Before Installing Windows 7 run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

 

 

 

 

 

Many of you have been coming to the Windows 7 IT Pro launch events around the country.  At the event you have been getting a free, not-for-resale version of Windows 7 Ultimate.  I strongly suggest before you install Windows 7, especially if its an older machine, run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to make get a report on any potential driver or application problems.  I’ve had a few emails where people have installed Windows 7 only to find the video driver for a really old card is not available.

Remember, if you have an old machine, the hardware vendor may have made the decision not to write a Windows 7 driver. 

 

Bottom-line - check BEFORE you install by running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

TechNet Events Presents “Microsoft Virtualization Tour” for IT Pros!

TechNet Events Presents: TechNet Unleashed: The Microsoft Virtualization Tour Join our TechNet IT Evangelists as they hit the road again this fall to bring you the highlights of Microsoft’s great virtualization solutions. We’ll go from the desktop to the enterprise, starting with VHD native boot – a new feature for Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2. Next, we’ll move into Windows XP mode, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V™, and finish with System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM). AGENDA VHD Native Boot We’ll kick off the afternoon by exploring VHD Native Boot, which is a new feature for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. VHD Native Boot can be used as the running operating system on designated hardware – without a parent operating system, virtual machine, or hypervisor. This is one of the best virtualization features to date for technology professionals of every kind – from enterprise to small and medium-size business pros and consultants. Windows XP Mode With Windows XP Mode, it’s easy to install and run multiple Windows XP productivity applications directly from your Windows 7-based PC. Do you have application compatibility issues? Windows XP Mode can ease those compatibility headaches, because it gives you the best of both worlds. You can easily run older Windows XP business software – including web applications that require an old version of Internet Explorer® – while taking advantage of the many benefits of your Windows 7 desktop. This is a can’t-miss session for IT pros who juggle both new and established software and web applications. Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V It’s time to focus on enterprise with an overview of Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V. In this session, we’ll look at how to create virtual machines in Hyper-V and demonstrate how the snapshot feature can easily revert the virtual machine to a previous state. You’ll come away from this session with a sold understanding of all the capabilities and new features in Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V. System Center Virtual Machine Manager Finally, no virtualization discussion is complete without a conversation about management. When it comes to managing virtual infrastructures, System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 (SCVMM) is the best of the best. This member of the System Center family of system management products provides a straightforward, cost-effective solution for unified management of physical and virtual machines. Reservations are required and space is limited, so register TODAY to save your seat. For more information or to register, visit:www.technetevents.com OR CALL 1-877-MSEVENT Reston, VA >> November 30, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Alpharetta, GA >> December 1, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Rochester, NY >> December 2, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Charlotte, NC >> December 3, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Bridgewater, NJ >> December 7, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Waltham, MA >> December 9, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Malvern, PA >> December 11, 2009 1:00pm - 5:00pm Orlando, FL >> December 14, 2009 8:30am - 12:00pm   Seating for the live event is limited, so register today!!

Windows 7 Launch House Party: Albany, GA

We had a great Windows 7 Launch House Party at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in Albany, GA.  On the drive down from Atlanta after I came off of I-75 I passed miles of cotton fields.  You can see from the couple of pictures I took they are quite expansive, imagine mile after mile of these.  Amazing!

 

 

Got to the church in Albany around 5:30PM. 

 

We had over 20 people attend, and had some interesting and fun food.  Windows 7 cup cakes, a “Windows 7 Its Here!!” cake, 7-grain bread sandwiches with pimento cheese (forgot to take a picture) and of course all of this was washed down with 7UP!!!  :-)

 

    

 

We had some local IT experts involved too, with Zach demoing Windows 7, assisted by James and Miles, all from Neovoxx Computers of Albany. 

 

All in all we had a very interactive audience with lots of questions.  Everyone seemed very excited and enjoyed the Windows 7 demonstration.  At the end of the evening we had raffle for the party giveaways with the $75 proceeds going to a local charity.

TechNet Radio: PASS Community Summit 2009 – SQL Server Heroes Unite

Here’s an interview I recorded with TechNet radio last month on the SQL PASS Community Summit:

“In this episode of TechNet Radio, we preview the upcoming SQL PASS Community Summit, the largest SQL Server / BI conference in the world. We’ll hear from industry experts Wayne Snyder, Buck Woody, and Michael Rys. Topics include state of the industry and PASS conference’s value to IT Pros, manageability features in SQL Server 2008, spatial data support in SQL Server 2008, and the advanced BI capabilities delivered with Excel 2010 & Project Gemini.”

"TechNet Radio: PASS Community Summit 2009 – SQL Server Heroes Unite" Interview

PowerPoint Decks for Alpharetta Firestarter Event

Many of the attendees at the event asked for the PowerPoint decks for the Firestarter event.  If you were on the webcast they were available in the Handout section, if not I have posted them all at the following Skydrive Location: PowerPoint Decks for Alpharetta Firestarter Event

There are still seats available for the Baltimore, MD and Washington DC New Efficiency Windows 7 Launch Events

 

Register today!!!!  Just click on the city you want to attend!!!!

 

Special TechNet Plus Subscription Promotion – 25%-OFF

That’s right!!  Save 25% ($87.25) off of a TechNet Plus Direct Subscription,

and even more on others!

Use Promotion Code TMSAM05 (that’s ZERO-5) at:  http://www.microsoft.com/technet/subscription

Microsoft Security Essentials: FREE anti-virus Software Download From Microsoft

Some of you may have missed the announcement for Microsoft Security Essentials a few weeks ago, but now you know about it there is no excuse not to have anti-virus software on your home PC.

 

What is Microsoft Security Essentials?

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.  It is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.

 

What About Business PCs?

If you need malware protection for business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems then look no further than Forefront Client Security.  Forefront Client Security provides unified malware protection that is easy to manage and control. By delivering simplified administration through central management and providing critical visibility into threats and vulnerabilities, Forefront Client Security helps you protect your business with great confidence and efficiency. Additionally, Forefront Client Security SP1 is now available and provides support for Windows Server 2008 roles. 

 

Where Can I get Forefront Client Security?

A 120-day trial version of Forefront Client Security can be download from here.  You're automatically registered to receive valuable resources delivered at strategic intervals throughout the software evaluation period.

 

*  Your PC must run genuine Windows

First Meeting for New User Group: Philadelphia Area Exchange Server User Group

Are you in Philadelphia and interested in Microsoft Exchange?  Then the LAUNCH of a new user group, the Philadelphia Exchange Server User Group is something you don’t want to miss.  Attend their FIRST meeting on November 10, 2009 at the Microsoft office in Malvern. 

Where is the Microsoft Office?

45 Liberty Blvd, Suite 201, Malvern, PA 19355  (See Bing Map below).

What Time Is the Meeting?

Meeting will start at 6:00 pm.

 

Where Do i Register?

If you are interested in attending the event in person, please Register for event here.

Windows 7 Firestarter in Alpharetta, GA Oct 17th, 2009 - Not in Atlanta? Then Join Us Online!!!!!

Mark October 17th on your calendar and sign up for the Firestarter event!!!    Whatif you’re not close to Alpharetta, GA?  Not a problem, we’ll be simulcasting the event LIVE, you’ll just have to supply yourself with coffee and donuts  :-)

 

Where?

At the Microsoft Alpharetta Office in the Centennial Park conference room.  Office is located at 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 300 Alpharetta Georgia 30009

Event Overview

Windows® 7 introduces some fantastic new technologies to streamline your business, enhance security and save you money. We’ll start this Windows Firestarter event from the users point of view and have a fun and lively introduction to some of the new features in Windows 7.   Next we’ll move onto DirectAccess and show how remote users can connect seamlessly to the corporate network, giving them virtually the same experience as being in the office, all of this without VPN!  We’ll then move on and learn how to protect your drives and data with BitLocker™ and show how Windows 7 extends this protection to USB drives with BitLocker-To-Go™.  Finally we’ll round off the day with an in-depth look at how to automate your deployments of Windows 7 with System Center Configuration Manager.  This information packed, demo intensive day will kick-start your Windows 7 knowledge and get you well on the way to being prepared for deploying Windows 7!  

Click on link to register for the IN-PERSON event in Alpharetta.

Click on link to register for the live WEBCAST. 

How Do I Get Rid of Phantom or Hidden Devices?

I did a post recently about Extending Your Activation Grace Period on Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2. I had been working on some virtual machines I needed for a presentation I was doing and needed to get the machines up running without burning a product key and activating. Once I resolved my issue by extending the activation grace period the machines booted up fine. I was able to log on and get down to prepping my demos.

Not so fast. I found that my machine had a network adapter called Local Area Connection 2 and it was configured for DHCP, which was strange, where did the original Local Area Connection go that had the correct IP address in it? I looked in the Device Manager and didn’t see another network adapter, even when I select Show hidden devices in the view dropdown menu. That’s OK, I’ll just configure this new network adapter the way it should be, with IP address of 192.168.0.10. I get an error telling me that the address is already being used by another adapter in the machine, if I continue I could get address conflicts if the adapter gets enabled. I tell it to go ahead and configure it anyway.

Once done I'm back looking at my network connections. I want to rename my connection from Local Area Connection 2 to Corpnet, but it says I can’t, again saying there’s a connection already called Corpnet. This is annoying me now!!  :-)

I find out that what I need to do is set a system variable that will actually enable me to see the hidden devices in Device Manager.

So How Did I Do it?

In order to work around this display phantom/hidden device when using the Show hidden devices in Device Manager I had to set the correct variable. See the following couple of steps:

1. Bring up a Command Prompt.
2. At the command prompt, type the BOLDED lines, pressing ENTER after each line:
   1. set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
   2. start devmgmt.msc
3. Click on the View menu and select Show hidden devices.

Lo and behold there’s my phantom device!!! I deleted it with pleasure and was now able to rename my connection to Corpnet. All is well in the Baker demo world.   :-)

NOTE: When you quit Device Manager and close the Command Prompt window, the set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 variable is turned off so you cannot see the phantom devices.  If you want it to be there permanently configure it as a system variable on the computer.

“NEW Efficiency!” Launch Event - Windows 7 Resources

Special TechNet Plus Subscription Promotion – 25%-OFF

That’s right!!  Save $87.25 off of a TechNet Plus Direct Subscription,
and even more on others!
Use Promotion Code TMSAM05 (that’s ZERO-5) at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/subscription

 

THRIVE: Me >> My Skills >> My Organization

http://www.microsoft.com/click/thrive/

 

General Windows 7 Resources

“the NEW efficiency” Web Site - www.thenewefficiency.com

Windows 7 Enterprise Edition 90-day Trial

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc442495.aspx

Welcome to Winodws 7 - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx

TechNet Edge - Windows 7 Screencasts - http://edge.technet.com/Tags/Windows+7/

Windows 7 Springboard - http://www.microsoft.com/springboard

Training Offers (Specifically for you launch attendees!)

www.microsoft.com/learning/careeroffers

Talking About Windows - http://www.talkingaboutwindows.com

The Windows Team Blogs (includes the Window 7 Team Blog, among others)

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/

 

Windows 7 for the Optimized Desktop

MDOP – Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/mdop/default.aspx

The Official MDOP Blog - http://blogs.technet.com/mdop

Screencast: Using Windows PowerShell 2.0

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Using-Windows-PowerShell-20-Windows-7-Demo-Screencast-3-of-5/

Screencast: Troubleshooting in Windows 7

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Troubleshooting-Packs-Windows-7-Demo-Screencast-5-of-5/

 

Windows 7: Make People Productive Anywhere

Screencast: Install and Configure Hosted BranchCache for Web Services

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Install-and-Configure-Hosted-BranchCache-for-Web-Services-SRV311-Part-4-of-5/

Screencast: Install and Configure Distributed BranchCache for File Services

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Install-and-Configure-Distributed-BranchCache-for-File-Services-SRV311-Part-5-of-5/

Screencast: Configuring DirectAccess

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Configuring-DirectAccess-Windows-Server-2008-R2-Demo-Screencast-5-of-5/

Screencast: Using Search Federation

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Using-Search-Federation-Windows-7-Demo-Screencast-2-of-5/

 

Windows 7 Enhanced Security and Control

Screencast: Configuring AppLocker

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Configuring-AppLocker-Windows-7-Demo-Screencast-4-of-5/

Screencast: BitLocker To Go

http://edge.technet.com/Media/Windows-7-Screencast-BitLocker-To-Go/

Engineering Windows 7 Blog – User Account Control

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/10/08/user-account-control.aspx

 

Windows 7 Deployment Enhancements

Windows 7 Feature Walkthroughs - very usefulscreencasts...

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd320282.aspx

...such as the video "Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7"

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd671583.aspx

TechNet Edge - Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 with the
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Beta (USMT "Hardlink" feature)

http://edge.technet.com/Media/User-State-Migration-with-Windows-7/

DirectAccess Scaling and High Availability

I was asked at today’s TechNet Unleashed event in Malvern, PA what the scalability and high availability options were with DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2.  I wasn’t certain, but thought that NLB was an option, so I said I would find out.  Well here’s the results of my research.  I found a detailed description on Configuring a network load balanced array for Forefront UAG DirectAccess.  (Click here for more information). 

What’s Forefront UAG you ask?

Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) provides remote access to applications, networks, and internal resources from diverse client endpoints through a single point of entry.

Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) is a remote access solution that provides a gateway for managed and non-managed endpoints to access corporate applications and resources, as follows:

• Remote access─Remote users can access internal applications and resources from a diverse range of endpoints and locations. Users can access Web and non-Web applications, gain full VPN access to corporate networks, and access internal file shares and structures. Forefront UAG can act as a consolidated gateway providing access to multiple internal applications via a single portal, or provide access to a single Web application.
• Application intelligence─Broad application support is provided for a wide range of Microsoft and third-party applications. Customizable application optimizer modules are predefined for specific applications. Optimizers consist of predefined settings and values that provide optimum settings for accessing a specific application via a Forefront UAG site. Default values and settings are based on in-depth research into application behavior, browser-server interactions, and endpoint requirements.
• Security and access control─Forefront UAG enhances security and increases corporate compliance with granular remote access control. Control mechanisms include policy-based access controls, user authentication, and authorization for portal applications.
• Frontend and backend authentication─Forefront UAG allows you to preauthenticate clients for session and application access, before requests are passed to backend servers published via Forefront UAG. Forefront UAG also provides a single sign-on authentication experience by delegating credentials to backend applications that require authentication.

From the Configuring a network load balanced array for Forefront UAG DirectAccess page linked above:

This topic provides information about how to configure a Network Load Balancing (NLB) array for Forefront UAG DirectAccess.

Forefront UAG integrates NLB functionality provided by Windows Server 2008 R2 with additional functionality that enables load balancing of Forefront UAG DirectAccess servers. Forefront UAG NLB provides load balancing for up to 8 Forefront UAG DirectAccess array members.

Forefront UAG enables load balancing of SSL based traffic in addition to Forefront UAG DirectAccess based traffic. In order to do load balancing for all Forefront UAG DirectAccess traffic, which is IPv6 based, Forefront UAG NLB must examine the IPv4 tunneling for all transition technologies. Because IP-HTTPS traffic is encrypted, examining the content of the IPv4 tunnel is not possible (for more information, see Connectivity). To enable IP-HTTPS traffic to be load balanced, you must allocate a wide enough IPv6 prefix to enable the Forefront UAG to assign a different IPv6 /64 prefix to each of the nodes. For example, 2 array members require a /63 prefix (which enables Forefront UAG to define a /64 address for each array member); 8 array members require a /61 prefix (which enables Forefront UAG to define a /64 address for each array member). This prefix must be routable to the Forefront UAG DirectAccess array, and is configured during the Forefront UAG DirectAccess Configuration. For more information, see Configuring IPv6 prefix addresses.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Released!!!!

If you’re in the business of deploying Windows you’ll be pleased to know that the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 has been released!!!

 

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 supports deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.

 

From the download website:

Overview

Deploy Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with the newly released Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. MDT is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT provides you with the following benefits:

• Unified tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment in a common deployment console and collection of guidance.
• Reduced deployment time and standardized desktop and server images, along with improved security and ongoing configuration management.
• Fully automated Zero Touch Installation deployments by leveraging System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 Release Candidate and Windows deployment tools. For those without a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure, MDT leverages Windows deployment tools for Lite Touch Installation deployments.

What’s New in MDT 2010

Improvements to the newest version of MDT allow you to:

• Access deployment shares from anywhere on the network and replicate files and settings across organizational boundaries or sites.
• Organize and manage drivers, operating systems, applications, packages, and task sequences with an improved UI.
• Automate UI functionality using the Windows PowerShell command line interface.

Choosing the Right Version

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is offered in two versions to support Solution Accelerator component installation on x64 or x86 hosts. Select the version that corresponds with your host hardware type. Both versions of MDT 2010 support deployment of x86 and x64 Windows operating systems.

The Atlanta Small Business Server Group

If you’re in the Atlanta area and work with Microsoft Small Business Server you’ll probably be interested in joining this user group.  Their meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, from 4:30 to 6:30PM.

It’s a great place to network with like minded IT Professionals that serve the small and mid-sized business segment in the Atlanta area.  They have a variety of resources for their members including opportunities to learn more about SBS and other topics!!

 

If you’re interested in joining go to http://www.atlsbs.com/.