November 2006
In This Issue:

• Windows Vista Goes Gold!
• Windows Vista - Ready for A New Day
• Windows Vista Express Upgrade Offer for Holiday PCs
• Rate Your PC with Windows Experience Index
• A Closer Look at Windows Vista Security
• Migrating to Windows Vista
• Windows Genuine Advantage Program
• Office 2007 Is on Its Way
• Windows Live: What Is It, and How Do I Get It?
• New Beta: Soapbox on MSN Video
• Internet Explorer 7 Released!
• Windows Media Player 11 in the Wild!
• Music Is in the Air: Zune Launches 11/14!
• Find Info Fast with Windows Desktop Search
• Resources for Leaders
• Coming Next Month
   

This Month’s Newsletter
Hello again! We’re heading quickly into the holiday season, and we have many exciting announcements to tell you about this month. First, it was nice to see some familiar faces at the AARP Life at 50 Lifestyle event in Anaheim, California earlier in the month. We showcased Windows Vista and IE7 in our booth and in educational sessions to an eager audience. In addition, we promoted the Mindshare program in an effort to drive awareness back to user groups who, continue to do great work bringing people together to share their passion around technology and learning. Keep sending us your group achievements and successes so that we can highlight them here, in our monthly newsletter.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll get the latest on Windows Vista, Office 2007, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Read on to find out about your favorite products and get information to share with your group.

The entire Mindshare team wishes you and yours a very happy-and filling!-Thanksgiving.
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Windows Vista Goes Gold!
Earlier this month, Jim Allchin, Microsoft’s Co-President of the Platform and Services Division, posted “It’s time!” on the Windows Vista blog, letting the world know that Windows Vista was code-complete and had officially been released to manufacturing. Click here to watch a video of Jim making the RTM announcement.
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Windows Vista - Ready for A New Day
Coming soon! Excitement is revving up for the launch of Windows Vista. On November 30, 2006, Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system, and Exchange Server 2007 will launch jointly to the business community. Click here to find out more.
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Windows Vista Express Upgrade Offer for Holiday PCs
If you’re thinking about purchasing a new desktop, laptop, or tablet PC as a gift over the holidays and you are trying to decide whether to wait for Windows Vista to be released, wonder no more! Microsoft announced the Express Upgrade program to enable users who buy a new computer between October 26, 2006 and March 15, 2007 to upgrade free of charge to Windows Vista when it becomes available. Click here to find out more about the PCs that qualify for this program and add a computer to your shopping list! Check out Windows Vista Capable PC for more details.

Be sure to ask your retailer for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Windows Vista Premium Ready. Click here to get the hardware requirements for Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs.
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Rate Your PC with Windows Experience Index
The Windows Experience Index is a new offering from Microsoft that evaluates your computer and provides you with a base score that lets you know the overall capability level of your system. Knowing this score is helpful when you are purchasing new software. Click here to find out more.
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A Closer Look at Windows Vista Security
Are you wondering about the features included in Windows Vista that will help you combat phishing scams and spyware? Microsoft MVP Sandi Hardmeier has posted a new article, entitled “Windows Vista: A New Level of Security for a New World,” that details the security and safety features in Windows Mail and Windows Defender, both of which are included as part of Windows Vista.
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Migrating to Windows Vista
Many computer users are concerned about the difficulty involved in upgrading a computer from an earlier operating system to a new one. To make the process of migration easier, Microsoft has created the “Windows Vista Migration Step by Step Guide” to walk new Windows Vista users through the process of upgrading their Windows XP machines. Find out how to use Windows Easy Transfer to preserve and transfer your user settings and files from a legacy system running Windows XP Professional or Home Edition. Click here to review the guide and share it with your group.
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Windows Genuine Advantage Program
Microsoft has introduced the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program to guard customers and partners against counterfeit software scams. WGA authenticates the software in use when you activate your program, and provides you with continuous updates as your version of Windows or Office evolves. To find out more about the Windows Genuine Advantage program, read the WGA Frequently Asked Questions.
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Office 2007 Is on Its Way
This week Microsoft also announced that 2007 Microsoft Office System has now been released to manufacturing, preparing for a wide release timed with the release of Windows Vista. The exciting new version of the world’s most popular business software system includes a dramatic redesign of the user interface, increased connectivity, enhanced integration among applications, the new Trust Center (for security and privacy preferences), and numerous other additions and changes. You can still take an online test drive of Office 2007 by going to the Office 2007 Preview site.
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Windows Live: What Is It, and How Do I Get It?
One year ago, in a big Microsoft announcement, Ray Ozzie unveiled two new huge Internet-based software services that established a new direction and initiative for Microsoft in the online services world. Windows Live was one of those services, and Microsoft Office Live was the other. In the months since the announcement, Windows Live has developed into literally dozens of specific, helpful, time-saving, and sometimes just fun tools, gadgets, and utilities. And the fun is just beginning! Come to the Windows Live Ideas site to find out more about the tools you can share with your group. And to read more about Microsoft’s strategy for Windows Live services, read the announcement by clicking here.
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New Beta: Soapbox on MSN Video
Microsoft is entering the online video world with a new beta: Soapbox on MSN Video. Now you can share your favorite group presentations-or your outtakes-by posting the clips on this new free online service. Soapbox on MSN Video makes it easy for you to share your favorite video clips by uploading, sharing, and searching for videos. You can also rate and comment on your favorite videos, share your videos by e-mail, and even use the video player on your own Web site or blog. Click here to find out more about Soapbox on MSN Video.
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Internet Explorer 7 Released!
Internet Explorer 7 is now available in wide release. The new IE 7 is easier to use than ever before and includes major security enhancements. In addition to a new look, IE 7 includes tabbed browser pages, RSS feeds, dramatically improved search capabilities, and much more. Come to the Microsoft Downloads site to get your own copy of IE 7. And click here to find a number of IE 7 add-ons (for security, entertainment, better browsing, and more).
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Windows Media Player 11 in the Wild!
Microsoft offered yet another public release you’ve been reading about in beta: Windows Media Player 11. WMP 11 has been getting rave reviews because of its simplified and sleek design, incorporation of online music services (including MTV’s Urge), and ease of use on multiple portable devices. Come to the Windows Media Player site to find out more and download your own version. And here’s a link for WMP 11 add-ons, in case you want to dress yours up a bit.
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Music Is in the Air: Zune Launches 11/14!
Zune, Microsoft’s new digital media player, launched November 14, 2006, to huge celebrations in major cities all across the U.S. Visit http://www.zune.net/ to get the latest and read about the launch events.

Also, a new Zune User Group just started up, so we hope you’ll join them to find out more about this amazing new device. Go to the Zune User Group to find out more.
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Find Info Fast with Windows Desktop Search
If you get tired of waiting for your Windows XP Search Companion to locate the files and folders you need in order to find a specific item, your wait is over with Windows Desktop Search. WDS is a nearly instant search tool that can instantly find results from among your e-mail messages, documents, music files, photos, and video clips. Click here to find out more about Windows Desktop Search and download your own free copy.
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Coming Next Month
Here are a few of the stories we’re working to bring you next month. Be sure to write to us at mindshar@microsoft.com and let us know what topics you would like to share with your user groups!

. APCUG conference (1/4/07-1/7/07)
. CES in Las Vegas (1/8/07-1/11/07)
. Encarta 2007
. Preparing and Protecting Your Mobile Device
. Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator
. Your stories, events, and more!

Thanks very much for your participation in Mindshare! Enjoy the holiday in your part of the world, and we’ll see you next month.

Until next time,

Sheri Sullivan
Mindshare Project Manager, Microsoft Corporation
mindshar@microsoft.com
www.microsoft.com/mindshare
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