The successor to Vista will definitely be called Windows 7, Microsoft has confirmed. While not unexpected, it’s still rare that the firm would stick to a project codename in the final launch.

Microsoft is extending an offer giving free support to small businesses that upgrade to Vista. The deal will now run to the end of the year, with support offered until 31 January.

British viewers have been spared the antics of Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld, but will be getting the “I’m a PC” commercials on their screens. The campaign, which kicks off this weekend, will feature British computer users but keep the original US celebrity involvement.

Vista Home Basic is the lowest of operating systems.  It lacks many features consumers would look for such as Aero Glass and a few under the hood differences.  Home Basic has found a home with small businesses looking for cheap PCs.

Microsoft says it’s heard “loud and clear” that Vista users don’t like the way the User Account Control system works. And it’s vowed to improve UAC in Windows 7 – but has defended the principle of the system.

Microsoft’s ‘Ultimate Steal’ promotion for students has arrived in the United Kingdom.  And unlike in North America, those taking part can buy a heavily discounted upgrade edition of Vista.

The next Windows Update could double as a recruiting tool for disgruntled Vista users to join a class action suit. Or at least that’s the suggestion from the lawyers handling the case.

Many who are savvy in the ways of technology find it easy to setup a wired or wireless home network to do a variety of things.  On the contrary, many who aren’t so computer-literate find it daunting to take on the task, even though they recognize the benefits of doing so.  Hopefully this quick tutorial will help you along the way.

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer (pictured) is denying responsibility for the Vista Capable program. That’s the marketing scheme at the heart of an ongoing class action suit from disgruntled customers.

Out of the estimated 180 million Vista licenses sold worldwide, over two million alone have come out of India.  More surprising, a majority of those licenses are for home edition in the consumer segment over enterprise. 

Looking for some great free Vista games? Here is our pick of 40 top free games for Windows Vista you can download right now, ranging from the mildly amusing to the downright addictive.

It’s now reported that Windows XP could legally be on sale in new machines until July 2009. That’s thanks to a rumoured six month extension to the deadline for computer manufacturers to take advantage of one of several loopholes in XP’s official withdrawal.

Microsoft’s Media Center is now officially compliant with Britain’s digital over-the-air TV system Freeview. While users had already been able to pick up the channels, they’ll now get the full service, including interactive content.

Steve Ballmer made mention of what he calls “Windows Cloud” or a development environment for Internet-based applications that Microsoft may be working on to push the company into the realm of cloud computing.  Could this be the beginning of the end for Vista, and hopefully the entrance for a Web-based Windows OS?

A survey of some of the largest corporate computer users in Europe has found XP is still dominating, with only 9% using Vista in some form. Feedback to the survey suggests many firms simply don’t see a business need for Vista.