Search results matching tags 'networking', 'internet explorer', and 'Windows XP'

Kevin's "the NEW efficiency" Windows 7 Launch Event Resources

KevinRemde — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

E-mail Technical Questions: Kevin Remde – Kevin.Remde@microsoft.com

Feedback e-mail to my boss: Brian Moore – BriMoore@microsoft.com

Future Live, In-Person Event Information:
TechNet (for IT Pros): http://www.technetevents.com/kevinremde
MSDN (for Software Developers): http://www.MSDNEvents.com

NEW - IT Managers Community Hub - http://technet.microsoft.com/itmanagement

NEW - IT Manager Community Forum - http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/itmanager

THRIVE: Me >> My Skills >> My Organization

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

25%-OFF Special TechNet Plus Subscription Promotion –
Yes, save $87.25 off of a TechNet Plus Direct Subscription,
and even more on others!
Use Promotion Code TMSAM08 (that’s ZERO-8) at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/subscription

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/

NEW Bigger Discount on TechNet Plus Subscriptions!

KevinRemde — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Whenever I present a live TechNet Event, I ask my audience to raise their hands if they are a TechNet subscriber. Usually about 1/3 of the audience raises their hand. Considering that this is typically a Microsoft-friendly audience, I'm a little shocked that there aren't more hands going up. The TechNet Subscription is such a great resource for IT Pros, for these reasons:

Downloadable (or delivered, if you subscribe to the disks-delivered-to-you-monthly subscription), full-version software licensed for evaluation purposes; which includes Microsoft operating systems, servers, and Office System software; all the software that IT Pros care about. Yes, these are for evaluation, testing, and training only; but they don't time-out. You can install these into a training lab, test lab, or use Virtual PC, Virtual Server, Hyper-V, or even your own downloaded evaluation copy of the latest beta or CTP or Release Candidate software! Use it to build a virtually networked playground, and play with (er.. “evaluate”, if your boss is watching) all the latest and greatest tools and technologies.
You get early access to beta versions and release candidates of new Microsoft products.
A Technical Information Library containing the articles, security updates, service packs, utilities and more - all in one convenient location.
Access to Online Concierge Chat service for live help from a Microsoft Online Assistant - to help you get the most out of your subscription.
Yearly subscription to TechNet Magazine (I love this magazine!)
Two (2) technical support incidents and a 20% discount on additional phone support incidents you purchase. (HINT: the savings here alone justifies the subscription cost)
Twelve free eLearning courses per year to keep your skills up to date. Just for TechNet Subscribers. (Good idea to watch the TechNet Plus Blog for details)
Unlimited Managed Newsgroup Support. Post your technical questions in over 100 public newsgroups and receive a response from an expert by next business day. It's like another free avenue into direct technical support from Microsoft!

For all of those reasons (Heck, for any ONE of those reasons), a TechNet Plus subscription is worth the yearly investment.

"Cool, Kevin. But how do I save $$$s?"

For new subscriptions, from now until December 30, 2009, you can save ~~25%~~ 28% on any version of a TechNet Plus subscription.

"Is this worldwide, or U.S. only, or what?"

This is for residents of North America. So, if you're in the U.S. or Canada, this is for you.

“Why new subscriptions only? Why not a discount renewals?”

Renewals are already automatically discounted, even more than you get with this code. Besides.. we’re honestly trying to promote TechNet Subscriptions to those who haven’t yet benefited from it. We’re pretty confident that if you try it, you’ll see enough value in it to renew your subscription.

Write down or copy this promotion code to your clipboard: TMSAM08 (That's zero-eight. Not the letter O.)

Then GOTO the TechNet Subscription Center (CLICK HERE), and use the code to get your savings.

Chiuso per ferie: 08 agosto – 24 agosto 2009

g_malusardi — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Giorgio

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.

Feed Your Habit

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

Somebody has been doing some very nice work on microsoft.com. Take a close look at http://www.microsoft.com/rss/default.aspx. We’re starting to get our act togethor on the plethora of content you can suck into your machine via RSS.

We have all kinds of nice little categories for developers, IT Pros (the most stressful job in the world), home users, etc.

And of course, you’ll find this blog sprinkled across some of those categories.

What I didn’t see was a category for podcasts and screencasts. Ok, nobody is perfect. Enjoy!!!

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.

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!

Blitzkrieg of security offerings coming. Confused?

Keith Combs — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 08:00:00 GMT

Most people are probably familiar with the military term, Blitzkrieg. According to Wikipedia, it means “lightning war”. Of course I’m not talking about previous military wars but instead I am referring to the war against viruses, worms and other malicious exploits in the various operating systems and web browsers on this planet. Well, let the Microsoft blitzkrieg begin.

This week, Microsoft announced a number of changes to the product lines we have coming that will combat the bad guys. Unfortunately, with the number of announcements and tools it can get confusing on what you’ll get, when you’ll get it, and how much it will cost. The good news is that some of my favorite tools will be free.

Branding

Personally, I’d consolidate all of the tools into one brand. I’m not sure what the brand would be. What do you think? The “Security Center” in Windows XP is pretty straight forward but catchy it ain't. I like the Windows Defender name. It’s catchy and conveys a sense of proactive spirit. How about Microsoft Nuke? Ok, maybe not. I’m sure that we’ll eventually do some consolidation in this space. It would seem that Windows Defender and Windows Defender Professional or Windows Defender Enterprise might work. If you are a home user, download Windows Defender for Windows XP. If you buy one of the home SKUs for Windows Vista, it comes built in. If you are a volume licensing customer, you get the central reporting and control of the Pro or Enterprise product. Keep in mind I’d put all of the security related stuff (Firewall, automatic updates, virus, malware, spyware, root kit detection, etc.) under the brand so that our customers would know where to look for changes to properties and settings. Maybe the Microsoft Security Center isn’t soo bad after all, eh? Just brainstorming here…

Where do I get free training?

The answer is of course TechnetBriefings.com. My team will begin delivering live seminars on all of the security technologies in April. We’ll clarify the security offerings on the Windows Server System products, Windows XP and Windows Vista client platforms.

Kai Axford is leading the content development so you know it’ll be stellar. If you don’t know Kai, he’s a Microsoft Security Specialist and won a Microsoft Chairmans award for his efforts in the security space last year. He’s also a Greenbay Cheesehead but don’t hold that against him. Our plan is to cover the server and client products and offerings. This is likely to include the new ISA Server 2006 stuff, Antigen for Exchange, Futuresoft technologies, etc. We’ll have a ton of kewl demos so be sure to come to the live event if possible. Of course you can always see us do webcasts as well.

For more information on the live events we’ll be delivering, see http://www.technetbriefings.com/. That site has our current seminar descriptions for Windows Server 2003 R2 and Exchange Server 2003 SP2. We’ll update it soon with the Q4 content outlines and abstracts.

Where should I look now?

In the meantime, lets take a look at some of the offerings that got announced or updated. It would be prudent to look at the matrix of offerings so we can compare features. You’ll notice on this chart that Windows Defender doesn’t do virus protection or removal. I would change that. If you want virus protection and/or removal, we’ll have the Windows Onecare Live and the Windows Live Safety Center. The Onecare Live service will be a more robust service offering scheduled scans, backups, tune-ups and added protections. See the OneCare Live press release on pricing and the promotions running through the end of April.

Most of you are familiar with the Malicious Software Removal Tool. It’s been around for a while and of course has been updated several times via the Microsoft Update servers. You could of course run it right now. Good doggie.

On the business side of the offerings, you’ll see the Microsoft Client Protection programs. Like many of the goodies above, it is also in beta testing. If you want to signup for the beta, go here. There is a nice little FAQ on the site but unfortunately, pricing and licensing has not been announced. Stay tuned for that.

Summary

As you can see, Microsoft continues to invest in a number of technologies and services to combat the bad guys. Our army of products and services are coming. It’s a full on blitz and by the looks of things, calendar year 2006 is going to be good for consumers.

I’ll do some demos soon on these technologies and by all means let me know if you have any questions. If you are in the southern states, come see me at one of my events. Otherwise, keep your eyes on this blog and webcasts I deliver.