Download Office Professional Plus Beta 2010 Build 14.0.4536.1000 from MSDN and TechNet

Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 09:48 Written by Mire_B Tuesday, 17 November 2009 09:50

I’m downloading Office 2010 Beta Build 14.0.4536.1000 from MSDN right now. I’ll make sure to provide you with a little information as soon as I’ve finished installing it. TechNet subscribers can get it from here. I’ve also received an invitation to test Office 2010 Beta on Microsoft Connect, but haven’t really checked it out yet, although I’m going to, later today. However, I can’t really make public details from Microsoft Connect limited, invitation-only testing projects, I never have, in fact. Those of you that have ever seen the nondisclosure agreements from Connect projects already know why. I could just leak info of course, but that’s not the way I roll. I’ve never done it before, and I’m not going to start now.

I’m done installing Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta, and I’m going to start using the applications on a day-to-day basis. As soon as I get a feeling of Build 14.0.4536.1000 I’ll post some additional details. There are new icons, a new Backstage and a new activation mechanism.

Hack/Patch/Workaround for Forced Upgrades to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 – Continue Using Windows Live Messenger (WLM) 8.5

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 10:00 Written by Mire_B Wednesday, 11 November 2009 10:00

As of November 9th, Microsoft has started upgrading all Windows Live Messenger users not running the latest release of the instant messaging client to version 14 full build string 14.0.8089.726. From the volume of comments on forums and various blogs including the official Windows Live Messenger blog, as well as from the wave of requests that I received, it is painfully obvious that users are not happy with Microsoft’s decision to force them to upgrade. Mandatory upgrades to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 are the only way for users of versions 8.1, 8.5 and 14 (with the exception of 14.0.8089.726) to continue being able to sign in.

Now there is a very simple workaround to the mandatory Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726. I have tried it myself and it works as a charm. But first, I actually advise users to upgrade. I know that a forced upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 might not be exactly a move to warm up to, but from a security perspective it makes perfect sense.

Windows Live Messenger blog: The upgrade will provide customers with the latest software updates including code fixes and feature enhancements; as well address vulnerabilities discussed in the Microsoft Security Advisory 973882 that existed in previous versions of Windows Live Messenger.

Also from the Windows Live Messenger blog: All Windows Live Messenger clients with versions 8.1, 8.5 or 14.0 will receive the upgrade notification. Beginning August 25, customers of Messenger 8.1 or 8.5 were prompted to upgrade their client. Customers who installed the latest Windows Live Messenger client (14.0) before August 19, 2009 will start receiving an upgrade notification in September 2009. Customers of older versions of MSN Messenger on Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows Me or Windows 98 will not receive an upgrade notification.

To clarify, if you are running Messenger 8.1, 8.5 or 14.0 on the following operating systems: Windows XP 32bit, Windows Vista (32bit/64bit), Windows 7( 32bit/64bit) or Windows Server 2008, you will receive the upgrade notice. See this link for the system requirements of the latest version. http://download.live.com/SystemRequirements.

Solution/Hack/Patch/Workaround for mandatory upgrades to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 that will allow you to keep running Windows Live Messenger (WLM) 8.5.

It’s very simple, and the key is the operating systems supported by Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726: Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (32-bit edition only), Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit editions), Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit editions), or Windows Server 2008.

You don’t see Windows 2000 anywhere on the list do you? First of all, make sure that Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is turned off completely – kill the process if you have to. For the next step, right click the Windows Live Messenger 8.5 icon and select Properties. Then go to the Compatibility tab, and choose to “Run this program in compatibility mode for” Windows 2000. And that’s it! Now Windows Live Messenger 8.5 will sign in without any issues. Take a look at the screenshots if you need additional guidance.

Attention: Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and earlier contain security vulnerabilities that can allow attackers to take over control of your computer! Continue using said versions of Windows Live Messenger at your own risk!

Chew-WGA 0.9: Windows 7 Ultimate (& All Editions) Perpetual Activation Crack/Hack/Patch

Last Updated on Sunday, 18 October 2009 11:59 Written by Mire_B Sunday, 18 October 2009 11:59

I’ve come across what I believe to be the most serious attempt at circumventing the activation process of Windows 7. Chew-WGA is a hack advertised as the Windows 7 / Server R2 Perpetuation Tool. Unlike OEM hacks, CW focuses entirely on Windows 7 itself. Version 0.9 of the crack has apparently been tested and confirmed to successfully bypass the antipiracy measures in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and activate the two operating systems indefinitely.

bRonCOde, a member of the Chew-WGA team noted that the secret behind the illegal Windows 7 activation crack was reverse-engineering and patching of Windows system files linked to SPP (Software Protection Platform) & SLC (Software Licensing Client).

Chew-WGA was designed to test the security resistance of various software protections built into Windows 6.1.x operating systems, and is intended for educational purposes only. It works by making certain changes to the software protection platform and the multilingual user interface resources.

This utility should never be executed on a system intended for continual use. If you want to use your copy of Windows continually, you are required to purchase a license.

Some notable features include:

- all-language compatibility

- works on Windows 7 all versions

- compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit file-systems

- no master boot record fiddling

- no risk of PC bricking

- very reliable patching mechanism

- windows updates work

- doesn’t use any keys

- full uninstaller included

- solid, clean, efficient coding

- tamper resistant (protect by CGA – Chew Genuine Advantage seal)

- hotfix resistant

- the most reliable chew-wga version yet

“I chose the word “perpetuation” because it describes what the patch does in that it keeps Windows from expiring and turning ugly with all the M$ nagware.

Originally, Chew-WGA (0.1 – 0.2) worked just to prevent the software protection platform from ever igniting its time-bomb, but since then, Chew-WGA has been changing and growing into something much more special, a fully functional multi-faceted patch for Windows 7, exposing its susceptibility for the CW workaround methods that induce activated behavior.

The difference between RemoveWAT and Chew-WGA is that RemoteWAT renames a bunch of the software protection platform files to make them fail at logon, and hence not show the nags associated with expiration, etc. Chew-WGA aims to keep the system as intact as possible, and behave as fully activated.” – by anemeros