Microsoft’s Windows Azure Platform Available in 21 Countries

By Dena Cassella Published February 2, 2010

Microsoft and many other companies are looking to cloud based offerings to provided cheaper solutions to customers that are faster to deploy. Microsoft deployed its Windows Azure platform as its first big entry into the cloud application market.

The Windows Azure platform was unveiled in October of 2008 and includes the Windows Azure cloud-based OS, Microsoft SQL Azure cloud database, and the AppFabric platform to make connecting cloud services with on-premises apps possible.

Recommended Videos

Microsoft announced today that the Windows Azure platform is now generally available in 21 different countries and starting today Microsoft partners will be able to launch Windows Azure and SQL Azure production applications and services with full Service Level Agreements (SLA). Microsoft reports that he AppFabric Service Bus and Access Control will continue to be free until April 2010 for users who sign up for a commercial subscription.

Microsoft warns that customers who have not upgraded their CTP accounts to paid commercial subscriptions will need to do so to maintain access to the accounts. Those who don’t upgrade to Windows Azure CTP accounts will have service disabled and any Windows Azure Storage will be read-only. Customers using SQL Azure CTP accounts and don’t upgrade to paid will still be able to use existing databases, but they will not be able to create new ones. Microsoft states that on March 1, 2010, any SQL Azure CTP accounts not upgraded to paid will be deleted and users will need to export their data to avoid loss if not upgrading.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Haole built. O'ahu grown

Computing

Microsoft is, once again, trying to force users into using Edge

Microsoft Edge on a laptop on a couch.

Microsoft has deployed no shortage of tactics to get Windows users onto its Edge browser, and although some of the more nefarious methods of trying to force users to pick up the browser have failed, the company is still experimenting with new methods. The latest route launches Edge automatically on your PC on startup and prompts users to continually import data from Chrome, including your history, bookmarks, and tabs.

Richard Lawler from The Verge spotted the prompt, which showed up earlier this year without explanation before disappearing. It's back now, and in an official capacity from Microsoft. "This is a notification giving people the choice to import data from other browsers," said Microsoft's Caitlin Roulston in a statement to The Verge.

Computing

My quest to fully remove Microsoft Edge is finally complete

Microsoft Defender and Edge Security settings are open on a PC monitor.

I'm on a mission to eradicate Microsoft Edge from my PC.

It's not a slight against Microsoft -- I just don't particularly care for the Edge browser compared to some of the other best browsers out there. But Edge is different because Microsoft has tried -- and mostly failed -- to court its massive Windows user base, with some unsavory tactics, including making it nearly impossible to set a different default browser to massive, screen-overtaking popups when searching for the Chrome installer.

Computing

Microsoft tests a universal share button on Windows 11

A photo of the Sensel Click Composer Software running on Windows 11

Microsoft is looking to expand the use of its Share button in a future update to Windows 11, to make transporting content between contacts more efficient. The company is testing a universal Share button in a new Preview Build of Windows 11, now available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels.

While the Share button availability can vary depending on the app on Windows, this new function will enable a Share button throughout the Windows 11 operating system, including in the taskbar and Start menu. Users will be able to send files, links, or text conveniently from their desktops.