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Assesses the impact of computer viruses and worms, which could result in companies switching to a non-Windows operating system. Discussion of the concept of "day-zero" attack in which a sophisticated computer hacker exploits a flaw in computer software undetected by the software's maker; Comments from Mark Dickelman, chief information officer of Anexsys LLC, regarding a movement within industries away from Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system; Number of viruses and worms launched against Microsoft in 2003, according to antivirus software maker Symantec Corp., indicating that it is good news for Microsoft rivals such as Apple Computer Inc., Sun Microsystems Inc. and Lindows.com Inc.; Number of viruses and other malicious code incidents on non-Microsoft operating systems, suggesting Microsoft is a target for many hackers.

The article reports on the expected availability of Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft Corp. on October 22, 2009, ahead of its original schedule. According to Bill Veghte, senior vice president for Microsoft's Windows business, they feel confident that they will deliver Windows 7 with their partners in October. Windows reportedly generated about one-third of Microsoft's sales in 2008 and is on more than 90 percent of the world's personal computers. The challenge facing Microsoft regarding the growth of the so-called netbook computer is also noted.

Reports on the plan of Apple Computer Inc. to offer Microsoft's Windows operating system on new Macintosh computers as of April 2006.

Reports Microsoft Corp. has failed in last-minute negotiations to reach an accord on its business practices with European antitrust regulators and could face rulings that affect the way it sells software for an array of products, from servers to mobile phones. When the European Commission (EC) is expected to order Microsoft to offer versions of its Windows operating system without its Media Player software and release information related to Windows to allow rival companies, like Sun Microsystems Inc. and Novell Inc., to create software that will run as well on Windows as Microsoft's own software; View of author that the EC's ruling will extend far beyond Europe and the pact Microsoft agreed to in a 2001 settlement in the U.S.; Discussion of the settlement negotiations between Microsoft's Steve Ballmer and the EC's Mario Monti.

Reports that software rivals of Microsoft Corp. are trying to build the Linux operating system into personal computers. Popularity of Linux in server computers; Plans of Sun Microsystems Inc. to commit to Linux on desktop PCs; Outlook for change in the computer industry.

Reports that Microsoft Corp. has reported solid sales numbers and is unveiling plans for investments. Sales of desktop Windows products and personal computers; Idea that Microsoft has a monopoly in the market for desktop operating systems which withstood the recession; Antitrust charges against the company.

Reports that sales for the Microsoft 2000 computer operating system are less than predicted as of July 12, 2000. Forecast of the company's quarterly revenue; Reasons for the disappointing sales numbers, including a slowdown in some types of computer spending so far this year by big companies; Investment by companies in systems that enable Internet commerce or automated front offices.

Reveals that Microsoft Corp. has deployed a team of engineers and marketers to keep tabs on Linux, a free operating system that is making waves in the computer world. The mission of the group of ten investigators; How Linux has been embraced by many big computer companies in 1999; How development of Linux contrasts with Microsoft's development work.

Reports that Microsoft Corp. allows computer makers broad flexibility to add rivals' software to machines equipped with Microsoft's Windows operating system. Information on such systems; Views of Senior Vice President Joachim Kempin; Reaction of the company to the allegation that it sabotaged Apple Computer Incorporated's QuickTime software program.