Abstract: In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a picture signature password system may use a picture signature password to determine access to a computing device or service. A display screen 172 may display a personalized digital image 310. A user input device 160 may receive a user drawing set executed by a user over the personalized digital image 310. A processor 120 may authenticate access to the user session if the user drawing set matches a library drawing set associated with the user.

Abstract: A connected account provider system allows a user of multiple electronic devices to set up a user account on one device with the device's settings saved in the cloud for application across different devices. A user can obtain secure access to the saved settings using a second (or subsequent) device and can select settings from the initial device to be synchronized to the second device. The system employs client account provider (CAP) software that can be obtained from an independent software provider and is installed on different devices of a user. The CAP client software creates an architecture on a user's device with a CAP client software layer conceptually separate from the device's operating system software. The CAP client software provides extension points for facilitating connection between connected user devices' operating systems and a cloud services layer typically provided by the CAP client software vendor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for configuring computing devices to join a peer group. A peer group may be created on a subnetwork by a computing device. When a new computing device enters the subnetwork, it may join the peer group and be given access to the shared resources on the peer group and associated computing devices, using a communications layer and an authorization layer. Allowing a new computing device to join a peer group includes inviting the new device to join and then challenging the device for a passkey of the peer group. After joining the peer group, the computing device will be able to access and share resources with the peer group and other computing devices associated with the peer group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring user profiles between computing devices using portable storage devices is disclosed. A portable storage device (PSD) is connected to a computing device, the computing device reads user profile data from the PSD and configures itself according to that data. If the user profile data is changed on the computing device, those changes are synchronized on the PSD.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for configuring computing devices to join a peer group. A peer group may be created on a subnetwork by a computing device. When a new computing device enters the subnetwork, it may join the peer group and be given access to the shared resources on the peer group and associated computing devices, using a communications layer and an authorization layer. Allowing a new computing device to join a peer group includes inviting the new device to join and then challenging the device for a passkey of the peer group. After joining the peer group, the computing device will be able to access and share resources with the peer group and other computing devices associated with the peer group.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for defining a default handler software application in response to an event at a computer. An event, for example, a user opening a file with a specific extension or accessing a uniform resource locator (URL) with a specific protocol, may trigger the operating system to instantiate a user-level default handler program associated with the event type and the specific user. Users may define user-level default handlers through a centralized user interface maintained by the operating system. During the application installation process, an application may register lists of supported events that the application is capable of handling.

Abstract: System(s), method(s), and/or technique(s) (“tools”) are described that enable a user to permit multiple tasks requiring elevated rights with as little as one rights elevation. For example, the tools may enable an installation wizard operating within a limited-rights context to perform multiple tasks that require a higher-rights context with a single rights elevation by the user. The tools may do so using an object agent, an instance of which may be created by the installation wizard following a single rights elevation. This instance of the object agent then creates instances of other objects without requiring that the user elevate his or her rights. These other objects' instances may then run the tasks that require the higher-rights context.

Abstract: A platform supports an unmanaged secured workgroup, without a server, for common user access and secure resource sharing among the computers in the group. User accounts are synchronized by replicating and modifying the accounts at each computer of the unmanaged secured workgroup. A computer advertises a change in account information to other computers in an unmanaged secured workgroup. If one of computers in the unmanaged secured workgroup determines that the change is not reflected in the current account information, the computer requests the updated account information from the advertising computer. Any conflicts between user accounts at different computers are resolved before synchronizing the user account in the unmanaged secured workgroup. Also, an application program interface (API) enables an application to query properties of a networked computer system and an unmanaged secured workgroup and to join the unmanaged secured workgroup.

Abstract: An extensible device synchronization architecture and user interface is provided. A variety of device classes are supported, and support is also provided for mass storage, WMDM, MTP, AS, etc. An extensible UI model is provided that allows content type specific setting UI to plug-in. Support for 2-way synchronization is also provided. The synchronization architecture includes a content type user experience level, and a synchronization engine layer, with handlers and a synchronization engine API which handlers can use to manage their item level synchronization relationships and implement the semantics of the synchronization. In addition, the content that is being synchronized may be transformed so that the user's experience on the destination device (e.g., mobile phone, portable audio player, PDA, other type of personal or handheld computer, etc.) is optimized and these transforms are also extensible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring user profiles between computing devices using portable storage devices is disclosed. A portable storage device (PSD) is connected to a computing device, the computing device reads user profile data from the PSD and configures itself according to that data. If the user profile data is changed on the computing device, those changes are synchronized on the PSD.