TechBlog: What's New on TechNet : beta

Lifehacker's Guide to Upgrading to Windows 7 RC

TechBlog — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:13:00 GMT

Whether you want to set up a dual-boot system, you're ready to migrate all the way to Windows 7 RC from XP, or something in between, here's what you need to know.

http://lifehacker.com/5240931/lifehackers-guide-to-upgrading-to-windows-7-rc

Download Windows XP Mode for Windows 7

TechBlog — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:15:00 GMT

Download Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 now - http://tinyurl.com/c8274e
[Thanks to Sean Gephardt]

{Open Source} Heroes Happen Here

TechBlog — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:29:00 GMT

From the Things-we-didn't-expect-to-see Dept.: It's oh-so-amusing to see that the "Hero Hack Pack" and "More Heroes" links on the {Open Source} Heroes Happen Here page don't work in Internet Explorer 8 RC (native mode), but open as expected when using Mozilla Firefox and every other non-Microsoft browser we tried. Now *that's* a commitment to open source, eh, fellas? Port 25 has additional information about the open source community at Microsoft.

Windows 7 beta - Direct download links no longer working

TechBlog — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:00 GMT

The TechNet page that briefly provided links to the public beta release of Windows 7 before "server too busy" errors took the site down finally returned, but not until, well, just about everybody began circulating direct links to Windows 7 downloads. Unfortunately, these direct links no longer work, and the public beta program has now ended. However, if you're a TechNet or MSDN subscriber, you can still download the beta via this link. If your download was interrupted, you can still finish it. And, you can still register for a product key or look up the key you’ve already gotten.

Here's how to get a Product Key.

Official name for the next version of Windows revealed

TechBlog — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:49:00 GMT

On the Windows Vista Team Blog, Mike Nash reports, "We've decided to officially call the next version of Windows, 'Windows 7.'" Read about the thinking behind the decision.

Sysinternals Live

TechBlog — Sat, 31 May 2008 02:36:00 GMT

Check out the beta of Sysinternals Live, a service that enables you to execute Sysinternals tools directly from the Web without hunting for and manually downloading them. Simply enter a tool’s Sysinternals Live path into Windows Explorer or a command prompt as \\live.sysinternals.com\tools\<toolname.exe> or view the entire Sysinternals Live tools directory in a browser at http://live.sysinternals.com.

Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is now Microsoft Deployment

TechBlog — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:48:00 GMT

There's a new official name for the guidance formerly known as the BDD—the Business Desktop Deployment Solution Accelerator. Henceforth, it shall be named "Microsoft Deployment." The new name was announced on October 19^th with the release of Microsoft Deployment RC1 on Microsoft Connect. The official Release to Web coincides with the TechEd : IT Forum conference on November 12-16. Microsoft Deployment guidance is currently available as part of the open Microsoft Deployment Connection Program (Deployment 4 Beta) on Microsoft Connect.

Curious about Windows Vista SP1?

TechBlog — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:30:00 GMT

Hear Mike Nash, Corporate Vice President in charge of Windows Client operating systems product management, talk candidly about SP1, which was made available to a limited group of beta testers on September 24. (A later pre-release version of SP1 will be available to a larger group of testers.) For more details on what SP1 is or isn’t, please see the SP1 overview.

Now Available: Deployment 4 Beta 3 for Desktops & Servers

TechBlog — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:29:00 GMT

Deployment 4 is the code name for the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. Deployment 4 unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. For the thousands of IT professionals already trained on BDD 2007, Deployment 4 requires minimal extra training to perform large-scale Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003 deployments, while offering a further enhanced desktop deployment experience. Deployment 4 adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment, including:

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
Windows Automated Installation Kit
Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
2007 Office system
Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition (coming soon)

Deployment 4 Beta 3 is part of the Windows Server 2008 Beta and TAP Programs. It is also available as an open beta download.

To join the Deployment 4 Beta 3 program, follow these steps:

1) Visit the Microsoft Connect Web site (http://connect.microsoft.com).

2) Click Invitations on the Connect menu.

3) Sign in using a valid Windows Live ID to continue to the Invitations page.

4) Enter your Invitation ID in the box. Your invitation ID is: D4B3-RFC6-99CW

5) Click Go.

If you have not previously registered with Microsoft Connect, you might be required to register before you continue with the invitation process.

If the link in step 1 does not work for you, copy the full link and paste it into the Web browser address bar.

Join the beta for the 2007 Microsoft Office Security Guide

TechBlog — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:59:00 GMT

The 2007 Microsoft Office Security Guide is an indispensable tool for IT professionals in midsize and enterprise-level organizations. When released this Fall, the guide will provide best practices, preconfigured security settings, and automation tools to help you quickly and easily deploy security configurations for the 2007 Office release across your organization. The beta program for the guide is launching in mid-September. Reserve your place by clicking here.