AVIRAJ AJGEKAR'S BLOG...

Windows 7 Feature: Disc Image Burner (ISO Image Burning)

2009-11-23T10:27:58Z

It’s well known that Windows 7 is outstanding, there is no doubt about it. Everyone who’s trying must be having same feedback.

Interesting feature that we use on day to day basis. Built-in Disc Imaging Support. Now, what it means I can burn my ISO image directly onto the CD or DVD without installing any 3rd party disc burning software.

To start with just right click on the any ISO file that you have.

You will see option Burn disc image. Click on that option.

This will launch easy to understand Windows Disc Image Burner.

Insert the blank DVD to burn the image and click Burn button. If you want, you can select Verify option as well for disc verification after burning is completed.

That’s it your DVD is ready to use. Enjoy.

Security Compliance Management Toolkit Series

2009-11-19T13:42:33Z

Monitor the Security Compliance of Your IT Environment for Computers Running Windows
The Security Compliance Management Toolkit Series builds on previous Solution Accelerators to provide you with expanded best practices and additional automation tools to help configure and deploy security settings for the following operating systems and applications: Windows® 7, BitLocker™ Drive Encryption, Windows® Internet Explorer® 8, Windows Server® 2008, Windows Server® 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Vista® SP1, Windows XP® Professional SP3, and 2007 Microsoft Office SP1.
After deploying the security settings, you can verify the accuracy of the setting policies and monitor policy changes by using the desired configuration management (DCM) feature of Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R2.
This series includes Security Compliance Management Toolkits for the following products:

Windows 7
Internet Explorer 8
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2003
Windows Vista
Windows XP
2007 Microsoft Office

Note: The GPOAccelerator tool is included with each toolkit download package.
Toolkit Components
Each of the Security Compliance Management Toolkits includes the following components:

Security guide. Each toolkit includes an updated version of a previously released security guides for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Internet Explorer 8 or 2007 Microsoft Office. The guidance provides you with best practices and automated tools to help you plan and deploy your security baselines.
Attack Surface Reference workbook. A resource that lists the changes introduced as server roles are installed on computers running Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, for the toolkits specific to these operating systems.
Security Baseline Settings workbook. A resource that lists all of the prescribed settings for each of the preconfigured security baselines that the security guides recommend.
Security Baseline XML. XML files that allow your organization to consume the data defined in the security baseline settings workbooks.
GPOAccelerator tool. A tool that you can use to create all the Group Policy objects (GPOs) you need to deploy your chosen security configuration. This release also supports Windows Server 2003, and creating security configurations on machines not joined to a domain.
INF Files. INF files for Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008.
Baseline Compliance Management Overview. The overview discusses best practices on how to monitor security baselines for Windows operating systems and Office applications.
DCM Configuration Pack User Guide. A step-by-step prescriptive user guide about how to use the Configurations Packs with the DCM feature in Configuration Manager 2007 R2.
DCM Configuration Packs. The toolkit series includes DCM configuration packs to use with the DCM feature in Configuration Manager 2007 R2.

Please direct questions and comments related to the DCM feature and the Configuration Packs to the Configuration Manager – Desired Configuration Management community forum on Microsoft TechNet.
Send questions or feedback to us directly at secwish@microsoft.com

Additional Information

Solution Accelerators are free, scenario-based guides and automations designed to help IT Professionals who are proactively planning, deploying, and operating IT systems using Microsoft products and technologies. Solution Accelerator scenarios focus on security and compliance, management and infrastructure, and communication and collaboration.
Get the Solution Accelerator Notifications Newsletter
Subscribe to the Solution Accelerator Notifications newsletter so that you can stay informed about new Solution Accelerator releases and updates. The newsletter covers such areas of interest as

Communication & Collaboration
Security, Data Protection, & Recovery
Deployment
Operations & Management

You may also receive invitations to participate in accelerator development via beta programs and customer surveys. Solution Accelerator Notifications is currently available in English only.
If you’ve used a Solution Accelerator within your organization, please share your experience with us by completing this short survey (less than ten minutes long).

DOWNLOAD HERE

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security: Step-by-Step Guide: Deploying Windows Firewall and IPsec Policies

2009-11-19T13:40:04Z

This step-by-step guide illustrates how to deploy Active Directory® Group Policy objects (GPOs) to configure Windows Firewall with Advanced Security in Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008.

Although you can configure a single server locally by using Group Policy Management tools directly on the server, that method is not consistent or efficient when you have many computers to configure. When you have multiple computers to manage, create and edit GPOs, and then apply those GPOs to the computers in your organization.

Common scenarios, including firewall rule deployment, server and domain isolation, and IPsec tunnel mode configuration are discussed.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2008 from Windows Small Business Server 2003

2009-11-19T13:28:39Z

This document contains step-by-step instructions for migrating to Windows Small Business Server 2008 from Windows Small Business Server 2003.

This guide helps you to install Windows SBS 2008 in Migration Mode on a new server, and then to migrate the settings and data from the old server that is running Windows SBS 2003 to the new server that is running Windows SBS 2008. This guide also helps you demote and remove your old server from the network after you finish the migration process.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Migration Help

This compiled help file contains step-by-step instructions for migrating Windows Small Business Server 2008. This file contains updates to the sbs_migrationCHM.chm help file that ships with Windows SBS 2008. You can find this file in the c:\program files\windows small business server\bin directory of Windows SBS 2008.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Migration Checklist

Windows Small Business Server is designed to run on a single server and is capable of providing all the services and applications that are needed by a small business. Migration involves moving a customer’s entire IT infrastructure from one set of hardware to another, and this can include line-of-business applications, intranet sites, and user data. Seen from the outside, migration appears to be a complex, daunting task. A successful migration requires an understanding of your customer’s environment, plus knowledge of the steps needed and things to watch for while performing the migration. This migration checklist helps you migrate from Windows SBS 2003 to Windows SBS 2008. It is meant to be used as a quick guide to other tools and in-depth documents. Using this checklist and the other tools, you will be able to complete your migrations successfully for your customers.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Documentation

2009-11-19T13:21:06Z

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Technical Library

The content in this technical library is intended for users who want to evaluate the Beta 1 release of Windows® HPC Server 2008 R2.

Download Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Beta 1

To download the Beta 1 release of Windows HPC Server 2008 R2, you must be registered on the Microsoft Connect site for the Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Beta Program (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=169523). After you join the program, you can download Beta 1.

On the HPC Server 2008 R2 Beta Program site, click Downloads on the left pane to go to the Downloads page. On the Downloads page, you can find:

Microsoft® HPC Pack 2008 R2 Beta 1: The high performance computing component of Windows HPC Server 2008 R2. It includes management tools, a job scheduler, and Microsoft Message Passing Interface (MS-MPI). HPC Pack 2008 R2 Beta 1 must be installed on a computer running Windows Server® 2008 R2 HPC Edition, or any other 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2008 R2. HPC Pack 2008 R2 can also be used to install the management tools on a client computer.
Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition : The evaluation version of the operating system.
HPC Pack 2008 R2 SDK: The software development kit for writing applications that call the HPC scheduler APIs.

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Beta 1 Documentation

DOWNLOAD HERE

Top 7 Things You Need to Know About Activation TDM

2009-11-19T12:29:20Z

Start download

Microsoft in the Enterprise - Resource Guide 2009-2010

2009-11-19T11:51:20Z

In this guide, Microsoft explores their vision and approach for the enterprise. You will find information about the importance of an optimized infrastructure and platform as well as three Optimization models that provide a roadmap to take IT from a cost center to a core strategic asset. You will learn about innovative industry solutions for the Communications, Distribution and Services, Financial Services, Manufacturing and Resources, and Public sectors that you can use to drive better business performance. And we’ll look ahead at future innovations so you can plan your technology roadmap.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Download Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta

2009-11-19T11:25:55Z

Here’s what you need to have*:

Internet access Internet access (to download Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta and get updates) .
•500 MHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor or higher
•256 MB of system memory or more
•3 GB of available disk space
•1024x768 or higher resolution monitor
•DVD-R/W Drive

•Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 3 (32-bit)
•Windows Vista with SP1 (32-bit or 64-bit)
•Windows Server 2003 R2 (32-bit or 64-bit)
•Windows Server 2008 with SP2 (32-bit or 64-bit)
•Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)

Foe more information visit http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/download-office-professional-plus/default.aspx

Text Messages (SMS) Synching with Exchange 2010 and Rule to move Text Messages (SMS) to a folder using Outlook 2010

2009-11-17T18:37:31Z

If you have Exchange 2010, you can leverage synching Text Messages (SMS) with the help of new Outlook Live for Windows Mobile.

Open up this link in your Windows Mobile Web Browser https://update.outlook.com/cabs/OutlookLiveSetup.cab

After installing you will get option to select Text Messages in your ActiveSync Settings.

Now, that we have Outlook 2010 available for our day to day use and since it helps us get the Text Messages (SMS) synched over your Exchange 2010. I was wondering if there was any easy fast way of moving your text messages in a separate folder. By default all the text messages are lying in the Inbox folder and it is painful to move them 1 by 1.

Here is the sample solution rule that could help you move all the Text Messages (SMS) to a separate folder.

Note: This is specific to country code. In this case I am using Country Code for India +91. You may replace it with your Country using Contacts.

Step 1: Create new folder as Text Messages in Mailbox

Step 2: Click on Create Rule…

Step 3: Click on Advanced Options…

Step 4: Select with specific words in the sender’s address. Then click on specific words

Step 5: Type +91 and click on Add button. Then click on OK

Then click on Next

Step 6: Select move it to the specified folder then click on specified.

Select newly created Text Messages folder in Mailbox. Click OK.

The rule will look like this and then click on Next>

Step 7: Click Next and skip the EXCEPT RULES.

Click Next and you will see the following Wizard.

Select Name for the Rule: Text Messages

Select Run this rule now on messages already in “Inbox”

The option Turn on this rule is by default selected.

Click on FINISH.

After clicking FINISH, this will move all the Text Messages starting with +91 numbers will be moved to the Text Messages folder. I could not find the specific type option but this is the effective way for moving the messages.

Enjoy.

Did you hear about Microsoft Office Web Apps?

2009-11-15T07:34:58Z

Microsoft today announced the start of the Microsoft Office Web Apps Technical Preview program for consumers. Beginning today, a limited number of invitation-only participants will receive access to lightweight versions of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the Web through Windows Live. The Technical Preview is available in English and Japanese, with additional languages to be added later this fall.

Microsoft is also announcing the formal names for the Web-based applications. Together, the applications are called Office Web Apps. Individually, they include Word Web App, Excel Web App, PowerPoint Web App and OneNote Web App.

PressPass: What is the purpose of the Office Web Apps Technical Preview program, and what can we expect at this point?

Schultz: The early Technical Preview program is designed to collect additional customer feedback prior to the broad release of the service. After this Technical Preview milestone, which is focused on consumers, we’ll continue to update the Office Web Apps, leading up to the broadly available beta and the official launch next year, and frequently update the service based on new user feedback after that.

Starting today, a limited number of invitation-only participants will receive access to the Word Web App, Excel Web App and PowerPoint Web App through Windows Live SkyDrive. These Office Web Apps are part of the Office Technical Preview program, which means they aren’t feature-complete yet. The OneNote Web App and additional Office Web App features, including further integration with Microsoft Office 2010, will be available at a later date.

The publish capability is another innovation, allowing Office documents to be embedded in blogs, social networking sites, and other Web sites. This the first in a series of updates you’ll see from Microsoft as we approach the broad beta timeframe for Office Web Apps, so stay tuned!

PressPass: How do Office Web Apps work with Office 2010?

Schultz: The Office 2010 release is designed to deliver a great productivity experience across the PC, mobile phone and browser. More than 500 million customers are familiar with Microsoft Office at work, home and school. Office Web Apps work with Microsoft Office, so there’s no need to learn another program or service.

The great integration with Office gives people the ability to quickly and easily save and open documents from the Web, directly from Microsoft Office 2010. Seamless integration with Windows Live lets people access, edit and share with friends, family and co-workers anywhere.

PressPass: Why are you offering Office Web Apps through Windows Live? What does this mean for Windows Live customers?

Schultz: More than 500 million people around the world use Windows Live, giving our customers a powerful hub to organize their lives. With Windows Live, people can store and share information such as photos, contacts, calendars and documents, all in one place on Windows Live SkyDrive. With the addition of Office Web Apps, people will soon be able to go to Windows Live to create, edit, share and collaborate on Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, OneNote digital notebooks and Excel spreadsheets — online, with high fidelity.

In addition to Windows Live, businesses will be able to get Office Web Apps through volume license agreements and via subscription offering through Microsoft Online Services.

Office 2010 Beta coming soon…

2009-11-15T07:23:55Z

For more information keep clicking…http://officebeta.microsoft.com

November 2009 Security Release ISO Image

2009-11-13T15:22:39Z

This DVD5 ISO image file contains the security updates for Windows released on Windows Update on November 10th, 2009. The image does not contain security updates for other Microsoft products. This DVD5 ISO image is intended for administrators that need to download multiple individual language versions of each security update and that do not use an automated solution such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). You can use this ISO image to download multiple updates in all languages at the same time.
Important: Be sure to check the individual security bulletins at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security prior to deployment of these updates to ensure that the files have not been updated at a later date.
This DVD5 image contains the following updates:
KB975542 / (MS09-045)

Windows 2000 - 24 languages

KB975025 / (MS09-051)

Windows 2000 - 24 languages

KB973565 / (MS09-063)

Windows Vista - 36 languages
Windows Vista for x64-based Systems - 36 languages
Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

KB974783 / (MS09-064)

Windows 2000 - 24 languages

KB969947 / (MS09-065)

Windows 2000 - 24 languages
Windows Server 2003 - 18 languages
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - 11 languages
Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages
Windows XP - 24 languages
Windows XP x64 Edition - 2 languages
Windows Vista - 36 languages
Windows Vista for x64-based Systems - 36 languages
Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

KB973037 / (MS09-066)

Windows 2000 - 24 languages
Windows Server 2003 - 18 languages
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - 11 languages
Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages
Windows Server 2008 - 19 languages
Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition - 19 languages
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems - 4 languages

KB973039 / (MS09-066)

Windows Server 2003 - 18 languages
Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition - 11 languages
Windows XP - 24 languages
Windows XP x64 Edition - 2 languages

DOWNLOAD HERE

EXCHANGE 2010 GENERAL AVAILABILITY

2009-11-13T15:17:47Z

Read more on the following Microsoft Exchange Team Blog

http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2009/11/09/453096.aspx

Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 (Beta)

2009-11-13T15:13:21Z

Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) 2.0 (Beta) is a managed MMC plug-in with support for Office 2010 Beta. Administrators may use it to manage volume editions of Windows and Office 2010 Beta installed with a Key Management Service (KMS) client key or a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). A convenient command line interface (CLI) allows automated, scheduled VAMT tasks without UI interaction.

Supported Operating Systems:

Windows Server 2003
Miccosoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows 7
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2

Instructions

Download the MSI file on this page
Run the MSI file on a supported operating system
Click Help on the VAMT 2.0 menu bar or go to the Office 2010 volume activation page

DOWNLOAD HERE

What’s new in Windows Server 2008 R2 RTM

2009-10-28T11:32:45Z

As you all know Microsoft released Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. These new operating systems have provided lot of improvements over Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Where we often talk about only Windows 7 when it comes to public awareness. There is lot more to know about Windows Server 2008 R2. Generally end users prefer Windows Client and that is the only reason you will lot many activities related to Windows 7. So, what’s with Windows Server 2008 R2, well Windows Server 2008 R2 delivered new performance and management improvements to the core Windows Server over Windows Server 2008. The ability to manage the resources with increase control and high availability enhancements keeps Windows Server 2008 R2 helps administrators do much much more with less.

We will talk about the new Virtualization enhancements, Improved Web Tools, Scalability additions and management utilities will help saving time and reduce cost delivering solid foundation to your IT Infrastructure. Windows Server 2008 R2 has the five key pillars based upon which we have built Windows Server 2008 R2 over existing Windows Server 2008 environment.

Fig. Foundational Architecture that talks about Technology Investment Areas in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Virtualization

Virtualization plays major role in every IT organization. Today’s datacenters are running virtualized servers by consolidating multiple servers. With the Virtualization we are seeing the next generation dynamic data centers, which will operate efficiently by saving cost reducing power consumption. Windows Server 2008 R2 features new virtualization features including Native VHD Support, Hyper-V 2.0 with Live Migration. Also, introduced Virtual Desktop Infrastructure with RDP Protocol 7.0 that enhances the overall remote desktop experience.

Management

The new management features for Server R2 saves lot of time for IT Professionals with the easier tools available. You can manage your Physical and Virtual Infrastructure efficiently with the improved Server Manager and PowerShell 2.0 with PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment). These new features reduces the overall administrative efforts by efficiently handling day-to-day operational tasks. Along with these new features we have introduced Active Directory Administrative Center for managing the Active Directory infrastructure. The built-in Power Management features help deploy your Power Management strategy with Group Policy. With the introduction of Best Practices Analyzer you can cross check the server roles for optical configuration for your IT Environment.

Web Application Platform

Windows Server 2008 R2 now features IIS 7.5 with additional management tools and features making it the best Windows Server Web Application Platform. The new Web Server roles on Server Core also features support for ASP.NET so that Web Admins can deploy APS.NET based websites on the Server Core based server. The management becomes very easy on Server Core with the help of PowerShell based scripting.

Scalability & Reliability

Windows Server 2008 R2 is capable of unprecedented workload size, dynamic scalability, and across-the-board availability and reliability. A host of new and updated features will be available, including leveraging sophisticated CPU architectures, increased operating system componentization, and improved performance and scalability for applications and services. Server Core is one of the examples of componentization.

Better Together with Windows 7

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 are based upon same platform so there are many features designed specifically keeping Windows 7 in mind. Some of these features included DirectAccess and BranchCache. DirectAccess is designed to replace the VPN by providing the next generation Corp connectivity. BranchCache features the new way of managing WAN utilization by using Caching mechanism.

Apart from these key features there are lot more features available in Windows Server 2008 R2. Over the time we will try to cover more and more features. This is going to be one of the best Server Platform with lot of improvements over the existing award winning Windows Server platform. Expect more in the coming time.

With this I have finished 100th Blog Post. Thank you all for constantly following my blog and making me write such interesting articles. :)