Free Windows (XP & Vista) Add-Ons & Updates
updated 07-02-07
--sectioned by Vista, Vista & XP, and XP below. There is also a free CD/DVD and Books/Training section.
(this page is updated constantly as MS continues to release new stuff at no cost; "Disclaimer: nearly all of what is listed below is not available in a cardboard box. Instead you must use the modern marvel, the internet, to download the goods. Box nuts need to go to their local store to cop a feel.")
***Vista went RTM on 11-08-06 and hit mainstream availability January 30, 2007. I imagine the growth of the XP section will slow substantially now that Vista is the the primary OS from MS, but we can expect several more years of add-ons and enhancements. In fact, mainstream support for XP runs until 2009 and extended support goes until 2014, per MS.***
I read an article and commentary at http://osnews.com/story.php?news_id=10163 and http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwendland31e_20050331.htm that got me to thinking yet again about the difference between how XP and X have been updated and upgraded over recent years. I then compare my thoughts to what I read at http://www.unsanity.org/archives/000377.php (brief commentary on this at http://pcnmac.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=293), and I realize once again what a good buy Windows is-- both at the outset and over time. As you can see below, Microsoft has added tons of value to XP since it's release in October, 2001. Some of it may be trivial (WMP skins or desktop images) for some users, but some of it has a real dollar figure attached to it: Windows Defender used to cost $30 when sold by Giant, Windows Desktop Search compares to X1 Search that cost over $75 or Spotlight for OS X that costs $129 with an OS upgrade to Tiger, Services for Unix used to cost $149 (v2), PhotoStory 3 was the main component of a package (Plus!) that cost $30, Lookout used to cost $30, Onfolio used to cost $100, Virtual Server Enterprise Edition used to cost $999, Visual Studio 2005 Standard is $299, Virtual PC 2004 (and now VPC 2007 too) was $129, Expression used to cost $149 when sold by Creature House....it all adds up to a lot of value being provided free...consistently, over a long period of time. Now that XP has passed its 5 year anniversary, I find it safe to say that XP is the best desktop OS ever released for consistency, reliability, value, vendor support, free add-ons...Vista will have a hard time topping XP's total package (message to MS, please leave Vista like XP for the next five years. Five years is better than two for a paid OS upgrade to stay current with the latest and greatest).
***From October 26th, 2006 until March 15th, 2007 one can buy a PC with XP (or a standalone copy of XP) and it will include a free upgrade coupon to the corresponding version of Vista (there is a $10 charge to ship the media, though some resellers like Circuit City are even covering the shipping charge). All coupons must be redeemed by March 31st, 2007.***
Ultimate Extras (only for owners of Vista Ultimate)
SilverLight DreamScene Dusk (Wide and Standard)
DreamScene Content Pack (4 Scenes) (March '07)
DreamScene (1 Scene) (February '07)
Language Packs (15 add-on languages) (February '07)
Bitlocker and EFS Enhancements (January '07)
Hold 'Em Poker Game (January '07)
Sidebar Gadgets
Microsoft Office 2007 Recently Used Documents
Miscellaneous Programs
SUA - Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications in Microsoft Windows Vista
Windows NT Backup - Restore Utility
Experience Pack (Media Transfer, Ink Crossword, Equation Writer, and Ink Flash Cards)
Origami Experience Pack (Origami Experience, Sudoku, and Touch Settings)
Windows Help 1.0 (WinHlp32.exe - legacy help file viewer)
Database Gear
Programming Gear
Development Kits
Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker SDK
Game Gear
Security Gear
Vista and XP Add-Ons and Updates
Miscellaneous Programs
XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack (follows beta 1 & 2 and RC 1) (XPS Document Viewer, iFilter, iPreview, & XPS Document Writer)
Office Accounting Express 2007 (also available via shipped CD [free])
Office Migration Planning Manager
Windows Easy Transfer (migrate from an XP PC to a Vista PC)
Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) (can be run on XP but used for deploying Vista)
Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (follows v3.0, 2.5, & 2.0)
Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 (follows v. 4.1, 4.0, 3.0, 2.6, and 2.0)
User State Migration Tool 3.0 (follows v2.6.1, 2.6, & 2.5)
Threat Analysis & Modeling v2.1.1
Snip IT Add-On for Internet Explorer
Report Viewer Redistributable 2005 SP1
Captions Language Interface Pack
Virtual Earth 3D (Beta v1.1)
Communications Gear
Font Gear
8 Redistributable Fonts (Kootenay, Lindsey, Miramonte Regular, Miramonte Bold, Pericles Light, Pericles Regular, Pescadero Roman, & Pescadero Bold)
3 Fonts (Segoe Light, Regular, & Bold)
Font Properties Extension, version 2.30 (follows v2.1)
Virtualization Gear
Virtual PC 2007 (follows VPC 2004 SP 1 and VPC 2004)
Windows XP Svc Pk 2 w/ IE 6 VHD
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 VHD
Exchange Server 2007 VHD
SQL Server 2005 VHD
Windows Server 2003 R2 VHD
ISA Server 2006 VHD
Visual Studio Code Name "Orcas" -
January CTP VHD
Visual Studio 2005 Team System Basics Training VHD
Database Gear
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 2
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services Service Pack 2
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Toolkit Service Pack 2
SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Express Service Pack 2
SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer February 2007 CTP
Visual FoxPro "Sedna" February 2007 CTP
SQL Server Migration Assistant for Oracle V3.0
SQL Server Database Publishing Wizard 1.1
Programming Gear
XML NotePad 2007 [2.4] (follows v2.3, v2.1, v2006 [2.0], v1.5, and v1.0)
Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition (SP1 for Vista Only)
Visual C# 2005 Express Edition (SP1 for Vista Only)
Visual J# 2005 Express Edition (SP1 for Vista Only)
Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition (SP1 for Vista Only)
Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition (SP1 for Vista Only)
Visual Studio Code Name "Orcas" - March 2007 CTP
Visual C# 2005 Keyboard Shortcut Reference Poster
Visual C++ 2005 Keyboard Shortcut Reference Poster
Visual Basic 2005 Keyboard Shortcut Reference Poster
.NET Compact Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 Redistributable
Consolas Font Pack for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 (including Express)
Shared Source Common Language Infrastructure 2.0 Release
Device Emulator 2.0 (run Windows Mobile on your PC) (follows Beta 2 v2 release)
Development Kits
Windows SDK Update for Windows Vista
Windows Mobile 6 SDKs (Standard and Pro)
Visual Studio 2005 SDK version 4.0
MapPoint Web Service SDK version 4.1 (follows v4.0)
Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Applications (VSTA) SDK
Game Gear
Match-Up (XP Compatibility mode required)
Security Gear
Baseline Security Analyzer v2.1 Beta
Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs
Wallpapers
Silverlight (2 versions and 16 total by size)
Start Button (3 sizes)
Strands (3 sizes)
Windows XP Media Center Edition (13)
Digital Photography Winter Fun Pack 2003 (6)
Dungeon Siege Legends of Arrana (5)
Rise of Nations Thrones & Patriots (6)
Shadowrun (4 x 4 sizes)
Sysinternals Suite (60 Tools & Utilities)
Free Books
Introducing Visual Basic 2005 for Developers (e-book) ($30 in paper) (code used in book)
Introducing ASP.NET 2.0 (e-book) ($30 in paper)
Writing Secure Code, 2nd Edition (e-book) ($40 in paper)
Upgrading Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 to Microsoft Visual Basic .NET (e-book) ($60 in paper)
Microsoft® ASP.NET Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic® .NET Version 2003 Step By Step (e-book) ($40 in paper)
Building Web Solutions with ASP.NET and ADO.NET (e-book) ($60 in paper)
Windows XP Professional Resource Kit (e-book) ($60 in paper)
Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Deployment Kit: A Microsoft Resource Kit (e-book) ($160 in paper)
Migrating from Windows NT Server 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 (e-book) ($30 in paper)
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Server Resource Kit (e-book) ($300 in paper)
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional Resource Kit (e-book) ($70 in paper)
CodeNotes for J# (e-book) ($20 in paper)
Microsoft Windows 2000 Scripting Guide (e-book) ($50 in paper)
Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition: Build a Program Now! (e-book) ($17 in paper)
Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition: Build a Program Now! (e-book) ($17 in paper)
Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition: Build a Web Site Now! (e-book) ($17 in paper)
TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows
First Look 2007 Microsoft Office System
Live Communications Server 2005 SP1: WROX Publishing Pro Guide ($40 in paper)
Total value above: $1040 in free e-books
All Patterns & Practices e-books (43 currently)
Free Training Courses, Clinics, Virtual Labs and Hands On Labs
Visio 2007 Solution Development Workshop
Clinic 2551:
Introduction to Visual Studio Team System ($45 course free)
Course 2924: Building Data Components in Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2005
($99 course free)
Course 2925: Building Managed Code for SQL Server 2005 and Creating SOA Apps
($99 course free)
Course 2926:
Building Windows® Forms Applications with Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2005
($99 course free)
Course 2927: Building Web Applications with ASP.NET 2.0
($99 course free)
Course 2929: Implementing Wizards, Site Navigation, State Management, and
Configuration in ASP.NET 2.0 ($99 course free)
Course 2930: Implementing Master Pages, Personalization, and Web Parts with
ASP.NET 2.0 ($99 course free)
Course 2928: Implementing Data Access and Security in an ASP.NET 2.0 Web
Application
($99 course free)
Course 2936:
Installing and Securing Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 ($99 course free)
Course 2937: Administering and Monitoring Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005
($99 course free)
Course 2938: Data Availability Features in Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005
($99 course free)
Course 2939: Programming Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005
($99 course free)
Course 2940: Building Services and Notifications Using Microsoft® SQL Server™
2005 ($99 course free)
Course 2941: Creating the Data Access Tier Using Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 ($99 course free)
Course 2942: New
Features of Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Analysis Services ($99 course free)
Course 2943: Updating Your Data ETL Skills to Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005
Integration Services ($99 course free)
Course 2944: Updating Your Reporting Skills to Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005
Reporting Services ($99 course free)
Course 2913: Creating Your First Microsoft® ASP.NET 2.0 Web Application ($45 course free)
Course 4336: Upgrading from Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0: Introduction to the Microsoft .NET Framework ($45 course free)
Clinic 2263: Exam Preparation for the MCDST Certification
Visual Studio Hosted Experience Virtual Labs (21 areas featured, dozens and dozens of labs total)
Absolute Beginner's Video Series to Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions (16 Lessons for both VB and C#)
Getting Started with Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition
Dozens of approx. 30-60 minute MS Office Training Courses (typically cover one specific function)
Developing Applications in Visual C# .NET Training CD (downloadable ISO)
Exploring ASP.NET 2.0 Using Visual C# 2005 Training CD (downloadable ISO)
Microsoft ASP.NET Using Visual C# .NET Training CD (downloadable ISO)
Course 2274: Managing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment ($349 course free)
Simplified Data Access with ASP.NET 2.0
Developing Microsoft ASP.NET Web Applications with Visual Studio.NET ($349 course free)
13 XP Video Tutorials for Beginners
Scott Guthrie Looks at ASP.NET 2.0 and Visual Studio 2005
ASP.NET Learning for VB .NET Developers
What's New in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0
What's New in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 – Technical course
Clinic 2954: First Look: Microsoft® BizTalk® Server 2006 for Developers
Clinic 2955: First Look: Microsoft® BizTalk® Server 2006 for IT Professionals
Course 2952: Deploying and Managing Microsoft® System Center Data Protection Manager
Clinic 5135 AE: Introduction to Developing with Windows Presentation Foundation
and Visual Studio 2005
Clinic 5136 AE: Introduction to Developing with Windows Workflow Foundation and
Visual Studio 2005
Clinic 5137 AE: Introduction to Developing with Windows Communication Foundation
and Visual Studio 2005
Course 3392: Working with Windows Vista
Course 3404 – What's New in Windows Vista
Course 3036: Getting Started with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
Course 3037: Managing Customer and Vendor Data with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
Course 3038: Managing Cash Flow with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
Course 3039: Reporting and Administering with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
Course 3040: Managing Business Contacts and Payroll Data with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
Vista and Office 2007 Hands On Labs and Webcasts
Exchange 2007 Training
Exchange Server 2007:
Installing Exchange Server 2007 Labcast (Level 200)
Virtual Lab Express:
Introduction to Microsoft Exchange Server 2007
Exchange Server 2007: Using
Management Console and Shell Labcast
Exchange Server 2007: Remote
Client Access with Exchange Server 2007 Labcast
Exchange Server 2007:
Compliance and Retention Labcast
Exchange Server 2007: Using
Local Continuous Replication
Exchange Server 2007: Using
Cluster Continuous Replication
Exchange Server 2007:
Configuring an Exchange Server 2007 Edge Server
Forefront Security for Exchange Server
Office Communications Server 2007 Training
BizTalk Server 2006 Training
Clinic 2955: First Look: Microsoft® BizTalk® Server 2006 for IT Professionals
Windows Security Training
Clinic 2801: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training I
Clinic 2802: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training II
Clinic 2803: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training III
Clinic 2804: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training IV
Clinic 2808: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training V
Clinic 2855: Managing Security Enhancements in Windows Server™ 2003 Service Pack
1
Clinic 2806: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training for Developers
Clinic 2807: Microsoft® Security Guidance Training for Developers II
Windows Server 2003 Training
Clinic 4360: Getting Started with Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 R2
Clinic 2855: Managing Security Enhancements in Windows Server™ 2003 Service Pack
1
.NET 3.0 Training
Total value above: more than $5000 in free online training available in recent years.
***The main part of this page is contained below and was compiled over about two years showing free add-ons for Windows XP, some Office, some dev software, and some server tools. Some of the material will apply above and be compatible with both Vista and XP and as I have time, I will clean this up.***
XP Add-Ons and Updates (all at zero cost, and many have had numerous iterations; likewise, many items have been deleted from this page as newer versions or replacements were made available)
Miscellaneous Programs
Virtual Server Enterprise Edition R2
Virtual Server Migration Toolkit VSMT
Virtual Server 2005 R2 Management Pack
Windows Update is now up to version 6
Package Installer for Windows version 6.1.22.4
Agent Characters (Genie, Merlin, Peedy, and Robby)
Agent Linguistic Sound Editing Tool
Agent Speech Recognition Engine
Lernout & Hauspie TTS3000 Text to Speech Engines (11 languages: American English, British English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish; Documentation)
Microsoft Agent Core Components
Agent Language Components (29 languages)
MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search 2.0 (includes Pop Up Blocker and tabs for IE 6)
Windows Desktop Search 2.6.5 (Enterprise version also available)
FolderShare (share and store up to 2 GB files; unlimited file transfers for quantity or size of files)
MSN Weather Add-in for MSN Search Toolbar
Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager
Wireless Network Setup Wizard
Remote Desktop Web Connection
Microsoft Partner Pack (includes Play: Super Slyder, Serpentine; Share: PhotoSite AlbumBuilder, Microsoft Time Zone; Protect: Computer Associates eTrust Anti-Virus 2005; Explore: Google Deskbar, Desktop Media Gallery, Onfolio Express; Do More: Post-it Software Notes, PayPal Payment Wizard, and Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager)
Lookout 1.2.8 (only adds value to XP search if Outlook is
also owned)
Windows Journal Viewer 1.5 (provides access to Tablet PC Journal files)
MSN Spaces (free online storage [500 photos
per month] and blog)
MSN Groups (free 3 MB online storage)
MSN Search (internet search readily available from numerous system points)
MSN
Encarta (free use of Encarta when using MSN Search)
MSN Search Toolbar 1.2 (includes Pop Up Blocker)
Microsoft Plus! Dancer LE
MDAC Utility: Component Checker 2.0
Microsoft Time Zone 2.1.30
MS Windows Memory Tester
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools (includes 80 tools)
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Deployment Tools
Microsoft Reader 2.1.1 plus
Dictionaries (9) and text to speech
Read in Microsoft Reader (only has value for owners of Word)
Reader Dictionary Authoring Kit
Internet Explorer Web Controls
Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) 1.4 (follows v1.3.4073)
Keyboard Convert Service 1.0
WEFT 3
Port Query UI
Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel v2.0.1.1
Fotovision
ActiveSync 4.5 (follows v 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.8, 3.7.1, 3.7, 3.6, and 3.5)
Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tools (nearly 300 tools)
Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit
Tools (126 tools)
Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Administration Tools Pack
Office 2003 Word Viewer (view, print, and copy document contents to another program)
Office 2007 PowerPoint Viewer (view and print)
Office 2003 Excel Viewer (view, print, and copy document contents to another program)
Office 2007 Visio Viewer (view and print)
Office 2003 Access Snapshot Viewer
Windows Installer 3.1 (follows v3.0 and 2.0 [shipped with XP])
User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
Autoplay Repair Wizard
File Checksum Integrity Verifier
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) v2.0
SMS Sender for GSM Mobile Phones
Microsoft Research (dozens of downloads)
Microsoft Management Console 3.0
Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer
Internet Explorer Administration Kit 7 Beta 3
Enterprise Update Scan Tool v3
**Below are updates that have been placed in categories. Though many could fit in different areas, I placed them in the section I thought was the best fit.**
UI Related
IconBuffet Studio Edition Icon Suite
Communications Related
Remote Desktop Connection (Terminal Services Client 6.0)
Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180
Windows Messenger 5.1
MSN Messenger 7 (since replaced by Live Messenger)
3 Degrees (since replaced by MSN Messenger 7)
Hotmail (upgraded from 2MB to 250MB storage, 10 MB attachments, free anti-virus, and spam controls; 11-17-06 storage expands to 1 GB)
Live Mail (free e-mail service with 2GB storage)
Live Mail Desktop Beta 8.0.0783 (free e-mail service with 2GB storage)
Web Serving Related
IIS Resource Kit Tools (14 tools)
Authentication and Access Control Diagnostics 1.0
ComponentScience WebPlanner 2005
Database Related
SQL Server September 2005 CTP (Enterprise, Standard, Workgroup, or Developer)
SQL Server Web Data Administrator
SQLIO Disk Subsystem Benchmark Tool
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) Release A
SQL Server Health and History Tool (SQLH2)
MSDE Web Resource Kit Visual Basic .NET and Web Matrix Version
MSDE Web Resource Kit - C# and Web Matrix Version
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express CTP Nov 2005
SQL Server 2005 CTP DVD/CD Kit
SQL Server Centric .NET Code Generator (OlyMars)
SQL Server 2005 JDBC Driver Beta 1
Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - November 2005
SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor- CTP September 2005
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services
Security Related
Microsoft AntiSpyware (free until at least 07-31-06 [over 1.5 years of free use])
Windows Firewall (replaces Internet Connection Firewall, part of Service Pack 2)
Malicious Software Removal Tool (released monthly beginning January, 2005)
Internet Explorer Pop Up Blocker (part of Service Pack 2)
Security Center (part of Service Pack 2)
Microsoft Security Risk Self-Assessment Tool (MSRSAT)
Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT)
Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Connector for the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (only has value for Visio owners)
Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP v 1.1
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer v2
Phishing Filter Add-in for MSN Search Toolbar
Windows Defender v1593 (follows v1592, beta 2 v1347, & beta 1/Microsoft AntiSpyware) (Defender is in Vista and on by default)
Game Gear
Allegiance multiplayer space-combat game
MS Game Advisor and Benchmark Utility
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