Tag: microsoft_software

Is Windows Spying On You?

May 30, 2007 by Jason

If you’ve installed any updates recently you may recall seeing something called Genuine Advantage () in amongst the bits and pieces you are urged to install. is meant to validate your copy of , but at the same time also installs something called the Genuine Advantage Notification tool.

This is a little utility that looks for pirated copies of software, but here’s the worrying bit. Every time you boot up your PC it calls home to , (or once a day if your PC is left running). Read More»

Configure Windows Update to update all Microsoft apps on your PC

May 07, 2007 by Jason

Update was first released a few years ago for XP and Server 2003 as a great way to update all of your software installed on your PC. Not only would it update , but it would also update . Are you a Outlook user? If so, Update would even download updated junk mail signatures when they are released.

In Vista the new Update application is no longer web-based. has built-in the old Update functionality into the new interface but you need to turn it on before you can use it. Follow these steps to turn on updates for other applications: Read More»