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Windows 8 Pro Download, Upgrade, and Clean Install FAQs

November 3, 2012 by dennis

In my last post you had seen how to download the newly released Windows 8 Pro version from Microsoft. Yes, there are a lot of other question on how do we install it etc. But first of all let me clear some questions which I had in my mind for all of you to see.

Will Microsoft allow Installation of the Upgrade version to any other PC instead of the Windows PC you used while buying the Upgrade key?

YES! Well it is very good in the part of Microsoft that they allow you to keep both Windows 7 and Windows 8 PCs! The FAQs in the Upgrade Offer page says:

“The upgrade offer is tied to a Windows 7 PC purchased between 2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013, but you can choose to redeem the offer and install the upgrade on any compatible Windows-based PC with a qualifying base operating system.”

The last part says “with a qualifying base operating system.” Well this is not necessary when you go for a clean install using the backup media. FYI, the base operating systems Microsoft is talking about is Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7

Selecting “Keep Nothing” while running Windows 8 Upgrade program mean Clean Install?

NO. Clean install means installing the Windows to a formatted partition, meaning there will be no Data present before. “Keep Nothing” is an option during the Upgrade install where none of your Apps or files will be retained while Upgrading to Windows 8 from your previous Windows.

I selected Keep Files or Keep Apps instead of Keep Nothing while purchasing the Key. Will I be able to do a clean install from the backup media?

YES. Those options are valid only if you upgrade using the Windows 8 Upgrade program. Once you choose to create media instead of Install, those options are no longer relevant.

I want a 64-bit Windows 8 Pro, but my eligible PC is running 32-bit Windows. Will I be able to get and Install a 64-bit with the upgrade key I purchased?

YES. The upgrade is common for both 32-bit and 64-bit, meaning it works for both. You can download a 64-bit Windows 8 Pro with your key but only from a 64-bit Windows PC. This is because the Upgrade/Setup program will downloads the version which is only compatible to your Base OS. You can follow my last post on How to download Windows 8 Pro.

If you have any other questions while Installing or upgrading to Windows 8, do let me know. Just leave a comment below.

[How To] Download Windows 8 Pro 32/64-bit from Microsoft with Upgrade Key

November 2, 2012 by dennis

The new shiny Windows 8 featuring Tiles and all is here. Windows 8 was officially launched last week on October 26 along with Microsoft’s Surface Tablet which runs Windows RT. Windows 8 seems to be getting good reviews from users except from few. Well many of us are still thinking whether to upgrade or not.

For all those who are not aware of the Windows Upgrade program, Microsoft is offering you a Windows 8 Pro (32/64-bit) for only $39.99 (USD). This offer is valid for many countries. The criteria is you should be running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Additionally if you bought a Windows 7 PC after June 2, 2012 you can get it for $14.99.

Well for those who are aware and have already purchased Windows 8 key(s), you might have already downloaded it or you might be still waiting to download. We just wanted to inform everyone through this post that you need not worry about the download. You can do it whenever you are free or if you are in a limited internet plan, you can do it during your next billing cycle.

Requirements to Download Windows 8 Pro Legit from Microsoft:

# Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, or 7
# Of course an internet connection and
# Your Windows 8 Pro Upgrade Key you purchased earlier

Step 1: Download Windows8-Setup.exe from here. it is 5.2MB in size.

Step 2: Decide which Windows Pro version you want – either 32-bit or 64-bit. Well do note that you can install 64-bit only if your processor supports it. you can check if your CPU supports 64-bit OS here.

Step 3: Run the “Windows8-Setup.exe” you have downloaded from a PC which has a 32-bit Windows if you want to download Windows 8 Pro 32-bit. Similarly run from a 64-bit PC if you want 64-bit version.
Size Details:
# 32-Bit Windows 8 Pro: 2.01GB
# 62-Bit Windows 8 Pro: 2.63GB

Step 4: When the Setup program starts, it will ask for your Windows 8 Pro key. Just enter your keys and viola, your download will commence.

Step 5: After the download is completed, before installing the upgrade, we suggest you to create an iso or a USB drive backup for future setups. You can exit the setup program after that. Don’t loose the backup!

Step 6. While closing the setup program, it automatically creates a desktop icon(if it doesn’t you can re-start the program and it will start where you left off). So if you want to install Windows 8 as an upgrade to your existing OS, you can proceed to ‘Install’. But if you want a clean install, make use of the iso or USB drive backup. I personally recommend clean install over any upgrade install. Its up to you.

Important Notes:
# The back up you created to a USB drive or a DVD after download is similar to a retail version, meaning it is not linked to any key. You can use it for installing to any compatible system with any other legit key.
# The same product key can be used for downloading ether 32/64-bit Windows 8 i.e. the key is common for both versions.
# The Upgrade program will ask for your choice if you want to keep files, apps, or none. This choice is irrelevant if you are going for a clean install using a media device (USB/DVD)
# The language will depend on your location. You can install your preferred languages after installing windows 8.

If you have any questions or updates please leave a comment.

[Download] Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 Security Fix (KB2744842) – Critical Update

September 22, 2012 by dennis

We had issued and advisory earlier that the Internet Explorer 9 and lower versions are facing a security flaw where the attackers may exploit the bug, targeting hundreds of millions of computers, to infect the PC of somebody who visits a malicious website and then take control of the victim’s computer. Well this issue has been fixed.

Internet Explorer 9

Microsoft promised that the fix will be available by Friday, 21 September. Well they kept their promise but with some variations. Microsoft had said that this is an easy fix and it will not even require a reboot. Well that’s not true. The Critical update details say:

Security issues have been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a system that is running Microsoft Internet Explorer and gain control over it. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

windows-security-update

The Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 9 for Windows 7 (KB2744842) will be fixing the issue. This update is available in Windows Update. You can directly update it from your Windows PC.

If you don’t use Windows Update service. you can still download it from Microsoft. Choose the correct Windows Version while downloading.

Download from Microsoft

[How To] Check if your CPU Supports 64-bit OS or not–The Easy Way

September 21, 2012September 21, 2012 by dennis

Well we use to program for an 8-bit microprocessor, then 16-Bit some years back. Currently most of the CPUs are 32-Bit architecture. Now the latest one is the 64-Bit CPU. With this advancement of technology in the hardware sector, certain advancements needs to be done in the software sector that will be running on these CPUs.

Here we are talking of System Software that is the Operating Software in your computer, which are the basis for all other user level application software to be installed. If we come to the latest version of Microsoft’s Windows OS, now we see Windows 7. Windows 7 has two versions in terms of hardware compatibility, one for 32-bit architecture CPUs and another for 64bIt architecture CPUs. All 64-bit CPUS can be installed with 32-Bit OS but not vice-versa.

Suppose you have a PC running 32-bit Windows 7, and you want to know if your CPU will support the 62-bit Windows 7, then how will you find it out the easy way? Well we will tell you how.

You can follow the steps:

Step1 Open your computer properties. You can simply press the Windows Key + Pause/Break or you go to start then right click on Computer and select properties.

open-Computerproperties

Step2 In you’re the computer properties, click on “Windows Experience Index”. You can find this under System –> Rating

Windows-computer-properties

Note: First two steps can also be performed via Control Panel as “Control Panel –>Performance Information and Tools” (You can see this option if you set the “View By” as “Large/Small Icon” only)

Step3 In the windows experience index windows, Click on “View and print detailed performance and system information”.

Windows-Experience-index

Step4 In the “View and print detailed performance and system information” windows you can find “64-bit Capable” under System. It will be yes if your CPU supports 64 Bit else No.

64-bit-capable-yes

There you are it is as easy as I had promised. Now as you know the capability of your CPU, you can go for 64-bit OS or not!

Microsoft Internet Explorer 9–Security Flaws, Bugs and Fixes? Use or Dump? [Advisory]

September 19, 2012 by dennis

The German government urged the public on Tuesday to temporarily stop using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer after a bug was discovered which is yet-to-be repaired. The German government’s Federal Office for Information Security, or BSI, said it was aware of targeted attacks and that all that was needed was to lure Web surfers to a website where hackers had planted malicious software that exploited the bug.

This security flaw in IE may enable attackers to exploit the bug, targeting hundreds of millions of computers, to infect the PC of somebody who visits a malicious website and then take control of the victim’s computer.

Our advisory in using the IE browsers except IE10 are:

Though IE browsers are considered to be most secure ones, we advise for now you look at others
The IE big fix will be released in the next few days by Microsoft and will be available for download only then
There have been a few attempts to exploit the bug, but German officials claim that this issue can be misused in large scale hacking
Users should take proactive actions to ensure that their PCs are well protected
For time being we advise all users to download and install the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) version 3.0 which is designed to help prevent hackers from gaining access to your system

Microsoft claims that the Fix will be an easy-to-use, one-click, full-strength solution any Internet Explorer user can install and it won’t even require a reboot of your computer.

We hope that the Fix is releases ASAP and we are sure that Microsoft is working on it.

[How To] Password Protecting Excel Workbook

April 25, 2012 by admin

Welcome back readers, it’s been a while since we posted any tutorial. It’s been a hectic year for me and I’m glad that finally I could find some time to write a yet another tutorial.

Microsoft Office suite does provide all of us with the most brilliant productivity tools that would foster our business/professional growth through their vast line up of dedicated software.

And the Microsoft Excel is a vital part of the office suit which often finds its regular usage among business organizations, educational institutions, government offices, and all other locations where the emphasis will be on storing some important data.

Having known the vital role that the Microsoft Excel plays in the business process, it would really be a big blunder on part of the users who use Excel if they don’t learn the security aspects related to the software. To make sure the data stored in a Excel sheet is opened or used by a competent authorised party, the creator of the Microsoft Excel sheet should take care of certain security measures which are incorporated within the Excel suite.

Any Excel worksheet can be secured in two ways:

1) Protecting the entire worksheet (asks password when the file is opened)

2) Protecting the data inside the worksheet (file can be opened but password will be required to view the worksheet elements)

The second type of the protection is perhaps the most widely known as the option for the same is available within the workbook menu items.

In this tutorial we are concerned with protecting the entire workbook rather than the individual elements inside the worksheet. The reason why anyone would need this kind of protection is simple: they don’t want others to see the worksheets in the first place.

Protecting the Excel Workbook:

Step 1: Open the the Excel workbook for which you want to add password protection.

2. Click on the “File” menu item. Locate “Info’ heading under the “File” menu and click on it.

3. Under the “Info” sections, you will have three options: Permissions, Prepare for Sharing and Versions. Click on the item “Permissions” (on the “Protect Workbook” dropdown item).

4. You will be presented with various options. You need to click on the second item on the list i.e, “Encrypt with password”.

5. It will then ask you to enter a password for encrypting the workbook. You may need to reenter the password to affect the change.

Encrypt Excel document with password

6. Save the workbook and try to open again. It will now show this kind of message and asks you to enter the password.

Excel Workbook password open

The same result can be achieved by a slightly different step. Click on the “Save As” button under the “File Menu”. It will now take you to the choosing the location window. Click on “Tools” dropdown menu on the left of the “Save” button.

Under the “Tools” dropdown menu, choose “General Options”.

It will now ask you to enter a password that needs to be entered to open (or ‘modify’) the workbook.

General options open Workbook in Excel

Once entered and saved, the workbook becomes password protected and the same needs to be entered on each instance when trying to open the workbook.

Note: This tutorial is based on Microsoft Excel 2010 earlier version and may not be suitable for earlier versions.

[Download] Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview

April 13, 2011 by bharath

Microsoft has released the first platform preview of the upcoming Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) browser. Looks like Microsoft learnt lessons from the success of Chrome and is now more keen to take on it and that might be the reason why we are seeing a platform preview of Internet Explorer 10 just weeks after Internet Explorer 9 final was released. IE10 is just under three weeks of development as of now and we already have a platform preview! Internet Explorer 10 will have native support for HTML5 and supports emerging CSS3 standards like CSS3 Multi-column Layout, CSS3 Grid Layout, Flexible Box Layout, CSS3 Gradients on background images, 3D Transforms and ES5 Strict Mode etc. Microsoft has said that it would update IE10 every 8-12 weeks.

IE10 Platform Preview 1

The Platform Preview of IE10 is available only for Windows 7 (both 32-bit and 64-bit). Web developers can download the preview from the link added at the bottom of this post. The Platform Preview builds (upcoming) require some specific updates (KB2454826) to be installed on your Windows 7 machine to render Platform Preview graphics, media and printing functionalities. IE10 Platform Preview should install all the prerequisites automatically. But in case of any error during the installation, users have to manually install the updates before installing the Platform Preview. For more detailed instructions on installing the require updates prior to the installation of Platform Preview, head over to this page.

Download Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 1 [Direct Link ]

[via] Microsoft Official IE Blog

Download Internet Explorer 9 Final Now

March 15, 2011 by bharath

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 has moved out of beta and the final version is now available for download for Windows 7 and Windows Vista based computers. Internet Explorer 9 looks sleek with minimalistic design, no toolbars, without any toolbars. As we have covered earlier, there is no search bar in IE9 and it has been integrated to the address bar adopting the popular move that was earlier taken by Google Chrome. Changing the default search engine in IE9 is quite easy as well. All you have to do is enter your search query and choose the search engines that have added to IE9.

When it comes to speed, IE9 is neck-to-neck with Google Chrome 10 (without considering Firefox 4, equations may change when the final version of Firefox 4 releases). New tab page in IE9 has also been revamped to show most frequently sites along with their favicons and the frequency of visit to them. What’s more? If you use Windows Phone 7, you will soon have hands on mobile version of IE9 on your device.

Download IE9 Final:

Windows IE9 download

The final version of IE9, Internet Explorer 9 RTM (build number 9.00.8112.16421.110308-0330) is available for public download for Windows 7 and Vista and Windows Server 2008 R2. However, IE9 is not available for Windows XP users as Microsoft chose not to develop Windows XP version of the IE9. Find the direct download links for the standalone offline installer of IE9 after the break.

Windows 7 (32-bit) (17.3 MB)

Windows 7 (64-bit) (34.7 MB)

Windows Vista (32-bit) (17.2 MB)

Windows Vista (64-bit) (34.5 MB)

IE9 Product Guide (PDF – 28 MB)

The IE6 Countdown

March 5, 2011 by bharath

IE6 dead

It’s the father of all the modern day browsers. It’s the one that most of us had used one time or the other. It’s the one that has stood as a synonym to “Internet” in the minds of the internet users. Not a very hard one to guess, Yes, it is the Internet Explorer 6 (or IE6 as they call it).

Even though how good it was in the olden days, we must all agree that the days of IE6 are over. We had earlier covered in a post about a design firm based in Denver conducting funeral for the IE6 by launching a website dedicated for the same. Now Microsoft, the company which developed the IE6 has taken the initiative kill its own product. This could well be the last nail the IE’6’s coffin.

Microsoft has launched a website IE6countdown.com with the aim of “watching Internet Explorer 6 usage drop to less than 1% worldwide”. The Redmond company has no issues is saying that “It’s time to say goodbye” for what has been a 10-year long journey for IE6. The company also advises users to not to let their friends and acquaintances use Internet Explorer 6.

Microsoft has also published a worldwide usage map of Internet Explorer 6 and it is stupefying to know that IE6 still has a total share of 12% around the globe. Even though most of the countries could drop their IE usage to a reasonable level of below 5%, the issue is with the Asian countries. As you can see, China tops the IE6 users with a staggering 34.5% usage followed by South Korea with 24.8%. Finland and Norway are the only countries with less than 1% of IE6 usage.

This is a good initiative from Microsoft and we at Techrena.net, do support the initiative to the fullest. We urge our readers not to use IE6 ever and not to let others use it. Please take your time to explain if you find someone at internet cafes or homes using the age old browser on their PCs. Visit the IE6 countdown site to learn more.

Order Free Windows 7 SP1 DVD [US And Canada Only]

March 1, 2011 by bharath

Windows 7 DVD

Last week, Microsoft has released the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 final RTM for the Windows 7 users. It can either be downloaded manually from the Microsoft official website or users can also opt also for automatic installation via Windows Update. However, if you can’t afford to use your network bandwidth to download the SP1 update files, you might want a way around to get the Service Pack 1 using traditional methods. For the same purpose, Microsoft is now providing a free Windows 7 SP1 DVDs for the users in Canada and the United States. If you stay in US or Canada, you can follow the following steps to order Windows 7 SP1 physical media DVDs.

1. Open this link and choose you country and click the “Continue” button.

Windows 7 SP1 Physical Media Order

2. Choose the language of the Windows 7 SP1 installation and click Add To Cart.

As you can see, the DVD is free of charge ($0.00).

Click the Checkout button in the next step and enter your shipment address to where you want the DVD to be delivered. And please note that there’s no option to use PayPal for checking out.

Note:

# A customer can order only 1 copy of the physical media DVD.

# Even though the DVD is offered for free, there are shipment and handling charges around $6.