Etc: The Windows 7 “family pack” will return on October 3. $150 gets you 3 Home Premium upgrade licenses.

The Windows 7 "family pack" will return on October 3. $150 gets you 3 Home Premium upgrade licenses.

Read More: The Windows Blog

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Performance, stability fixes arrive for Windows 7, Server 2008 R2

In addition to releasing the most security bulletins ever on this month's Patch Tuesday, Microsoft has released a number of non-security updates, the majority of which are for the latest versions of its client and server operating systems. All the patches are available on Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center and most will require a restart. With the exception of the last patch, they're all for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Most of these updates will be rolled into Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Testers got the first Windows 7 SP1 beta build two months ago, but just today Microsoft sent out build 7601.17077 to selected PC and Technology Adoption Program partners, according to ZDNet.

The first patch (KB2028560) is vaguely described as one that delivers "new functionality and performance improvements for the graphics platform." 

The second patch (KB2249857) describes an issue that occurs on 2TB+ hard disk drives. If the OS is configured to save dump files to a volume of such an HDD, some of the dump file is offset at a disk offset greater than the 2TB address, and Windows is either put into hibernation or crashes, volumes on the HDD may be corrupted, and data is lost. If the corrupted volumes include the system partition, the computer will no longer boot. 

The third patch (KB982110) fixes a problem when running 32-bit applications on a 64-bit edition of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. If the application uses the QueryPathOfRegTypeLib function to retrieve the path of a registered type library, it may return the path of the 64-bit version of the type library instead of the 32-bit one. 

The fourth patch (KB2272691) is for a game, application, or firmware that is either installed incorrectly, causes system instability, or has primary functions that do not work correctly. The update will either prevent incompatible software from running (hard block with third-party manufacturer consent), notify the user that incompatible software is starting to run (soft block), or improve the software's functionality (update). It lists just a single application (Sensible Vision FastAccess) as being affected.

The fifth patch (KB2203330) solves a problem when installing a third-party application for the multiple transport Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) device or for the Windows Portable Device (WPD). Connecting an MTP or WPD device may result in an APC_INDEX_MISMATCH stop error message because of a race condition in the Compositebus.sys driver. 

The last patch (KB979453) is for Windows Home Server and addresses five separate issues that were found since the release of WHS Power Pack 3.

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Microsoft keeps Mac vs. PC battle going on Windows 7 website

Microsoft has added a PC versus Mac section to its Windows 7 website. The webpage is under the Compare tab, where users can match up the three main Windows 7 editions, read a Top 10 list of reasons to buy Windows 7, and read Microsoft's thoughts on why it believes Windows 7 has the advantage over Mac OS X. According to the new page, Microsoft says it has Apple beat in six categories: Having Fun (Macs might spoil your fun), Simplicity (Macs can take time to learn), Working Hard (Macs don't work as well at work or at school), Sharing (Macs don't like to share), Compatibility (Macs might not like your PC stuff), and Choice (Macs don't let you choose).

Each area makes a couple valid points, though Redmond makes sure to avoid naming any potential strengths Cupertino may have: this is strictly a pro-PC show. Each page ends off with a note to visit the Windows PC Scout to help the user find the right PC for them.

It's not surprising that Microsoft is playing up the PC vs. Mac comparisons given the "Get a Mac" campaign that ended a couple of months ago. Microsoft eventually responded directly to that campaign with the "I'm a PC" series of spots—an instant hit, at least in contrast to the Seinfeld and Gates ads. When Windows 7 came out the software giant changed course a bit with the I'm a PC and Windows 7 was my idea commercials.

It's worth noting that the Windows 7 webpage does not mention "I'm a PC" at all, but the distinction between Mac and PC that Apple first trumpeted is heavily emphasized. Microsoft seems perfectly happy to continue using the PC label if it means easily distinguishing itself from Apple's offerings.

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Etc: Microsoft has split Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 into separate 32-bit and 64-bit package, after receiving complaints that the download was too large.

Microsoft has split Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 into separate 32-bit and 64-bit package, after receiving complaints that the download was too large.

Read More: TechNet Evaluation Center

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