InsideHW.com has published an article on how to optimize Windows 7 on your Netbook

"Bridging the gap between tiny and not too functional smartphones and sizeable notebook computers, netbooks have suddenly turned interesting to those that needed full multimedia capabilities of a PC in a smaller packaging. It’s been nearly three years since the first netbooks appeared, with 60 million being sold since. Modest hardware, the need for the best autonomy possible and a lower price of the final product all cried for the familiar (and cheap) Windows XP. Although it’s more than capable to satisfy the needs of users, the ten-year-old XP is, nevertheless, an ugly detail on the screens of modern netbooks. Microsoft became aware of that, and decided to offer netbook users a special version of Windows 7, optimized for their PCs…"

>> How to Optimize Windows 7 on Your Netbook

Neowin reports that Microsoft has confirmed a new 64-Bit Windows 7 vulnerability

"Microsoft said on Tuesday that it is investigating a publicly reported vulnerability in the Windows Canonical Display Driver (cdd.dll) affecting 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

The flaw resides in the Canonical Display Driver, used by desktop composition to blend the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) and DirectX drawing. The issue affects Windows 7 x64, Windows Server 2008 R2 x64, and Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium systems. It is possible that the vulnerability could allow code execution, although successful code execution is unlikely due to memory randomization. If a malicious user were able to exploit the flaw it would "likely cause the affected system to stop responding and restart" according to a Microsoft spokesperson."

>> Microsoft confirms new 64-bit Windows 7 vulnerability

Legit Reviews posted a guide about installing Windows 7 and Media Center on a HTPC

"Everyone wants to see Windows 7 information and today Legit Reviews shows you how to install Windows 7 Ultimate on one of our personal home theater systems! We also show you basic setup of Windows Media Center and Media Browser. Follow through as we have over 25 pictures that will walk you through installation of the 32-bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate! This is a must read for anyone that is thinking of installing Windows 7.

For most enthusiasts installing Windows 7 is a breeze, a far cry from the cumbersome install of Windows 95/98/ME/2000. Windows Vista and 7 are extremely simple to setup, requiring almost no input from the user, even someone who knows very little about computers can run through the setup with an easy to follow guide. Today we’re going to run through the basics of setting up Windows 7 Ultimate for use in a HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer). We’ll cover the initial set up, configuration of Windows Media Center, setting up Media Browser for DVD/Blu-ray/HD-DVD playback, and talk about the Sleep modes. We are not going to get into the different codecs needed for .mkv’s and other transcoded files as that is beyond the scope of this article. Our focus is for a novice who is interested in a HTPC but lacks the background knowledge of how to get it going..."

>> How To Install Windows 7 and Media Center on a HTPC

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 7 to enable handler mapping to work correctly with extensionless URLs.

"Install this update to enable handler mapping to work correctly with extensionless URL's. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer."

>> Update for Windows 7 (KB980368)

Computing on Demand has posted a new article, 'How to Turn on Automatic Logon in Windows'

"This is a subject that can be attacked a few different ways.  There are many reasons why people want to log into Windows Automatically and the ways to do it are just as various. For my purposes, logging into windows automatically is an absolute must for my HTPC's.  The last thing I want to do is try to spell out my password using an IMON remote!"

>> How to Turn on Automatic Logon in Windows

TechSpot posted a guide on how to resize Windows 7's taskbar thumbnail preview

"Although Windows 7's revamped taskbar has largely received praise, it's not perfect. In fact, it can't be. It's impossible to accommodate every neurotic proclivity -- unless you have the proper utilities, of course.

Adding to our collection of topics on tailoring Windows 7, this week we're looking at the Windows 7 Taskbar Thumbnail Customizer. As its name implies, the software lets you tweak the thumbnail previews displayed when hovering over a taskbar icon. After downloading the program, simply extract and run it, no installation is required. You should see a window with a number of adjustable sliders for the thumbnail size, spacing, margins, and delay time."

>> Resize Windows 7s Taskbar Thumbnail Preview

Microsoft has released Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7

"The Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 is a collection of games and applications that are made available to computers with multi-touch enabled displays running Windows 7.

The Touch Pack includes:
Microsoft Blackboard, an intricate game of physics in which you solve a puzzle by creating a fanciful machine on a blackboard.

Microsoft Garden Pond, a tranquil game that takes place in serene Japanese water gardens.

Microsoft Rebound, a game in which you use your fingertips to control Tesla spheres with an electrical field between them to catapult a metal game ball into your opponent's goal.

Microsoft Surface Globe, a program that you can use to explore the earth as a flat 2-D map or as an immersive 3-D experience.

Microsoft Surface Collage, a program that you can use to explore and interact with your photos and arrange them as a desktop background.

Microsoft Surface Lagoon, a screen saver and interactive water simulation, complete with a meditative rock arrangement and playful, shy fish."

>> Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7

Compu-KISS has published part 2 of their Windows 7 Hidden Treasures article series

"I call them hidden treasures because they aren't apparent when you are using Windows 7. You need a little map to find the treasures....so here it is. "

>> Windows 7 Hidden Treasures - Part 2

Neowin.net reports that an early build of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 has leaked to file sharing sites this week

"The build, 6.1.7601.16537.amd64fre.win7.100327-0053, appears to be a recent compile from March 27. Early reports, from enthusiast site GeekSmack, indicate the build is quick to install but it's not clear whether it includes the promised USB 3.0 support or enhanced Bluetooth and Wi-fi stacks."

>> Early Windows 7 SP1 build leaks

Microsoft has extended the Windows 7 Enterprise Trial program to Dec 31st, 2010

"The Enterprise trial is designed specifically for IT Professionals, so that you can test your software and hardware on a final version of the product. In addition, it provides the opportunity for you to become more familiar with the key improvements over previous versions of the Windows operating system, and experience firsthand how Windows 7 can make your PC environment more productive, secure, and manageable.

Since the trial software designed for IT Professionals interested in experiencing the Windows 7 Enterprise on behalf of their organization. We do not recommend that you install this if you are a not an IT Professional or not professionally managing corporate networks."

>> The Windows Enterprise 90 Day Trial Has Been Extended

Paul Thurrott takes a look at the Backup and Restore feature of Windows 7

"With Windows 7, Microsoft expands on the pervasive and reliable backup and restore solutions for both data files and the entire computer that it introduced in Windows Vista. Key among this functionality is Backup and Restore, which can be ued to copy your important files and folders to a safe location or create a system image that can be used later to restore a broken PC. You may never need to turn to a third-party backup and restore utility again."

>> Windows 7 Feature Focus: Backup and Restore

Compu-KISS has published an article entitled Windows 7 Hidden Treasures

"The fact of the matter is that Windows 7 is filled with great new stuff. It’s just that there is no manual to point out the new features. So you have to search through and find them yourself. "

>> Windows 7 Hidden Treasures

TechSpot posted a guide about changing the wallpaper in Windows 7 Starter

"Few people would argue that Windows 7 is a great step forward for the platform -- but those folks probably don't use the Starter edition. Anyone who is stuck with it will know that this entry-level variant of Microsoft's operating system is swathed in red tape, and is a real bummer to use beyond browsing the Web or checking your email.

Aimed at netbooks and other proprietary systems, it's the most diluted version of Windows 7 with many basic features missing. Among them are the Aero Glass interface, fast user switching, DVD playback, multi-display support, as well as personalization options, such as the ability to change desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.

Most of the excluded features won't really hinder the use of a netbook. After all, few ship with DVD drives or have multiple users anyway, but staring at a bright blue Windows logo for the lifespan of the system is torture. Hell, even Windows 3.1 lets you set a desktop background, and thanks to a number of free utilities, so will Windows 7 Starter."

>> Tech Tip: Change Your Wallpaper on Windows 7 Starter

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP mode to support older PC without hardware virtualization technology

"We’re announcing an update to Windows XP Mode today that will make it a more accessible to PCs in small and midsize businesses who want to migrate to Windows 7 Professional but have applications that still require Windows XP. Windows XP Mode will no longer require hardware virtualization technology to run. This change makes it extremely easy for businesses to use Windows XP Mode to address any application incompatibility roadblocks they might have in migrating to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode will of course continue to use hardware virtualization technology such as Intel VT (Intel Virtualization Technology) or AMD-V if available. You can find more information and download the update which will go live later today here."

>> Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs

Brandon LeBlanc posted some info on Windows 7 Service Pack 1

"Today during our online Desktop Virtualization Hour event, we’ll be talking a little bit about Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

For Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1 will be introducing two new desktop virtualization features: Microsoft RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory. These features are designed to meet the increasing needs of our customers as they utilize virtualization in their environments with Windows Server 2008 R2. You can read more about RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory on the Windows Server Division WebLog.

For Windows 7, SP1 includes only minor updates, among which are previous updates that are already delivered through Windows Update. SP1 for Windows 7 will, however, deliver an updated Remote Desktop client that takes advantage of RemoteFX introduced in the server-side with SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2."

>> Talking About Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Microsoft will update the Windows Activation in Windows 7

"In the coming days, we’ll be deploying a new update for Windows Activation Technologies, the set of built-in activation and validation components built into Windows 7. Called Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7, this update will detect more than 70 known and potentially dangerous activation exploits. Activation exploits are sometimes called “hacks”, and attempt to bypass or compromise Windows’ activation technologies. This new update is further evidence of Microsoft’s commitment to keeping customers and partners secure. The update will determine whether Windows 7 installed on a PC is genuine and will better protect customers’ PCs by making sure that the integrity of key licensing components remains intact."

>> Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7

TestFreaks compared the 32-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, and 7

"So here I am a few months later back with what you could call part 2 of this comparison article. This one is truly all 32bit operating systems, yes I spent many hours installing and testing these operating systems to get a better idea of which really is the better choice. I used the exact same hard drive for each operating system to make sure it was truly comparable, fresh installs each time and of course it's the exact same hardware for each as well. I've actually expanded the testing a bit to include networking, video encoding, and gaming and even how they handle things like USB drives or removable storage. This is probably the most comprehensive comparison out there today in terms of what was tested and all of the tests that were run on these operating systems, so I hope you learn something from it"

>> 32Bit OS Shoot-Out: Windows Xp vs Vista vs 7

Techgage.com posted a guide about using a Thumb Drive to Install Windows 7

"Microsoft may be selling Windows 7 exclusively on DVD's, but did you realize that it takes very little effort to create a bootable thumb drive and install from that? We're taking a look at two popular methods of accomplishing this, and as you'll see, it couldn't be easier to install Microsoft's latest OS onto a PC with no DVD-ROM. It's faster, too!"

>> Using a Thumb Drive to Install Windows 7

Benchmark Reviews posted a Windows 7 System Image Disc Recovery guide

"Very recently Benchmark Reviews published the Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade and Installation guide, which helps erase the mistakes made by Windows Vista and introduces computer enthusiasts to the newly introduced O/S. Microsoft has enjoyed a successful launch for their Windows 7 Operating System, also referred to at Win7 or W7, and PCs have been made more productive and secure as a result. But like all good things that we receive, it's in our nature to protect and keep them. The best way to accomplish this is with a solid backup, and luckily Windows 7 offers a built-in Backup and Restore tool for creating System Images. By creating a backup file users can preserve their data, but with a System Image recovering the source disk can be helpful when replacing the drive with another. In this article, Benchmark Reviews guides users on the best practices for protecting and Recovering Windows 7 with System Image Restore Disks."

>> Windows 7 System Image Disc Recovery

Microsoft has released an update for restoring backups made on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to computers that are running Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2.

"Utility for restoring backups made on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 to computers that are running Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2.

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7"

>> Download for Windows 7 (32-bit)
>> Download for Windows 7 (64-bit)
>> Download for Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit)
>> Download for Windows Server 2008 R2 (Itanium)