Category News Updates

Microsoft Build Conference 2016: Keynote announcements

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Wanted to share across the Microsoft’s Build conference Keynote announcements that was done on March 30 2016.

Windows 10: Usage
Out for 8 months

  • 810M users world-wide
  • 270M users in US
    • 5B visitis to the Windows Store
    • 60% growth in the “last few months alone”
    • Coming soon Universal Windows Platform Apps: includes new Facebook app + audience network

Windows 10: Update
Anniversary update of Windows 10 coming this summer (FREE)

  • Update For – New Pcs, 5-year old Pcs or a Brand New Macs
  • Insider version available today along with Update of Visual Studio 2
  • Windows Hello, Ink, Gaming, Hololens, and Cortanna updates

Desktop App Converter:
Takes a modern Win32/.Net app/Game installer and runs it though Centennial tool

  • Sage example – run it through centennial and submit to the Windows 10 app store.
  • Visual studio – Win32 code with no modifications
  • Added in Live Tile code
  • Game examples with Age of Empires 2 HD

HoloLens:

  • Starts to ship to developers and enterprise partners today (exclusive to Windows 10)
  • Code example on github are available today on the Windows Store (“Galaxy Explorer”)

“Bash” shell:
Coming to Windows (native Ubuntu windows)

  • Power of command-line tools
  • example using JavaScript, ssh, Ruby and emacs

Windows Ecosystem:

  • Cortanna as a “boundary-less” offering across all devices and user actions/history

To me, in order to have Win10 capture more market, one of the most interesting support to look forward would be: Support for Win32 Desktop apps to the Windows 10 store (coming in June)

Microsoft IE Support

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Microsoft shared the following information with us in order to be better prepared. As per Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy, beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical support and security updates, as shown below:

Windows Desktop Operating SystemsInternet Explorer Version
Windows Vista SP2Internet Explorer 9
Windows 7 SP1Internet Explorer 11
Windows 8.1 UpdateInternet Explorer 11
Windows Server Operating SystemsInternet Explorer Version
Windows Server 2008 SP2Internet Explorer 9
Windows Server 2008 IA64 (Itanium)Internet Explorer 9
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1Internet Explorer 11
Windows Server 2008 R2 IA64 (Itanium)Internet Explorer 11
Windows Server 2012Internet Explorer 10
Windows Server 2012 R2Internet Explorer 11
Windows Embedded Operating SystemsInternet Explorer Version
Windows Embedded for Point of Service (WEPOS)Internet Explorer 7
Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (WES09)Internet Explorer 8
Windows Embedded POSReady 2009Internet Explorer 8
Windows Embedded Standard 7Internet Explorer 11
Windows Embedded POSReady 7Internet Explorer 11
Windows Thin PCInternet Explorer 8
Windows Embedded 8 StandardInternet Explorer 10
Windows 8.1 Industry UpdateInternet Explorer 11

Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy provides consistent and predictable guidelines for product support availability when a product releases and throughout that product’s life. By understanding the product support available, customers are better able to maximize the management of their IT investments and strategically plan for a successful IT future.

Microsoft


They recommend to customers running on an older version of Internet Explorer to migrate to one of the above supported operating systems and browser combinations by January 12, 2016.

For more details, one can refer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle#gp/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer

Microsoft Products Retirement

smewara Leave a comment

Earlier, I was not sure if I can share the information outside, but got a confirmation today that I can.
Microsoft shared the following information with us in order to be better prepared for the upcoming year.
These are the Microsoft products that are going to retire this year and be End Of Life, meaning – End of support.

Product End Of Life Date
SQL Server 2000 4/9/2013
Commerce Server 2002 7/9/2013
BizTalk Server 2004 7/8/2014
Project Server 2003 4/8/2014
Live Communication Server 2003 1/14/2014
Office 2003 4/8/2014
Windows XP 4/8/2014
.NET Framework 1.1 10/8/2013
Visual Studio .NET 2003 10/8/2013

It is suggested by Microsoft that we migrate to newer version if we are using any one of these products.
So please have a look at what version you are working on currently and take necessary action if needed.