In my last video I showed you how to use Server Manager to manage lots of servers, and given that you want to do that, there is less of a need to have all the management tools on every server. So in this screencast I wanted to show you how to rip parts of the interface out of Windows Server to create a minimal UI (known unofficially as MinShell).
Notes:
Server Core is stall an install option in Windows Server 2012 but you can now add in the full or partial UI post install. However to do that you’ll need access to install media for windows services (specifically the sources\sxs folder) as the binaries for the UI won’t have been copied as part of the core install process. Because MinShell is simply a feature removal rather than an installation option. You can enable/disable the full use interface whenever you want to. Patching and the reduced attack surface of MinShell are the key benefits for doing this, while another benefit for servers that aren’t in data centres is that casual users won’t be able to go surfing on them as internet explorer won’t be there, as will other tools like explorer.
Server Core is stall an install option in Windows Server 2012 but you can now add in the full or partial UI post install. However to do that you’ll need access to install media for windows services (specifically the sources\sxs folder) as the binaries for the UI won’t have been copied as part of the core install process.
Because MinShell is simply a feature removal rather than an installation option. You can enable/disable the full use interface whenever you want to.
Patching and the reduced attack surface of MinShell are the key benefits for doing this, while another benefit for servers that aren’t in data centres is that casual users won’t be able to go surfing on them as internet explorer won’t be there, as will other tools like explorer.
If you want to try this you just need to download an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2012
It is Christmas eve and time for our final competition in our 12 Days of Geekmas series! To finish the series with a bang we’ve pulled out all the stops and have a fantastic final prize list… Here is what you could win!
Since it is the Christmas holiday season we’re going to give you a bit longer to complete the task this time so we have extended the entry deadline until the 1st January 2013!!!
What you will need to do to be in with a chance of winning this prize is put together a video showcasing either:
1. Your top Windows Server 2012 tips and tricks in action
or
2. A video showcasing your top Windows 8 tips and tricks in action
Please leave a link to your entry in the comments area of this post and share it on Twitter and Facebook with your friends. Remember to include links to useful TechNet and MSDN articles in your video’s and share your top resources too.
We will be judging this competition based on the following criteria:
To help you get started here are some useful links:
 
Terms & Conditions for the 12 Days of Christmas
If you see your name in the winners list below please email ukitpro@microsoft.com and send us your full name, email address and postal address and we will validate your entry and post your prizes out to you!
Each of you have won a copy of SQL Pocket Consultant, a Windows 8 Mug and a Windows 8 Pen
Each of you have won 3 months free on Windows Azure (above and beyond just the trial), a geeky book , a Windows 8 Mug and a Windows 8 Pen
Each of you have won a Sony DCR SX21-E Video Camera, a Toolkit, a Private Cloud Book, a Windows 8 Mug and Windows 8 Pen
Only a day until the really big competition day… things are hotting up fast and we’re getting really festive but geek style!!! Do you have a video camera, camera phone or camera to the ready… you’re going to need it today!
With either a phone, camera or video camera and wearing your geekiest tshirt go out and film as many people’s reactions as possible when you ask them “Windows 8 was my idea – What do you think?” – Upload the videos and leave the links to them in the comments on today competition page.
We will be giving 2 luck winners a Sony Video Camera, a TechNet Toolkit, a private cloud book, a Windows 8 Mug and a Windows 8 pen.
Winners will be announced on Monday
So we’re onto day 10 and many of you are off doing your last bit of Christmas shopping… But if you’re like me and you’ve got it all done you’re probably wondering what next… Well you could start wrapping or you could procrastinate a bit more and get involved with todays competition. Today is all about creating!
 
What do I mean by creating well read on!
Today’s competition is one for you to get to know Windows Azure just that little bit better. So your challenge today is to go to http://windowsazure.com and register for a free account and then create a really nice festive website of your very own to share with friends and family. Make it as geeky and festive as you like but have fun with it. There are plenty of tools on Windows Azure to help make your site look and feel professional!
Leave a link to your site in the comments on this post and remember to share it with your friends and family too. Remember to leave a way to contact you as well so that we can let you know if you win.
There will be 3 winners and each winner will get 3 months free on Windows Azure (beyond just the trial that is there) a geeky book (a fun geeky book more to the point!), a Windows 8 Mug and a Windows 8 pen.
Winners for this competition will be announced on Monday along with the winners from yesterday and tomorrow.
Things are hotting up and we’re getting ever close to day 12 and the big prizes! Each day we’re getting bigger and better prizes but the challenges are getting harder… Some of you struggled a little with figuring out yesterdays competition answers so we’ll try not to make it too hard for you today…
Today it’s all about having fun and getting into the festive spirit with Microsoft… How you choose to do that is entirely up to you… What you need to submit is a link to a photograph of you doing something festive with Windows technology (that could be Windows 8, Visual Studio 2012, SQL Server you name it) let your imagination run wild. The 4 most amusing photographs as judged by our panel will win.
Up for grabs are a copy of SQL Server Pocket Consultant, a Windows 8 Mug and Windows 8 Pen.
To keep us amused and share the fun with your friends why not tweet us the photo or share it with us on Facebook. All photo’s on Twitter, Facebook or via a link in the comments to this post will count as entries.
The following 5 people have each won a signed copy of Mike Halsley’s Windows 8 Out of the Box Book, an MSDN Moleskin Notebook, a Windows 8 Mug and Windows 8 Pen
There were a few entries after the deadline – sorry folk you do need to get your entries in before midnight. Keep trying though as we have 4 more competitions to go!
We would like to invite you to register and attend the Microsoft Hybrid IT UK Roadshow on 29th January, 26th February, 5th March and 19th March 2013 in Reading, Manchester, London and Edinburgh respectively.
Please register and attend ONE of the FOUR events next year.
· 29th January, Reading (Thames Valley Park)
· 26th February, Manchester (Hilton Deansgate)
· 5th March, London (Cardinal Place)
· 19th March, Edinburgh (Waverley Gate)
Here’s what to expect at the events:
Microsoft Hybrid IT UK Roadshow – What’s New in Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 SP1 and Windows Azure?
Windows Server 2012 redefines the server category. It delivers hundreds of new features and enhancements spanning virtualisation, networking, storage, user experience, cloud computing, automation and more. System Center 2012 is a unified and flexible platform for managing traditional datacentres, private and public clouds as well as client computers and devices. With Windows Azure Virtual Machines, you can deploy and run Windows Server and Linux virtual machines, as well as migrating applications and infrastructure, without changing existing code.
This series of 1-day events will provide you with the best possible opportunity to learn about what's new in the Microsoft Hybrid IT vision, strategy and roadmap.
08:30 – 09:30
REGISTRATION
09:30 – 10:00
Keynote – What Is The Microsoft Hybrid IT Story?
10:00 – 10:30
Voice of the Customer – Early Adopter Customer
10:30 – 11:00
BREAK
11:00 – 12:00
Building Your Cloud Platform with Windows Server 2012
12:00 – 13:00
LUNCH
13:00 – 14:00
Manage Your Cloud Platform and Extend It with Windows Azure
14:00 – 15:00
Manage and Automate Service Delivery with System Center 2012 SP1
15:00 – 15:30
15:30 – 16:30
Manage and Deliver A Modern User Desktop with System Center 2012 SP1 and Windows Intune
Only 5 Days until Geekmas… are you humming the tune yet!? Today we are giving away a Windows 8 book autographed by the MVP who wrote it… a MSDN Moleskin Notebook, a Windows 8 Mug and a Windows 8 pen to five lucky readers…
To get you into that festive spirit here’s today’s little video
And to win today’s prize you need to identify the 5 MVP’s and the books that each have written that are singing in the video below. To enter post your responses in the comments below and check back tomorrow to see if you are on the winners list.
Congratulations to today’s winners who have each won a Windows 8 laptop sleeve, a Windows 8 USB Spider, a Windows 8 Mug and Windows 8 pen.
If you are on todays winners list please drop us an email to ukitpro@microsoft.com to claim your prize. Unfortunately these won’t get to you before Christmas but we will put them in the post and they will be with you asap.
We hear your cries for “simplicity” when it comes to licensing! We hear your brains ticking over trying to get your heads around the complexities of licensing models!
This is your chance to learn online or in-person with our Microsoft experts as we bring you a new line-up of Licensing events for 2013. Learn about product licensing models, terms and scenarios and put to rest any pain points or issues you have with licensing.
Take this opportunity to have your questions answered live and direct with our licensing experts, gain knowledge and learn from your peers. Not only that, you could potentially maximise the value of your software investments by learning with our experts.
There are an array of topics up for discussion including Licensing Product & Program Fundamentals and SQL Server 2012 licensing so just select the event of your choice.
Spaces are limited and fill up extremely quickly so register as soon as possible to book your spot and avoid disappointment.
Attendees who have been quick off the mark and registered for these events in the past have commented that they have “learned more than in the last two years” and that the events were “delivered in a very impressive and interesting way which was remarkable given the dry subject”.
Register now to book your spot for the new line-up of both online and in-person licensing events for 2013.
Be sure to also take the new Microsoft Volume Licensing Training and Accreditation courses on the Microsoft Virtual Academy if you haven’t already done so. Stand out from the crowd and become a trusted advisor in your organisations and technical communities and become a Microsoft Licensing Expert. These courses are at no cost and extremely invaluable for learning licensing models in simple format.
A week into the 12 Days of Geekmas and we have already given away loads of great prizes! Today is no different!
To enter today’s competition you need share your top tips relating to Windows Server 2012 in the comments on this competition page along with your email address so that we can let you know if you win. Never used Windows Server 2012 before? Why not take a look at the TechNet Library or Windows Server 2012 product pages to find out more. There will be 6 winners in today’s competition as there are only 6 days left until Geekmas Day!
Each of today’s winners will get a Windows 8 laptop sleeve, a Windows 8 USB spider, a Windows 8 Mug and Windows 8 pen. (Yes we’ve gone a bit Windows 8 mad in terms of prizes today!!!)
Remember to tweet and share this competition with your colleagues and friends!
Yesterday we had plenty of you enter the competition and here are the 7 winners:
If you see your name on today’s list then drop a mail to ukitpro@microsoft.com with your name, email address and postal address and we’ll send you your prize.
This time next week you’ll be celebrating and off on your festive holidays! There are only 7 days left in the competition season and things are starting to warm up nicely!
To enter today’s competition you need to let us know what your favourite Windows 8 app is and why? Let us know in the comments section on today’s competition page to be in with a chance of winning – and remember to leave your email address too so that we can let you know if you have won. 7 People will be chosen at random to win!
And remember to share today’s competition with your friends and colleagues.
Each of the following people have won a Windows Server 2012 T-Shirt, WIndows 8 Mug and Windows 8 Pen
To claim your prize drop us an email to ukitpro@microsoft.com