

Microsoft's Xbox team has gone public with a list of 40 casual games that will be available on Windows 8 starting the first day the operating system is commercially available.

As of October 26, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Minesweeper, Wordament and other games will be part of the first wave of such titles available to Windows 8 users, according to an August 31 post on the "Windows Experience" blog. Twenty-nine of the listed titles are from Microsoft Studios.

"Xbox is also announcing support from Rovio, Miniclip, Gameloft, ZeptoLab, Glu Mobile, Halfbrick Studios who are also bringing … Read more