Article: The very best Sysinternals tools for Windows server security

TechTarget reports: "I'm often surprised by the lack of Windows server administration tools that are used in some enterprises. Many administrators I work with just use the built-in tools that ship with Windows Server -- something I liken to going through life without experiencing the exhilaration of a powerful and great-handling sports car."

Sysinternals has some great general purpose diagnostic tools that any Windows power user should have in their digital toolchest, this article points a few of them out.

Windows 7: Run A Program With Administrative Privileges

Older programs sometimes require administrative privileges in order to run properly. To enable this feature follow the instructions below:

• Right-click the program's shortcut, select Properties.
• Press the Advanced button.
• In the Advanced Properties dialog box, check the box "Run as administrator"
• Press the OK button

Now when you double-click the the shortcut to launch the program, it will automatically run as administrator.

Note: If the UAC feature is enabled you will be prompted for your administrative credentials.

Article: Windows 7 'compatibility Checker' Is a Trojan

PCWorld reports: "Scammers are infecting computers with a Trojan horse program disguised as software that determines whether PCs are compatible with Windows 7."

To protect yourself, never open e-mail file attachments from strangers...

Windows XP: Support Expires July 13, 2010

On July 13, 2010 Microsoft will retire support for Windows XP SP2. This means that the company will no longer develop or distribute Hot Fix updates, drivers or security updates.

If you want to know your support options, check out:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/retired

For details on Microsoft Product Lifecycle, check out:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/

Article: Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 Is Released

eWeek reports: "Microsoft's Touch Pack for Windows 7, consisting of six touch applications, has been installed on new Windows 7 PCs by OEMs for some time, but now it is accessible to consumers. Microsoft's Windows and Service teams worked to integrate touch-screen functionality into Windows 7 long before the operating system's release, leading not only to a number of laptops and desktops capable of multitouch input, but possibly a new generation of tablet PCs."

Read the rest of the article here. If you have touch screen, make sure that you get this update.