• Introducing Microsoft Security Essentials

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    SecurityEssentials_h_bL

    Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

    Microsoft Security Essentials 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.

    Learn more at the Microsoft Malware Protection Center

    Find information, definitions, and analyses of all the latest threats that Microsoft Security Essentials can help protect you against in the Microsoft Malware Protection Center

    Need security for your business?
    Protect your computers with Microsoft Forefront Client Security

    *Your PC must run genuine Windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials. Learn more about genuine

    More to read on http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2009/09/29/introducing-microsoft-security-essentials.aspx

    Here’s a note from the Microsoft Security Essentials team:

    image Microsoft Security Essentials (formerly codenamed “Morro”) is the newest security product from Microsoft that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. The program, using the same technology as the Forefront product family, is designed to protect and take the guess work out of you wondering if you are protected or not.

    If you’re green, you’re good. 

    Red or yellow means there is something that needs to be done to keep your PC secure. A single click and the PC is back to the green protected state. 

    Microsoft Security Essentials is also designed to address cost and other barriers that have prevented many of our customers from running up-to-date security protection on their PCs. Because there are no subscription fees, there is no registration required to collect billing or other personal information.

    It also runs quietly in the background scheduling scans when the PC is most likely idle and interrupting the user only when there is an action required to keep their PC secure. It employs practices like active memory swapping and CPU throttling to limit the impact on your PC performance, even on older or less powerful PCs.

    This isn’t a security suite product that provides rich PC tuning capabilities or backs up your data. But if what you’re looking for is “install and forget” malware protection and solid quality Microsoft Security Essentials may be just what you’ve been waiting for. Plus, as a user of Microsoft Security Essentials you’ll get support from the MMPC.   

    We think you’re gonna like what you get with Microsoft Security Essentials. See for yourself and download it now!

    Microsoft Security Essentials is available now in 8 languages and 19 markets around the world for genuine Windows PCs. 
    Download at:
    http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials.

    DOWNLOAD FOLLOWING FILES

    Download: Windows XP 32-bit
    Download: Windows Vista/WIN7 32-bit
    Download: Windows Vista/WIN7 64-bit

    Have a secure experience :)

  • Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides—Release Announcement

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    Infrastructure Planning and Design Guides—Release Announcementclip_image002

    Windows Server Virtualization

    System Center Virtual Machine Manager

    The Infrastructure Planning and Design team has released two updated virtualization guides: Windows Server Virtualization and System Center Virtual Machine Manager.
    These guides, updated to reflect the features and functionalities of Windows Server® 2008 R2 and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2, outline the critical infrastructure design elements that are crucial to a successful implementation of these virtualization products.

    The Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Windows Server Virtualization takes the reader through the process of designing components, layout, and connectivity in a logical, sequential order. Identification of the Hyper-V™ server hosts required is presented in easy-to-follow steps, helping the reader to design and plan virtual server datacenters.

    The Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide for Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager assists readers in the design and implementation of SCVMM architecture, thus enabling centralized administration of physical and virtual machines. Identification of the VMM server instances required is one of the simple, seven-step design processes presented in this guide.

    Download the IPD Guides for Virtualization at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/ee395429.aspx
    Infrastructure Planning and Design streamlines the planning process by:

    • Defining the technical decision flow through the planning process.

    • Listing the decisions to be made and the commonly available options and considerations.

    • Relating the decisions and options to the business in terms of cost, complexity, and other characteristics.

    • Framing decisions in terms of additional questions to the business to ensure a comprehensive alignment with the appropriate business landscape.

    Tell your peers about IPD guides! Please forward this mail to anyone who wants to learn more about Infrastructure Planning and Design guides.
    Join the Beta
    Additional Infrastructure Planning and Design guides are available as beta releases on the Connect Web site. They are open beta downloads. If you are not already a member of the IPD beta program, and would like to join, follow these steps:

    1. Go here to join the IPD beta program: https://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=1587&InvitationID=IPDM-QX6H-7TTV&SiteID=14

    2. If the link does not work for you, copy and paste it into the Web browser address bar.

    3. Sign in using a valid Windows Live ID.

    4. Enter your registration information. Then continue to the IPD beta program page.

    Already a member of the IPD beta program? Go here to get the latest IPD beta downloads: https://connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=6556&SiteID=14

    Related Resources
    Check out all the Infrastructure Planning and Design team has to offer! Visit the IPD page on TechNet, http://www.Microsoft.com/IPD, for additional information, including our most recent guides.

  • Join us for the NEW efficiency launch event

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    new efficiency 

    steve new efficiency image

    On September 29th at 9 am (PST) please join us here on www.thenewefficiency.com for a kick-off discussion on “The New Efficiency” live from San Francisco as a part of Microsoft’s Virtual Launch Event.

    Join in the conversation during this must-see event and see top technology leaders and Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, debate the role of IT during this economic reset. Can cost savings, productivity and innovation come together to drive business growth? Get a closer look at how real companies are justifying IT investments across desktop, server, network and beyond.  You’ll also find sessions related to new releases of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft Forefront, Microsoft System Center, and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack.

    Mark your calendars; watch it live; submit questions in advance.  Don’t miss it!

    Windows ® 7 Logo Windows ® Server 2008 R2 Logo Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Logo Microsoft Forefront ™ Logo Microsoft ® System Center Logo Microsoft ® Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance Logo

  • Resources for Top Areas of Support for Windows Server 2008 R2

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    Following guide has list of resources to help you troubleshoot issues with Windows Server 2008 R2.image

    A MUST HAVE resources for every IT Professional working on Windows Server 2008 R2.

    Area of Focus & Link to Resource

    Software Licensing and Product Activation

    How to troubleshoot Volume Activation error codes on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista-based computers (article 938450 in the Microsoft® Knowledge Base)

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164728)

    Windows Volume Activation

    Windows Volume Activation on the Windows Client TechCenter

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=153857)

    Hyper-V Live Migration

    Hyper-V: Using Live Migration with Cluster Shared Volumes in Windows Server 2008 R2

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164729)

    Hyper-V and Failover Clustering

    Migrating Settings to a Failover Cluster Running Windows Server 2008 R2

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=142796)

    Hyper-V: Using Hyper-V and Failover Clustering

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=159624)

    Failover Clusters

    Overview of Failover Clusters

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164730)

    Migrating Settings to a Failover Cluster Running Windows Server 2008 R2

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=142796)

    Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services)

    Remote Desktop Services team blog (how to set up, configure, and so on)

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164731)

    Performance team blog about Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services)

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164732)

    Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2 (includes how to deploy RD Licensing and RD Gateway)

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164733)

    Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services) Health Model

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164734)

    Operating System Deployment, Migration, and Upgrade education

    Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2008 Update 1

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=150927)

    Direct Access and Networking education

    Direct Access for Windows Server 2008 R2 on Microsoft TechNet

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164735)

    DirectAccess Early Adopter’s Guide

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=148639)

    Networking education

    The Cable Guy Column Archives

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=164736)

    Application Compatibility

    Getting Started with Application Compatibility in a Windows Deployment

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164737)

    Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) Version 5.5

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=159081)

    Application Compatibility and User Account Control Web site

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=150904)

    Windows Server 2008 R2 Supported Applications

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164738)

    ISV Application Readiness and Certification

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164739)

    Application Compatibility Resources for IT Professionals and Developers

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164740)

    Applocker

    Applocker Step-by-Step Guide

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164741)

    Public Key Infrastructure and Certificate Services

    Active Directory Certificate Services

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=163168)

    Active Directory Certificate Services: Web Enrollment

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164742)

    Active Directory Certificate Services: Enterprise PKI (PKIView tool)

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164743)

    Windows PKI blog on Microsoft TechNet

    (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=164744)

    You can get the web version of the same document over here.

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ee524014(WS.10).aspx

    In case you want to download the .docx formatted guide visit the following link.

    DOWNLOAD HERE

  • BranchCache Security Guide

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    This document provides guidance to help organizations understand and manage the security of the Microsoft® BranchCache™ feature  imageintroduced in Microsoft Windows Server® 2008 R2 and Microsoft Windows® 7. BranchCache is a wide area network (WAN) bandwidth optimization technology. To optimize WAN bandwidth, BranchCache copies content from your main office content servers and caches the content at branch office locations, allowing client computers at branch offices to access the content locally rather than over the WAN.

    A must read guide for all of them who are deploying this new feature in their Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 based infrastructure. Often during my better together session covering this particular I get lot of queries around BranchCache Security. This guide covers all the necessary points required for setting up the security for BranchCache based environment.

    DOWNLOAD HERE

    Happy Caching