Microsoft, Windows 7 | featured news

Microsoft Corp posted a bigger-than-expected 60 percent jump in quarterly profit, helped by strong sales of Windows 7, and said it expected business technology spending to recover this year.

Windows 7 was released on October 22nd, and if early net stats are any indication, users are adopting the new OS at a fast pace.

Microsoft says it is pleased with the demand for Windows 7 as it reports an 18% fall in quarterly profits.

Microsoft Corp. put a new edition of Windows on sale Thursday, hoping for a fresh start after a bad reception for the previous version of the software that runs most of the world's personal computers.

As for gaming, however, Windows 7's release feels almost funereal. Read the reviews and you'll learn all about the streamlined taskbar, the smarter security system that leaves you alone, the slick new touch-based input features, and the friendlier approach to media-hub device management.

Windows 7 is hardly flawless, but here's an in-depth look at how Microsoft has changed its OS — mostly for the better .

Microsoft Corp. issued a record number of security patches for its software Tuesday as part of its regular monthly update. The software maker plugged 34 holes and designated most of them "critical," Microsoft's most severe rating. Among them are fixes for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and even Windows 7, which doesn't go on sale to consumers until Oct. 22 but has been in use by early testers and software developers.

Walt Mossberg calls Windows 7 a boost to productivity and a pleasure to use -- Microsoft's best operating system yet.

Microsoft unveiled bigger-than-expected discounts for some buyers of its forthcoming Windows 7 operating system, as it sought to stoke up demand for new PCs and put the poor reputation of Windows Vista behind it.

Microsoft confirmed on Monday that it is planning to release Windows 7 this year, in time for the holiday shopping season.