SEATTLE - Computer geeks who were hoping to find a PC featuring Microsoft Corp.'s brand-new operating system under the tree this December are going to be out of luck.

REDMOND, Wash. - The most common consumer version of Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows operating system will include tools for things like recording and watching television, along with other functions aimed at using the PC for entertainment purposes.

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday announced online enhancements to its Windows operating system and other popular software programs, hoping to defuse a growing threat from Google Inc. and other fast-moving challengers.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it will license its Windows source code to comply with a European Union antitrust ruling.

Responding to pressure from computer users, Microsoft Corp. issued an official fix Thursday for a major vulnerability that potentially allowed attackers to take control of personal computers connected to the Internet.

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. says it will be at least a week before it issues a fix to a recently discovered vulnerability that could let an attacker take control of an Internet-connected computer.

April 25, 2005

May 10, 2005

August 6, 2004

October 8, 2004

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. is planning a Windows Live update in the coming weeks that adds social networking features to the software maker's instant messaging program, free Hotmail e-mail service and other sites.

LOS ANGELES - Microsoft says people will be able to test out the next version of Windows early next year. In the new Windows 7, people can choose to see fewer alerts and warnings from their computers. Those rampant notifications have irked many users of Windows Vista.

LOUVAIN-LA-NEUVE, Belgium - Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer offered a glimmer of hope on Thursday to fans of the company's Windows XP operating system, saying the company may reconsider its decision to stop selling it soon.

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. announced a shake-up Thursday of the unit that includes its flagship Windows operating system, two days after the company admitted it won't have its new consumer version of Windows ready for the holiday season as planned.

March 28, 2005

August 26, 2004

REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. will extend support for Windows 98, Windows 98 S.E. and Windows Millennium Edition through June 30, 2006, the company said Monday, reversing a decision from last month.

WASHINGTON - Microsoft Corp. has released a near-final version of its new Windows Vista operating system to a select group of technical experts who are testing the software. It marks a major milestone in Microsoft’s efforts to get the much-delayed system out the door.

WASHINGTON - Microsoft Corp. warned customers Tuesday about unusually serious security problems with its Windows software that could let hackers quietly break into their computers to steal files, delete data or eavesdrop on sensitive information.

WASHINGTON - Just moments before a top Microsoft executive told Congress about efforts to improve security, the company warned customers Wednesday of serious new flaws that leave its flagship Windows software vulnerable to Internet attacks remarkably similar to the Blaster virus that infected hundreds of millions of computers last month.

WASHINGTON - Microsoft Corp. warned consumers Wednesday about four critical new flaws in its popular Windows software as the company shifted to monthly alerts for serious problems that could let hackers break into computers.

WASHINGTON - Microsoft Corp. acknowledged a critical vulnerability Wednesday in nearly all versions of its flagship Windows operating system software, the first such design flaw to affect its latest Windows Server 2003 software.

LAS VEGAS - Microsoft Corp. might not be the unbeatable giant it once seemed to be, but Chairman Bill Gates made the case Sunday night that its technologies are becoming even more flexible and powerful as they seep into automobiles, Internet-based TV networks and living rooms.

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. is pulling back from a system that disables programs on users' computers if it suspects the software is pirated, opting instead for a gentler approach based on nagging alerts.