Swiss IT Professional and TechNet Blog : Windows Client

Windows 7 Application Compatibility List Updates

mepprecht — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:25:48 GMT

The Windows 7 Application Compatibility List was updated a few days ago. 5’500 application are now listed, both 32 and 64 bit.

Read more about the list and get the Excel File download:

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/springboard/archive/2009/11/17/new-windows-7-application-compatibility-list-for-it-professionals.aspx

Windows7 Countdown Gadget

mepprecht — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:39:17 GMT

And because waiting is the hardest part…

This gadget counts down the days, hours, and minutes until Windows 7 is released worldwide the 22 October 2009.

Helvetia Shows us Her Windows

mepprecht — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:46:00 GMT

What is the result when a national Top Photographer with a Top Swiss Model is asked to create his own Windows Desktop Background?

Photographer Noë Flum, together with Model Raquel Alvarez created a Helvetic modern work of art on the San Bernardino.

What becomes clear when looking the the Making-of Video, is that there is no computer wizardry being used here. The whole scene was fully created on-location, using only a camera and props.

The desktop background is available as a free download (1920x1442).

WSUS 3.0 SP2 is now RTM

mepprecht — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:52:24 GMT

Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2 is now available for download.

WSUS 3.0 SP2 supports the latest operating systems including Windows Server® 2008 R2 and Windows 7 clients. WSUS 3.0 SP2 is more robust and features significant improvements in client performance, reliability, and increased server usability and reliability.

If your are still not using WSUS for your patch management, find out here how it can help you on “Patch Tuesdays”

Key Management Service (KMS) 1.2 for Windows Server 2003 Released

mepprecht — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:04:10 GMT

Key Management Service (KMS) 1.2 for Windows Server 2003 has been released. KMS 1.2 provides support for the following KMS client installations:

Windows 7
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Windows Vista and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)

For documentation and download: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968915

Swiss TechNet Seminars - Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7

mepprecht — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT

For the RTM Releases of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7, we are offering the appropriate Swiss TechNet seminars. The new features and functions will be discussed and Demo’d.

Presentation language will be in German.

28 August 09	Windows 7 – alles, was Sie als IT Professional über die finale Version wissen müssen (Repeated on 6 November)
09 September 09	Windows Server 2008 R2 unter der Lupe
15 September 09	Hyper-V in Windows Server 2008 R2
06 November 09	Windows 7 – alles, was Sie als IT Professional über die finale Version wissen müssen (Repeat of 28 August)

Windows 7 RTM is now available for TechNet Plus Subscribers

mepprecht — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:06:12 GMT

Be among the first with access to Windows 7 RTM along with support and technical content included with your subscription. Download now from Subscriber Downloads.

https://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/securedownloads/default.aspx

Microsoft Connection Days

mepprecht — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:46:55 GMT

At five locations in Switzerland from 28 September up to 8. October 2009, Microsoft Connection Days (ex Partner Days), an event for Partners and IT professionals will be held.

This year, Microsoft Partners and now IT Professionals will have the opportunity, under one roof, to network and make interesting contacts. Five IT professional topics will be available for you to obtain the latest information about cloud computing (key note), Windows 7, Office/Exchange 2010, Windows Server R2 and Hyper-V R2, SQL Server and Online Services (BPOS).

Windows 7 and Europe

mepprecht — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:43:02 GMT

It was announced Friday that Windows 7 “E” will not be launched, rather, shortly after new Windows PC is set up by the user, Microsoft will update them over the Internet with a consumer ballot software program. If IE is the default browser, the user will be presented with a list of other leading browsers and invited to select one or more for installation.

http://microsoftontheissues.com/cs/blogs/mscorp/archive/2009/07/31/windows-7-and-browser-choice-in-europe.aspx

Are my PC’s Capable of Running Windows 7?

mepprecht — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:17:47 GMT

You can assess your existing PC hardware compatibility with Windows 7 requirements and do this network-wide with the free Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 4.0 for Windows 7.

More information here and the same toolkit can do Server readiness for Windows Server 2008 R2 too.

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Released to Manufacturing

mepprecht — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:02:52 GMT

Windows 7 release to manufacturing (RTM) means that it’s time for our OEM partners to get their PCs ready, for software development partners to test their new applications, and for hardware vendors to ready their hardware. Find out what it means for you as an IT professional—and learn how and when you can get the final bits.

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/21/when-will-you-get-windows-7-rtm.aspx

http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/

Windows 7 Upgrade Paths – Document Published

mepprecht — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:47:48 GMT

A document was published yesterday by Microsoft on the possible Upgrade Scenarios from older operating systems to Windows 7

The document is available here.

Something that is important to note is that Upgrades from Windows Vista to Windows 7 E are not supported (Windows 7 E is the SKU of Windows only available in Europe as per this announcement).

Windows 7 – Getting Close to RTM

mepprecht — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:13:08 GMT

As highlighted in the Windows 7 Blog, RTM is expected in the 2nd half of July 2009. Some important points:

Volume License Customers will get Windows 7 on 1 September 2009
MSDN and TechNet subscribers will get it a few weeks after RTM
It will be in retail stores on 22 October 2009

Don’t trust any copies of Windows 7 that are floating around on the Internet.

I can’t wait to install you, but like you, I also need to wait until the Windows team says it is ready.

Update for DNS Devolution - Microsoft Security Advisory - 971888

mepprecht — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:17:33 GMT

Update for DNS Devolution - Microsoft Security Advisory – 971888 has been published.

What is the article about?
A malicious user could host a system with a single-label name outside of an organization's boundary and due to DNS devolution may successfully get a Windows DNS client to connect to it as though it were internal to the organizational boundary.

Please ensure that you fully understand, and have tested the effects of this update before deploying it in your organization as the behavior of DNS resolution that you currently rely on may be affected.

After the update is installed, the DNS resolver will only perform devolution to a level based on the domain settings of the Windows client, potentially breaking any applications or configurations that rely on this behavior

The DNS update will not be published on Windows Update, and will only be available on the Download Center.

Windows 7 / Windows Server 2008 R2 availability dates announced

mepprecht — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:32:23 GMT

It is official!

Windows 7 will Release to Manufacturing (RTM) in the Second half of July 2009 and the general availability date is set at 22 October 2009.
Windows Server 2008 R2 will be available on the same dates also.

Now you can plan your rollouts!