So did Microsoft do anything right in 2009?

Some would probably say not much but Joe Wilcox over at Betanews has managed to come up with a list of ten things he things that Microsoft has done right.

You can read the complete details for each of the items over at Betanews but for those in a hurry here’s the point form version.

• 1. Flawlessly launch Windows 7 – Joe thinks that Microsoft managed to actually pull it off unlike the disaster that was Vista.
• 2. Opened retail stores – This is a strategy that is going to require a long term commitment.
• 3. Offered crapware-free PC – As part of the brick and mortar experience, and online as well, Microsoft is making sure that consumers get an optimized experience.
• 4. Launched Bing. It may never be a search market leader but that doesn’t mean it can’t carve itself a nice profitable niche.
• 5. Released Security Essentials – finally a reliable and free malware protection for consumers from Microsoft itself.
• 6. Promoted Steven Sinofsky – proved he was the right man for turning around Windows. Next up Windows Live.
• 7. Released Zune 4.0 software and Zune HD – even though the iPod is still the market leader here Microsoft proved that it can turn out a good hardware/software experience.
• 8. Settled antitrust case with the European Union
• 9. Improved advertising – while the majority of the tech world still laughs their asses off at Microsoft’s advertising efforts Joe thinks that they may have actually turned that perception around this year.
• 10. Debuted Silverlight 4.0 – a competitor to Adobe AIR that keeps getting better with each release.

Apparently tomorrow Joe will be posting his 10 Things Microsoft got Wrong which should be interesting.

Related posts:

1. Windows 7 On Track For Late 2009
2. Microsoft going into the cafe business (4 pics)
3. Microsoft please move OneNote to Live services
4. Microsoft Security Essentials: One more thing Microsoft gets right.
5. WTF Microsoft! Morro beta not in Canada but in the US and China? – UPDATED