Abstract: Method and computer storage media for sharing resources between a plurality of computing devices associated with a common non-enterprise network. A common set of credentials is stored on at least two or more of a plurality of computing devices that reside behind a routing device and are associated through a common non-enterprise network. Upon storing the common set of credentials, each of the two or more of a plurality of computing devices create a local account that contains, at least, the common set of credentials. The common set of credentials allow for the sharing, among the two or more of the plurality of computing devices, of resource that reside on or are associated with the computing devices.

Abstract: Pre-installed application activation techniques are described in which live content for applications is activated before user interaction with the applications. Input indicative of an initial log-in of a user to access an operating system is detected. In response, configuration of an account for the user with the operating system may be initiated to set-up a device for first use by the user. During the configuration, notifications are activated through a notification system of the operating system to obtain live content for one or more pre-installed applications on the computing device. The activation occurs before interaction of the user with the pre-installed applications. Live content may then be incorporated with representations of the applications within a user interface for the operating system, such as displaying application tiles having corresponding live content in a start screen presented to the user after completion of the initial set-up.

Abstract: Method and computer storage media for sharing resources between a plurality of computing devices associated with a common non-enterprise network. A common set of credentials is stored on at least two or more of a plurality of computing devices that reside behind a routing device and are associated through a common non-enterprise network. Upon storing the common set of credentials, each of the two or more of a plurality of computing devices create a local account that contains, at least, the common set of credentials. The common set of credentials allow for the sharing, among the two or more of the plurality of computing devices, of resource that reside on or are associated with the computing devices.

Abstract: Pre-installed application activation techniques are described in which live content for applications is activated before user interaction with the applications. Input indicative of an initial log-in of a user to access an operating system is detected. In response, configuration of an account for the user with the operating system may be initiated to set-up a device for first use by the user. During the configuration, notifications are activated through a notification system of the operating system to obtain live content for one or more pre-installed applications on the computing device. The activation occurs before interaction of the user with the pre-installed applications. Live content may then be incorporated with representations of the applications within a user interface for the operating system, such as displaying application tiles having corresponding live content in a start screen presented to the user after completion of the initial set-up.

Abstract: Method and computer storage media for sharing resources between a plurality of computing devices associated with a common non-enterprise network. A common set of credentials is stored on at least two or more of a plurality of computing devices that reside behind a routing device and are associated through a common non-enterprise network. Upon storing the common set of credentials, each of the two or more of a plurality of computing devices create a local account that contains, at least, the common set of credentials. The common set of credentials allow for the sharing, among the two or more of the plurality of computing devices, of resource that reside on or are associated with the computing devices.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for acting on properties of multiple resources, which span disparate locations within a network, upon detecting an intuitive user-initiated operation are provided. Initially, a library is provided that includes a framework for contemporaneously accessing a collection of items within a scope thereof. Upon launching the library, representations of the scoped items are surfaced at a UI display. When the user-initiated operation is applied at one of the surfaced representations, properties of each of the scoped items are automatically manipulated. A library-configuration state, which reflects how the items are affected upon manipulating the properties thereof, may be updated upon implementing the manipulation.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for acting on properties of multiple resources, which span disparate locations within a network, upon detecting an intuitive user-initiated operation are provided. Initially, a library is provided that includes a framework for contemporaneously accessing a collection of items within a scope thereof. Upon launching the library, representations of the scoped items are surfaced at a UI display. When the user-initiated operation is applied at one of the surfaced representations, properties of each of the scoped items are automatically manipulated. A library-configuration state, which reflects how the items are affected upon manipulating the properties thereof, may be updated upon implementing the manipulation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: Computer-readable media, computer-readable media, computerized methods, and computer systems for acting on properties of multiple resources, which span disparate locations within a network, upon detecting an intuitive user-initiated operation are provided. Initially, a library is provided that includes a framework for contemporaneously accessing a collection of items within a scope thereof. Upon launching the library, representations of the scoped items are surfaced at a UI display. When the user-initiated operation is applied at one of the surfaced representations, properties of each of the scoped items are automatically manipulated. A library-configuration state, which reflects how the items are affected upon manipulating the properties thereof, may be updated upon implementing the manipulation.

Abstract: Method and computer storage media for sharing resources between a plurality of computing devices associated with a common non-enterprise network. A common set of credentials is stored on at least two or more of a plurality of computing devices that reside behind a routing device and are associated through a common non-enterprise network. Upon storing the common set of credentials, each of the two or more of a plurality of computing devices create a local account that contains, at least, the common set of credentials. The common set of credentials allow for the sharing, among the two or more of the plurality of computing devices, of resource that reside on or are associated with the computing devices.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sharing items and viewing shared items in an operating system. A user may initiate a search that executes a query on the file system, returning a list of items owned by the user and shared out to other users. In order to increase efficiency and usability of such a query, an index may be created based on the owner and user permissions of the items in the file system. A user interface integrated into the operating system may display the shared items in a single flat list, or search folder, regardless of the various physical locations of the items on the system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for use in a computer system for organizing and displaying notification items associated with the system, applications or other components, within a notification area. The system monitors items that are placed in the notification, comparing the period of placement with a predetermined time threshold value, If the item has remained inactive for longer than the predetermined threshold period, the item is hidden from the notification area. Additionally, the system monitors the hidden items for changes in icon appearance and will unhide the item upon a change in appearance or specific selection by a user. New items and unhidden items are arranged in the order of the most recent addition to the notification area. The system also allows a user to customize the behavior associated with individual notification items.

Abstract: A system and related techniques provide a seamless, peer-to-peer file synchronization capability for sharing files, folders, directories or other stored content between machines. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a sync engine or other file management logic may be integrated into the operating system or other resources of a user's desktop, laptop, network-enabled cellular device or other computer, client, machine or other hardware. The sync engine may accept user designations of files, folders, directories or other contents which they wish to share, sync or roam between two or more selected machines, on an automatically consistent basis. The sync engine or other control logic may maintain a file system log to record the state of files which have been designated for sharing, to indicate for example whether a transmission of the file has been made, to which target machine or machines it has been transmitted, and other variables regarding the state of file or other content.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for use in a computer system for organizing and displaying notification items associated with the system, applications or other components, within a notification area. The system monitors items that are placed in the notification comparing the period of placement with a predetermined time threshold value. If the item has remained inactive for longer than the predetermined threshold period, the item is hidden from the notification area. Additionally, the system monitors the hidden items for changes in icon appearance and will unhide the item upon a change in appearance or specific selection by a user. New items and unhidden items are arranged in the order of the most recent addition to the notification area. The system also allows a user to customize the behavior associated with individual notification items.