Microsoft has released its first beta of Internet Explorer 8, with the browser defaulting to standards mode to render as well as Firefox or Safari.

Microsoft has released a research version of a non-Windows operating system dubbed Singularity, featuring a microkernel written from scratch.

Microsoft is expanding availability of its Exchange server and Sharepoint services for businesses from companies with 5,000 or more employees to firms of any size.

Microsoft and Visto have settled their two-year old patent dispute over mobile email technology, with Redmond handing over "cash and non-cash" considerations.

The European Union has levied a $1.35 billion fine against Microsoft - the largest ever imposed on a company - for failing to comply with antitrust rulings.

Microsoft is taking its Open Office XML format back to the ISO/IEC standards body, hoping to improve on its 53 percent show of support back in September.

Although it comes as no surprise, Microsoft is officially dropping its HD DVD player for the Xbox 360, although it will offer warranty support for existing players.

Google will begin storing medical records of a few thousand patience at the Cleveland Clinic as a test of its Google Health platform.

Microsoft has announced a broad series of principles designed to provide developers greater interoperability with Windows Vista and key server technologies.

Microsoft is getting ready to take its multi-billion offer for Yahoo to Yahoo's shareholders by getting its own slate of directors elected to Yahoo's board.

Microsoft's DreamSpark program will let students download a broad range of professional development and design tools - and maybe take them to their future jobs.

Microsoft's new Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 and 7000 offer a new comfortable desktop mouse design and portable snap-in transceivers.

Microsoft has hired former Disney executive Tony Scott as its new Chief Information Officer, replacing Stuart Scott who was abruptly fired last November.

After 26 years with the company, Microsoft president Jeff Raikes is retiring: his replacement will be the former COO of Jupiter Networks, Stephen Elop.

Microsoft has published a security bulletin warning of a critical vulnerability in Windows 2000/XP/Vista that could enable attackers to control - or destroy - a system.

Windows Secrets' Scott Dunn has a good point: why pay $120/year for MSN Premium when darn near everything it includes is available from Microsoft for free?

Viacom and Microsoft have announced a long-term advertising and content distribution deal that'll put Viacom content on MSN and the Xbox 360.

In a confusing move, Microsoft has rebranding its PlaysForSure media compatibility platform as "Certified for Windows Vista."

Microsoft has spilled the details of the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update, due December 4.

Microsoft is bringing original Xbox games to the Xbox 360 via its Xbox Live online service, including hits like the original version of Halo.

Microsoft and the Digital Accessible Information System consortium plan to cooperate on a tool to make Open XML documents accessible to users with print disabilities.

Microsoft has launched its new set of Windows Live services, including mail, instant messaging, photo sharing, even planning, and parental controls.

Microsoft has abruptly fired Chief Information Office Stuart Scott, saying only that he violated company policy.

An Intel spokesperson says Libya placed an order for 150,000 Classmate PCs last August, and that the cost of the laptops is not being subsidized.

Just in time for the holiday season, Microsoft has rolled out a bunch of Zune accessories, including a home AV pack, a car pack, cases, and premium headphones.

The Redmond software giant reports its fastest first-quarter revenue growth since 1999 - in part due to sales of Halo 3 and Xbox 360 systems.

Microsoft has agreed to comply with the European Commission's 2004 Antitrust ruling, slashing software license royalties so developers can hook into server technologies.

Microsoft has announced it is lowering the price of its Xbox 360 gaming console in Japan by 13 percent.

BusinessWeek is reporting that Universal Music is trying to get other major labels on board a new low-cost digital music subscription service which would take on iTunes.

To promote the Xbox 360 during the end-of-year holidays, Microsoft is bundling Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance with Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Elite systems.

Halo developer Bungie Studios is going to break away from Microsoft, but the Redmond company will retain a stake - and, of course, the Halo franchise.

Microsoft has released a new version of Internet Explorer 7 which can install without Windows Genuine Advantage validation.

Adobe looks to be going up against Google and Microsoft with online applications by buying the makers of the online world processor Buzzword.

Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the proposed merger of Google and DoubleClick poses an "imminent risk" of monopoly abuse.

Microsoft has retooled Windows Live Search to deliver more relevant results, integrate video and other media, and - you guessed it - better compete with Google.

Turns out the Halo 3 Limited Edition packaging can frag Halo 3 discs before they ever get into an Xbox 360, so Microsoft will replace them for free through December 31.

Microsoft is clarifying how they issue revisions to Windows Update: they will do it automatically, even when users don't want software installed automatically.

Microsoft has shipped version 1.0 of its Flash competitor Silverlight, and is partnering with Novell to develop Linux support.