Microsoft's Windows operating system has experienced a slight surge in usage share from October to November, according to recent numbers published by data analytics company Chitika. The 1.4-percent gain negates Windows' slight slide in share between August and September, while pushing down competing desktop platforms and mobile operating systems.
Dell and HP will reportedly allow users to choose wether or not to use the secure boot option that will be available in Windows 8. Although Secure Boot is marketed as a way to help improve device security, the feature is viewed by some Linux advocates as a conspiracy to block alternative operating systems from being installed on computers designed for Windows 8.
After demand began to slow its website and interfere with other services, Microsoft on Friday pulled the Windows 7 beta and postponed it indefinitely. Citing "very heavy traffic," it removed the download, but did not offer a new schedule for delivering the beta of its newest operating system, according to Macworld UK. The company on Wednesday announced it would provide a public beta of the next-generation Windows operating system, but said that it would cap the number of Windows 7 beta activation keys at 2.5 million; other users will be able to download the beta, but only run the software as a 30-day trial (though many have figured out how to extend the trial to 120 days using the "slmgr -rearm" command that was used for Windows Vista). Update: The official (direct) download links are available (32-bit, 64-bit) and the website is available (but very slow).
