Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' review
If you're reading this, you probably run Windows. And if you run Windows, you may have noticed Microsoft Silverlight as an optional update. If you don't see it, you've probably already got it; check your Start Menu, and if you see Microsoft Silverlight, it's already installed in your system. This compact freeware is a cross-platform browser plug-in for enhancing online content and media on desktop and portable PCs as well as mobile devices. Silverlight is sort of like Flash in that it enables richer content in your browser, but the latest update greatly enhances support for mobile devices and apps. Most Windows users can download Silverlight as part of an update, but you can also download it directly right here.
We installed Silverlight and clicked its Start Menu entry to open its Configuration tool. Silverlight mostly works in the background, but it has some options, too, beginning with the Updates tab, which followed our system's settings. The Playback tab has two options: one for enabling or disabling Digital Rights Management components, and another for hardware acceleration. We could configure multiple Webcams, microphones, and other audio and video capture devices on the Webcam/Mic tab, which includes a very helpful preview pane. The last two tabs handle Permissions and Application Storage, respectively. That's all there is to it, really; there's no need to configure it inside your browsers. For example, we opened Firefox's add-ons manager, clicked Plug-ins, and opened Silverlight's page. We could check for updates or disable the plug-in, but that's it.
So does Silverlight make a difference? You can see for yourself, but there's no need to toggle the program on and off to evaluate its effects: simply search "Silverlight demo" or some similar phrase. The results will certainly include more than one Web site demonstrating Silverlight's capabilities in a variety of settings, including some pretty cool cutting-edge Web applications. Or just go to Silverlight's home page, which offers a showcase with lots of examples as well as documentation, a community, samples, and other resources.
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
Microsoft Silverlight is a cross-platform, cross-browser, and cross-device plug-in for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Now with new mobile device focused implementations of Silverlight, developers and designers can easily take existing code, assets, skills, and tools and deliver superior user experiences on mobile devices. With initial support for Windows Mobile and Nokia S60 (including any S60 based handset) mobile operating systems Silverlight provides broad reach into the mobile space.
Microsoft Silverlight is in the Other Browser Add-ons & Plug-ins category of the Browsers section.
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All versions:
3.0 starsout of 51 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Installation was incredibly frustrating!"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 3.0.40624
Pros
Has let me watch part of a lecture I needed to see- the only pro!
Cons
As noted above I did need to install this to watch a lecture. Despite going to the webpage 2 hours prior to the lecture it only told me I needed to install it when the lecture started - 20 minutes, 3 installation attempts and a restart later it finally worked (after I searched for 'couldn't load plug ins' and got some advice). By this point I'd missed 20 mins of the lecture which couldn't be restarted and I'm so frustrated I'm ready to hurl the computer out of the window!!! Really annoyed and will be removing the installation as soon as lecture is finished.
Summary
Really frustrating to install - I expected more from Microsoft!
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"Seems to crash a lot"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.10411
Pros
still do not really know what it does; therefore, do not see any benefit.
Cons
Crashes whatever I am doing on the net without warning; just says Silverlight plug-in has crashed. I do not loose connection; and nothing seems to have changed so I have no clue what it does.
Summary
useless
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"Crashed my computer"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.10411
Pros
You can watch tv online with it.
Cons
Fried my hard drive
Summary
This program crashed my computer. It fried my hard drive. I had to get a completely new hard drive, and I lost all of my documents and pictures.
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"I was warned not to get this program,, they where wrong"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.10411
Pros
It runs smooth - and if flash keeps going the way it is silverlight will take over and be the top program
Cons
none that i can think of
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"Clean Video Plug-in"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.10411
Pros
Easy to install. No error(s) and no problem(s) with this version 5 on the contrary to earlier versions with corrupted files and errors when installing. My PC does not start slower with SilverLight on it. You can uninstall SilverLight via Control Panel, Software.
Cons
There is no con.
Summary
Try it, you won't regret it on Windows 7 64-bit.
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"Very good program. Works very well for our needs."
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.0.61118
Pros
Keeps us updated on the latest technology for our desktop. Very good program.
Cons
none. I like it very well.
Summary
Very good program. Keeps us informed of latest updates for our computer system.
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"Don't Bother..."
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.0.61118
Pros
None, that I could tell!
Cons
Installed this update, and instantly lost my access to Netflix. Netflix blamed it on MS, and MS blamed it on everything except their crappy program.
Summary
Finally had to wipe, and re-load my whole laptop with the previous version of Silverlight. Now, everything works again, like it's supposed to.
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"none again none"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.0.61118
Pros
none look at othef reviews and see why
Cons
wont load after reading the reviews!
Summary
cant trust this i think after reading the reviews
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"would not install,Win7 pro"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.0.61118
Pros
none that I can think of.
Cons
would not install,Win7 pro
Summary
normally I like cnet tracker but MS is still a pain in the arse
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"Looks promising"
Version: Microsoft Silverlight 5.0.61118
Pros
Good job and fast.
Cons
Slows computer a little bit.
Summary
Hoped the next version will be less heavier.
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