Search results matching tags 'networking', 'internet explorer', and 'Mobility'

Windows vs Walls

Keith Combs — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The Glass is 10% Full

Keith Combs — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 08:00:00 GMT

Do you ever look to the past to see what the future holds? You should. I cut my computer teeth long before most people. My computer heritage goes back to my diapers. Dear Dad was a career IBMer and I was playing with IBM Selectric typewriters and dictaphones long before most people had ever seen Lotus 1-2-3. During a recent discussion with Rodney Clark, a rising Microsoft executive and the leader of my org, I found out he and I have very similar roots in that regard. His Dad was also a career IBMer. We both have technology in our genes.

The passion for technology was ingrained in me at a very early age. Hugh MacLeod talks about the rebirth of Microsoft in "The Microsoft Question" blog post and why he keeps an eye on us. He makes a lot of good points and gives the "Scoble Effect" a lot of credit. I think the core for a lot of the rebirth he describes is passion.

Have you ever seen Steve Ballmer on stage talking to Microsoft employees at our annual sales and technical pilgrimage? Talk about passion. His passion is strong enough to focus the troops in a direction, for months. When you watch the channel9.msdn.com videos produced by Scoble, Charles and Rory, you see passionate Microsoft people.

Successful companies hire passionate people. Passion also means not resting on your laurels.

So back to my original question... Do you look back? Should successful companies and people look back? I think they should. It's especially refreshing to look back at the progress that's been made over the past 15-20 years. Just look at Windows. See the history of Windows at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryDesktop.mspx. While you are at it, take a look at the Internet Explorer history. Some would say IE helped Microsoft rise from the ashes.

When I rewind, I think about Windows 3.x and the integration work I used to do with the Novell Netware 3.x of that era. Anyone remember Network Courier or Microsoft Mail? I still remember running my first COBOL compile with Microfocus COBOL on a personal computer. I was in heaven. Sure beats a 3270 emulator and CA Abendaide.

Last week I was in Las Vegas. We had just announced Microsoft Office 2007 had RTM'd and I knew the Windows Vista announcement would be coming soon. I am totally energized about all of this and had an absolute blast demonstrating the products. I was also working with some other Microsoft veterans of plus ten years. All of the veterans were super stoked. New products will do that.

Interesting enough, almost as soon as we announced the Windows Vista RTM, my brain had already placed the check mark next to Windows Vista and was on to what's next... Exchange Server 2007, Longhorn Server, Virtualization management, network management, etc.

Are great companies reborn? Or do they hire passionate people who want to change the world? Are passionate people ever satisfied? Is Microsoft done? What else is left to do? I think the answer is obvious...

The glass is 10% full.

Watching the TechED 2006 action poolside

Keith Combs — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 07:00:00 GMT

Get your frozen margarita, dual core laptop and favorite rubber ducky and head to the pool. Might as well since this year you’ll be able to watch and listen to the festivities on the http://VirtualTechEd.com website. It’ll be interesting to see how much of the show, seminars and “social” events are actually broadcast.

I would recommend tuning into the opening keynote on 6/11 at 7pm EST. We’ll have Ray Ozzie, Bob Muglia and Chris Capossela showing off some kewl stuff. Maybe they’ll do some of those kewl virtualization demos, or something fascinating from Windows Vista. It sure would be kewl if they did a BDD of Halo 3 to 1000 workstations and waiting TechEd gamers. Now that my friends is business desktop deployment. Time to get down to business fragging.

And yes, this is a current shot of the homepage at virtualteched.com from my patio. The laptop is on battery so the brightness is a bit low and obviously the exposure is set for the background, not the black Lenovo Thinkpad T60 in the foreground. The picture doesn’t do the pool justice but as you’ll recall, it’s big enough for a few of your friends. Sorry, you can’t see the “refreshments” just to the left of the laptop. Gotta go work on on some important business.

Got a phat internet connection? Download Windows Vista Beta 2 now!!!

Keith Combs — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 07:00:00 GMT

So I missed the date by a few hours, but you can help us bring the internet to it’s knees by downloading Windows Vista Beta 2 today!!! Ok, depending on your connection, maybe not today but hopefully shortly there after. After the download is complete burn the .iso image to DVD and you’ll have a shiny new operating system to test.

Go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx and decide if you want to order the DVD kit or download the bits right now.

As you can see, this is a rather large download so you’ll need to be patient with it. It might make more sense for you to simply order the DVD. The price will vary by region but to give you an idea, it’s $6 for the DVD, $4 for shipping and some taxes for me here in sunny 100 degree Texas. That’s slightly over $10 if you want to conserve bandwidth.

UPDATE: Well, we’ll hardly bring the internet to its knees when we get these. I was going through the process of trying the download for myself (so I could share your pain), and I got the lovely message to the right (click the thumb for better detail).

You can’t really read it, but it has bad news. I basically says our data center is a bit busy right now.

Now I’m really going to try to download the whole thing to see how long it takes. With my 15meg connection, it should take about an hour. Place yer bets.

It's back !!! - The Book of Windows Vista - download now

Keith Combs — Wed, 24 May 2006 07:00:00 GMT

As you’ll recall, I posted a preliminary version of the Windows Vista Product Guide (also known as “The Book of Windows Vista”) a few weeks ago. It was in .xps form and initial feedback was very good. However, in order to view and print the must have information, you needed to install WinFX. XPS is the XML Paper Specification. Well, we got some good critical feedback and guess what, we listened.

Now, you can download this puppy in Microsoft word or XPS format. Careful though, it’s not your daddies download. It’s 60MB of rich knowledge transfer. It’s a comprehensive view of the feature set in Windows Vista. There are consumer oriented chapters. There are chapters devoted to the IT Pro feature set.

You’ll need to decide if you are going be eco friendly or not. Use it in “digital” form or send it to your trusty duplex printer. Either way, I think you’ll enjoy this guide as you take your journeys to the wonderful world that is Windows Vista.

It’s my understanding this will also be printed and sold in a hard back format. I think it would make a nice edition in my library. Maybe I can get Brian or Jim to autograph one for me. Now that would really be kewl.

UPDATE 5/25/2006: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bbc16ebf-4823-4a12-afe1-5b40b2ad3725&DisplayLang=en contains the links to the .xps and .doc versions.

Enjoy my friends!!!

Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC) - love it?

Keith Combs — Thu, 18 May 2006 07:00:00 GMT

There has been a raging debate inside and outside of Microsoft about the new security feature in Windows Vista called UAC. UAC stands for User Account Control. The debate has raged mostly about the effectiveness of the feature. Do a search on www.live.com for vista uac and you’ll see what I mean. The mainstream press has even decided this topic is worthy of “debate”.

By effectiveness, I mean that most of the negative articles mention that your are prompted so often for elevation consent, that you become a drone hitting the enter key without really looking closely at why you are being prompted.

Let’s get one thing straight about the feature set… you can control this. In the snip I have posted, you can see the policies that are available that control the behavior of this feature.

The policies can be set and controlled locally via secpol.msc, or via a Windows Active Directory Group Policy. In the snip above, you can see I took a harsh stance on the policies for my machine. I’m currently running a Windows Vista Beta 2 release candidate and have been running with these policies for over three weeks.

Keep in mind Windows Vista is in development. You get to tell us what is the right balance of security and control. Windows Vista Beta 2 is almost ready. Install it and try it for yourself. Post feedback to the UAC blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/uac/archive/2006/01/22/516066.aspx where they’ve outlined the settings and their meanings.

See the Step-By-Step at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/0d75f774-8514-4c9e-ac08-4c21f5c6c2d9.mspx

See http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/security/uacppr.mspx for more information.

See the Application Compatibility article at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/deploy/appcompat/acshims.mspx. This is a very nice resource and you should devote some time to reading that article (recently updated).

Windows Vista App Compat Readiness Labs @ TechEd06

Keith Combs — Thu, 04 May 2006 07:00:00 GMT

An unique opportunity to get one-on-one time with our Windows Vista application compatibility experts during the Windows Vista Readiness Applications Compatibility Labs at TechEd 2006. Bring your own Applications to test and troubleshoot and/or try out our self paced labs to test and catch up on the exciting new enhancements and opportunities Windows Vista has to offer – all in a single room.

Windows Vista Readiness Labs TechEd06

June 12th – 16th, 2006

Room 108, First Floor

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
415 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Application Developers (ISV and IT) are invited to the Windows Vista Readiness App Compat labs at TechEd06!

Use our test application to learn about changes that could affect applications in the Windows Vista environment.
Bring your Applications to the Vista Readiness Lab and have our experts assist in evaluating and debugging compatibility issues in your app.
In a single HoL session you will understand how to setup, run and uninstall scenarios for Vista and learn more about new features like UAC and how they can impact applications.
Spend 1:1 time with our Vista App Compat experts – learn how to fix your applications directly from Microsoft Development teams and experience the enhancements and opportunities Vista has to offer.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the (ACT) Application Compatibility Toolkit that would help enterprises to evaluate upgrade and deployment to Windows Vista options while reducing testing and other costs to a minimum. Additionally, ACT can be used by developers to learn about areas in their applications that need to be addressed.

How would you solve this security problem?

Keith Combs — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 07:00:00 GMT

Steve Riley sent me an email message about a post on his blog. He needs feedback from all of you on how to solve a challenging problem. The challenge revolves around using public computers or kiosks to access your corporate data. If we all used smartcards, and all machines had smartcard readers, then we’d have a nice multi factor auth system. However, smartcard utopia doesn’t exist.

You can read a nice description of the problem at http://blogs.technet.com/steriley/archive/2006/04/20/425824.aspx.

So what would you like a two factor authentication system to look and act like? Give Steve some good feedback at the post linked above.

My solution would be to create a smartcard emulator on a USB flash “drive”. Securely store the certs on the device. USB is a pretty prevalent port on machines, at least more so than anything else I can think of. Would that work?

Windows Vista Security - webcast questions and answers (tons)

Keith Combs — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 07:00:00 GMT

Today was a blast!!! Webcasts are fun, nerve racking, exciting, tense, glorious, chilling… notice the see saw? My job is to make sure the webcast is smooth as Aero Glass so that any issues don’t distract you from the information I’m discussing. This webcast could have easily been four hours. There is soo much information related to Windows Vista Security, there’s no way to get much coverage in 60 minutes. So thanks for your time today and I promise some killer screencasts on this blog, and the blogs of my team. We are building a screencast plan for Windows Vista, Exchange Server, Longhorn Server, Office, and a bunch of other products.

Thanks to the gentlemen that helped with today’s webcast. Kevin Remde, Blain Barton, John Weston, Michael J Murphy and Shawn Travers all helped out today. The question and answer log below reflects their contribution which as you can see, is very significant. Thanks guys.

I did use editorial license a bit below… but hey, it’s my blog. Enjoy!

Question: If you use the Vista Bits Locker does that block tools like On-Track Data Recoverer from being able to retrieve data off a failing hard drive?
Private Answer: Yes. You'll get the bits, but you won't be able to make sense of them.

Question: Where can I get the technical info being presented? The presentation does not contain any technical details about Vista
Answer: Best source currently is the Windows Vista web site: www.microsoft.com/windowsvista. Subscribe to the RSS feeds there to be notified when new information is available.

Question: Is it true, that there will be released a new build on connect today ?
Private Answer: I don't know the answer to that. Sorry.

Question: What resolution do you have your monitor set at?
Private Answer: I was running the host OS at 1280x1024 and the vm guest OS’s at 1024x768. LiveMeeting disables part of the color support.

Question: I have not been able to get the beta yet
Answer: Sign up here for the next beta: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/beta/preregister.mspx

Question: Will Vista have Group Policy to enable the desktop firewall when not connected directly to the system's primary DNS Domain network?
Answer: Yes. Same as currently available with XP. (XP SP2 introduced that capability as well.)

Question: I installed Build 5308 yesterday. Will the April CTP have an upgrade option?
Answer: The next "CTP" is going to be Beta 2, and I believe upgrade will be possible - though I wouldn't count on an upgrade from older builds or CTPs to be successful.

Question: Vista is a desktop OS? Longhorn will be the server OS?
Answer: correct

Question: XP SP2 you can 'Prohibit the use of Internet Connection Firewall on your DNS Domain network', but I don't see where you can do that for the desktop Firewall- those are two separate things - right?
Answer: The "Windows Firewall" is the desktop firewall included in SP2 for XP and SP1 for Windows Server 2003. It is the next version of what WAS known as ICF (Internet Connection Firewall), so yes, they are the same thing.

Question: Is IE 7.0 avaliable for Windows XP?
Answer: The beta is, download here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/ie7/ie7betaredirect.mspx

Question: will IE 7 be available without vista
Answer: Yes. You can download the beta now, as a matter of fact.

Question: Is there going to be a 64bit beta release?
Answer: absolutely

Question: Will IE7 run on 2k or just vista and xp?
Answer: Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2003.

Question: Keith mentioned about using IE7 for himself. I cannot run it at work, but was thinking about running it on my home PC which is XP SP2. Since it is not the "officially" released version, does running it at home pose any issues I may need to consider?
Answer: The only issues you might encounter have to do with some web applications that might not yet be supported. But for the most part it works really really well.

Question: When can we expect a 64 bit Vista or IE 7 Beta?
Answer: 64bit Windows Vista will be released the very same day as 32bit. The versions are being kept completely in sych as they are built. (It's essentially just a recompile of the same code.)

Question: Is there going to be a tool for administrators to monitor and manage MS Firewall for users?
Answer: Through Group Policy you can manage it, monitoring network traffic to ensure compliance can be done with any network monitor

Question: To take full advantage of Vista Firewall, does it require Longhorn?
Answer: No

Question: I have been having issues installing Flash player and other apps on Vista
Answer: This is why we have the beta process. It’s important to report issues you see so that we can make changes to the OS if needed, or report issues to other companies.

Question: What is the release date for the flavors of Vista?
Answer: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/mar06/03-21WindowsVistaDeliveryPR.mspx

Question: how do I get Vista?
Answer: Sign up here for the next beta: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/beta/preregister.mspx

Question: are regular users with default user profile have the abiulity run programs in any mode , say "run as admin or power user" on the fly?
Answer: As long as they have an admin/Power User Name and password, yes

Question: Do you have some recommendations for Vista capable Anti-Virus programs?
Answer: Windows OneCare. (You can try out the beta now on XP. www.windowsonecare.com. And if you try the beta, you can purchase one year for only $19.95 instead of the $49.95 or whatever it will be when it ships in a couple months.)

Question: Firewall: Will there be some kind of centralized log collection to monitor the clients?
Answer: I am unaware of anything native for the Firewall on the clients, however, MOM may be able to supply much of that desired funcionality

Question: A program error with IE7, will you be able to go into Control Panel Add/Remove Programs and run a Repair on IE7?
Answer: I don't know if that will be allowed in the final build. I know that with the beta 2 preview you can remove it (it shows up as an "update" in Add/Remove Programs list.)

Question: Can a 64 bit IE 7 be found now?
Answer: From the beta download site "Evaluation of Internet Explorer 7 should start now, but the software should not be used on production systems in mission-critical environments. Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 Preview - released on March 20th - will only run on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) systems, but will ultimately be available for Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, and Windows Server 2003. "

Question: Is IE7.x going to have a IE Admin kit for automated deployment or something else?
Answer: I expect that they will have either a kit or some other specs for automated deployment, yes.

Question: Second level of authentication can be used with First, or second level a failover only?
Answer: Multiple authentication techniques are generally intended to be used in combination or be cumulative. An exception example would be the "Run As" in which I am launching a process under another set of credentials, independent of whatever my current login. In the case of the firewall demo, Keith mentioned this because if you are unable to contact the key authentication mechanism like a Kerberos server, you could fallback to using a Certificate or an older technology like NTLM.

Question: Is there a white paper on Vista firewall/GPO settings someplace?
Answer: See the step by step guides Keith has listed at http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2006/02/25/420540.aspx. Close to the top of the list of those guides is the Group Policy guide. You’ll also want to review the goodies at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/default.mspx. There will be a lot more information coming in the new couple of months as we get closer to the release of Beta 2.

Question: will Vista run smoothly on my 2003 computer made for XP?
Answer: Probably, if you have 512MB or more RAM, a 1.5GHz processor, and 64MB video memory on a video adapter that supports the new WDDM driver APIs from Microsoft.

Question: will there be group policies to controle and setup the firewall in an AD environment?
Answer: Absolutely

Question: He mentioned that firewall rules are scriptable....can you elaborate on how to begin something like that.
Answer: That's true in XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1 also, for the windows firewall. You can configure the firewall using the "netsh firewall" commands.

Question: Ok on Windows OneCare. I use it on my XP boxes but the install requirements say it requires XP and IE6. My Vista Security Center is screaming that it wants anit-virus protection now.
Answer: Right. Windows OneCare will satisfy your Security Center.

Question: when can I down this webcast
Answer: within 24 hours. Look in the on demand webcast area for April 17, 2006. http://www.microsoft.com/events/webcasts/ondemand.mspx

Question: If youy install IE7 beta on an existing IE 6, do u still have the option of running both versions or basically installing IE7 is like an upgrade?
Answer: It is an upgrade; and it currently IS uninstallable, also, if you have any problems.

Question: I have a few AutoIT scripts that have 'run as' inside. Is that still an option in Vista?
Answer: To the best of knowledge that will be supported

Question: Can certain applications be setup to automatically run with admin rights?
Answer: Yes - it is part of the application compatibility options.

Question: the complexity of the firewall can be covered by existing server 2003 methods (group policies / templates) ?
Answer: No. The Windows Server 2003 built-in firewall does not have outbound rules as demonstrated today.

Question: The consent prompts... does Vista remember you're responses to Allow or Deny so you aren't prompted each time?
Answer: No. You'll be asked every time.

Question: I get quite a few prompts when launching apps that state "run dll as app" Do you want to allow this? Is that the firewall or a security policy in Vista?
Answer: It’s the Windows Vista security. Depending on the build of Vista depends on what you see as we tune this.

Question: Would you recommend using Vista on my everyday home usage PC? Or should I wait unitl a later build or the final release?
Answer: I would wait until the next Beta, and then I would test that build first before relying on it for production (or even regular home) use.

Question: is there a way to override the Admin authentication for a period of time? This could be very annoying during a manual build... being prompted 30 times to install 30 apps will be time consuming and unnessessary
Answer: yes, they can be disabled

Question: When is the estimated date for the next beta? How many more betas are planned before the final release?
Answer: Next Beta will likely be May or possibly June (not yet announced, I don't think). No word on other betas beyond that either.

Question: Will the Beta be available with all the versions:i.e premium ,ultimate etc.?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Okay, regarding the question about auto configuring an app to run with admin rights, can it also be setup to not prompt the user for an admin password and username?
Answer: You'll have to provide those as part of the script, which you may consider to be a security issue in and of itself, but doable, yes

Question: Will Vista or IE7 provide functionality to contain internet zone activity within a protected virtual shell like products such as Greenborder which flushes once the active session ends?
Private Answer: I am unaware of any native functionality like you describe

Question: Am I correct in saying that in Vista, basically every program/software install requires some form of authentication. Now if you have local admin rights, are you still prompted ?How come my questions are not being answered??
Answer: Yes, you will still be prompted, the idea is prevent any malicious/background/intrusive software from being loaded without your knowledge. Can you turn the prompts off? Yes, but I encourage you not to

Question: what's his blog address again?
Answer: http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs

Question: No need to answer: I would hope that a possible feature would be added in the future in the profile of the startup icon that would have the ability to accept a username and password to specified by the admin (sort of like start-up credentials for services). I would not want to creat a script because the password can't be encrypted.
Answer: Understood, thanks for the feedback

Question: Keith used TPM. Can you tell me what it means?
Answer: Trusted Platform Module see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/help/b7931dd8-3152-4d3a-a9b5-84621660c5f5.mspx?mfr=true

Question: Sorry for off topic but does Acrobat Reader run on Vista yet ? Can't install Acrobat Reader on Vista :( Error msg: You need Windows NT4 ServicePack 6 or Windows 200 ServicePack2 and up. ?
Answer: There are some known bugs with some of the recent versions of the Acrobat 7 installers. They are working on fixing this.

Question: How to integrate Lenovo Fingerprint in Vista?
Answer: The Lenovo ThinkPad T60 Keith is using supports TPM and also has custom written software to take advantage of the fingerprint reader. See http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-46391 for information on the software they use. We expect Lenovo to ship updates shortly after Windows Vista releases, or at least we hope that happens. Be sure to scan more than one finger.

Question: Does the bitlocker encprytion, when encrypted use more disk space then when not encrypted?
Answer: Yes, there is some overhead, but it is not alot see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/help/b7931dd8-3152-4d3a-a9b5-84621660c5f5.mspx?mfr=true Also see the BitLocker guide listed at http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2006/02/25/420540.aspx

Question: Will bitlocker be supported on hardware RAID disk systems? If so will we need to unlock the machine if we replace on of the disks?
Answer: see http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/help/b7931dd8-3152-4d3a-a9b5-84621660c5f5.mspx?mfr=true Also see the BitLocker guide listed at http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2006/02/25/420540.aspx

Question: where I can download the new build of windows vista?
Answer: It's available as part of your MSDN Universal subscription or TechNet Plus suscription and through some Beta programs, it is not available for public/general download

Question: Can there be 3rd party drivers like lenovo Fingerprint installed in Bitlocker Pre-boot authentication?
Answer: Yes, the plan is to support 3rd party integration, though that will be vendor specific

Question: with BitLocker, will the need for PGP still be there
Answer: BitLocker competes with other volume and disk encryption products on the market.

Question: Versions of Windows Vista:
Answer: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/versions/default.mspx

Question: Will Defender have Settings more accesible? Like the 1st antispy release?
Answer: Yes

Question: I guess we'll have to update all our GPO templates for Vista.
Answer: Everyone will. With the new OS I would anticipate a variety of improvements you'll want to manage centrally. Only way to do that is load the new adm's

Question: Can I get antivirus through Vista?
Answer: Yes. You will be able to use Windows OneCare, or other non-microsoft antivirus just like you are currently.

Question: Will there be a recovery utility for Bitlocker if the HD gets corrupt?
Answer: Yes. See this article on BitLocker and recovery: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/c61f2a12-8ae6-4957-b031-97b4d762cf31.mspx

Question: Can I assign the Policy Groups from my server WS K3, to the clients with WV?
Answer: Yes, you will be able to manage WV completely through Group Policy and even running GPMC on Windows Server 2003, using administrative templates.

Question: What would prevent a client who would have the administrative credentials from just logging in with those credentials to begin with, bypassing all the security meant to protect the user?
Answer: The administrative prompts which apply to those logged on with admin rights, could that admin then disable those prompts, yes, but I would encourage the admin to see those prompts as a way to know, nothing is getting installed without his knowledge

Question: How does Vista control removable device such as USB keys? Through domain policy? Can this be overriden by a local system administrator?
Answer: Yes, through group policy in the domain. A local system admin would not be able to override these settings, provided the machine remained in the domain.

Question: Will we be able to merge current GPOs together with Vista? Is there a tool to help us consolidate GPOs with Vista?
Answer: The vast majority of your client GPO settings WILL apply to Vista, additionally there will be new Vista specific GPO settings

Question: will that be in a podcast ?
Answer: There may be some available for download, yes.

Question: Can shutdown be configured by device - laptop vs. desktop?
Answer: Sure. This is possible. One way to do this might be to create a WMI script to look for a battery on the local machine. Battery = laptop. No battery = desktop. (I'm talking about the big battery, not the little ones that keep the clock running.)

Question: I am previving Vista Beta 1 from Oct and was wondering if you are using a newer build how can I get an update?
Answer: Much newer, yes. Keep watching the Windows Vista web site (www.microsoft.com/windowsvista) for details on the next beta, which will be out in a month or two.

Question: We have a workgroup setting, not a domain. Can I have a group policy that prevents installation of USB sticks on the Vista client? Meaning can I configure this setting on each client without having a domain controller?
Answer: Yes, manually at the client or through a startup script

Question: link to the blog?
Answer: http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs

Question: A WMI check of Chasis is better to determine laptop vs. desktop. Virtual machines sometimes list batteries when running on desktops.
Answer: That's good to know. Thanks!

The Windows Vista Product Guide was here...

Keith Combs — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:00:00 GMT

Every so often, something really kewl comes along that you just have to have. The Windows Vista Product Guide is one of those objects of affection. It’s a comprehensive look at the Windows Vista product line and explains the features, the differences between the product versions, screen shots, etc.

A word or two of warning is in order. First, the guide is pretty big (313 pages) so the filesize is almost 44meg. Second, you’ll need to install WinFX XML Paper Specifications Document (BETA) stuff in order to render this guide. You can download the WinFX goodies at http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/viewxps.mspx. Since I already had IE7 installed, I just installed the WinFX Runtime Components and was able to view the document without issue.

I cheated a bit however (as usual). I am running a Lenovo T60 Dual Core laptop so it certainly has the power to do such things. Let me know your experience. I am also currently in the Microsoft Toronto office so I sent the document to one of their high speed duplex printers. Now I have a few extra pounds of reading for my trip home tomorrow.

UPDATED 4/14/2006

So, where’s the guide? I had permission from the Program Manager to post the Windows Vista Product Guide to my blog. Apparently, it isn’t quite ready for public consumption so I was asked to remove the link. If you were lucky enough to download the “sneak peek” preview, enjoy! The guide will be back when we ship Windows Vista Beta 2.

By the way, the isp server that had the guide caught fire. Just teasing...