The TechNet Australia Blog : Windows Vista

Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2 Release Candidates ready for download

Deeps — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:25:52 GMT

Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC is prerelease code offered to the public through our Customer Preview Program. Please see the Windows Server SP2/Windows Vista SP2 Customer Preview Program page on TechNet/MSDN for additional details, documentation, and forums.

Windows Vista SP2 TechNet
Windows Server 2008 SP2 TechNet

Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 RC apply to people, organizations, and technical enthusiasts who are comfortable evaluating prerelease software. This prerelease software is provided for testing only. Installation of Service Pack 2 RC will result in Microsoft collecting information about the installation process, even if the installation is not completed. We do not recommend installing this software on primary or mission-critical systems. We recommend that you have a backup of your data before you install any prerelease software.

SP2 is an update to Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers and partners. By providing these fixes integrated into a single service pack, Microsoft provides a single high-quality update that minimizes deployment and testing complexity for customers. In addition to all previously released updates, SP2 will contain changes focused on addressing reliability and performance issues, supporting new kinds of hardware, and adding support for several emerging standards. SP2 will also continue to make it easier for IT administrators to deploy and manage large installations of Windows Server 2008.

Service Pack 1 is a prerequisite for installing Service Pack 2. Please make sure that your system is running Service Pack 1 before you install Service Pack 2. Windows Server 2008 SP2 Release Candidate and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Release Candidate - Five Language Standalone version can be installed on systems with any of the following language versions: English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish.

Support for Windows Server 2008 SP2 Beta and Windows Vista SP2 Beta can be received by visiting the Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 TechNet forum.

TechNet Live! Windows Vista Deployment

Deeps — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:12:00 GMT

We ran our first TechNet Live! event 2 weeks ago using Live Meeting and will be running another one this week.

Title: Deploying Windows Vista into you Organisation

Abstract: In this session we will look at how to automate deployment of Windows Vista for small, medium, and large scale deployment scenarios. The session explores applications that help IT Professionals assess existing resources before deploying Vista SP1 operating system such as Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator and System Center Essentials. We will cover application deployment and planning scenarios to ensure that the right applications are deployed and to accelerate deployment for Vista desktop computers. We will over Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0 to ensure productivity applications can be deployed on Windows Vista seamlessly and User State Migration tool to migrate existing operating system settings. The session will explore small organization deployment scenarios that will walk you through deploying Windows Vista SP1 using Windows Deployments Services, Windows Update, and Windows Automated Installation Kit. For midsize businesses we will deploy Windows Vista SP1 using System Center Essentials to existing Windows Vista computers and Windows Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008 to provision new computers for Windows Vista SP1. System Center Configuration Manager will be used for large scale deployments and Windows Server Update Services for updating Windows Vista clients to Windows Vista SP1.

Date: Friday December 12th 2008
Time: 11:00AM – 12:15PM (GMT +10 Sydney Daylight Savings Time)
Location: Live Meeting
Click here to Register

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Customer Preview Program

Deeps — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:53:00 GMT

With today's launch of the Customer Preview Program (CPP) for Windows Vista® Service Pack 2 (SP2), we wanted to provide a brief synopsis of the elements in this service pack, and encourage you to download and test this release. Windows Vista SP2 is a traditional service pack release with all cumulative released security updates available since the SP1 release in March 2008. In addition, Windows Vista SP2 includes support for new types of hardware and emerging standards that will grow in importance in coming months, along with fixes discovered via automated error reporting as part of our Customer Experience Improvement program.

What makes the Windows Vista SP2 release unique is that it represents a single service pack which applies to both client (Windows Vista SP1) and server (Windows Server 2008) operating systems—since the code base for Windows Vista is shared with that for Windows Server® 2008, a single update can be deployed across your infrastructure. This service model also provides the ability to detect an incompatible driver and block service pack installation, or warn users of any loss of functionality during installation. Other highlights for IT pros include:

Emerging Hardware Support

Bluetooth 2.1 feature pack
Ability to record data on Blu-ray media
exFAT file system now supports UTC timestamps, which enables correct file synchronization across time zones
Support for the new VIA 64-bit CPU
Support for ICCD/CCID smart cards

Hyper-V

Provides the Hyper-V virtualization environment as a fully integrated feature of Windows Server 2008, including one free daughter OS with Windows Server 2008 Standard, four free licenses with Windows Server 2008 Enterprise and an unlimited number of free licenses with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter.

Security

Windows Vista SP2 incorporates previously released reliability updates, as well as addressing crashes discovered since the launch of Windows Vista SP1

Performance

Inclusion of Windows Search 4 for improved indexing performance, improved relevancy in search, broader indexing scenario inclusion, as well as new Group Policy integration for Windows Search
Reduction of resources required for sidebar gadgets

Wireless

Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless
Fixed issue where Wi-Fi connection was no longer available after resume from sleep

Administration and Support Improvements

Service pack clean-up tool: Restores hard disk space by permanently deleting the previous versions of the files (Windows Vista RTM and Windows Vista SP1) that are being serviced by Windows Vista SP2

We encourage you to download this service pack and test it on your lab machines. You should find that most if not all of your applications continue to function properly with this release. Also, we should point out that either Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Server 2008 is a prerequisite for installing this service pack.

Additional information on Windows Vista SP2 can be found in the Notable Changes in Windows Server 2008 SP2 Beta and Windows Vista SP2 Beta document. For more information on deploying and managing Windows Vista and related service packs, bookmark this blog and the Windows Client TechCenter at www.microsoft.com/springboard.

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta

Deeps — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:35:03 GMT

As announced on the Windows Vista Team Blog, Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta will be made available to a small group of Technology Adoption Program customers at the end of October. No final date has been set for release.

In addition to previously released updates since the launch of Windows Vista SP1, Windows Vista SP2 contains changes focused on supporting new types of hardware and adding support for several emerging standards:

Windows Vista SP2 adds Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches.
Windows Vista SP2 contains the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack supporting the most recent specification for Bluetooth Technology.
Ability to record data on to Blu-Ray media natively in Windows Vista.
Adds Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify Wi-Fi Configuration.
Windows Vista SP2 enables the exFAT file system to support UTC timestamps, which allows correct file synchronization across time zones.

Here are some resources on Windows Vista from TechNet Springboard:
How (and Why) to Get Going on Windows Vista Adoption
Deployment Stories and Case Studies
Five Ways Windows Vista Makes Deployment Easier
Answers to Common Deployment Questions

Cricinfo Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget

Deeps — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:28:34 GMT

Something cool and new for those Cricket fans out there is a new Cricinfo Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget. It has 3 tabs Live Scores, News and Photos. Handy little gadget to keep up to date with your favourite team and the upcoming Australian Summer of Cricket.

Windows Vista Performance and Tuning

Deeps — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:11:00 GMT

This guide from the Springboard Series focuses on performance improvements on a single computer, but also takes a look at some of the tools used in enterprise environments to help make performance tuning manageable on a much larger scale.

The guide looks at the following areas of performance improvement:

Making configuration changes that help a computer feel more responsive when you use it.
Using hardware to boost the actual physical speed of a computer.
Making configuration changes that help a computer to start faster.
Making the computer more reliable may help increase performance.
Monitoring performance occasionally so that you can stop problems before they get too big.

The "Mojave Experiment", Microsoft's next Operating System?

Deeps — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:45:29 GMT

The "Mojave Experiment" is a experiment where we disguised Windows Vista as codename "Mojave", the next Microsoft Operating System so people who have not used Vista can see what it does. Check out the results for yourself.

Windows Vista SP1 TechNet Update Events

Deeps — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:22:00 GMT

We will be having 2 Windows Vista SP1 TechNet Update Events in Sydney and Melbourne for IT Professionals. Details below.

Session 1 - Windows Vista Service Pack 1 – Updates and Improvements!
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) along with work from Microsoft’s hardware and software partners, brings improvements that address many of the key pieces of customer feedback, especially in the areas of compatibility, performance and reliability. SP1 also improves some management, deployment and support features, as well as power options for a greener PC. This session will cover what’s new, what has changed and the benefits that Windows Vista brings to your organization.

Session 2 - How Windows Vista makes desktop deployment easier!
Deploying desktop operating system can be challenging, time consuming and at times difficult! Find out how Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, together with Microsoft management technologies and the new Microsoft Deployment framework helps you address the desktop deployment challenges. This session will cover technologies such as the new Windows Automated Installation Kit, Application Compatibility Toolkit v5, Single Image deployments all leveraging the Microsoft System Centre management technologies.

Melbourne Registration
Tuesday 29th April 9am-11am (Registration from 8.30am)
Microsoft Melbourne Office
Entrance is around the corner from the PWC entrance.
Level 5, 4 Freshwater Place
PWC Building, Southbank Southbank Victoria 3006

Sydney Registration
Thursday 1st May 9am-11am (Registration from 8.30am)
Microsoft Head Office
Directions: Dehli rd or Epping rd are the main streets for driving into the corporate park
Go to the registration desk past the elevators on the ground floor. Parking available outside reception and also in the visitors carpark located at the rear of the building (Signs will direct you to the B1 carpark).
1 Epping Road
North Ryde North Ryde New South Wales 2113

Catering will be provided.

Free Windows Vista SP1 Installation and Compatibility Support

Deeps — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:27:00 GMT

For those who need support with installation with Windows Vista SP1, we have email and phone support. The email support response time is 1 business day and the phone support wait time says "will vary". Im keen to hear what your experience is if you use these support options.

Windows Vista SP1 Released to Windows Update

Deeps — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:14:42 GMT

Windows Vista users can download SP1 today through Windows Update :)
More info at http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/03/18/windows-vista-sp1-released-to-windows-update.aspx

On Demand reply of the Windows Vista Interactive Roundtable event

Deeps — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:19:43 GMT

If you missed the live streaming of the Windows Vista Interactive Roundtable with Mark Russinovich, its now available for viewing at https://ms.istreamplanet.com/events/Default.asp

"Vista SP1 up to 86% faster" - APCMAG.COM

Deeps — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:34:48 GMT

The title says it all http://apcmag.com/8373/vista_sp1_up_to_86_faster

Windows Vista Interactive Virtual Roundtable with a Microsoft Technical Fellow

Deeps — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:24:38 GMT

Microsoft Technical Fellow and desktop guru Mark Russinovich will be hosting an interactive virtual roundtable broadcast LIVE over the Internet on Wednesday, March 5^th. The only thing is its at 9am US Pacific Time and I don't know whether you will be awake to participate in the roundtable (I might be up). I have been told the roundtable will be made available to view on-demand later and you have the chance to ask Mark your questions that will answered in the session. Email your question to vrtable@microsoft.com anytime between now and the day of the event. The panel will answer as many questions as they can during the 60-minute event so take advantage of this opportunity to ask the experts and find out what you want to know about Windows Vista adoption.

For those of you who dont know Mark, check out his blog at http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich. For additional guidance, resources, tools, and straight-talk articles to help address your Windows Vista adoption questions, visit the Springboard Series for Windows Vista.

Windows Vista SP1 available for Download - TechNet Plus

Deeps — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:19:07 GMT

Good news for TechNet Plus subscribers chomping at the bits to get SP1, Windows Vista SP1 Update is available for download through the top downloads section at http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions.

What's available?
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86, x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x64) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)

The full install will be available towards the end of the month, Ill let you know when this is live.

My experience with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RTM

Deeps — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:35:55 GMT

With Vista SP1 RTM'ing (release to manufacture) I decided to install it on my work laptop, the Toshiba R500. The Windows Vista SP1 Update is around 550MB and it was an absolute breeze to set up. It took about an hour and a bit to finish up and after a few restarts I was ready to use my laptop again. After the first few hours of use I did notice a performance increase with applications loading up faster. Resuming from sleep mode also is quicker and the lag when logging in isn't there for me anymore. One of the things I noticed pre-SP1 that I found annoying was viewing images in the photo gallery. Whenever I use to click on an image or photo it would take a while to load up the image but now it loads up straight away. Copying files is definitely faster, I tried copying from an external disk and from the network drive and was happy with the results.

SP1 is great for IT Professionals because it will make your life easier around deployment and management of the technology. You will be able to maintain a single WinPE image because you can install 64-bit versions of Vista from a 32-bit OS. There is improvements in BitLocker drive encryption, it offers a multifactor authentication method which combines a key protected by TPM with a startup key on a USB device and a user generated PIN. There is also improvements in patch deployment and installation times for updates. There are many more changes so check out the plethora of improvements in Service Pack 1.

When can you get your hands on it?
From the Windows Vista Team Blog-
Here's the timing for SP1 availability for current Windows Vista users:

In mid-March, we will release Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Update (in English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese) and to the download center on microsoft.com. Customers who visit Windows Update can choose to install Service Pack 1. If Windows Update determines that the system has one of the drivers we know to be problematic, then Windows Update will not offer SP1. Since we know that some customers may want to update to SP1 anyhow, the download center will allow anyone who wants to install SP1 to do so.
In mid-April, we will begin delivering Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista customers who have chosen to have updates downloaded automatically. That said, any system that Windows Update determines has a driver known to not update successfully will not get SP1 automatically. As updates for these drivers become available, they will be installed automatically by Windows Update, which will unblock these systems from getting Service Pack 1. The result is that more and more systems will automatically get SP1, but only when we are confident they will have a good experience.
The remaining languages will RTM in April.

Maybe we should throw a party in March for SP1? Ill talk to Windows guys about it...