David Overton's Blog : Vista

SBS 2008 Update Rollup 1 Released to fix Vista AV reporting issue and GoDaddy domain registration issue

David Overton — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:02:00 GMT

Hi everyone, the first roll-up of fixes for SBS 2008 shipped today. It addresses some minor issues, which is good, but always worth being aware of. From the Official SBS 2008 blog

SBS 2008 Update Rollup 1 Releases Today

Windows Small Business Server 2008 Update Rollup 1 releases today. This rollup package addresses the following issues in Windows Small Business Server 2008.

Issue 1

The Security tab in the Windows Small Business Server 2008 Console incorrectly reports the spyware and malware status of Windows Vista Service Pack 1-based clients that are joined to a domain. Specifically, some security applications are reported as incompatible in the antivirus and malware status that is reported.

Issue 2

The Internet Address Management Wizard exits unexpectedly when you register a domain name. This issue occurs when you select GoDaddy.com as the provider, and then you click Register Now

How to obtain this update

This update will be available from the Microsoft Update Web site:

http://update.microsoft.com

More Information

http://support.microsoft.com/KB/958715

The Official SBS Blog : SBS 2008 Update Rollup 1 Releases Today

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBS 2008,Vista,Windows Vista,Updates,GoDaddy,Anti-virus,Anti-Malware,System Updates,Microsoft,SBSC,Community

How to create a VPN on Windows Vista to connect to a Windows Server, such as SBS 2008

David Overton — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:33:00 GMT

I was going to include this in the book, but decided it was not quite the right subject matter, so I've decided to post it on the blog. SBS 2003 had a pre-defined tool for VPNs. The tool exists in SBS 2008 to produce the same tool, but you have to configure it by hand. This is covered in this blog entry here.

If you are on a client machine and you need create a VPN connection, or you are a user and want to create a VPN on Windows Vista, follow this guide.

	Start at the Start menu. Press the Connect To button to start the process.
	You will be told that you are already connected to a network, but you will need to create a new connection. Do this by selecting the Set up a connection or Network option and press Connect.
	In the Choose a connection option screen, select the Connect to a workplace option and press Next.
	Now select Use my Internet connection (VPN).
	The Internet address is that for your remote server. If you are using Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008) this will likely be "remote." and your e-mail domain, so for example if your e-mail was david@davidoverton.com then it would be remote.davidoverton.com. In the Internet address box type your address. Now type a description. For me, I would also suggest ticking the box Don't connect now; just set it up so I can connect later. Press Next to continue
	Type in your User name and Password. While you can tick the box Remember this password it is a security risk as anyone using your computer can then connect to your work domain without knowing your password. You will also need to know your domain name. If you do not know this right click on Computer in the Start menu and select properties. When the screen appears your domain name will be shown. Enter this information into the Domain (optional) box.
	You are now ready to connect. Press Connect Now to start a connection.
	Next time you press Connect To from the Start menu you will see your VPN in the list. Select it and press Connect.
	If your User name or password are not present (if you followed my guidance your password wil lalways be blank) type them in. Now press Connect to start the connection.
	Assuming all the details are correct you will see confirmation that you are connected to your corporate network. Press Close to remove the window.

I hope this helps for those who were unsure.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Create a VPN,Vista,SBS 2008,Windows Client,Windows Server 2008,Microsoft,Tips and Tricks

Invalid certificate issued to localhost.localdomain when remotely access SBS 2008 from a Windows PC

David Overton — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:03:00 GMT

This is another question I was recently asked. One particular user noticed that the certificate they saw when accessing their server from the internet did not match that when accessing from the LAN. The certificate looked something like this:

This was a little strange as when the system was accessed from the intranet, all things appeared fine. The culprit for them was the SBS 2003 self signed certificate on the same machine. By removing the certificate and then installing the correct new one things got better.

To remove the old certificate, start MMC.exe and accept the UAC prompt. Now press Ctrl+M to add a new snap-in and select Certificates and when asked, add for the user account .

The do the same again, but select Certificates and Computer Account and hit OK to accept the current computer. Now expand out Personal Certificates and remove any SBS 2003 self signed certificates.

To load the new certificates open a browser inside your SBS 2008 network and point to http://companyweb/Lists/Announcements/DispForm.aspx?ID=3 which should give you instructions and the URL.

I hope that makes sense.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: localhost.localdomain, SBS 2008, Certificates, Tips

What software could you not live without – tell Windows Vista Magazine?

David Overton — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:35:52 GMT

I’ve just noticed this blog post on the Windows Vista Magazine - What software could you not live without?

We’re searching for the 100 best programs for Windows Vista – and we need your help!
By James Stables on 08 July 2008
In our October 2008 issue we will be compiling a list of the 100 best pieces of software which power up Windows Vista. These are the pieces of software you would never run Windows without, which make a difference to your everyday life and that you would recommend to all other readers.
We want to hear your ideas to make sure no stone goes unturned and no program is left out. This is a great opportunity for the Windows Vista Magazine community to share the combined experiences and knowledge that help make this one of the most diverse magazines on the market.
Leave us a comment saying what should be in our software top 100.

I’ve just left my list, which to be complete is also below:

My core products:

Vista
Office 2007 - for my work
Live Writer for blogging
Live Messenger to communicate

To tweak my UI experience:

Stardock – Winblinds
Stardock – DeskScapes
Stardock - Tweak Vista
Stardock - Logon Studio

Other utilities I love:

EzDetach for Outlook to save space on inbox
Live Mesh for sharing files
Speedfan to help manage temperature

Thanks

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Vista, Software, Windows Vista Magazine, Microsoft

Seeing is wanting for Windows Vista (Mojave Experiment) – people having their perceptions changed by actually seeing what it can do…

David Overton — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:42:47 GMT

I have to admit I really like this – take people who rate Vista as a ZERO, show them a new operating system called Mojave and see them rate it as high as a ten, then tell them that it was Vista and almost immediately you get “Well, I’d not seen Vista before, it’s much better than I had heard”. It just goes to show that a well configured machine (a HP laptop with 2GB of RAM) can do wonders.

I also like the stats page that states:

Of the 140 respondents polled on a scale of 1-10 where 10 was the highest rating, the average pre-rating for Windows Vista was 4.4. After they saw the demo, respondents rated Mojave as average of 8.5. Many said they would have rated it higher, but wanted more time to play with it themselves.
The users used other operating systems – 84% Windows XP, 22% Apple, 14% Windows pre-XP, 1% Linux

More information can be found on the Vista team blog or the site above.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Vista, Windows Vista, Mojave

Performance monitoring tools to go with Windows Vista Magazine article

David Overton — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:11:16 GMT

In my latest article for Windows Vista Magazine I spoke about performance tuning a system and more importantly how to diagnose performance issues. One of the tools I recommend using to do this is the Windows Performance Tools kit. This can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sysperf/perftools.mspx. It includes a getting started document. The tools are described as:

The Windows Performance Tools (WPT) Kit contains performance analysis tools that are new to the Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5. The WPT Kit is useful to a broad audience, including system builders, hardware manufacturers, driver developers, and general application developers. These tools are designed for measuring and analyzing system and application performance on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and later.
The tools currently include an xperf trace capture tool, an xperfview visualization tool (also known as Performance Analyzer), and an xbootmgr boot trace capture tool. The tools are designed for the analysis of a wide range of performance problems including application start times, boot issues, deferred procedure calls and interrupt activity (DPCs and ISRs), system responsiveness issues, application resource usage, and interrupt storms. The MSIs containing these tools are available in the SDK bin directory (one per architecture).

The tools are built on top of the Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) infrastructure. ETW enables Windows and applications to efficiently generate events. Events can be enabled and disabled at any time without requiring system or process restarts. ETW collects requested kernel events and saves them to one or more files that are referred to as "trace files" or "traces."
These kernel events provide extensive details about the operation of the system. Some of the most important and useful kernel events that are available for capture and analysis are context switches, interrupts, DPCs, process and thread creation and destruction, disk I/Os, hard faults, processor P-state transitions, registry operations, and many others.

<snipped>

What's new in Version 4.1.1
This version is an update to WPT Kit v.4.1.0, which was released as part of the Windows Server 2008 SDK. Version 4.1.1 contains a fix for the following issue:

Windows Performance Analyzer does not perform power state transition analysis.

On/Off Transition Performance Analyzer

Using this tools you can get a huge amount of information, but at the same time, it can be very confusing. I got plenty of my useful information from these articles from Pigs Can Fly : XPerf Articles:

Xperf, a new tool in the Windows SDK
The SDK team just shipped the latest version of the Windows SDK which supports Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP1. The SDK now includes an important new tool; the Windows Performance Tool Kit from the Windows performance team (we call them the xperf tools for short...)
Xperf Tools Landing Page and Update
The WHDC folks now have web page setup for the Windows Performance Toolkit (aka the 'xperf tools'). The page includes downloads for updates to the versions that ship in the SDK. In the near future, this page will include pointers to updated documentation, and discussion forums.
Using Xperf to take a Trace (updated)
Lets get to it! Here is how to take a basic trace then look at CPU and disk utilization. Its really simple, just three commands to turn on tracing, turn it off, and then view the trace.
Xperf support for XP
"Do the xperf tools support XP or Windows Server 2003?" is a frequently ask question. The answer is no mostly, and yes for a few things.
Using the Windows Sample Profiler with Xperf
Using the xperf tools, ETW, and the kernel sample profile interrupt all together provides a very effective and easy to use sample profiler for the analysis of both application and system wide performance. At each sample interrupt, the ETW sub-system captures the instruction pointer and the stack. This data is lazily and efficiently logged to an ETL file. Once the data is saved, it can be analyzed with Performance Analyzer.
So just what is in a trace? Using the xperf trace dumper
There is a lot of information in a typical kernel trace. While the Performance Analyzer tool is quite powerful and makes it easy to view a trace graphically, sometimes you just need to see what is in the trace directly. Xperf makes this easy.

Besides these, I can recommend the articles at Windows Performance Toolkit (WPT)

Trace Capture, Processing, and Command-Line Analysis tool
Xperf.exe
Captures traces, post-processes them for use on any machine, and supports command-line (action-based) trace analysis.

Visual Trace Analysis tool
Xperfview.exe
Presents trace content in the form of interactive graphs and summary tables.

On/Off Transition Trace Capture tool
Xbootmgr.exe
Automates on/off state transitions and captures traces during these transitions.
This documentation introduces procedures that guide you to use these tools to capture and analyze traces. It contains a complete reference of the commands that are used in the command-line environment to perform various tasks. It also covers the Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) subsystem.

I hope this helps, but if not, let me know.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Windows Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Performance, Windows XP, Performance Tuning, Microsoft

Update for Media Center for Windows Vista available for download

David Overton — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:27:49 GMT

I saw over on Aaron’s blog that Microsoft has posted an update for Media Center. I’ve loaded this on the machine under the TV, but there again, I was not seeing issues, except those caused by network congestion as all our PCs and extenders connect via a wireless network.

June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista available for download

A new cumulative update package for Windows Vista Media Center has been released this week. This update is called the June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista and is also known as KB950126. It is available for download in x86 and x64 versions. It can be installed on systems running the original version of Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Editions and the SP1 version of Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Editions.
The June 2008 Cumulative Update includes the following fixes:

All of the fixes previously included in the February 2008 Cumulative Update
Improvements to the TV recording experience on systems that use analog tuners, do not have a set-top box and do not have any digital tuners installed.
Blank screen that can occur when you switch between full-screen mode and windowed mode while playing a video.
Empty removable media devices may be displayed in galleries (this issue was introduced in Windows Vista SP1 and only affects those systems).
Client ID may not be set correctly if you use the Express setup option when launching Windows Vista Media Center.
Memory leak in extender sessions.
Updated frequency table for China.
Channel names in Simplified Chinese are shown as unrecognizable characters.

Downloads on Aaron’s site

Aaron Stebner's WebLog : June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista available for download

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Media Center, MCE, Windows Vista, Vista, Microsoft, System Update

Welcome to readers of Windows Vista Magazine as I'm now a contributor

David Overton — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:49:00 GMT

Some of you might know that I used to write for Windows XP Magazine, but having used Windows Vista during the beta cycle I eventually had to give it up as I was writing about an OS I was not using. Well, that has all changed - I've been using Vista for over 3 years now and I've now got a technical spot back into the Windows Vista Magazine.

My 1st articles are about identifying Vista performance issues and then will continue on to understanding system crashes and then solving some common Office 2003/7 and Vista problems. I'd love to hear about topics you would want me to cover - just leave a comment or e-mail at admin@davidoverton.com.

If you want to only see my Windows related articles, click onto this link - http://davidoverton.com/blogs/doverton/archive/tags/Windows+Vista/default.aspx

Please feel free to ask questions on the site, or even on this blog post.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Windows Vista Magazine, Personal, Vista

Diagnose Windows Performance issues with the tools Microsoft uses

David Overton — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:00:00 GMT

I’m writing about diagnosing performance problems at the moment and this blog starts the process off for me. XPerf is an amazing tool that was internal to Microsoft only. You can now use this yourself!! One quick update, have a look at http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sysperf/perftools.mspx for an update to just the xperf tools and you don’t need to download the rest of the SDK either :-).

The SDK team just shipped the latest version of the Windows SDK which supports Windows Server 2008 and Vista SP1. The SDK now includes an important new tool; the Windows Performance Tool Kit from the Windows performance team (we call them the xperf tools for short...)
This is the first article in the xperf series, the next one is
Xperf Tools Landing Page and Update
The xperf tools have long been an internal tool used by our team, and widely throughout Windows, for system-wide performance analysis. Xperf got its start many years ago as a set of command-line tools that produce reports based off the ETW instrumentation in the kernel[1]. Many other components and applications in Windows are instrumented with ETW and xperf can enable these events, dump them, and analyze them.
Xperf is an important tool for anyone doing system performance work on Windows because it's specifically designed to give you a complete system-wide view of performance over long periods of time (10's of seconds, to minutes)[2]. It's also the only tool that knows how to fully process all the events from the kernel and correlate them into something that makes sense.
For example, here is a detail graph of all the disk I/O to the system drive on my laptop for opening this post, editing it a bit, and then closing Live Writer.

Pigs Can Fly : Xperf, a new tool in the Windows SDK

Enjoy,

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Performance, Windows, Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista

This consumer operating systems stuff is harder than 1st thought – Red Hat and Novell no longer targeting consumers with desktop Linux

David Overton — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:58:49 GMT

I saw this and it made me smile – looks like building a desktop OS for consumers is harder than people thought :-) And I thought consumers were more willing to put in time to fiddle too, so that makes the enterprise play even less likely for me!!

Red Hat skips consumer Linux desktop

Red Hat has no plans to create a traditional desktop product for the consumer market, but will continue to place its bets on a desktop for commercial markets.
"We are focused on infrastructure software for the enterprise market, and to that market we are offering the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop," said Michael Chen, vice president of corporate marketing at Red Hat.
"You need a different support ecosystem and applications for the consumer desktop," Chen added.
Among the company's desktop goals for 2008 and 2009 is to ensure that its desktop products complement its server and middleware products, Red Hat said in a company blog post Wednesday.
Red Hat's strategy is similar to that of Novell , which is currently focusing on Linux for enterprise desktops. The market for Suse Linux on the consumer desktop is taking time to develop, and the market for the desktop for the next three to five years is mainly enterprise-related, Novell President and CEO Ronald Hovsepian said Wednesday.

Red Hat skips consumer Linux desktop | InfoWorld | News | 2008-04-17 | By John Ribeiro, IDG News Service

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Client, Windows, Windows Vista, Vista, Linux, Red Hat, Novell, Microsoft

Available to everyone (well almost) - Windows Vista SP1 Released to Windows Update

David Overton — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:46:13 GMT

Today Windows Vista SP1 has made it to Windows Update for the 5 lead languages with the rest to follow over the following weeks. Lots of details at Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista SP1 Released to Windows Update. Perhaps some of the most important points from the blog entry for me are listed below, but read the blog entry for all details:

If in running Windows Update you do not see Windows Vista SP1 listed, there are a number of good reasons for this (Eight in fact, see the whole list)
If You have a pre-release version of SP1 and need to uninstall it before installing SP1. This is quite a chore - expect the uninstall to take 30 to 90 mins depending on hardware, then start the whole install process again!!
Back in February we announced that we'd be using Windows Update to help make the update as seamless as possible for our users. Windows Update will detect drivers that we know may be problematic when updating to SP1 and will not offer the service pack until an update has been installed. More details about the drives on the blog
There is a standalone installer at the Microsoft Download Center here. Windows Update will help ensure a better experience, so if you do choose to visit the Microsoft Download Center make sure that you read these KBs before installing.

I've noticed the benefits on my PC with regard to wireless networks, resume from stand-by, performance of things like file copies and more.

Enjoy the SP1 world.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista SP1, SP1, Vista SP1, Windows Client, Vista, Service Pack

Action Pack Subscribers get Full Windows Vista DVDs - not upgrades and they also get a copy of Ultimate too, plus a stack of materials to sell the product

David Overton — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:43:00 GMT

Full, not Upgrade Vista product

Well anyone who says we don't listen is just talking rubbish!! What am I talking about - I'm talking about the Action Pack and Windows. We moved to non OEM media and boy did it cause a stink, but that has changed again.

According to Important changes for Action Pack Subscribers regarding Windows Vista while you are still required to have a legal license for a machine (FPP or OEM) you can now apply full copies (i.e. do a bare metal install) without having to do a double install. There are also a stack of sales materials coming too (I've copied some of the points from the link below):

Partner feedback has enabled Microsoft to make the Windows Vista operating system even better. Now you can reap the benefits. Sell more with hardware, software and services built around Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1). And learn how we're making it easier than ever for you to learn, use and sell Windows Vista.

Based on partner feedback, we've taken action to improve the partner experience in support of Windows Vista:

Mid-March 2008 delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 in a special Action Pack shipment to partners worldwide. To make it easier for you to deploy the final release of Windows Vista SP1 for internal use, all subscribers will receive full code*. Not currently an Action Pack subscriber? Find out how to subscribe. New subscribers will receive Windows Vista with SP1 as part of the April 2008 Welcome Kit.

One licence for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 (full code*) for internal use, so you can discuss this product's benefits and features with customers who need a single PC to fulfil their work, travel and entertainment needs. This software will be delivered in the regular Action Pack quarterly update (April 2008) for current subscribers and for new Action Pack subscribers starting in April 2008.

A comprehensive set of readiness resources to arm you to sell and support Windows Vista SP1 solutions for your small- or medium-size-business customers as momentum builds.

Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using and selling SP1.

*Note: You will receive full code, but the licence is an upgrade to Windows Vista with SP1. This means that you must have licenced a qualified full desktop PC operating system on the device before you are eligible to install the full version of Windows Vista Small Business with SP1 on that same device. This software is for your organisation's internal installation only and may not be installed on any other computer outside your organisation on either a permanent or a temporary basis.
By installing the Window Vista code, you acknowledge that you will install this full version of Windows Vista for your organisation's own internal use, only on desktops for which your organisation has acquired one of the following:

A full licence for Windows XP Professional (or earlier version of Vista) through an OEM, a retail source (full packaged product), or an active Microsoft Action Pack subscription.

A qualifying operating system licence and a Volume Licensing Windows XP Professional Upgrade licence.

Any other installation of this software is in violation of your Action Pack initiative agreement and applicable copyright law.

Help to sell Vista

I hate it when people say "I've heard Vista is bad" when they have not tried it. OK, so I would not run it for anything but a light weight user with 1GB of RAM, but my wife and daughter love it, as does my mum and Dad. To help overcome some of the rumours, besides making it easier for you to install the software, Microsoft have released a number of other tools to help you sell it:

For small Businesses

Learn It

Windows Vista Opportunity Sweepstakes
Do you know your opportunity promoting the Windows Vista operating system? Take a 10-question quiz to find out and you'll be instantly entered to win a cooler or an Amazon.com gift certificate valued at US$75. Official rules.
Overview of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Whitepaper
Consult this in-depth whitepaper to explore enhancements found in Windows Vista SP1.
Windows Vista SP1: Notable Changes
Find in-depth information about enhancements in Windows Vista SP1, such as increased reliability and support for new types of hardware.
Partner Opportunities with Windows Vista Course
Take this course to get a better understanding of the value that Windows Vista offers you and your customers. Learn to identify the new features and capabilities of Windows Vista. How to leverage these capabilities to best address customer needs. And how to handle licensing and deployment issues.
Windows Vista 101 Course
Get step-by-step training in the basics of the Windows Vista operating system.
Try It
SP1 Technical Deployment Guide
Prepare to plan for and deploy Windows Vista SP1. Guide walks you through various deployment methods for Windows Vista SP1 and which download vehicle is best for your scenario.
Windows Vista SP1 Activation Guide Consult this guide for a quick overview of basic configurations and best practices for activating the Windows Vista operating system in an extended enterprise.
Windows Vista Volume Activation for Customers FAQ
Windows Vista Volume Activation for Partners FAQ
Prepare for customer questions and increase your knowledge of the Volume Activation process for the Windows Vista operating system with these lists of frequently asked questions.
Sell It
Get up to date on the latest features of Windows Vista SP1 and find new selling opportunities that it offers. Take advantage of the most recent marketing tools, collateral and communications material to start selling Windows Vista immediately. Make sure to check back regularly to get the latest items, like ad flyers, posters and email templates.
Windows Vista SP1 Execution Guide
This guide discusses how you can use the marketing materials provided to sell more software and services related to Windows Vista SP1, as well as PCs preinstalled with Windows Vista with SP1.
Windows Vista Quick Reference Card
Get an at-a-glance list of the top-five reasons to upgrade to Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate - and always have it at your fingertips.
Windows Vista SP1 FAQ
Find answers to your customers' most common questions about Windows Vista SP1.
Windows Vista Customer Brochure
Showcase the value of the Windows Vista operating system to customers. Brochure compares features and functionality of Windows Vista and Windows XP Professional.

For Medium sized businesses and Enterprises

Learn It

Overview of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Whitepaper
Consult this in-depth whitepaper to explore enhancements found in Windows Vista SP1.
Windows Vista SP1: Notable Changes
Find in-depth information about enhancements to Windows Vista with SP1, such as increased reliability and support for new types of hardware.
Will Windows Vista SP1 Change the Game? IT pros: Get straight answers to your questions about changes found in Windows Vista SP1, explore application and hardware compatibility considerations and find deployment process guidance.

Try It
Windows Vista SP1 Technical Deployment Guide
Prepare to plan for and deploy Windows Vista SP1. Guide walks you through various deployment methods for Windows Vista SP1 and which download vehicle is best for your scenario.
Windows Vista SP1 Activation Guide Consult this guide for a quick overview of basic configurations and best practices for activating the Windows Vista operating system in an extended enterprise.
Windows Vista Volume Activation for Customers FAQ
Windows Vista Volume Activation for Partners FAQ
Prepare for customer questions and increase your knowledge of the Volume Activation process for the Windows Vista operating system with these lists of frequently asked questions.
Windows Desktop Deployment Specialisation Data Sheet
Explore your opportunity to capitalise on the US$59 billion partner-services opportunity around the Windows Vista operating system. Learn how enrolling in the Windows Desktop Deployment specialisation - within the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions competency - can help.
Sell It
Windows Vista SP1 FAQ
Find answers to your customers' most common questions about Windows Vista SP1.
Windows Vista SP1 Partner-Customer Discussion Guide
This guide can help you understand Windows Vista SP1 components and advantages, hone your sales pitch and respond to sales objections.
Windows Vista Partner Value Proposition
Get the latest sales and market-readiness numbers - just in time for Windows Vista SP1.
Windows Vista Deployment Case Studies Learn what customers are saying about their Windows Vista deployment experiences, benefits and returns on investment. Get ready to show your customers how upgrading can benefit their organisations.
Windows Vista SP1 and Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack
Bundle your Windows Vista deployments with Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack to meet your customers' needs and increase your profit margins.

Anyway, that is the good and great news, now back to my weekend

David

Technorati Tags: Action Pack, MAPS, Vista, Windows Vista SP1, SP1, OEM. SBSC, Partners, Microsoft, If you only read one post today

Office Live Workspace Update for Windows Vista to enable "Open From" and "Save to" menu items in Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint

David Overton — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:24:31 GMT

One little feature that others might have missed with the new release of Office Live Workspace is the two nifty buttons for Office to enable direct access from the

Office Live Workspace Update for Windows Vista

The Office Live Workspace Update installs three Windows Vista updates (KB945435, KB945145, KB933860) and one Office 2007 update to ensure optimal performance on Windows Vista when using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with Office Live Workspace. The update improves the performance of opening and saving Workspace documents from these Office programs. In some cases, the update also resolves problems with "Open from Office Live" and "Save to Office Live" functions of the Office Live Add-in. This update is only needed for computers running Windows Vista.

Download details: Office Live Workspace Update for Windows Vista

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Live, Office Live Small Business, Office Live, Office Live Workspace, Vista, Windows Vista, Save to, Open From

More ways to engage with customers using the Microsoft advertising campaigns

David Overton — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:00:00 GMT

[updated 4th March]

Many people congratulated Microsoft after the Mr Busy campaigns allowed partners to drive their customers back to them using a MS campaign. Well, this is now being repeated for a number of campaigns. Today I found the click and go site to get them all (http://www.campaigns.arvato-services.com/). You can get 200 post cards or 1,000 e-mails for free and then a low price for additional cards/ e-mails if required. The campaigns covered include:

Business Productivity
Customer Acquisition and Retention
Security and Reliability
Small Business PC
Mr Busy

This method of engaging is not new to the Small Business team and others have covered this before (eg Susanne here), but it is worth re-highlighting this now as some of the campaigns have been renewed, so go back and visit the site!!

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Marketing, Campaigns, Business Productivity, Customer Acquisition and Retention, Security and Reliability, Small Business PC, Mr Busy, Partner, SME, Small Business Server 2008, Mid-Market

Microsoft drops the price of retail versions of Vista significantly all over the world, but plenty in the UK

David Overton — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:36:00 GMT

I saw some people talking about this on the Yahoo groups and on the blogs, so thought I would do some investigating. The retail price has moved quite nicely in the UK .. in the following blog they talk about a drop of upto 40+% in the UK, while US prices only dropped 20% http://hackinthebox.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=25990-

Microsoft is cutting the retail price of its Windows Vista operating system by as much as 39% here in New Zealand.

Prices in the US will drop 20% and in the UK and Europe, savings of up to 46% are available on some versions.
On Friday, Microsoft announced sweeping price cuts to boxed copies of Vista, saying then that the cuts would range from as low as 3% in developed countries to nearly 50% for some editions sold in poorer nations.
Prices just released by the local Microsoft office show that New Zealand has done pretty well with a drop of 39% for the top Vista Ultimate from $979 to $599, and a 24% drop for the Home Premium edition from $589 to $449. Home Basic also drops 24% from $499 to $379. A Home Premium upgrade drops 35% from $349 to $229 and an Ultimate upgrade drops 24% from $649 to $499.

So having seen this, off I went to Amazon, especially since I had recorded the Amazon prices earlier in the discussions at The price of Vista in the UK - some really, really bad maths. How good / bad was it then?

To get the latest prices from Amazon, click the links below for UK or US pricing as an example. (I do not think all the UK Amazon price changes have gone through yet though) For example Windows Ultimate has gone from £294 to £229 at Amazon in the UK and the new Home Premium price of just £79. It all looks good to me!!

UK Pricing	US Pricing

It is nice to see real price drops for many of the packages in the UK too.

thanks

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Windows Client, Vista, Service Pack 1, Price drop

Technical RollUp : March 2008 - Technical Rollup Mail - Platforms (Windows, virtualisation, Active Directory, Core, Debugging, Terminal Services, Vista SP1 changes / new / implementation guides)

David Overton — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:37:03 GMT

As always, from the Technical RollUp : March 2008 - Technical Rollup Mail - Platforms blog posting. I've removed all the KB article stuff and it is worth pointing out that towards the end of the list are all the docs associated with what has changed with Windows Vista SP1:

Blogs and information

Windows Virtualization Team Blog
http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/
The World Simplified is a Virtual World
http://blogs.technet.com/virtualworld/
Ask the Directory Services Team
http://blogs.technet.com/askds/
Ask the Performance Team
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/
Microsoft Enterprise Networking Team
http://blogs.technet.com/networking/
Ask the Core Team
http://blogs.technet.com/askcore/
Microsoft Advanced Windows Debugging and Troubleshooting
http://blogs.msdn.com/ntdebugging/
Terminal Services Team Blog
http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/
The Hot Blog
http://blogs.technet.com/hot/

Downloads

Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1) delivers updates to corporate environments from Microsoft Update. This release fixes issue found since the release of the product.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3df87b4c5e-4161-48af-9ff8-a96993c688df%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1 Overview
This paper introduces Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1) and provides information about features, and server and client computer requirements.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=2&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1b5eac37-bd48-41fd-869b-f9b06fa64a61%26displaylang%3den
Release Notes for Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
These release notes describe known issues affecting Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1) and include recommendations and requirements for installing the application.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=3&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d8a283ea4-1545-47d5-a86c-5ca379bafb9c%26displaylang%3den
Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
This guide provides instructions for getting started with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=4&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dc8fa2fd1-72f6-4f19-a1b0-f689dae14be6%26displaylang%3den
Deploying Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
This paper describes how to deploy Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=8&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d208e93d1-e1cd-4f38-ad1e-d993e05657c9%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1 Operations Guide
This paper documents the major tasks involved in administering and troubleshooting Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=9&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d66d250fa-670f-4a49-95ec-2ffda7691f55%26displaylang%3den
Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance
Technical documentation for planning, deployment, and operations of Volume Activation 2.0 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Includes the Volume Activation 2.0 Overview Guide, Planning Guide, Deployment Guide, Operations Guide, Resources, FAQ and Technical Attributes.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=11&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d9893f83e-c8a5-4475-b025-66c6b38b46e3%26displaylang%3den
TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows
This online book describes the fundamentals of TCP/IP in Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=12&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dc76296fd-61c9-4079-a0bb-582bca4a846f%26displaylang%3den
Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET Framework version 3.5
The Windows SDK for Windows Server® 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 provides documentation, samples, header files, libraries, and tools designed to help you develop Windows applications using both native (Win32®) and managed (.NET Framework) technologies.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=13&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3de6e1c3df-a74f-4207-8586-711ebe331cdc%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guides
These step-by-step guides help IT Professionals learn about and evaluate Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=17&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d518d870c-fa3e-4f6a-97f5-acaf31de6dce%26displaylang%3den
Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008
Describes features and technologies in Windows Server 2008 added or changed since Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=18&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d173e6e9b-4d3e-4fd4-a2cf-73684fa46b60%26displaylang%3den
Infrastructure Planning and Design
The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) guides are the next version of Windows Server System Reference Architecture. The guides in this series help clarify and streamline design processes for Microsoft infrastructure technologies, with each guide addressing a unique infrastructure technology or scenario.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=19&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dad3921fb-8224-4681-9064-075fdf042b0c%26displaylang%3den
Windows Media Services for Windows Server 2008
These Microsoft Update Standalone Package (MSU) files install the latest version of Windows Media Services and related remote administration tools for the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=20&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d9ccf6312-723b-4577-be58-7caab2e1c5b7%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008: Release Notes and Installation Information
Release documentation that contains known issues for the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=22&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1087a498-40ad-46ba-9ada-f32a58a94a85%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft IPsec Diagnostic Tool
Microsoft IPsec Diagnostic Tool assists Network administrators with troubleshooting network related failures, focusing primarily on IPsec. It is applicable on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=23&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1d4c292c-7998-42e4-8786-789c7b457881%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Security Guide
This Solution Accelerator helps organizations efficiently create, deploy, and maintain a secure environment for a variety of servers running Windows Server® 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=24&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dfb8b981f-227c-4af6-a44b-b115696a80ac%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
Windows Server 2008 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=25&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d13c7300e-935c-415a-a79c-538e933d5424%26displaylang%3den
Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows Server 2008
This spreadsheet lists the policy settings for computer and user configurations included in the Administrative template files (.admx/.adml) delivered with Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=26&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d2043b94e-66cd-4b91-9e0f-68363245c495%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP DHCP Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP DHCP enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=30&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dac38e5bb-18ce-40cb-8e59-188f7a198897%26displaylang%3den
Planning and Deploying Group Policy
This guide provides the information needed to successfully plan and deploy Group Policy using Windows Server 2008 and the Group Policy Management Console.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=32&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d73d96068-0aea-450a-861b-e2c5413b0485%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Technical Overviews
These technical overviews provide IT Professionals with information about how a Windows Server 2008 technology works.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=33&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d46dc26d6-af47-43f0-b3de-521831fe09d6%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Standard
Windows Server 2008 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=37&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3db6e99d4c-a40e-4fd2-a0f7-32212b520f50%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP 802.1X Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP 802.1X enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=40&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d8a0925ee-ee06-4dfb-bba2-07605eff0608%26displaylang%3den
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD. This download enables you evaluate Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=41&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dd4e8bc52-3c3b-4bae-b937-987da892fad7%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP IPsec Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP IPsec enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=42&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d298ff956-1e6c-4d97-a3ed-7e7ffc4bed32%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 KMS Setup Demonstration
This video demonstrates how to implement the Key Management Service (KMS) in your organization. The demo walks through setting up the KMS host on a Windows Server 2008 computer, how KMS clients activate with the KMS host, and how to review activation status using the slmgr.vbs command.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=43&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dbbf2eb61-2b30-4f2d-bccd-df53e220b8e9%26displaylang%3den
Internet Protocol Security for Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Intenet Protocol security (IPSec) support in Windows Server 2003 allows you to secure network traffic at the Network layer.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=45&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3de6590330-d903-4bdd-9655-81b86df655e4%26displaylang%3den
IEEE 802.1X for Wired Networks and Internet Protocol Security with Microsoft Windows
This white paper examines and compared 802.1X for wired networks and IPsec.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=47&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dd9aef757-f528-41be-a01f-99a60c9a855d%26displaylang%3den
Network Access Protection Policies in Windows Server 2008
You configure NAP health requirements and enforcement behaviors with Network Policy Server in Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=48&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d8e47649e-962c-42f8-9e6f-21c5ccdcf490%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP VPN Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP VPN enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=49&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d729bba00-55ad-4199-b441-378cc3d900a7%26displaylang%3den
Introducing Windows HPC Server 2008
Learn more about Windows HPC Server 2008, and how it brings the power of high-performance computing (HPC) to mainstream while enhancing end users' and cluster administrators' productivity.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=50&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d360b83fb-4000-43e2-b6e8-be4373ad9c94%26displaylang%3den
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Beta for ADO.Net Entity Framework Beta 3
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Beta release for the Windows Desktop platform to support the ADO.Net Entity Framework Beta 3 and the ADO.Net Entity Framework Tools December 2007 CTP
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=6&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d68539fae-cf03-4c3b-aeda-769cc205fe5f%26displaylang%3den
Windows XP SP3 RC2
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 2 is available to the public. Specific registry settings will allow you to be offered SP3 via Windows Update. You can also choose to download standalone update packages.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d114f3599-12af-42b2-aab1-b969a62c68a7%26displaylang%3den
Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Release documentation that contains known issues for Windows XP Service Pack 3.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=2&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d60807c3a-8969-4ddf-beb2-8bfac9ed416b%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft Assessment and Planning
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator is a tool that makes it easy for you to assess your current IT infrastructure for a variety of technology migration projects. It includes the features previously provided with the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=5&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d67240b76-3148-4e49-943d-4d9ea7f77730%26displaylang%3den
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides Windows Firewall, an enhanced firewall that is enabled by default. This white paper describes the methods used to deploy Windows Firewall settings in a managed environment.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=13&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d4454e0e1-61fa-447a-bdcd-499f73a637d1%26displaylang%3den
Troubleshooting Windows Firewall in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
This article describes how Windows Firewall works, the common problems with using Windows Firewall, and the set of tools used to troubleshoot Windows Firewall issues.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=16&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3da7628646-131d-4617-bf68-f0532d8db131%26displaylang%3den
GPOAccelerator
The GPOAccelerator creates all the Group Policy objects (GPOs) that you need to deploy recommended security settings for your environment to save you hours of work that you would otherwise need to configure these settings. This Solution Accelerator includes guidance to assist you with this tool.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=18&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3da46f1dbe-760c-4807-a82f-4f02ae3c97b0%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft App Virt 4.5 Trial Guides
Trial guide that walks a user through the setup and use of the Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 system in standalone mode or with full infrastructure
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=22&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3daa787491-8d08-4d2f-8960-9e9f00226c7e%26displaylang%3den
Notable changes in Windows Vista SP1
Notable changes in Windows Vista SP1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dd69c4e1b-c81a-41be-b1f5-66e615ba5912%26displaylang%3den
Overview of Windows Vista SP1
Overview of Windows Vista SP1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=3&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d39b802ea-b2cf-4585-8cea-2cc6a6247cb3%26displaylang%3den
Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008
The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is designed to help corporate IT professionals customize and deploy the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 family of operation systems.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=4&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d94bb6e34-d890-4932-81a5-5b50c657de08%26displaylang%3den
Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals
These guides provide instructions for evaluating and deploying Windows Vista SP1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=5&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3de71f0083-1013-4f9c-a3f9-c56e7120a5e9%26displaylang%3den
Update for Windows Vista (KB943302)
Install this update to resolve a set of known application compatibility issues with Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=7&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d4758433b-11dd-49fc-9529-f8d7a914e1bf%26displaylang%3den
Update for Windows Vista (KB937287)
Install this update to enable future updates to install successfully on all editions of Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=8&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d5639710d-dfbf-4527-806e-9a1634d0cc8e%26displaylang%3den
Release Notes for Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Release documentation that contains known issues for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=9&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3db5b681f5-f366-4ad2-ba10-6a7d209de7bd%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization MCS Sequencing Guide
MCS Guidelines on sequencing with Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=40&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1c6a73b8-5da8-4a1a-838b-a41ca492c488%26displaylang%3den
TCP/IP Registry Values for Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 allow you to modify TCP/IP behavior with registry values.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=41&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d12ac9780-17b5-480c-aef7-5c0bde9060b0%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Developer Story
An executable containing the Windows Server 2008 Developer Story
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=46&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d056bb5f7-65ff-4c42-bdae-65754d96b021%26displaylang%3den
Windows AIK 1.1 Readme Document (February 2008 Update)
Updated readme document for Windows Automated Installation Kit 1.1 (Windows AIK) for Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=49&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d051091e8-51ea-4d2c-96b3-dc9863edebd9%26displaylang%3den
Testing Prep and Implementation
Setting up a testing environment, known issues and tools available - 2 page PowerPoint Presentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=50&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d02e01c4d-49a2-43e6-a9c5-8b174d1f089a%26displaylang%3den

thanks

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista SP1, Vista SP1, Virtualisation

Is your network going to be IPv6 ready?

David Overton — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:02:08 GMT

You remember IPv6 - it was that thing that people didn't like in Vista and tried to turn it off? Well it is coming and it is coming quickly. I saw this and thought I would remind everyone that what you know about IPv4 is no longer going to be enough. Is your network technology and software up to the task?

Switch To IPv6 On Internet's Root Servers Begins

The current version -- IPv4, which can accommodate 4.3 billion addresses -- would have run out of addresses by 2012, experts predict.
The switch to a new Internet address format has begun, as Web overseers look to provide a pool of virtually unlimited addresses to support the growing number of Internet-connected devices.
On Monday, records written in IPv6 were added to the Internet's root servers, making it possible for the first time for computer systems to communicate via the Web using only the new format, the London-based BBC news agency reported. The development marks a milestone in the conversion from IPv4.

Switch To IPv6 On Internet's Root Servers Begins -- IPv6 -- InformationWeek

MSDN developer resources can be found at (http://search.msdn.microsoft.com/search/Default.aspx?query=ipv6&brand=msdn&locale=&refinement=00&lang=en-us was used to get these links):

IPv6 Guide for Windows Sockets Applications (Windows)
This guide provides the information you need to enable your Microsoft® Windows® application to use the next generation of Internet Protocol, version 6 (IPv6)
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms738649.aspx
IPv6 Application Development
TCP/Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a connectionless, unreliable datagram protocol used primarily for addressing and routing packets between hosts. Connectionless means that ...
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa917153.aspx
IPv6 Blog : Mythbusters #1: No one is using IPv6 [UPDATED]
Hmm, let's bust this myth with a quick experiment. You can all take part. In order to be a valid test, you need to meet the following requirements: 1. You must have a cell phone ...
http://blogs.technet.com/ipv6/archive/2007/05/06/mythbusters-1-no-one-is-using-ipv6.aspx

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: IPv6, Network, Internet

How to repair the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 on Windows Vista

David Overton — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:32:33 GMT

My boss had some problems on his PC after installing some tools onto it and upon further diagnosis it appeared to be that the .Net Framework had been corrupted. We did all the usual things of looking in "Add/Remove Programs" etc, adding service packs etc all to no avail. I then came across this blog entry and a fix started to come to light

How to repair the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 on Windows Vista

Since the Windows Vista public launch in January 2007, I have been receiving questions about how to repair the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 to try to resolve various bugs. As I previously described here, the 2.0 and 3.0 versions are installed as OS components on Windows Vista and do not appear in the Programs and Features (formerly known as Add/Remove Programs) control panel.
Many of the customers I have heard from have tried to use the .NET Framework cleanup tool, but it does not list the .NET Framework 2.0 as a valid removal option when it is run on Windows Vista. This is by design - the cleanup tool does not offer the option to remove any version of the .NET Framework that is an OS component on the OS it is being run on.

Aaron Stebner's WebLog : How to repair the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 on Windows Vista

The important things seem to be:

Don't use the clean up tool
Try the command "sfc /scannow" from an elevated command prompt
Repair the (V2) framework with the command "%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\ngen.exe update" again from an elevated command prompt

The 1st item stops corruption, then 2nd checks the OS's binary (core internal files) are correct and matching their signatures and the final one re-creates all the "native" files from the IL code.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: .Net Framework, Support, Windows Vista, Vista

New build of Vista SP1 RC Preview to load and rumour that Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15

David Overton — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:49:22 GMT

I've been running Vista SP1 builds for a while and I like them. I don't like the process of changing builds which is "simply" a case of uninstalling the old build, letting it reboot twice, updating the registry, doing find updates in windows update, reboot, do it again, reboot, do it again, wait 15 mins, do it again, then let it install for a chunk of time, reboot twice more. Now, you won't have this fun when the "real" update comes out, but us testers simply enjoy this process!!

To get the latest preview go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=529d992a-d69e-4c73-9213-7a7f3852c0ca&DisplayLang=en

Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15 – XP SP3 Too?

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is just around the corner. Despite the fact that Microsoft continues to point to the first quarter of 2008 as the deadline for the delivery of Vista's first service pack, it appears that the refresh will drop as early as next month.
According to the Redmond company, Vista SP1 is planned for release by the end of March 2008. Microsoft has not shifted from the official timetable and failed to update it in accordance with the development of the operating system. However, it appears now that February 15 was confirmed as the RTM date for Windows Vista SP1.
Mid February 2008 is a more realistic date for the launch of Vista SP1, and one that is at the end of the natural course of evolution of the service pack's development process. Taiwanese news outlet DigiTimes, doing a story on the DRAM industry in 2008, cited Pei-lin Pai, a spokesman for DRAM manufacturer Nanya, saying: "the PC market will rebound in the second quarter. The launch of an updated version of Microsoft Vista on February 15, if its prices do not go up too much compared to its previous version, may help boost DRAM sales," (emphasis added).

Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15 – XP SP3 Too? - KezNews.com

I can't comment on the date, but mid-Feb is Q1 calendar year 2007.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Service Pack, betas

New Small Business Oriented blog - Microsoft Police (entry on licensing) and Vista bloody Vista (who's fault is it when things don't work on Vista)

David Overton — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:09:00 GMT

Susanne Dansey pointed this out to me - Dave is doing some excellent blogging! I like both these entries from January. One discussed the rights and wrongs of what to do with a customer who will not license legally. My personal opinion here is that if they won't pay a software company, how long until they will avoid paying the services company for a quality job. Dave's second post is dealing with someone who has been told that Vista is poor and blames anything that does not work under Vista on Microsoft. I'm not saying that Microsoft is never to blame, but it is nice to see posts like this coming out of the woodwork.

Microsoft Police

There has been a lot of chatter in the newsgroups recently about Microsoft licensing and what to do if you think the legality of clients software is suspect.

Here is my opinion. Funny that, it being my blog

Simple, get them to become legitimate (or legal) or walk away.

Let’s clarify this. Why I said legitimate or legal is because these can be two separate things. Why? well frankly, just because Microsoft and it’s lawyers say something should be the case, it doesn’t mean that it is the law.

<snipped - click link above to read more>

Vista, bloody Vista!

I was having a friendly discussion in the pub at the weekend and was introduced to a college lecturer. He spoke quite fluently about IT in his college even though he admitted he is not very technically minded.

Then it came…Why Vista he asked, it knackers things, so his techie people tell him? Windows 98 which he has at home is fine GRRRR!

Except, it isn’t fine. His PC was falling apart at the seams, things just weren’t working. The more I questioned the more it became like a broken record. Why had Microsoft not left things alone. The fact that his quite clearly 18million year old dial-up modem wasn’t working was obviously Microsofts fault. They only update things in order to screw money out of poor victims like him. (This did stay friendly I hasten to add and many more pints were sunk during the discussions!)

And then the explanation of why Vista is so bad. According to his techie department, Vista had made printers stop working! Oh really. How about the fact that the printers in question were well known branded lasers of years ago vintage. Who makes them? It doesn’t bloody matter, it is not Microsoft thats for sure!

<snipped - click link above to read more>

Dave - keep on blogging - I like it a lot!!

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBSC, Small Business, Microsoft, Vista, Windows Vista, Licensing

Report: Small businesses moving to Vista fastest | InfoWorld | News | 2008-01-14 | By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service

David Overton — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:28:59 GMT

Yes this is a US report, but I believe a similar move is happening in the UK

Nearly half of businesses polled in a recent survey are in some phase of updating to Vista, and of those companies, 53 percent are small businesses

By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service
January 14, 2008

Nearly half of businesses are in some phase of preparing to update desktops to Windows Vista with small businesses moving the fastest to implement the OS, according to a new report released Monday.
The number of organizations evaluating and testing Vista increased from 29 percent in February 2007 to 48 percent by early November 2007, found the report, commissioned by reseller CDW and based on information collected by Walker Information from 772 IT decision makers. Moreover, about 35 percent of companies are currently implementing or have implemented Vista already, compared to 12 percent last February, the report said.
The report is the third of a wave of reports on Vista adoption that CDW has done since the OS was in its final testing phases in October 2006. In the latest phase of release, which tracked Vista adoption from October 31 until Nov. 7, 2007, small businesses comprised 53 percent of those companies either using or evaluating Vista. The higher-education segment came in second, with 49 percent reporting that they are evaluating or using the OS, while medium-to-large businesses were third, with 48 percent.
Because of lingering hardware and application compatibility issues between existing company IT assets and Vista, CDW still advises customers to move to Vista on a case-by-case basis, said David Cottingham, director of product and partner management at CDW. In the case of small businesses, they may not have the application or hardware dependencies on Windows XP that larger businesses have.
"There are still definitely concerns when you get into custom applications in industries that will run on XP," he said. "If [companies] have custom applications that don't run on Vista yet, they're going to stay on XP."
CDW is still selling both XP and Vista, but Cottingham said the company does not have data on which version of the OS is selling more now that Vista has been available to businesses for more than a year. In September, Microsoft had to extend the OEM license for XP for five more months through June 30, 2008, because of customer demand for the OS. Microsoft had planned to stop selling XP through OEMs and retailers on Jan. 31.

Report: Small businesses moving to Vista fastest | InfoWorld | News | 2008-01-14 | By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista,Small Business

Samba developers can now see the Windows Protocols, make their products more interoperable with Microsoft Windows and see where Patents are to then choose to avoid or license

David Overton — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:10:36 GMT

I have never been known to sugar coat my opinion and one that has been forming recently is that much of the EU work on opening the Windows Media player is undesired by the consumers or the industry. This is my opinion, but I've seen no evidence to the contra. However, the licensing of protocols, while I don't wholly agree with the pricing structure, I see it as a good thing. This is a classic example of a de-facto standard working how it should. Today yet another organisation licensed the protocols, this time for the Samba community (with restrictions on redistribution and patent awareness) and this should deliver the reality of "interoperability, not standards" that I personally feel is the true desire of the world.

Update: Microsoft to hand over Windows secrets to Samba team | InfoWorld | News | 2007-12-20 | By Robert McMillan, IDG News Service

Developers of open-source Samba software will find their work a little easier thanks to an agreement with Microsoft, signed Thursday, that will give them access to previously secret data on how the Windows operating system works.
<snipped>
The deal was signed with a nonprofit group called the Protocol Freedom Information Foundation, (PFIF) which negotiated on behalf of the Samba team because Samba is not represented by a corporate entity. PFIF will pay a one-time fee of €10,000 and, in return, will be able to allow open-source developers, including the Samba team, to access the documents.
Developers will have to sign nondisclosure agreements and will not be allowed to redistribute Microsoft's documentation, but they will be able to write open-source software that implements the Windows protocols. The deal will also clarify which patents Microsoft believes are related to this technology, making it easier for open-source developers to avoid patent violations.

The article is quite negative in tone, ignoring that the licensing process was available before the EU stepped in and giving the glory to the EU, when I believe it is the free-market that made this move happen. Either way, the lack of standards that are used (yes, they do exist) in this technology arena means that people would rather work with existing solutions rather than build new ones. Having said that, Samba has some serious security weaknesses that using the MS protocols could well resolve!

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Samba, MCPP, Microsoft Communications Protocol Program, WSPP, Work Group Server Protocol Program, Open Standards, Microsoft

Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals - download details

David Overton — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:51:39 GMT

If you do plan to deploy Windows Vista then you need to be aware of the information that these guides can give you:

Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals

These guides will assist IT Professionals in evaluating and deploying Windows Vista SP1 and are downloadable versions of the SP1 guides found in the Windows Vista Technical Library. (http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/90a564b9-34af-4a6b-937f-324e1862244b1033.mspx)
Files in This Download

The links in this section correspond to separate files available in this download. Download the files most appropriate for you.

Deployment_Guide_for_the_Release_Candidate_Version_of_Windows_Vista_Service_Pack_1.doc

Enterprise_Guidance_for_Application_Compatibility_Testing_and_Windows_Vista_SP1.doc

Hotfixes_and_Security_Updates_included_in_Windows_Vista_Service_Pack_1.doc

Notable_Changes_in_Windows_Vista_Service_Pack_1_Release_Candidate.doc

Overview_of_Windows_Vista_Service_Pack_1.doc

Download details: Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Vista, Service Pack, Service Pack 1, Release Candidate, Documentation

How to get Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC (legitimately) via the Public Availability Program

David Overton — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:01:00 GMT

I knew this was coming, but I've not seen it shouted too much. My machine feels more responsive and some operations as mentioned before are faster. If you read the Windows Vista team blog Windows Vista SP1 RC now available for public download you would think it is only available to MSDN and Technet customers. It does have some good pointers though.

We're making available today the RC release of Windows Vista SP1, found here on MSDN and here on TechNet, with an FAQ here. I invite you to download, install and use the SP1 RC and let us know about your experience by providing your feedback here.
Before you install SP1 RC, please bear in mind the following points of advice, detailed in this short article:

If you have a prior version of SP1 Beta installed, you must uninstall it prior to installing RC.
This is pre-release code and will change before the final release.
This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission-critical systems.
Microsoft recommends that you backup your data prior to installing any pre-release software.
Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is time-limited software. It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date.
Support is through self-help and peer support via the Windows Vista SP1 forum. Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Support for this RC release of SP1. Support is not available via this blog.
If you install the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate, it is strongly recommended that you also plan to install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released in the first quarter of 2008. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this pre-release code.
You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed on the computer prior to installing the Windows Vista SP1 update.

Thanks to all of you who've expressed interest in testing the RC!

To get on the programme for Windows Updates based SP1 RE, have a look here Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Public Availability Program:

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Public Availability Program

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is available through Windows Update.

File Name:
SP1RC_Public_Availability_WURelease.exe
Version:
936330
Knowledge Base (KB) Articles:
KB936330
Install Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate through Windows Update
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) Release Candidate (RC) is available through Windows Update. Please read the following instructions before you install.
Before You Install

You must uninstall any previous versions of Windows Vista SP1 before installing Windows Vista SP1 RC
To uninstall previous version of Windows Vista SP1

Open the Programs and Features control panel and select View installed updates. In the Microsoft Windows section, righ-click Service Pack for Windows (936330) and select Uninstall.
Your system will now uninstall the previous version of Windows Vista SP1 Beta and may reboot multiple times.
Please wait one hour after uninstalling a previous version of Windows Vista SP1 before installing Windows Vista SP1 RC. The installer service needs to clean up and complete the uninstall prior to installing the RC. Failing to do this can result in installation errors when installing the RC version.

Windows Vista SP1 RC is pre-release software and will change before the final release. Windows Vista SP1 RC is for individuals, organizations, and technical enthusiasts who are comfortable evaluating pre-release software and is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you have a backup of your data prior to installing any pre-release software.
Windows Vista SP1 RC is time-limited software.
Windows Vista SP1 RC will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date. After installation your desktop will show the text “Evaluation Copy”. This does not mean that your system is no longer genuine but that you have installed a test version of software which is time-limited. The “Evaluation Copy” text will appear on your desktop after the second reboot after installing the service pack. Likewise, the “Evaluation Copy” text will remain on your desktop during the first reboot after uninstall the service pack, but will disappear after the next reboot.
If you install Windows Vista SP1 RC it is strongly recommended that you install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this RC version of Windows Vista SP1.
Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Help and Support for this RC release of Windows Vista SP1. Self-help and peer support is available through the Windows Vista SP1 forum.
You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed prior to installing Windows Vista SP1 RC.

The Windows Update Experience
Windows Vista SP1 RC requires the installation of either two or three prerequisite updates prior to installing the service pack itself. These prerequisite updates will be delivered to most users over Windows Update as part of regularly scheduled monthly updates prior to the release of the service pack. This will help ensure that reboots required by the prerequisite updates occur with other updates that require a reboot. However, because these prerequisite updates have not been released, installing Windows Vista SP1 RC will require 3 to 4 separate installations over Windows Update. Please note that the instructions below are primarily required for the RC installation and will not be required for most users using Windows Update to install the final Service Pack.
The prerequisite updates consist of two updates which service specific Windows components prior to the installation of the service pack and a third update which services the installation software built into Windows Vista. The following are the prerequisite updates.

KB935509 This updates is only required on Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Ultimate editions (which have Bitlocker capabilities). This update is required prior to installing KB938371, the second prerequisite update and is required to prevent potential loss of data on Bitlocker encrypted systems during updating.
KB938371 This update consists of fixes for several components (including the TrustedInstaller), increases the success rate for installing the service pack and enables the service pack to be uninstalled successfully.
KB937287 This is an update to the “Servicing Stack” or the Windows Vista component installer technologies built into Windows Vista. This update enables the built-in installer to properly and successfully install the service pack.

Installing the Sevice Pack
There are two ways to install the service pack, first, as a pop-up notification that the service pack is ready to be installed (this is the method in which most users will install the service pack) and using multiple manual installations from Windows Update. The first method is the simplest, but may take up to four days for the Windows Update Automatic Update feature to deliver each of the 3 prerequisites and the service pack. Windows Vista SP1 distributed through Windows Update will be applicable to Windows Vista machines that are running on any of the 36 languages supported by Windows Vista RTM.
Method 1: Automatic Update
You can install Windows Vista SP1 RC using the Automatic Update process by following these steps.

Save the included SP1cppRK.cmd script to your machine.
Right-click on the script and select Run as administrator. The script will set a registry key on your machine that allows Windows Update to offer Windows Vista SP1 RC to your machine.
From the Windows Update control panel, select Change settings.
Verify that Install updates automatically (recommended) is selected. This enables the Automatic Update feature to download and install the prerequisite updates and service pack automatically.
Windows Update Automatic Update will automatically update your machine over the next several days with the prerequisites updates. When the service pack has downloaded a pop-up notification will inform you that updates are ready to be installed. You must click on this notification and choose to install the service pack at this point. The service pack will not silently or automatically install itself.

Method 2: Manual Installation using Windows Update
To intall Windows Vista SP1 RC as quickly as possible, follow the steps below.

Save the included SP1cppRK.cmd script to your machine.
Right-click on the script and select Run as administrator. The script will set a registry key on your machine that allows Windows Update to offer Windows Vista SP1 RC to your machine.
Windows Update Automatic Update will automatically update your machine over the next several days with the prerequisites updates provided you have the Windows Update Automatic Update feature enabled. When the service pack has downloaded a pop-up notification will inform you that updates are ready to be installed. You must click on this notification and choose to install the service pack at this point. The service pack will not silently or automatically install itself.
To manually install the service pack, start by installing all Important updates applicable to your system and the prerequisite updates. You may have to repeat this several times to fully update your system by opening the Windows Update control panel and selecting Check for updates. Note: If your system is managed by a administrator and has a Windows Server Updates Services (WSUS) server for updates, you need to use the Check online for updates option of the Windows Update control panel. If this option is not available, your administrator may have disabled this functionality.
If you have Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Enterprise, Update for Windows Vista (KB935509) should be in this list. If you have any other version, Update for Windows Vista (KB938371) should be in this list. Install these updates and reboot your machine when prompted.
If you do not have Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Enterprise Update for Windows Vista (KB938371) should be in the list first and Update for Windows Vista (KB935509) is not required. Note: If you reboot and immediately check for updates you may not see all updates. This may be caused by the installer service completing the installation of the prior update. Please wait 5-10 minutes and check for updates again.
Install Update for Windows Vista (KB937287). Update for Windows Vista (KB937287) does not require a reboot.
Wait for 10-15 minutes before checking for updates again to enable the installer to complete its installation.
Check for updates again and install Service Pack for Windows (KB936330).

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Service Pack, Service Pack 1, Windows Vista, Vista, Betas, Release Candidate

More on the differences between real world Vista performance and that of a benchmark

David Overton — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:41:31 GMT

Following up on my articles that discuss Vista performance (I still stick by my statement that it is reasonable to expect Vista to need more resources) at More on Vista vs XP performance - why doesn't everyone want a racing car, but instead do they opt for safety, comfort or even the ability to have more than one passenger? and Vista SP1 beta vs XP SP3 beta and performance - what a load of old <insert your favourite derogatory term here> I saw this and thought it was worth sharing - especially worth watching the video!!

The right time to assess Windows Vista's performance

Posted by Nick White on Friday, November 30, 2007 4:29 PM
Measuring the performance of an operating system is a tricky thing. At the same time, it's the right and necessary thing to do, because performance is one of many criteria important to customers. Part of the trick of measuring performance is to time testing execution with the product cycle such that the results are as meaningful as possible for customers; this helps them make a better decision by making use of the full array of available information. As one example, about a year ago we commissioned a firm called Principled Technologies to conduct a study comparing Windows XP SP2 to Windows Vista RTM. That study found the performance measures of the two operating systems were within the same range for many tasks that home and business users frequently perform under real-world conditions.

Windows Vista Team Blog : The right time to assess Windows Vista's performance

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Performance, Vista

How to modify the Windows Vista Aurora, bubbles, mystify and ribbons screensaver hidden settings

David Overton — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:25:34 GMT

I saw this and thought I would share it for those who want to customise the screen savers that ship with Vista.

Windows Vista Aurora Screensaver Hidden Settings

For those of you who are using Windows Vista, you may have noticed that the screen savers that are included do not contain any settings. Actually, they do, but Microsoft didn't include options dialogs for them.
Long Zheng posted the settings for the Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbons screensavers back in September before Windows Vista officially shipped. But he didn't post the settings for Aurora.
Through a little bit of digging and guess work, I've uncovered one registry key that actually works for customizing the Aurora screensaver. Let's get started, shall we?

Kristan Kenney: Confessions of a Windows Enthusiast : Windows Vista Aurora Screensaver Hidden Settings

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista Tweaks, Windows Vista, Vista

Is Vista really that bad or do we have rose tinted glasses - How well was Windows XP accepted in the early years

David Overton — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:15:52 GMT

I have had a bit of a rant with Vlad over at Vista SP1 vs. XP SP3 Performance Stats: Flawed Samples or Market Reality? and the comments are good - the communication is very worthwhile, but I thought I would share some of the "what was it like with Windows XP" reality. That does not excuse the issues people see, but rather highlights the fact that with XP, it took some time for things to bed down and hopefully what you are seeing with Vista is a more responsive Microsoft and partner eco-system.

Complaints about Whistler (Windows XP and 2003) come in the form of performance, adoption rates, application compatibility, relevance - all things people are complaining about today with Windows Vista. I will say it again - ONLY DEPLOY VISTA IF IT MAKES SENSE FOR YOUR BUSINESS. What is more, only deploy Windows XP on new machines if there is a compelling reason to NOT deploy Vista. Remember that if you buy Vista Business / Ultimate and downgrade you can then re-load Vista at a later date without having to re-buy the OS. Buy XP and you will have to purchase the OS too.

Performance

Vista does many things to improve performance, but there is a limit as to how much juice you can squeeze into a firmly boxed space. 1GB of RAM is now a minimum and with multi-core coming along, scaling sideways is not a more important trick that raw performance. Vista has many things under the bonnet to improve performance, but in some scenarios it still does not work like XP. Just look at the "fix" that Alistair found for his Dell - Alistair likes Vista and found out that the Dell SATA drivers were making is go slow

ENT Review: Windows XP - I feel I could be reading a Vista review

For IT organizations that have already standardized on Windows 2000, however, the rationale for upgrading to Windows XP is altogether less clear cut.
<snip>
Speed and Performance Considerations
We deployed Windows XP on a 1.4-GHz Athlon system (512 MB of RAM); a 1-GHz Toshiba Tecra 8200 laptop (256 MB of RAM); a 500-MHz IBM Thinkpad 570E laptop (128 MB of RAM); a 450-MHz Pentium III custom-built system (192 MB of RAM); and a 333-MHz Pentium II custom-built system (192 MB of RAM).
Not surprisingly, out-of-the-box Windows XP runs noticeably slower than out-of-the-box Windows 2000 when hosted on the same hardware. Although a number of factors could contribute to this disparity – the presence of XP’s additional code foremost among them – after a lot of tweaking and rooting around, we managed to isolate and identify two of the biggest detriments to XP’s overall performance: Its flashy new "Luna" user interface (UI) and its new system restore facility. When both features are disabled, XP doesn’t run much slower than Windows 2000 and –- in some cases such as accessing or mapping network shares -– actually seems to perform better.
Hosted on a 500-MHz or higher processor, Windows XP’s new look-and-feel doesn’t drag too terribly much, and –- when given a 1-GHz or higher processor with which to play –- it practically flies. Deployed on a slower processor, however, Luna definitely hits the skids. On our 333-MHz box, for example, XP was much snappier when configured to use its Classic Windows UI. Viewing visual effects, screen redraws and page scrolling was a painful experience in the Luna UI.

Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks , Second Edition - tips, tricks and books on how to increase the performance of XP over 9x were common

In many ways, Windows XP is able to better take advantage of your hardware than Windows 9x/Me, but that doesn't mean it's configured for optimal performance right out of the box. Because all the software you run is dependent upon the operating system, tweaking Windows for better performance can result in performance gains across the board.

To start off, there are several easy settings that can have a substantial effect on Windows responsiveness. The next few sections explain these settings.

Adoption Rate

Say there are 1 billion PCs and notebooks in the world (I know it is not, but lets keep the maths simple). How many could you upgrade in the 1st year? Even if the OS was free? Application testing / fixing, time to deploy, training costs, lost time while upgrade happens, hardware upgrades - and this assumes you don't spend the time to work out how it could improve your processes rather than just sitting under them the same way the previous OS did. Research shows that the cost of the software is a minute part of the cost of deploying, so the fact it is not free is a minor point, but adds to the TCO that has to be considered. So when people say "oh, 88M is not fast enough" I think they don't really understand the effort people have to go to upgrade. So, in the 1st year, would 10% be an amazing number? Well, here we are 1 year since it was available to volume license customers (10 months for consumers) and we are at 88M - I would say that is health - and still good compared to Windows XP. This is why Microsoft has created so many tools to make it easier to deploy Windows to help reduce the pain involved (eg Desktop Deployment Planning Services Readiness (BDD v3) Workshop for Microsoft UK Partners)

Windows 98: What now? - January 2004 - 15/16 months after the release of XP

Among enterprises, the Windows 9x architecture continues to retain a considerable corporate presence. In a survey of 670 corporations, the research division of consulting company AssetMetrix Research Labs found that more than 80 percent of companies had at least one instance of Windows 95 or Windows 98. In addition, more than 27 percent of the total PCs deployed at the 670 organizations surveyed were running Windows 95 or Windows 98, compared with about 7 percent using Windows XP, according to AssetMetrix, of Ottawa.
<snipped>
Windows 9x next steps
IT managers with Windows 9x installations should consider the following:
Ensure that all PCs, regardless of operating systems, have the latest Microsoft Security Hotfixes
Identify the magnitude of Windows 95 and Windows 98 presence in the corporation via a PC inventory
Prioritize Windows 9x-based PCs with access to the Internet as candidates for migration
Determine if installations of Windows 2000 or Windows XP are covered under a Microsoft Volume Licensing Agreement
Determine if PC candidates require RAM or hard drive upgrades—or require a complete replacement
Source: AssetMetrix
<snipped>

Enterprises must consider a number of factors before upgrading. Moving to Windows XP or a non-Microsoft operating system will incur training and hardware upgrade costs, for example. Moving to Windows 2000, meanwhile, may be risky because the operating system is relatively mature and could be phased out by Microsoft in the not-too-distant future.
The easiest way to upgrade from Windows 9x is to start fresh by bringing in new PCs. The added benefit is that hardware that will easily support Windows XP or Windows 2000 stands a better chance of being able to support Longhorn when it becomes available.

Windows XP SP2 Penetration Hits 60 Percent - after 1 year the SP was only at 60% of Windows XP base, which was then about 30-50% of the Windows base

Earlier this month, Microsoft reported distributing more than 218 million copies of SP2 since releasing the service pack nearly a year ago. While Microsoft doesn't publicly disclose figures, they frequently refer reporters to the data collected by analysts at IDC.
"As of the middle of 2005, IDC estimates the installed base of Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home to be 371 million operating systems installations," IDC analyst Al Gillen said. That means Microsoft distributed 58.8 percent as many copies of SP2 as of Windows XP.

Slow Corporate Rollout for Windows XP SP2 - many organisation try to avoid upgrading to even service packs, let alone complete OSs

According to a new study by an IT asset management firm, only 24 percent of corporate Windows XP desktops have been upgraded to Windows XP SP2.
"Based on our research, a substantial number of companies have yet to decide whether to accept or embargo Windows XP SP2," Steve O'Halloran, managing director of the research lab for AssetMetrix, said. AssetMetrix is a five-year-old, Ottawa, Canada-based company providing what it calls an on-demand asset intelligence service.
AssetMetrix's study looked into the level of SP2 penetration in the IT environments of 251 North American companies with more than 136,000 PCs.
According to O'Halloran, 40 percent of companies using Windows XP have actively avoided upgrading to SP2. Only 7 percent have actively accepted SP2. The remaining 52 percent showed no direction or policy toward SP2. Those firms "may find themselves having support issues by allowing multiple editions of Windows XP to exist in their infrastructure," he said.

Users Enjoying Breather Between Windows XP and Longhorn - people have always been keen to stay where they are and not move

September 22, 2004
<snipped>

So how have users reacted to Microsoft’s move? With equanimity, for the most part. “The marketplace, for all its clamoring about features and value, is highly resistant to implementing software with major changes, often citing end-user retraining and third-party software changes,” says Andrew Baker, director of network services with a prominent global media conglomerate. “If you give them exactly what they say they want, they still won't implement it until six months after the first service pack.”

Paul Green, a Windows administrator with a non-profit agency, says that he’s quite happy with Windows XP.
“I currently don't have any plans in place to upgrade to Longhorn. Most everyone in the organization is running Windows XP -- SP1 or SP2 -- at the moment, and their needs are being met,” he says, adding: “If I were forced to use Windows 2000 on all current desktops, I would still be in good shape. So there really isn't any urgency for at least this organization to be upgraded.”

7 Million Windows XP Shipments - no-one was impressed with the acceptance of Windows XP and the same discussions are being had about Vista

Microsoft Corp. claims 7 million copies of Windows XP shipped in the two weeks since it launched the new operating system.
Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates calls the sales "amazing," and another Microsoft official suggested the momentum around the new OS could spur computer buying over the holidays. One industry analyst who follows Microsoft shipment numbers closely suggests the number is less stunning than it might sound.
"The appetite of businesses and consumers worldwide for innovative PC technologies is stronger than ever," Gates enthused in a Comdex speech. "We believe that Windows XP will light a fire of innovation across the entire high-technology industry."
Microsoft says sales have been about 200 percent what they were for Windows 98. The 7 million figure dovetails an industry milestone Microsoft reportedly reached with Windows 95 about two months after its release.
Al Gillen, an analyst who tracks operating system shipments for market research firm IDC, says comparison with previous operating system sales are meaningless.
"It would strike me as really odd if the first couple months of Windows XP sales are not higher than anything else that Microsoft has ever sold," Gillen says. "If it was less than any previous operating system it would be a complete failure."
Gillen points to two key pieces of context in evaluating Microsoft's momentum numbers.
First, Microsoft currently sells more than 100 million copies of client operating system licenses per year, many more licenses than it did at the time of the Windows 98 or any other previous client operating system launch. (While 7 million units in two weeks puts Microsoft on a pace to greatly exceed 100 million units, sales momentum usually spikes in the first month after release).
Second, Windows XP unifies the code base for the first time, meaning it can replace all prior operating systems -- Windows 9.x consumer operating systems and Windows NT-based business operating systems.

Application Compatibility

I don't know if there is 200,000 or 1,000,000 applications available for Windows, but I do know it is masses. If you are an application writer it takes time to support more than one OS, so there is always a delay between an OS becoming available and an application supporting it as the dev cycle in the application vendor will take priority over Vista deployment.

Windows 2003 compatibility issues upset some IT pros - application compatibility a problem on all versions of Windows as ISVs go through the certification process in a time that matches their business needs

Curran said CE Franklin will delay its upgrade to Windows Server 2003 by at least 12 months because of the application compatibility issue. The oil and gas equipment supplier is still running Exchange 5.5 on Windows NT 4.0, and a simultaneous migration would be "too much for us to undertake in a single upgrade," he said.
Alejandro Bombaci, CIO at Empresas Polar, a consumer goods maker and distributor in Caracas, Venezuela, said his company typically migrates the operating system—the "enabler layer"—and then the applications. "Upgrading both at the same time is too risky," he said, although in his case, the upgrades mostly involve non-Microsoft applications.

Relevance

People will always say "that is not good enough for my business". If that is after a proper analysis of the business needs then that is great. A year or four later that may well change, but it is the evaluation that is important rather than a "from the hip" decision.

Column: Don't Lose Sleep Over Windows XP - simple, people said it was not for business

As an IT manager, you’re pretty busy. That’s why I suspect any curiosity you have about Windows XP boils down to this: Is this a business upgrade that I’m going to have to deploy or what?
The short answer: It’s not looking that way yet.
<snipped>

The problems Windows XP solves are primarily aimed at consumer users.

Ok, that is my look back. Now you can also find many good reviews of Windows XP and Windows Vista, but lets not forget that adoption takes time and platforms take time to bed down. The more software and hardware you support, the longer this process takes, although the Microsoft beta programmes reduce this period significantly.

ttfn and happy installing Vista

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Vista, Adoption, Relevance, Performance, Application Compatibility, rants, if you only read one post today

Vista SP1 beta vs XP SP3 beta and performance - what a load of old

David Overton — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:01:00 GMT

I saw the article at ZDNet (Windows XP outshines Vista in benchmarking test - ZDNet UK) and at various other places and decided to comment. It compares a 1GB XP machine and a 1GB Vista machine and says that Vista is slower - both using beta service packs. This article links back to the blog of a certain benchmarking company (http://exo-blog.blogspot.com/2007/11/windows-xp-sp3-yields-performance-gains.html) and the result was an article with quotes in it like:

"Vista, both with and without SP1, performed over two times slower than XP with SP3 in the test, taking over 80 seconds to complete the test, compared to the beta SP3-enhanced XP's 35 seconds.
Vista's performance with the service pack increased less than two percent compared to performance without SP1 — much lower than XP's SP3 improvement of 10 percent."

Now this annoyed me twice. So did they turn off things like the pre-loading of applications, was this a fresh PC or one where the inbuilt tools could optimise themselves? Did they turn off new features like and anti-spyware and search engine, the graphics etc? You can't add a bundle of new features and get it all for free - they have to load and boot up time is the most likely time.

"The tests, run on a Dell XPS M1710 test bed with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and 1GB of RAM, put Microsoft Office 2007 through a set of productivity tasks, including creating a compound document and supporting workbooks and presentation materials."

Now this also annoyed me, even more. a Vista machine with the recommended MINIMUM amount of RAM, but XP with eight times it's minimum recommended. Microsoft clearly recognised that Vista's new features require more memory, as do Office, so they have one machine that is 5 years skinny on features and another that has 5 years worth of extra features and security built in. Come on. What about trying it on a 2GB machine, or one that the tests have been run on a hundred times so the optimisation engines in Vista can get to work. I've done benchmarking as a job and these runs plain stink of "wanting to get a press release out there and talking about us" rather than any real facts.

While a Microsoft spokesperson did not comment on the memory issue, the new features or anything else, they did comment on the fact that both service packs are not finished, so conclusions drawn now are a bit early!!

"In response to the test, a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement that, although the company understood the interest in the service packs, they are "still in development" and will continue to evolve before their release. "It has always been our goal to deliver service packs that meet the full spectrum of customer needs," the spokesperson said."

Right, had to get that off my chest, now, back to the day job.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Vista, Performance

Another Vista UI tweak - change the size of the thumbnail (preview) picture in Vista Aero when you hover over an icon in the taskbar

David Overton — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:44:30 GMT

The final one from Ave, another amazing UI tweak.

Thumbnail Sizer

Thumbnail Sizer allows the user to change the size of Vista's Window thumbnails that show when one hovers over the taskbar button for the window.
download from Ave's Vista Apps

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Vista Tweaks, Vista

3D Rotating (swaying gently back and forth) User Pictures in Windows Vista Start Menu

David Overton — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:25:22 GMT

Another User interface trick that I am now using from Vishal's blog - it just adds minor touches to Vistas UI.

3D Rotating User Pic in Windows Vista Start Menu

Ave’s 3D UserPic
In the old longhorn 4xxx days, the startmenu user picture was more animated as it was today. Today, we get a cheap alpha-fading effect when you hover over an item: the user picture simply blends with the icon for a while.
Back in the days, the user picture was actually rotating when you had the start menu opened. This application tries to achieve that effect.
Screenshot

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista Tweaks, Windows Vista, Vista

Photos, photography, JPEG XR, Photosynth, the future of photography and Seadragons - why all the excitement?

David Overton — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:42:00 GMT

It's funny working in an industry where if you are not going at 50,000 miles an hour you are considered to be standing still. One area where Microsoft is speeding along is photography. In this post I will explore the announcements, the demos, short and long term products and then the future that lots of people are beginning to see. For me, the fact that people are already seeing such a future and its possibilities is very exciting (both the visions and the fact they are having them without drugs!! (humour))

Look at the recent events:

Raw photo support in 2005 - Microsoft and Imaging Industry Leaders Unveil Support for Digital
Photo HD (which some people thought was a JPEG killer.. tut tut) - HD Photo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JPEG XR - JPEG committee supports Photo HD as next gen JPEG TrustedReviews - Official Jpeg Successor Is Microsoft's HD Photo

Now this is all very nice, but so what - a better format for bigger pictures, that could be a bit like FAT disks getting FAT32 format, but it is not. Now read about Photosynth and Seadeagon and you realise that people are not just seeing a HD future, but a future where seeing details and accessing them is much, much easier:

The demos by themselves are awesome -

Chris Koenig : Seadragon and Photosynth
If you haven't already seen Seadragon or Photosynth, then you need to watch this video from TED 07. The speaker, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, is an Architect at Microsoft, and responsible for the Seadragon product.
This is AMAZING technology - absolutely unbelievable what they've been able to do here. You can try out Photosynth for yourself today, but Seadragon itself is not publicly available (I can't wait to get my hands on this Seadragon demo)!

The short term future is described by people like Pete:

Microsoft & Photography - Pete's Eats
I've been a heavy Photoshop user since v2.5 now but thought I'd do some research at Microsoft to see what kinds of things we have to offer too. I have to say, I was pretty surprised at the content I found and thought I should share...

Microsoft Pro Photo - a site devoted to professional photographers with news, blog, articles and events. I've only just started to explore this site myself but I'm pretty impressed so far. One of the recent news items there is announcing a partnership between Phase One and Microsoft.
Microsoft Photo Info - an add-in for Windows Explorer that enables you to see and edit the metadata of an image without opening another application. This is actually pretty handy.
Microsoft Pro Photo Downloads - a download site, linked from the Pro Photo site. Features some great apps, articles and utilities such as Synctoy and various Photoshop workflow pieces.
Microsoft Research Group Shot - use this to create a composite image from a series of photos. I haven't played with this yet, but it's from MS Research so should be worth it...
Photosynth - browse large collections of photo's in 3D. You have to see the videos to get this.
Seadragon - not specifically for photo's, but imagine being able to view large images like this if you're a pro photogrpaher... The speed is amazing and will be seriously useful in a studio environment I think.

So, some pretty good resources so far. I'm sure there are some more hidden depths to explore too...

In fact, the information already available has lead to some people being inspired to write their own tools:

Microsoft Releases SEAMonster "Content-Aware Image Resizing" Utility

In April, I saw SEAMonster demonstrated by one of the Microsoft Research guys. It's hard to quickly explain the amazing differences between simply "cropping or resizing an image" as opposed to "content-aware seam carving" -- so pah-lease:

Watch this quick video!
Download SEAMonster Beta

Can SEADragon be released next?

People are now also seeing further into the future with views on how the world will be different.

Two different perspectives are provide by Steve (my former boss and all things SaaS) and Pete Scargill (IT Chair of the Federation of Small Business and good friend, when we get time to catch up)

Steve Clayton: Geek In Disguise : Kindle is Software + Services

I haven't seen it yet and hear great things already but imagine the Kindle with Microsoft's SeaDragon technology embedded. Maybe it already has something like this but seeing the Blaise demo with Dickens' books made me think it's a match made in heaven. Maybe not though given the ambition to get books down to the device in ~1m and the size of some of the SeaDragon collections I have.

and from Pete who writes for Computing - it is very much worth reading the whole article, however, to give you a taster:

http://peterscargill.computing.co.uk/2007/11/travelling-thro.html

Travelling through time - a 3D tour of the world made real

I’ve just come out of the most AMAZING talk and demo.
This is superficially on the subject of photos – and what we (by that I mean the world) can do with them – I think you’ll find this very interesting, mind-boggling in fact, but you’ll have to bear with me as I take it through in stages – don’t try to skip any.…
Traditionally, most of the more elderly amongst us (myself included) used to go off on holiday, take pictures, take our films along to Boots, get the pictures printed, look at them and then shove them away in a draw to go mouldy.
Then along came digital cameras – the ones that some said “would never replace film” – well, they have, well and truly. So, many people now have digital cameras and go on holiday, take WAY more pictures than ever before… and put them on a disk to go, erm, mouldy. I’ve been taking pictures since the first digital cameras came out – all neatly categorized and stored in directories which no-one will ever see.
<snipped>
then along comes Microsoft Labs at the TechEd conference this week in Barcelona. These chaps been working for some time on something called Seadragon.
Stay with me – I’m making a point and it’s worth it.
So – Consider Google Earth – you can zoom in and out to any part of the world and go in with incredible detail - turned geography lessons upside down I’d imagine – I could not imagine not teaching a kid how to use this tool. Of course, you don’t hold data for the whole world in your PC – no, it’s pulled in from the web only as and when needed – as you zoom in from the entire world view which has very little detail, to someone’s back yard. And this is the key to the next stage.
Now consider a screen with thousands of little thumbnails of pictures, you can zoom into any one, and keep zooming. The only hit your machine is taking is the size of your screen – like Google Earth, it’s pulling in information only as it needs it – on the fly.
So, in the Seadragon demo they zoomed in through hundreds of tiny, side by side photos lying on the screen, into a tiny glossy car advert. But wait, in the corner of the tiny ad as they zoomed in, were some little car images taken at different angles – zoom in – they’re actually hi-res images with text - pages within pages if you like – almost ad-infinitum if need be. In another example one photo when zoomed in turned out to be the entire text of a whole book, chapter by chapter side by side – and you just zoomed in smoothly till you got what you wanted. Think about this for your web site – instead of lots of pages – you have one page – and just keep zooming in on the bits you’re interested in. A completely different way to think of publications.
<snipped>
And none of this is really new – a different slant on microfilm – bigger, better and faster – but then, along comes Photosynth… and here I’m coming to the interesting bit.
What the guys at Microsoft have done is to make software that analyses photos and gives them scoring points for all the features, angles, corners, colours and so on and assign a set of numbers to each photo – all totally automatically of course, no human interaction – making it possible to compare one photo with another and – wait for it – yes, they can actually tell how one photo relates to another and where the photographer stood when he/she took the shot.
So – take a few pictures of your house at various angles – all the way around and fire the photos at the software and it is capable of building a “mental image” of the original shape - and you’re right – they’ve managed to put those flat photos in a virtual 3D space - in the order and orientation that they relate to each other.
To explain – imagine you built a plaster model of your house, and on each wall or corner, stick a photo you’ve taken of the real house, hold it there with a pin, and let’s say you’ve a really nice door - as someone moves up to the door in the photo of the front of the house - well, you can’t do this in a real model – but imagine moving close up to the door, and the photo changes from an image of the front of the house, to the close-up of the door. Imagine an image of the door handle – look toward the handle – image smoothly changes to that image… one could go on ad nauseum.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re not really talking about a guided tour of your house. Taking a slight leap, we’re talking potentially about a guided tour OF THE WORLD!!!!! (minus boring fields and the sea of course)
That’s today, but what’s really exciting is this: Some time ago I saw a demo at a university of a very crude attempt to extract 3D imagery from photos – but this is WAY beyond that. They then briefly showed us a demo - same scenario, a church this time with about six photos. Move around the photos smoothly and you get an idea of the original church – but that was not good enough – all of a sudden the image smoothly moved around the outside of the building in full 3D. Amazingly they have demo software that figures out the original 3D image from the photos and lets you view and pan a complete, solid 3d image! All from a bunch of flat photos and NO human interaction.
Move forward to a different world to the one we have today… let’s say in a few short years at most (and most of this is conjecture on my behalf).
Consider something like Microsoft Virtual Earth – consider a system that lets you zoom down to the ground in full 3D, walk around at ground level in full 3D, up alleys, into shops, to anywhere in the world that Flickr etc have available in images in sufficient number. Not only that but the text that accompanies modern photos (metadata information) is used to tap into Wikipedia as required and extract useful notes for you.
Imagine sitting at the screen, descending to a shop in a street, going into the shop, let’s say a jewelers shop – and as you zoom along the shelves you spot a ring you like. Zoom in and you can see the crystal in every minute detail. Press a button and get complete information about the product – and how long it will take to get to you. Press another – credit card – and it’s yours. Within seconds the images changes on the shelf to “sold out” and everyone else looking in sees that change.
<snipped>

Finally a bit of background reading for those of you want to know more about JPEG XR:

HD Photo to become JPEG XR

Posted By PSN Editorial Staff
A new attempt to provide a higher-end sequel to the ubiquitous JPEG image standard is officially under way.
Source: CNET
Written by Stephan Shankland
The multiple countries participating in the Joint Photographic Experts Group, which created the JPEG standard, have approved an effort to make Microsoft’s HD Photo format a standard called JPEG XR, said Bill Crow, who has led Microsoft’s HD Photo effort and who just took over the company’s Microsoft Live Labs Seadragon imaging project. XR stands for “extended range,” a reference to the format’s ability to show a wider and finer range of tonal gradations and a richer color palette.
“The country vote is done, and it passed,” Crow said. “That means the International JPEG committee has decided to go ahead and create the standard. Now it’s just a process of doing that work,” a process that will begin later this month in a meeting in Kobe, Japan.

thanks and enjoy your photos, today and tomorrow

David

Technorati Tags: Photos, photography, JPEG XR, Photosynth, Seadragon

New reliability, compatibility, USB and MCE Updates to Windows Vista available via Windows Update now. The USB update fixes 1-2% of all Vista crashes!!

David Overton — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:40:13 GMT

I saw this on the blog and thought I would tell you all about it. I'm testing SP1, so I did not see it on my updates, but SP1 has this in it, so I think it is worth getting!!

New Updates to Windows Vista available via Windows Update this week

As you probably know and as we’ve mentioned in previous posts, we use Windows Update to periodically deliver updates for Windows Vista. We do this so that customers need not wait for a service pack or another or larger release to benefit from the ongoing improvements we make to Windows. With Windows Update, we can regularly service Windows as quickly, effectively and unobtrusively as possible, so that keeping your Windows OS up-to-date is easier and more convenient for you. All you have to do is make sure you are signed up to have updates installed automatically, and you’re good to go. Continuous improvement is the name of this game.
The non-security updates planned for release through Windows Update this week include:

An update on system compatibility, reliability and stability: extends the battery life for mobile devices, improves stability of wireless network services, and shortens recovery time after Windows Vista experiences a period of inactivity, among other fixes.
An update to USB core components: mainly affects systems returning from sleep or hibernation, fixing problems causing 1-2% of all crashes reported.
An update to Windows Media Center: among other things, affects interaction issues occurring between Media Center PC and Microsoft Xbox 360 when Xbox 360 is used as a Media Center Extender.

The links in the above list will lead you to the KB article related to each update in case you want more information on them. And, when they’re made available via Windows Update (expected to occur Tuesday 13th), you can also right-click each entry in Windows Update to get its 400-word summary description.
These and similar updates will be wrapped into SP1 for those of you considering installing them in one fell swoop. We’ll let you know here on the blog when we have more news in this vein.

Windows Vista Team Blog : New Updates to Windows Vista available via Windows Update this week

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Updates, Vista

Windows Vista UK Web Special Offers (I saw 18% off at one site and yes, it is legit)!!

David Overton — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:50:53 GMT

I just saw this at Windows Vista: Special Offers retailers are offering 15%+ off of Vista. You need to look at the sites yourself to determine which one has the best price for your needs, but still - nice amount to have removed in the UK!!.

Shop By Retailer

Shop By Brand

Shop By System Builder

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista, Discounts, UK

An update from Vijay on the SBSC PALs Quarterly Conference Call and further evidence that Microsoft might sometimes be slow to react to feedback, but it does react and the results are often good

David Overton — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:17:26 GMT

I saw this post of Vijays (» SBSC PALs Quarterly Conference Call) and thought it was worth highlighting some of it:

Michael Risse, VP of the Small and Midmarket Business Group has issued an open letter to SBSC Partners about the issues with Solution Finder.
Demo Showcase 2007 will be available to all SBSC Partners, shipping this December. I clarified that it will be the Virtual Server Images and not just the canned simulations and Andrea said it will be the full versions.
The Managed Newsgroups are now 24 hour in the UK and other selected countries from last week.
Special Edition Toolkit will ship in December provided you are a SBSC Partner before 30 November. You will get Vista anytime upgrade to Ultimate from Business, eval of Forefront for Sharepoint/Exchange, Demo Showcase 2007, Brand Tools, Viral Videos, Licensing Guidance, printable Small Business Guide.
Customer Campaigns around the following areas (hopefully call to action will be go to a SBSC Partner but depends upon how Microsoft UK implements them)

Security and Reliability
Business Productivity
Customer Acquisition & Retention
Business Solutions

Also, Microsoft are asking where we would like support from Microsoft to build business in new areas such as CRM, Sharepoint, SCE, Security and/or vertical market segments.

For all the requests, Vista Ultimate will be part of the offering to SBSC partners and the special recognition that SBSC partners continues to grow. It is also nice to see that the managed newsgroups are now manned 24hrs, so PLEASE use them to help diagnose problems.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBSC, SBSC PALs, Vista Ultimate, Managed Newsgroups

Microsoft Windows security tools, Server 2008 readiness, step-by-step guides, virtualisation updates, synctoy beta, VHDs and LOTS on the new Terminal Services

David Overton — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:11:24 GMT

This is an extract from the TRM blog which can be found here http://blogs.technet.com/trm/.

I have removed the KB article list and some items which I don't think are relevant to small business / ISV partners, however the full info can be found on the blog page too.

News
Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 3.0
The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT) is a risk-assessment application designed to provide information and recommendations about best practices for security within an information technology (IT) infrastructure.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7623431
Start your Microsoft Windows 2008 Readiness Right Here
Focus on readiness for Windows Server 2008 now, and you can be the one who stands out when initiatives happen - and when promotion decisions are made. Let Microsoft Learning resources give you the head start you need to transition your skills and credentials to the latest Windows Server technologies - from free elearning clinics and free ebook downloads.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7623432
Get an Extra Shot at Microsoft Certification
For a limited time, you can get an extra chance to pass any Microsoft IT Professional, Developer or Microsoft Dynamics Certification exam - free. Register for this offer before your first exam and you'll get two shots at success. Register now!
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7623434
The Windows Server 2008 Upgrade Exam Is Coming
Update your skills and get ready for the Windows Server 2008 certification exam with special offers on e-learning collections and classroom training.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7623435

Documents
Windows Server 2008 Technical Overviews
These technical overviews provide IT Professionals with information about how a Windows Server 2008 technology works. They may also cover design and planning considerations and basic setup and operating instructions.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=46dc26d6-af47-43f0-b3de-521831fe09d6&DisplayLang=en
Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guides
These step-by-step guides help IT Professionals learn about and evaluate Windows Server 2008. These documents are downloadable versions of guides found in the Windows Server 2008 Technical Library. (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=86808)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=518d870c-fa3e-4f6a-97f5-acaf31de6dce&DisplayLang=en
Managing Virtual Server Host Clustering using System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007
Microsoft® System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2007 manages a virtualized data center running Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 and provides unified management of physical and virtual machines, consolidation of underutilized physical servers, and rapid provisioning of new virtual machines. This document provides an introduction to the methods and concepts that Information Technology (IT) professionals can use to manage Virtual Server clustered hosts using VMM. Virtual Server host clustering allows you to use a small number of physical servers to provide a wide variety of services, while maintaining the availability of the services that you provide. If a physical host server requires scheduled or unscheduled downtime, another host server is able to quickly begin supporting services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=75bd4642-b731-42a2-9770-ff8aeff9eed9&DisplayLang=en
Windows Vista User Experience Guidelines
Use this page to download a preliminary draft of the Windows Vista User Experience Guidelines (or UX Guide). These guidelines contain information on what’s new in Windows Vista, design principles, and guidelines for controls, commands, text, interaction, windows, aesthetics, and the Windows environment. They help designers and developers create high-quality Windows Vista applications with a consistent “look and feel.“
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e49820cb-954d-45ae-9cb3-1b9e8ea7fe8c&DisplayLang=en
White Paper: Virtualization From the Datacenter to the Desktop
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec5b0718-114c-474d-be01-8a1186eb3cdb&DisplayLang=en
White Paper: The Road to Desktop Optimization
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=90e5f13d-f48d-4f94-9032-58af7550fde2&DisplayLang=en
White Paper: Optimizing Your Server Infrastructure
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5cb2a9ba-d830-4510-9729-78b43208f498&DisplayLang=en
White Paper: Remote Infrastructure Optimization
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e5f186fa-3cfe-477a-89c3-abd5f75d6eb7&DisplayLang=en
Hypervisor Functional Specification
Microsoft Windows Server 2008. This document is the top-level functional specification (TLFS) of the first-generation Microsoft hypervisor. It specifies the externally-visible behavior. The document assumes familiarity with the goals of the project and the high-level hypervisor architecture.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=91e2e518-c62c-4ff2-8e50-3a37ea4100f5&DisplayLang=en
Downloads
Internet Explorer Administration Kit 7
Internet Explorer 7 Administration Kit (IEAK 7) enables the most efficient way to deploy Internet Explorer 7 and manage Web-based solutions.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=36b932c2-a356-4ae5-8c09-1bac9f7a4fe9&DisplayLang=en
SyncToy v2.0 Beta
SyncToy 2.0 Beta for Windows is available as a free download from the Microsoft Download Center. The easy to use, customizable application helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&DisplayLang=en
Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 VHD (Full Installation)
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD. This download enables you evaluate Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Beta 3.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9aa65956-4a13-46a3-9711-82939a041792&DisplayLang=en
WS-Management v1.1
WS-Management v1.1 delivers WS-Management functionality on Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Windows 2003 Server R2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=845289ca-16cc-4c73-8934-dd46b5ed1d33&DisplayLang=en
Windows Server 2008 RC0 Enterprise
Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0818d425-cd47-4279-be8d-24aba14530a3&DisplayLang=en

Events/Webcasts
Momentum Webcast: Introductory Session to Microsoft Core Infrastructure Optimization Model and Virtualization (Level 100)
Thursday, November 01, 2007 9:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586057
TechNet Webcast: Optimize Your Data Center Using PlateSpin Solutions, Dell Servers, and Microsoft Virtual Server (Level 200)
Thursday, November 01, 2007 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586058
Configuring Windows Compute Cluster Server clusters for ANSYS software; Guidelines and Current Hardware Solutions
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586059
TechNet Webcast: Storage Best Practices for Virtual Server (Level 200)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586060
Microsoft Webcast: Overview of Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 100)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586061
TechNet Webcast: The Significance of the Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Release to Market (Level 200)
Thursday, November 08, 2007 8:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586062
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Session Broker (Level 300)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586063
Momentum Webcast: Windows Server 2008 - A Solid Foundation for Your Business Workloads and Security (Level 100)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586064
TechNet Webcast: Remote Desktop Protocol as a Presentation Remoting Platform (Level 300)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586065
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Licensing (Level 300)
Thursday, November 15, 2007 8:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586066
TechNet Webcast: The Virtues of Virtualization (Level 200)
Thursday, November 15, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586067
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services RemoteApp and Web Access (Level 300)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 1:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586068
TechNet Webcast: Developing for Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services (Level 300)
Monday, November 26, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586069
TechNet Webcast: How Microsoft IT Is Providing an Improved Web and Applications Platform with Internet Information Services 7.0 in Windows Server 2008 (Level 300)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586070
TechNet Webcast: Terminal Services Easy Print (Level 300)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586071
TechNet Webcast: Windows Server 2008 Terminal Services Security and Authentication (Level 300)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7586072

On-Demand Microsoft IT Webcasts for IT Managers
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7281008
On-Demand Microsoft IT Webcasts for IT Pros
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7281009

Live Webcasts:
Full list can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/events/default.mspx

Interactive Webcast Calendar
The interactive calendar will help you quickly find live webcasts that fit your schedule as well as on-demand webcasts to view at your convenience. You can choose your time zone and filter this list by audience, webcast series, product or topic, and presenter.
http://www.microsoft.com/events/webcasts/calendar/monthview.aspx

Monthly Archived Webcasts:
http://www.microsoft.com/events/webcasts/library/default.mspx
New KBs (approx 40 this month listed on the blog)

This content is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties express or implied, as to the information in this document. If you are a customer of Microsoft, please refer to the terms and conditions which cover the provision of support and consulting services to you/your organization. If you are not corresponding in the course of, or in connection with a Microsoft contract or program with its own terms and conditions, please note that no liability is accepted by Microsoft for the contents of this document.
TRM contributors this month were Justin Zarb

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008

Windows is now getting too difficult to hack, so the hackers sights are moving elsewhere, but that does not mean security is now easier.

David Overton — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:33:33 GMT

I have heard many times how Windows is the big target for virus and phishing nasty people in general, but more and more people are showing that Windows is just too hard to hack when applications and other platforms offer so much more opportunity.

From the article at eBay: Phishers getting better organized, attacking Linux Dave Cullinane, eBay's chief information and security officer said that in his previous job protecting a bank from phishers

"The vast majority of the threats we saw were rootkitted Linux boxes, which was rather startling. We expected Microsoft boxes. Rootkit software covers the tracks of the attackers and can be extremely difficult to detect. According to Cullinane, none of the Linux operators whose machines had been compromised were even aware they'd been infected. Although Linux has long been considered more secure than Windows, many of the programs that run on top of Linux have known security vulnerabilities, and if an attacker were to exploit an unpatched bug on a misconfigured system, he could seize control of the machine. "

In the same article it also mentions:

"We see a lot of Linux machines used in phishing," said Alfred Huger, vice president for Symantec Security Response. "We see them as part of the command and control networks for botnets, but we rarely see them be the actual bots. Botnets are almost uniformly Windows-based."
Since Linux machines can be used to more easily create specially crafted networking packets, they can be used in highly sophisticated online attacks, said Iftach Amit, director of security research with Finjan Inc.'s malicious code research center.

Now this might sound like a load of old "mine is better than yours", but there is much more to this. Oracle, who on the whole don't make that many products, released their latest set of patches, just 51 this month - http://techworld.com/applications/news/index.cfm?newsID=10369&pagtype=all, compared to a much smaller set from Microsoft. What is worth noting is the fact that the attack vector is moving from the OS to the applications sat on top of it.

One researcher event went as far as to say (http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/10/02/Security-researchers-look-beyond-Vista_1.html)

One well-known researcher who goes by the name Halvar Flake called Vista "arguably the most secure closed-source OS available on the market," in a blog post about BlueHat. "As a result I think that most of the security researchers will move on to greener pastures for a while. Why try to chase a difficult overflow out of Vista when you have Acrobat Reader installed, some antivirus software with shoddy file parsing, and the latest iTunes?"

Using social engineering and targeting other applications is now much more common place, for example Skype is dogged (http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/10/17/Trojan-imitates-Skype-steals-logins_1.html):

The program sends the victim's Skype credentials, as well as any other logins or passwords stored in Internet Explorer, to another server, wrote Villu Arak, a Skype spokesman based in Tallinn, Estonia, on a Skype blog.
Skype, the VoIP program owned by eBay, is frequently targeted by malware writers because it is widely used. Other attacks have focused on sending links to malware via Skype's chat function as well as worms.
This Trojan horse appears as an installer with Skype's logo and the name "65404-SkypeDefenderSetup.exe." Once the program is executed, users see a convincing Skype login interface, although the graphic for the "sign in" button is different from that of the genuine Skype application.

Hopefully through all of this you can see that Security was and is not about the OS, but everything on the computer, including the user. People often ask why UAC is so vital in Vista - the answer is simple, because the user needs to learn to be aware that an application elevation is a risky business and should only be allowed when desired, expected and trustworthy.

Finally, good old Gartner has recently suggested that "broad" attacks need commoditized solutions to enable focus on more specific attacks and "inside out" rather than simply throwing barriers at the problems (http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9042699&intsrc=hm_list).

So, what does this mean? Well, it means that applications and architectures still need to be designed with the thought that even if a compromise happens, it should not be able to weaken the overall system. Less running as administrator or root is required, more partitioning and awareness.

That is it, I hope it was a bit enlightening. There are no "answers" to security, just more learnings.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Security, Windows Vista, Trojan

Videos on Vista usage - Checking for updates, Backup options, Offline file options, How to use security in Internet Explorer, Sharing files

David Overton — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:45:35 GMT

I have documented some of these before, but now all of them are here.

- How to backup information in Vista using Restore Previous Versions, writing to DVDs and the built in backup tools

- How to use Windows Updates to get patches for the system

- How Internet Explorer 7 and Vista protect you - just remember to say no!!

- How to take files offline in Vista and Outlook (for SharePoint files)

- Sharing files using Windows Messenger

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista

How to enable / disable / change the Task Manager on Windows Vista

David Overton — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:20:39 GMT

This question was asked in the forum, but after a bit of research I thought I would share this more broadly. Here is what I discovered:

There is a group policy object to enable / disable task manager
You can also replace the file that gets run when Task Manager is requested, but this is done using the debug options

Group Policy to enable / disable

For the Group Policy options, a quick search on Live Search takes me to http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/windows/gazette/2003/20030821_enable_taskmanager_for_windows_2000_and_xp.htm which basically points to:

Open Regedit
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ System.
Look for: DisableTaskMgr.

Click on REG_DWORD.

Value: 1=Enable this key (disables TaskManager)
Value: 0=Disable (actually enables TaskManager)

Replace Task Manager with another program

Then for the how to replace the program you basically need to set the options for taskmgr.exe to replace it with another program using the debug options. This means that you want to do the following:

Open Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ Image File Execution Options \ taskmgr.exe
Look for: Debugger - if it exists then the program listed gets executed, if it is not present then taskmgr.exe is executed

eg "Debugger"="C:\SOFTWARE\TOOLS\PROCESSEXPLORER\PROCEXP.EXE"

Now while this sounds simple, if you have UAC on and the program you are calling requires elevation then you will hit problems. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/replacing-task-manager-with-process-explorer-in-vista discusses how to work around them.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows, Vista, Task Manager

Windows Vista Limited UK Offers to make buying it even better value

David Overton — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:56:00 GMT

The UK Vista team have teamed up with 3 retailers to get you some great value offers when buying Windows Vista in the UK. These deals will end as October comes to a close, however here are the offers (details at https://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/offers/default.mspx):

Buy a Windows Vista Home Premium upgrade and receive a free Philips Messenger Phone worth £39.99.

Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium and receive a free 4GB memory stick.

Buy a Windows Vista Home Premium upgrade for £129.99 and receive a free PC version of Medal of Honor: Airborne

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Special Offers, UK

Vista whitepapers on implementation, Bitlocker, Application Compatibility

David Overton — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:22:00 GMT

Documentation

Windows Vista Step-by-Step Guides for IT Professionals

These step-by-step guides provide instructions for deploying or migrating to Windows Vista, and various management tasks, including configuring security, monitoring performance, and managing printers.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=21&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3d311f4be8-9983-4ab0-9685-f1bfec1e7d62%26DisplayLang%3den

App Compat Prep and Implementation

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=24&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3d02e01c4d-49a2-43e6-a9c5-8b174d1f089a%26DisplayLang%3den

ACT 5 Step by Step Guides

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=25&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3dbc931bfd-d279-4060-b370-08fa52f97a8d%26DisplayLang%3den

BitLocker Design and Deployment Guides

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=29&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3fFamilyID%3d41ba0cf0-57d6-4c38-9743-b7f4ddbe25cd%26DisplayLang%3den

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista, whitepapers, BitLocker, Application Compatibility

SBSC and small business partners get a chance to find out more about the market they sell into and Microsoft technology that is here and coming

David Overton — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:06:00 GMT

Want to talk to Microsoft and hear where we see the market, opportunities and key technologies? Then get to one of these (there are even more dates on the web site) :-)

We are taking to the road to see you, our partners! Jump in the driver's seat and join us to find out how we plan to get your business motoring. A top Microsoft technology and business team will map out the latest developments in the server and desktop markets and take you on the journey from market opportunity to technical 'how to' demonstrations.

We'll get under the hood of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, along with the Office Ready PC, giving you detailed insights to get your business moving. And of course, we'll be outlining the route ahead for the new Windows Server 2008, with its built-in web and virtualisation technologies for increasing the reliability and flexibility of your customers' server infrastructure.

Additionally we will be running exclusive SBSC pre-sessions at four of the locations so be sure to make one of these events by signing up using the links below:

1.    Wednesday 10^th October – Cardinal Place, London

2.    Thursday 11^th October – TVP, Reading

3.    Wednesday 17^th October – Park Plaza, Nottingham

4.    Tuesday 23^rd October – The Lighthouse, Glasgow

And, importantly, we'll have the chance to meet. We want to know what you think, how you see the industry and the challenges you face. It's only with the direct feedback from you, our partners, that we can be sure we are on the right road.

So, please join the whole team: technical, sales, marketing and business development, over beer and pizza to chat through the journey!

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Brinton
SBSC Programme Manager
Microsoft

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: SBSC, System Builder, Vista, Office 2007, Windows Server

Microsoft code name "Acropolis" - Build WPF enabled applications simply with reusable modules, workflow and theming of your application

David Overton — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:20:19 GMT

I saw this and had to share.  In the samples on the site it includes a RSS reader, Outlook tool and more!

Welcome to Acropolis

The Microsoft code name “Acropolis” Community Technology Preview is a set of components and tools that make it easier for developers to build and manage modular, business focused, client .NET applications. Acropolis is part of the “.NET Client Futures” wave of releases, our preview of upcoming technologies for Windows client development.

Acropolis builds on the rich capabilities of Microsoft Windows and the .NET Framework, including Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), by providing tools and pre-built components that help developers quickly assemble applications from loosely-coupled parts and services. With Acropolis you will be able to:

Quickly create WPF enabled user experiences for your client applications.

Build client applications from reusable, connectable, modules that allow you to easily create complex, business-focused applications in less time.

Integrate and host your modules in applications such as Microsoft Office, or quickly build stand-alone client interfaces.

Change the look and feel of your application quickly using built-in themes, or custom designs using XAML.

Add features such as workflow navigation and user-specific views with minimal coding.

Manage, update, and deploy your application modules quickly and easily.

Microsoft code name "Acropolis" - WindowsClient.net for information and http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9AF56576-217B-4599-9472-FFA7835F3BF4&displaylang=en to download the code, help files and samples.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: WPF, Acropolis

New Windows Live suite live - and this is how to install on Windows x64

David Overton — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 21:14:00 GMT

I am sure many of you have seen that we launched a new wave of the Live suite (Windows Live Writer - which I am using right now, Messenger, Sign-in Assistant, Family Safety, Mail, Toolbar and Photo Gallery - which also uploaded videos to MSN Soapbox). If you want to more about these cool product, go to http://get.live.com/wl/all where it tells you that this is what you get:

Connect

Hotmail: Next-generation e-mail on the Web
Mail: Multiple e-mail accounts on your desktop
Messenger: Connect, share, and make every conversation count

Find

Search: Say hello to the next generation of search
Toolbar: Think outside the search box
Gallery: Personalize your Windows Live experience

Spaces: Your blog, your photos, your social network
SkyDrive: Password-protected online storage and sharing
Photo Gallery: Edit and share photos and videos
Writer: Easily publish pictures, videos, and other rich content to your blog

Protect

OneCare Family Safety: Help keep your kids safe online

Get it together

Windows Live Home: Start here for search, blogging, e-mail, and more

Now some partners and customers have notices a little problem - getting this great stuff running on 64-bit Windows. An extract from anti|tgtsoft shows the best way forward (which is obviously not supported, but all told seems to work just fine):

Here’s how to get the latest builds installed on your machine:

Patch WLinstaller.exe
At offset 0×1B9F0, change 74 to EB

Execute WLinstaller.exe
Attempt to install all products, ignore the installer errors and exit

Navigate to %systemroot%\Syswow64\config\systemprofile\AppData\
Local\WindowsLiveInstaller\MsiSources

Use the handy dandy chart below to install the products you want to install/update.

Windows Live Writer
Install_{1F973A7F-3FE4-4D11-A9A2-E869C2899A7D}.msi

Windows Live Messenger
Install_{508CE775-4BA4-4748-82DF-FE28DA9F03B0}.msi

Windows Live Sign-In Assistant
Install_{CB5EA99C-8A5B-49F2-9A1A-2EF78BE4DB41}.msi

Windows Live Mail
Install_{EDB619FD-4E71-403C-8E99-DFC9CF9DD345}.msi

Windows Live Toolbar
Install_{C6876FE6-A314-4628-B0D7-F3EE5E35C4B4}.msi

Windows Live Photo Gallery
Install_{AA436FBD-2595-479B-8DDE-E9C36F50D99D}.msi

I would ask that you leave comments, but I didn’t design that into

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: x64, 64-bit, Vista, Live, Windows Live Hotmail, Messenger, Family Safety, Writer, Sign-in Assistant, Mail, Toolbar, Photo Gallery

Service Packs, Vista and a Q&A with Jon DeVaan, senior vice president of the Windows Core Operating System division at Microsoft, discusses the company's plans for the first service pack of Windows Vista.

David Overton — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:32:20 GMT

A few people have asked me about Vista SP1 - what will it contain, how big will it be, can you tell me more, so I thought I would share these two articles with you. One is a press report of a discussion with Shannon on http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Windows-Vista-SP1-weighs-in-at-1GB/0,130061733,339281624,00.htm which states things like:

the company has revealed that test versions of the update are currently 1GB
As for what's in the Vista update, it's mostly a collection of existing fixes and tweaks aimed at improving stability and reliability of the operating system
ability to encrypt multiple hard drive partitions using Vista's BitLocker feature
removable storage file format known as exFAT as well as for EFI (extensible firmware interface), an alternative to the BIOS (basic input output system) that handles the initial start-up of a system
changes to Vista's desktop search feature in response to complaints from Google

http://www.betanews.com/article/Windows_Vista_SP1_Will_Uninstall_Group_Policy_Management/1188398636

Probably in response to a few users' bewilderment over the seemingly unrestricted accessibility of what had actually been one of Windows Vista's most requested new security tools, Group Policy Management Console, Microsoft announced today that the act of installing Vista Service Pack 1 will simply delete the tool altogether

Finally a Q&A was released on the Microsoft PressPass

REDMOND, Wash, Aug. 29, 2007 – Microsoft today shared details on its plans for the first service pack of Windows Vista, including a timeline for its release. To learn more, PressPass spoke with Jon DeVaan, Senior Vice President of the Windows Core Operating System division at Microsoft.
PressPass: There has been a lot of speculation around the first service pack for Windows Vista. When will it ship, and why are you just now sharing information on Windows Vista SP1?
Jon DeVaan, Microsoft Senior Vice President, Windows Core Operating System Division
DeVaan: We’re targeting the first quarter of 2008, but the exact date really depends on feedback we receive from testers and the work we put into making sure we understand the feedback we receive. We’re making a beta available to more than 10,000 people in the next few weeks – that’s a critical step for us on the road to release, and we’re looking forward to the feedback we’ll get.
As for the speculation, I think it’s the result of us erring on the side of being more careful about when we communicate release information. Based on what customers and partners have told us, we know that providing timely guidance on release plans is important, but that it’s equally important for us to provide more accurate guidance that they can be confident in as they build their own plans. For Windows Vista SP1, that’s meant waiting until we had a higher-level of certainty in our plan, including what was going into it and when we could reasonably expect to meet the quality bar, to share information broadly. Finding the right balance between communicating earlier and more often versus later and more precisely is something we’ll continue to refine by listening to our customers.
PressPass: Isn’t that a long time between Windows Vista RTM (or “gold code”) and the release of first service pack, at least compared with past versions of Windows?
DeVaan: It will be a little longer than it was for Windows 2000 or Windows XP, but when you look at all the other methods we have outside of the service pack itself to service Windows, I think it’s fair to say that we’re actually getting fixes, improvements and updates into the hands of customers faster than ever before. In fact, the use of the term “gold code” is somewhat of an anachronism in an environment where we have product feedback mechanisms available to us that help us continuously identify and diagnose real-world software issues and the update mechanisms in place to regularly deliver fixes for those issues to hundreds of millions of customers. We think like most major software projects, Windows Vista was designed to improve continuously from the time it is purchased.
Let me give you a few examples of the different ways we service Windows today. For enterprise customers, we work closely with them, through our Premier Customer Service organization, on diagnosing and analyzing specific issues that arise during their deployments or use of Windows Vista. Then, as a result, we develop ‘hot fixes’ – single downloads containing one or more files that address a very specific element of feedback – and make them available through our managed support channels. For home users, we offer the Windows Update service, which customers can opt-into to receive the most significant updates, including security updates, as they become available. For OEMs and system builders, we have been working to deliver important updates to them that support issues discovered with new hardware, and already have delivered a number of important updates – such as updated USB support – which benefit new PCs based on new hardware.
All of these updates also are designed to be included in the next available service pack. That means that Windows Vista SP1 will include all the product changes from all channels, in addition to other improvements. The upside here is that the overall Windows experience is consistently improving over time, and customers have a choice as to how to receive those improvements. Some customers will want to use the more efficient, incremental servicing mechanisms like Windows Update or, for enterprises, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and others will prefer to get all fixes in a single service pack that can be rolled out in a managed deployment. It’s a matter of choice for the customer.
PressPass: How do you know and decide what gets fixed for a service pack?
DeVaan: We are constantly monitoring the quality of users’ experience through Windows Vista’s built-in, automated feedback systems, such as the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) and Windows Error Reporting (WER). These are systems that customers anonymously and privately participate in via an explicit opt-in choice. Through the data we get back, we can identify, diagnose and then repair the most detrimental and prevalent problems users encounter.
Our primary focus after launch became addressing ecosystem compatibility issues that the data showed had adversely impacted some users’ Windows Vista experience. For example, when consumers see a “Device Not Found” message or the systems report back that a device failed to install, we can prioritize getting the needed drivers available on Windows Update or up on the hardware vendor’s Web site. As a result, our driver coverage went from 1.4 million in January to more than 2.2 million today. We also work directly with our partners to improve overall driver quality. We are able to see which drivers are causing system crashes or contributing to hangs and other performance problems, and then work across the ecosystem to bring solutions to market via Windows Update.
PressPass: So what changes should we expect to see in Windows Vista SP1?
DeVaan: I should start by saying that one thing people shouldn’t expect to see is new features, although some existing components and features will be enhanced. For example, we’ve added support in BitLocker Drive Encryption for encrypting multiple volumes on the PC, and have improved printer management by simplifying printing to a local printer from within a Terminal Server session. Service packs typically are not vehicles for new features, and the same will be true with Windows Vista SP1.
Windows Vista SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing feedback from our customers across a number of areas. In addition to all the fixes delivered via other channels like Windows Update, Windows Vista SP1 will address specific reliability and performance issues that have been discussed on many self-help forums, such as copying files and shutdown time. It will support new types of hardware and emerging standards, like EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) and ExFat (a new file format that will be used in flash memory storage and consumer devices). It will also include some management, deployment, and support improvements, such as adding the ability to detect and correct common file sharing problems to Network Diagnostics. Windows Vista SP1 also will include Secure Development Lifecycle process updates, where we identify the root cause of each security bulletin and improve our internal tools to eliminate code patterns that could lead to future vulnerabilities.
As we’ve done in the past, we will document all of the changes through our support.microsoft.com site in a Knowledge Base article, which will be available around the time the beta is released.
PressPass: What about security improvements in Windows Vista SP1?
DeVaan: Windows Vista continues to be the most secure version of Windows ever. For instance, we can know from a recent vulnerability reports comparison that Windows Vista had 50 percent fewer critical vulnerabilities than XP SP2 and far fewer critical vulnerabilities than other competing operating systems in their first respective 180 days after release. We have addressed any known vulnerabilities in the appropriate manner and those changes will be in Windows Vista SP1 as well. At the same time, we are always looking at the proactive work we can do to improve the product before we receive reports of potential vulnerabilities. We have invested significantly in tools, training and techniques to improve the security of our software. We are constantly looking for and learning about new means of improving security, as well as new ways software is being pushed by those wishing to do harm. Using these learnings, we improve our tools, which we then use to analyze and proactively continue to harden Windows Vista.
Windows Vista SP1 will contain a significant number of code changes focused on the ongoing work to continue making Windows Vista the most secure operating system available. We are being proactive -- these code changes do not represent vulnerabilities, rather they are coding practices that we continue to hone and improve in the ongoing race against escalating and evolving security threats.
PressPass: You’ve talked about changes to Windows Vista code itself, but what about compatibility with third party software? Will Windows Vista SP1 improve application compatibility?
DeVaan: When we built Windows Vista, the changes necessary to make it more secure did cause some application compatibility challenges, but we think it was a worthwhile trade-off, particularly as hacking activity gravitates toward organized crime that is intent on stealing credit card data or stealing enterprise trade secrets. Bearing that in mind, it is also worth pointing out that Windows Vista was tested with thousands and thousands of applications, the majority of which are perfectly compatible, and that the number of applications carrying the Windows Vista logo, which assures a good experience, recently passed 2,100 and continues to grow every day. Also, we are continually working with ISVs to provide updates that make more of their software compatible with Windows Vista.
One of our top priorities for Windows Vista SP1 is to avoid causing regressions in application compatibility, as we know that’s very important to our customers using Windows Vista today. Also, Windows Vista SP1 will provide some fixes for application compatibility, but by and large we are sticking with the promise we made of first delivering superior security to end users, and we won’t make any changes in Windows Vista SP1 that compromise that for the sake of better compatibility.
PressPass: It sounds like a lot is changing. Is this a sizeable update for Windows Vista?
DeVaan: It’s true that at first glance it will look like a lot is changing, and it’s true that there are thousands of files being changed to varying degrees in Windows Vista SP1. However, the first measure of “size” most people will encounter will likely be the download of Windows Vista SP1 through Windows Update or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), which we predict will be about 50 MB. The second measure of size will be the free disk space requirement for installing Windows Vista SP1, which is currently around 7 GB for the beta, although we will be working to bring this down for the final version as we optimize the servicing algorithms used.
IT Professionals not using distribution tools like WSUS will work with the “stand-alone” image of Windows Vista SP1. This image will be considerably larger than the download, at about a gigabyte in the beta, but it’s large with good reasons. This package includes all of the localized language resources for 36 languages, so that companies with worldwide install images have all the files they need in one place. Also, this image utilizes servicing algorithms that update all files of an operating system component, even if only one of the files has changed, which increases the size of the image but allows IT Pros to service their images in any order they chose without worrying about creating inconsistent system states across their organization. Finally, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 share the same code base, and we are choosing to unify the servicing between the two in order to simplify the long-term maintenance process and lower support costs for customers. To do this, we’re changing the files necessary to align the servicing components, which contributes to the larger size of the stand-alone image.
PressPass: Will customers see an improvement immediately after installing Windows Vista SP1? Should they wait for Windows Vista SP1 to move to Windows Vista?
DeVaan: We think Windows Vista is one of the best versions of Windows we’ve ever released, and, just like with past Windows releases, the servicing model is about continuously improving the quality of the code after it is released and keeping up with an evolving PC ecosystem. While it’s likely customers will experience some improvements when updating the RTM version of Windows Vista with Windows Vista SP1, many of the improvements will be available prior to the release of the service pack through the other vehicles I’ve mentioned, and we think that Windows Vista is an operating system that offers great benefits today for everyone from home users to large enterprises.

Microsoft’s Evolving Approach to Servicing the Windows Platform: Q&A: Jon DeVaan, senior vice president of the Windows Core Operating System division at Microsoft, discusses the company's plans for the first service pack of Windows Vista.

Technorati Tags: Vista, Service Pack, SP1

Tool to modify UAC behaviour in Vista using Group Policy - BeyondTrust Privilege Manager

David Overton — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:46:09 GMT

I am one of those people who always leaves UAC enabled - I like to see when something (*cough* - Adobe Update - *cough*) wants to execute with admin privilege on my system and then get the choice as to whether to allow it or not. However, not everyone likes the choices that are presented by default with the GPOs (Group Policy Objects). Coming to the rescue are tools to help enhance these offerings, such as the Privilege Manager from BeyondTrust. Sometimes people forget that Microsoft is a platform for others to build on and this is no different. Their product enables pre-defining the responses to UAC based on a number of variables. While I have NOT tried the product, it is getting good reviews. You can however download an eval copy for free if you so desire.

One thing to bear in mind is that when a tool like this is used, you weaken security - why, well, even if you use a SHA1 hash to work out if an application is safe or not, a clever hacker will use plugins, dll's etc to attack that product - it does not have to have the main .exe file to breach the security and once they are in, they are in.

You can find out more about Privilege Manager from the FAQ at BeyondTrust | Privilege Manager FAQ, however a short snippet is below (which I have cut around, so there is much more under each section):

Applications are targeted on the Application tab, which allows you to specify an application by one of several criteria. This includes:

Path to an executable file

supports wildcards and environment variables

Folder of one or more executable files

including wildcards and environment variables

Hash rule

SHA1 hash of the targeted executable file

MSI Path rule

target Windows Installer installation of specified packages

MSI Folder rule

ActiveX rule

My gift to those of you who are UAC challenged :-)

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: UAC, Vista, Security, Group Policy

A selection of WPF-based (Silverlight) applications

David Overton — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 23:24:32 GMT

I saw this blog entry and just had to share it - a number of Silverlight application (don't know how many will work with the updated Silverlight builds) - WPF Cornucopia - A selection of WPF-based applications. Below are some of my favourites. There are many more on the blog entry

Some cool WPF and Silverlight applications that you can download or play with today. The deployment model has been added so that you know what you are getting into as far as installation goes. Lots are using ClickOnce .application files and .xbaps, so installation is trivial!

My Web Pages Starter Kit
New with Silverlight Demo
(Web Application)
New York Times Reader
Next-generation online reading experience for the NY Times
(MSI)
Microsoft Calendar Printing Assistant
Generate printed calendars from your Outlook schedule
(MSI)
Microsoft Expression Blend
Designer tool for building WPF experiences
(MSI)

Microsoft Expression Design
Illustration and graphic design tool
(MSI)
Microsoft Windows Live for TV
3D access to Messenger contacts from Media Center or IE
(MSI)
Wikipedia Explorer
3D exploration of related articles from Wikipedia
(Application)
iBloks
Mashup application for creating 3D movies
(MSI)
RikReader
RSS Reader that integrates with Internet Explorer 7
(Application)
Nostalgia
Yahoo! Flickr browser and photo manager
(Application)
Cine.View
Netflix movie queue manager
(Application)
Actipro Wizard
A control for building wizard dialogs in WPF
(XBAP)
British Library Turning the Pages
British Library's 'virtual viewer' for some of their most precious books
(XBAP)
ITN Hub Player
Video clips and news stories from ITN
(Application)
Evolution Media Center
HTPC Front-end with stunning animations and dynamic XAML-skinning
(ZIP)
WeatherNews
Weather visualization
(XBAP)

DOSV
Computer Configuration
(XBAP)
Roxio Central
DVD and CD Burning Software
(Application)

90 Degree's Radius
Reporting Tool for Business Data
(Application)

Forbes.com Reader
News Reader Application from Forbes.com
(Application)

Seattle Post
-Intelligencer PI Reader
News Reader
(Application)

Dev Components
Office 2007 Ribbon for WPF
(Application)

Daily Mail eReader
Online reading experience for UK Newspaper
(Application)

The North Face In-Store Explorer
Go to Store to experience
(Retail kiosk)

Windows Vista Magazine
Uses same viewer as the British Library app
(XBAP)

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Silverlight, WPF, Demos

Windows Client (Vista and XP) - Active X installer service, Volume Activation Tool, Diagnosing XP crashes, modifying the boot configuration parameters

David Overton — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 23:32:00 GMT

If you use volume licensing with Windows Vista then you need to be aware of the tools to manage them - it is not as simple as it used to be as you now need a management tool inside the business. VAMT answers this as does Desktop Management. Then we have some webcasts on slow networks, diagnosing crashes in Windows XP (although many of the techniques work for Vista too), backup and restore in Vista, using the ActiveX installer Service and Boot config parameters

VAMT 1.0 (x86)

The Volume Activation Management Tool enables IT professionals to automate and centrally manage the volume activation process using a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). VAMT v1.0 is only available as a US-EN (x86) release.

Best Practices on Managing Windows Vista Desktops

Get best practice guidance for managing Windows Vista desktop operations. Windows Vista Service Life-Cycle Management (WVSLM) provides concise guidance to help minimise the total cost of ownership of desktop infrastructure. Process guidance and document templates help make service management concepts from the IT Infrastructure Library and the Microsoft Operations Framework tangible and easily implementable by focusing on a single and common IT service.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7137227

TechNet Webcast: "The Network is Slow": Identifying the Cause of Slow Network Communications (Level 200)

The Offline Crash Diagnostic tool for Windows XP is available - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=923800

TechNet Magazine: The ActiveX Installer Service in Windows Vista

How do you secure the desktop against malicious ActiveX controls without limiting application compatibility? We'll take you on a tour of the ActiveX Installer Service (AxIS) in Windows Vista that addresses this issue with a new way to manage ActiveX controls.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7137204

Discover How to Modify Boot Configuration Parameters

In the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Editor FAQ, find out what the BCD store is, why it was created, where it's located in the registry, how to modify it and more.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7137205

TechNet Webcast: Backup and Restore in Windows Vista (Level 300)

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 11:30 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7138605

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Windows XP, BCD Parameters, Backup and Restore, Vista, VAMT

If you want to see what Vista, Media Center, Xbox 360, Movie Maker, Home Server and more can do when you use Vista, then go to this event in Manchester, Newcastle, Falkirk and London.

David Overton — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:55:11 GMT

This was only 2 or 3 times overbooked last time it ran and had rave reviews. Now there are another 4 events to choose from. I found them at the Microsoft TechNet UK Events website. James and Matt will be hosting, so it is bound to be huge fun

Vista After Hours

You may be familiar with Windows Vista at work – whether you have deployed it or are evaluating it – but have you ever thought about the possibilities of Vista outside work? This session, aimed at IT professionals, explores not only the built in elements of Vista (such as Search, Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, and the Networking and Sharing Centre) but also how you can extend your Windows Vista Experience with Windows Media Centre, Xbox 360 and specific applications to open up a new world of gaming and home entertainment.
20 September 2007, Manchester: Vista After Hours
25 September 2007, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Vista After Hours
27 September 2007, Falkirk: Vista After Hours
03 October 2007, London: Vista After Hours

Timings:
18:00-18:30pm- Registration and Tea/Coffee
18:30pm-19:45pm- Session 1
19:45pm-20:05- Food and refreshments
20:05-21:20- Session 2
21:20- Close
Speakers:
James Senior, Vista Technology Specialist, http://blogs.technet.com/james
Hello there! I’m James Senior and I work in Microsoft’s Technology Adoption Group whose sole purpose is to help our partners and customers understand and use our latest technology. As you would expect, Windows Vista features prominently in my work at the moment but my background in software development means I also spend some of my time involved in the world of Software as a Service (SaaS). Did I mention I also dabble in a bit of High Performance Computing?
In my spare time I enjoy playing Basketball and filling up my ½ terabyte Media Center with music and recorded TV.
Matt McSpirit, Vista Technology Specialist, http://blogs.technet.com/mattmcspirit
I joined Microsoft back in January 2006 as a Partner Technology Specialist, working primarily with our Virtualisation technologies. Since July of last year, my primary focus has been Windows Vista. Over recent months, I’ve worked with quite a number of our Partners, up and down the UK, enthusing and exciting them around the potential of Windows Vista and I’ve also had the chance to present to our Partners on Cinema screens across the country! Outside of the office, I’m keen on sports, being a big Man Utd fan, movies, and socialising with friends, and I also like to travel as much as possible! I also like the odd game on the Xbox 360!

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, After Hours

Security for Windows Vista (understanding more about UAC), Networks, plus advice and guidance

David Overton — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:57:30 GMT

Security is always a big subject area. Over the last two months Technet have published the following items that will help understanding and delivery of secure systems base do Microsoft technology.

Windows Vista

TechNet Magazine: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control

Mark Russinovich explains that User Account Control (UAC) is one of the most misunderstood new features in Windows Vista. But its goal -- to enable users to run with standard user rights -- can solve many security issues. Get an inside look at the problems UAC addresses and see exactly how this new feature works.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6803653

Network Security

Internet Protocol Security Enforcement in the Network Access Protection Platform

This white paper describes the Network Access Protection (NAP) platform, how IPsec protects traffic, and how IPsec Enforcement in NAP provides system health policy enforcement for IPsec-secured communication.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=144cc69f-790f-4f52-8846-3f3b8584d7cd&DisplayLang=en

Introduction to Network Access Protection

Read this white paper for an overview of the NAP business scenarios, an outline of the components of NAP, and a description of how NAP works.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5d5e243a-23a8-479c-9f2d-37d6d79153e7&DisplayLang=en

Step-by-Step Guide: Demonstrate VPN NAP Enforcement in a Test Lab

Test lab to demonstrate VPN NAP enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=729bba00-55ad-4199-b441-378cc3d900a7&DisplayLang=en

General

Microsoft Security Intelligence Report http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6755495

The Microsoft Security Intelligence Report provides a comprehensive understanding of the types of threats Windows customers face today so they can take appropriate action to help ensure they are better protected. The report highlights trends observed over the past several years, leveraging data collected by Microsoft between July 1 and December 31, 2006, from numerous sources including the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) and Windows Defender.

Privacy Guidelines for Developing Software Products and Services

This document is a set of privacy guidelines for developing software products and services that are based on our internal guidelines and our experience incorporating privacy into the development process.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c48cf80f-6e87-48f5-83ec-a18d1ad2fc1f&DisplayLang=en

Six Easy Pieces for Computer Security http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/sectip/st0707.mspx

By Mike Danseglio, Senior Group Program Manager, Security & Compliance Solution Accelerators, Microsoft Corporation
This article presents six easy steps that every company should take to enhance computer security in terms of getting the proverbial biggest bang for the security buck. Each suggestion is described in some detail with links to more in-depth treatments, templates, and tools.

Security Guidelines for Professional Services Firms http://www.microsoft.com/midsizebusiness/security/professionalservices.mspx

When it comes to security, professional services companies are hampered by tight IT budgets, an ever-increasing amount of content, and a lack of dedicated security personnel. Protecting data at services firms may require a melding of technology and services to get the job done. This article offers some guidelines to help midsize professional service firms.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Security, UAC, NAP, Network Access Protection, Guidance

Will Virtualisation really crush the server market and Virtualised Windows on Linux... not likely

David Overton — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:18:44 GMT

From the register I saw the article "Virtualization Software to Crush Server Market" and it sort of made me laugh. Last year saw a dramatic drop in growth of Server shipments, both Microsoft and non-Microsoft. One explanation given is that virtualisation has increased so much that less servers are being bought, but the growth was still strong, just not in actual servers. I have seen the growth of virtual servers, but don't think it really accounts for the hundreds of thousands of servers that fill the gap that appeared in the research last year. VMWare's growth does not account for this, nor does the impact on Windows licensing that would be seen.

Analysts and executives came out this week and declared that x86 server shipments will likely decline as VMware, Microsoft, and a host of startups push their virtualization wares at speed.

In a rare feat, Schwartz and Sacconaghi also happen to agree about another trend that virtualization will drive. They're claiming that customers will buy larger, more memory- and component-packed servers moving forward to handle the demanding virtualization code. Why consolidate a couple of workloads on a two-socket box when you can consolidate more software on a four- or eight-socket system and deal with less hardware management overhead?
According to Sacconaghi, the trend toward larger systems will hurt Dell, since it has specialized in two-socket gear. It will, however, also hurt Sun, since x86 virtualization will only speed the move away from Unix systems.
<snip>
The mainframe arena - the place where VMware pinched its genius - has survived virtualization for a long while, as has the Unix market. Each segment, including the x86 market, has its unique attributes, making apples v. apples comparisons tough. Still, customer demand for more horsepower serves as constant across all three markets, and we suspect it will keep overall demand for servers high, despite virtualization code.

Moving this theory along, Microsoft has announced that the license for Vista and Windows XP does not allow for virtualisation on top of Linux - Microsoft Nixes Windows Virtualization on Linux

Virtual PC is still free as is Virtual Server, with the capabilities of these products growing and allowing more functionality. I expect to see some virtual software running on SBS for some customers in the near future where people want split functionality, but I don't expect it to be huge!!

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Virtualisation, Windows, x86, servers

Vista updates (performance fixes) now out

David Overton — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:47:00 GMT

OK, so there I was posting that they were coming and now 2 days later they are here. If you want to improve Vista, go get them:

Title	Release Date	Popularity
Update for Windows Vista (KB938194) This is a reliability update. Install this update to improve the reliability of Windows Vista in certain scenarios.	8/7/2007	#15750
Update for Windows Vista (KB938979) This is a performance update. Install this update to improve the performance of Windows Vista in certain scenarios.	8/7/2007	#12367
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB938979) This is a performance update. Install this update to improve the performance of Windows Vista in certain scenarios.	8/7/2007	#16432
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB938194) This is a reliability update. Install this update to improve the reliability of Windows Vista in certain scenarios.	8/7/2007	#16951

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Performance, Application Compatibility

The UsefulTechnology Blog: Windows Vista's Reduced Functionality Mode

David Overton — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 22:34:30 GMT

Since this is coming, I thought I would share this with you - if your customers find lots of "genuine" warnings and then rebooting every hour... think about this as a cause :-) Well, think about the non-genuine license. That does not mean that the customer has necessarily knowingly bought ripped off software, but it does happen. You may have recently read about the $500M bust of a piracy ring - they were not giving the software away to their customers - they were selling it as full price product.

Windows Vista's Reduced Functionality Mode

Now, think about it, does that look genuine?
It's not a widely publicised feature, but users of Windows Vista who fail to properly activate their software may find themselves in Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM). In this state, you will be unable to use any of the Windows Vista Premium features like Aero Glass and ReadyBoost, nor will you be able to play any of the built-in games. Tougher still you'll only be able to use the computer for one hour before it automatically logs you off.

The UsefulTechnology Blog: Windows Vista's Reduced Functionality Mode

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Windows Vista, Vista, Piracy

Want to know what is happening on your network, packet for packet - get Microsoft Network Monitor 3.1

David Overton — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:05:19 GMT

I saw this had been published and thought I would share - it is an amazing tool that I use for diagnosis all the time. Reading http://www.ditii.com/2007/07/03/network-monitor-31-released/ it also reminded me that this includes traces on wireless networks!!

Microsoft Network Monitor 3.1

Network Monitor 3.1 is a protocol analyzer. It allows you to capture network traffic, view and analyze it. Version 3.1 is an update and replaces Network Monitor 3.0. Network Monitor 3.x is a complete overhaul of the previous Network Monitor 2.x version.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Windows Server 2003 x64 editions; Windows Vista; Windows XP; Windows XP 64-bit
It is suggested that you have a CPU of 1GHz or greater, 1G or greater of Memory and 25 Megs of available Hard Disk space, plus room for capture files. Supports Vista 64 bit as well as 32 bit.
Instructions

Network Monitor 3.1 can co-exist with Netmon2.x. NM3.1 installs in %program files%\Microsoft Network Monitor 3, so there is no conflict. But it will require that NM3.0 be uninstalled first. The NM3.1 install will do this automatically for you.
For Vista, we have a new driver that supports new features available in the NDIS 6.0 driver. If you are using tools that rely on Network Monitor 2.x NPPTools, these tools will no longer work.
Capturing on Vista requires NM3.0 or NM3.1, as Netmon2.x does not capture properly on Vista.
Warning: Capturing with the NM3 GUI with conversations enabled can use up considerable amount of memory. This may cause a machine to become unresponsive. If you need to capture data for long periods of time, please use the included command line utility, NMCap, and the /DisableConversations switch.

Download details: Microsoft Network Monitor 3.1

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: NetMon, Network Monitor, Network, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 R2, SBS 2003, troubleshooting

Vista Deployment training

David Overton — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:51:23 GMT

Microsoft Windows Vista: Doing Deployment Right!

This one-day session is a combination of presentations that focus on growing services opportunities for partners, and a series of new technical exercises that highlight some of the compelling new design enhancements in deploying Windows Vista desktops.

Click here to enrol.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista, Deployment, Training

How to get rid of the installer / configuration dialog when running Office 2007 and Office 2003 on the same system - for Vista and other versions of Windows

David Overton — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 03:47:00 GMT

I have been asked this many times following up on the blog entry Installing Office 2003 and Office 2007 on the same system where once people have removed the problem with the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) appearing every time they start Office they then get the dialogs below every time they switch between Word 2007 and Word 2003.

when starting Word 2003

when starting Word 2007

The fix to the problem is very simple as it turns out - simply run the following commands (by pressing the Windows Key+R or typing it into the Start/Run command box. Use the line with Office\11.0 if you have Office 2003 installed and Office\12.0 if you have Office 2007 installed. You can use both if you have both installed :

reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options /v NoReReg /t REG_DWORD /d 1

reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options /v NoReReg /t REG_DWORD /d 1

That is it. Office 2007 might want to have one more spin round the block with it's configuration dialog box, but that should be it.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Office 2003, Office 2007 Deployment blocker fixed, Word 2003, Word 2007, Vista, Install, Same machine

How to use the new Security features in Vista and Internet Explorer to stop malware (spyware and viruses) from infecting your computer - all in a Video presented with Silverlight

David Overton — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:39:28 GMT

The Video

I have delivered a number of Vista and Office demos over my time, so I decided to record a number of them for others to borrow, use, learn from or anything else they choose.

This video covers the following subjects in enough detail for people to hopefully understand what they need to know on how to use these features in Windows Vista and understand how to be a little safer online:

Phishing protection in Internet Explorer
ActiveX blocking in Internet Explorer
Windows Defender in Windows Vista

To see the video played using Silverlight (just try it) click here*. I am hoping that in the near future that the WMV file will be available at new bCentral - the UK Small Business Center on MS.com. At the moment it is not available there, but a copy can be found here

* it will take a few moments to open if you have Silverlight installed and require you to download Silverlight if you don't, but it is a 1MB download

How I made it

I simply ran through part of my normal demo talking as I went. When presenting to an audience it is easy to correct anything you do without anyone caring, however I tried to fix up the videos so this was not a problem. This has one drawback which is that the sound is not that good (one of those things I want to fix, but have not yet got round to) due to editing & cutting of the videos. I find it really hard to talk and move the mouse to the right place at the same time without a fluff in either my words or my mouse movements.

Having captured the video is was simple to turn them into "Silverlight" Videos that were hosted on the Silverlight Streaming site for your pleasure - if you like them I can do more. Feel free to re-record the audio and play for your customers of make as a download for them.

I have cut 10 videos to date and will release them over the next 2 weeks. The videos cover:

For Vista - How to

copy files to a DVD / CD, Use the recycle bin, Use previous versions for files and Use the built in Vista backup to
check for Updates in Windows Vista
use the new Security features in Vista and Internet Explorer to stop malware (spyware and viruses) from infecting your computer
share files using Live Messenger

For Office 2007 - How to

find and use an Accounting template to use with Office Excel 2007 and then change it from US to UK currency, change the formatting of dates and drag lists (or Excel Tips and Tricks 1)
use Conditional Formatting in Office Excel 2007 to make numbers easier to read (or Excel Tips and Tricks 2)
remove hidden information from Office 2007 documents using the document inspector
use Office Outlook 2007 with any internet connection and how to access Outlook Web Access from any web browser
take an ordinary document and make it look even more professional with cover pages, table of contents, formatting of headings, titles and numbering, changing paragraph spacing, insert pictures and diagrams to have impact and using SmartArt to make processes easier to understand.

For Both - How to

take your files with you using Vista Offline folders and Office Outlook 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services V3

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Silverlight, How To, Vista, Internet Explorer, IE

Visual Studio F5 debugging of ASP.NET applications on Vista

David Overton — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:37:36 GMT

If you are having problems with authentication issues when trying to debug with Visual Studio on Vista then there is a fix for you.

A Visual Studio patch that fixes the Visual Studio F5 debugging of IIS7 applications on Windows Vista Home Premium and above has been released! This patch solves the "An authentication error occurred while communicating with the web server. Please see Help for assistance.", and "Debugging failed because integrated Windows authentication is not enabled. Please see Help for assistance" errors, that until now had to be worked around using the instructions below.
This patch also enables customers using Windows Vista Home Premium customers to use Visual Studio F5 debugging, who were not able to use this feature at all previously because Windows Authentication was not available on Windows Vista Home Premium.

Mike Volodarsky's ServerSide : Fix problems with Visual Studio F5 debugging of ASP.NET applications on IIS7 Vista

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Developer, Vista, Visual Studio

How to copy files to a DVD / CD, Use the recycle bin, Use previous versions for files and Use the built in Vista backup tools - all in a Video presented with Silverlight

David Overton — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:46:00 GMT

The Video

I have delivered a number of Vista and Office demos over my time, so I decided to record a number of them for others to borrow, use, learn from or anything else they choose.

This video covers the following subjects in enough detail for people to hopefully understand what they need to know on how to use these tools:

Use of the recycle bin
Use of shadow copies to undo changes to a document
Use of the DVD writing tools to copy and update files on a DVD
Use of the built in Vista Backup tools

To see the Backup Video played using Silverlight (just try it) click here*. If you want to download it as a WMV file then head over to the new bCentral - the UK Small Business Center on MS.com - It should appear on this page soon.

* it will take a few moments to open if you have Silverlight installed and require you to download Silverlight if you don't, but it is a 1MB download

How I made it

I have cut 10 videos to date and will release them over the next 2 weeks. The videos cover:

For Vista - How to

copy files to a DVD / CD, Use the recycle bin, Use previous versions for files and Use the built in Vista backup to
check for Updates in Windows Vista
use the new Security features in Vista and Internet Explorer to stop malware (spyware and viruses) from infecting your computer
share files using Live Messenger

For Office 2007 - How to

find and use an Accounting template to use with Office Excel 2007 and then change it from US to UK currency, change the formatting of dates and drag lists (or Excel Tips and Tricks 1)
use Conditional Formatting in Office Excel 2007 to make numbers easier to read (or Excel Tips and Tricks 2)
remove hidden information from Office 2007 documents using the document inspector
use Office Outlook 2007 with any internet connection and how to access Outlook Web Access from any web browser
take an ordinary document and make it look even more professional with cover pages, table of contents, formatting of headings, titles and numbering, changing paragraph spacing, insert pictures and diagrams to have impact and using SmartArt to make processes easier to understand.

For Both - How to

take your files with you using Vista Offline folders and Office Outlook 2007 and Windows SharePoint Services V3

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Silverlight, How To, Vista, Backup, Previous Versions, burning files to DVD, Recycle bin

What is going on in the world of Virtualisation with Virtual Server and Virtual PC on licensing, Vista, x64 and more

David Overton — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:13:12 GMT

There are a couple of recent announcements with regard to the current range of products that I thought I would cover off. One is about licensing and has been written up by Matt McSpirit at http://blogs.technet.com/mattmcspirit/archive/2007/06/22/microsoft-virtualisation-licensing-client-and-server.aspx and covers how many licenses you get when.

The other is Virtual Server SP1:

Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 Is Now Available

Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 is the server virtualization technology engineered for the Windows Server operating system to increase hardware utilization and enable IT staff to rapidly configure and deploy new servers. Register to download the free software and you will receive relevant resources that are strategically assembled to address the challenges you will face as you discover, assess, and deploy the software. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7042993

The What is New page shows (plus more on the page) - note the x64 support for more memory. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/virtualserver/evaluation/vsoverview.mspx

What's New in This Release

Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 includes the following new capabilities:

Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 Enterprise Edition can be installed on servers with up to 32 physical processors.

•	Virtual Server host clustering. Support for host-to-host connectivity lets you cluster all virtual machines running on a host.
•	iSCSI support. iSCSI clustering enables guest-to-guest connectivity across physical machines.
•	x64 support. Virtual Server runs natively within a 64-bit Windows host operating system, providing increased performance and memory headroom.
•	Enhanced PXE booting. PXE boot support has been added to the virtual machine network adapter. This means that when the appropriate network infrastructure is in place, you can perform a network installation of a guest operating system in the same way as physical servers.
•	Other improvements. Virtual Server now includes improved hyperthreading, support for F6 Disk (SCSI driver), Active Directory integration using service connection points, and virtual disk pre-compactor functionality.
•	Performance improvements.

For more information about what's new in Virtual Server R2 SP1, please refer to the following table:

New Features in Virtual Server R2 SP1
Benefit	Description
Hardware-assisted virtualization	Supports both Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) and AMD Virtualization (AMD-V) hardware-assisted virtualization.
VHD Mount Command-line Tool and APIs	Provides the ability to mount a virtual hard disk file (.vhd file) as a virtual disk device on another operating system.
Support for Volume Shadow Copy Service	Allows back-up of Virtual Server and its running virtual machines without needing to install backup agents inside the guest operating system of the virtual machines.
Larger default size for dynamically expanding virtual hard disks	The default size for dynamically expanding virtual hard disks has been changed from 16 GB to 127 GB, making the VHD file format even more useful for enterprise production, test, and disaster-recovery workloads.
Support for greater than 64 virtual machines on x64-based hosts	Virtual Server can run more than 64 virtual machines on x64-based hosts. The 64 virtual machine limit remains when running on 32-bit hosts.
Host clustering step-by-step guide	Host clustering allows you to extend the high-availability benefits of clustering to non-cluster-aware applications and workloads.
Virtual SCSI fix for Linux guests	This fix resolves an issue some customers encountered when trying to install certain Linux distributions inside a virtual machine on the emulated SCSI bus.
VMRC ActiveX control and Internet Explorer Security Zones	The Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC) ActiveX control now uses the security zone information in Internet Explorer to determine whether to prompt you for your credentials when you load the control.
Service Publication using Active Directory Service Connection Points	Virtual Server service now publishes its binding information in Active Directory as a Service Connection Point (SCP) object.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Virtualisation, Vista, Virtual Server, Virtual PC, Licensing

Alistair likes Vista and found out that the Dell SATA drivers were making is go slow

David Overton — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:43:00 GMT

I was browsing the UKSBSG Yahoo Group (a group for UK Small Business Partners) when I noticed Alistair's post in response to slow Vista systems and I thought I had to share:

Hi,

Just from experience, I had similar issues on Outlook 2007 and, to a
lesser extent, Vista in general - especially on boot, which would
take an age. I am using a Dell Dimension 9100, 2GB ram and SATA
drives. One would think it would be pretty good, but behaved like a
dog.

The Microsoft fix made some little difference. What made a huge
difference though was updating the SATA drivers on my Dell box. These
were not listed under updates and I had to search for them, but it is
chalk and cheese now.

Persevere, once you have it right it's a dream: I have to say I love
Vista, it is stable, runs all our legacy apps, line of business
accounting apps, remote jobs and managed to blow away our desktop
uptime record - still stable at 60 days uptime. XP struggled at 30.
I do strongly suspect that naff drivers are a major factor in the bad
press that Vista has been receiving; I suspect it's been too easy to
get them through the certification procedure.

Anyway, just my two pennoth.

Alistair

that was it except to say that besides the Updates technology in Vista you should also go and check the OEM provider for your systems and graphics cards to get more from Vista.

thanks

David

Technorati Tags: Vista, Drivers, Performance

SMBs more aggressive with Vista upgrade plans - 47% of small and mid-market customers plan to upgrade to Microsoft’s Vista operating system in the fourth quarter of 2007

David Overton — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:41:27 GMT

I saw this and thought it was another reason why you need to be prepared for Vista and Office 2007.

Among small and mid-sized enterprises 47 percent of them plan to upgrade to Microsoft’s Vista operating system in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to a Cowen & Co. survey.
The survey, which is done in conjunction with CRN magazine, also found that 78 percent of small and mid-sized businesses will adopt Vista by the second quarter of 2008.
Simply put, the small fry will lead the charge when it comes to the Vista upgrade cycle. Cowen analyst Walter Pritchard said in a research note that his firm’s most recent survey is above the adoption rates predicted in February. In February, 43 percent of small businesses indicated they would adopt Vista by the end of 2007.

» Survey: SMBs more aggressive with Vista upgrade plans | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista, Small Business

Quick Tip - how to run an application, but not let the writes go back to disk - try Sandboxie

David Overton — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:16:18 GMT

I have to admit I have not done any extensive testing, but this little tool seems like a good thing to have around! For more information, have a look at Sandboxie.

About Sandboxie

When you run a program on your computer, data flows from the hard disk to the program via read operations. The data is then processed and displayed, and finally flows back from the progam to the hard disk via write operations.

For example, if you run the Freecell program to play a game, it starts by reading the previously recorded statistics, displaying and altering them as you play the game, and finally writing them back to disk for future reference.
Sandboxie changes the rules such that write operations do not make it back to your hard disk.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Sandboxie, Tips, application testing

If you want Windows XP Pro on a new machine, buy Windows Vista (Business or Ultimate) and then downgrade

David Overton — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:03:00 GMT

I’m not sure how many people are aware of this, but if you buy a Windows Vista Business or Ultimate then you can use a Windows XP CD (which you have legal access to) to load Windows XP onto that machine.

When you need the product key / or need to activate, this will potentially fail, but a quick call to the activation centre with your Vista product key should give you all the details you need. Then when you are ready to put Vista onto that machine, you can do without the cost of buying it anew. Alternatively you can buy Windows XP today and should you ever want to load Vista, you can give more money to a shop to get a copy again.

For further information go to http://oem.microsoft.com/script/sites/public/licensing.htm

More information can be found in this one page document OEM Downgrade from Vista to Windows XP

ttfn

David

Please Note the following (in legalese)

Windows Vista Downgrade Rights Clarification

Per the EULA and OEM DTOS Agreement, the end user customer is responsible for supplying media for the OEM or customer to create the downgrade product image on the customer system. Neither Microsoft, the OEMs, nor the system builders are responsible for supplying this media. VL customers already have the necessary media. For non-VL customers, the easiest way to obtain this media is to buy a single FPP copy of Windows XP Pro or use an existing FPP copy of Windows XP Pro if they already own one. That media can then be used to downgrade Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate machines to Windows XP Pro. If the customer uses a product key for Windows XP Pro that they’ve previously activated, that machine will likely fail activation. If the downgraded machine fails activation the customer will be prompted to call the product activation call center to request a key that will enable them to pass activation. The customer should mention that they’re exercising their downgrade rights to the customer service representative in the activation call center.

Do you want to ask Microsoft the hard questions on Vista and Office before you sell them to your customers - well now you can in June - Live!!

David Overton — Wed, 30 May 2007 22:10:42 GMT

Your Office and Vista questions answered

We are offering UK partners the opportunity to talk directly to one of Microsoft Europe's leading technology specialists in a series of online Q&A sessions. These sessions will seek to answer the nitty gritty questions you need to answer to transition your customers over to Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007. Book your place now.
Register for 4 June
Register for 5 June
Register for 6 June
Register for 7 June
Register for 8 June

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Vista, Office, Partners

How to configure SQL Server 2005 to allow remote connections on Windows Server 2008 (Longhorn) / Windows Vista

David Overton — Sun, 27 May 2007 20:37:30 GMT

Just a quick one - I was playing around with SQL2005 on my Longhorn server and I could not connect from a remote machine - Ahh I thought, the firewall is in the way, but it turned out I had to do 3 or 4 things to get things working. The Microsoft KB article that pointed to the light was How to configure SQL Server 2005 to allow remote connections which covers how to enable the firewall for the 2 programs you need and so on.

When you try to connect to an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 from a remote computer, you may receive an error message. This problem may occur when you use any program to connect to SQL Server. For example, you receive the following error message when you use the SQLCMD utility to connect to SQL Server:

Sqlcmd: Error: Microsoft SQL Native Client: An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections.

This problem may occur when SQL Server 2005 is not configured to accept remote connections. By default, SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition do not allow remote connections. To configure SQL Server 2005 to allow remote connections, complete all the following steps:

Enable remote connections on the instance of SQL Server that you want to connect to from a remote computer.
Turn on the SQL Server Browser service.
Configure the firewall to allow network traffic that is related to SQL Server and to the SQL Server Browser service.

Well, the above is all well and good, but we also need to remember that in a Vista and Longhorn setup the "admin" accounts do not have admin control over the database, so you may well also need to run the SQL 2005 Surface Area tool that enables you to add administrators

I also found I had to enable network connections by going to the SQL Server Configuration Manager and enabling TCP connections on my IP v4 network.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: SQL, Vista, Longhorn, Firewall

Responding to another "I can't load Office 2003 on Vista" e-mail

David Overton — Sun, 27 May 2007 18:21:00 GMT

[updated to correct a typo - 10:48 27th May 2007]

I get lots of mails similar to the one below as a result of the blog entries on the EULA not going away and the Office 2003 on Vista and in some cases the issues have been Vista, sometimes the CD and sometimes non-genuine software that someone has been sold (as a side note - it has never been the new security - UAC that has been at the root of the problem).

Hi David,

I have read your blog entry re: 2003 installation on Vista but I have a problem not previously mentioned. I am doing an install from the CD and have disabled UAC. I attempt to run the SETUP.EXE (as Systems Admin and even with the compatibility set to WinXP SP2) to no avail. The next dialog window comes up saying that the SETUP.INI file cannot be found (path: ./FILES/SETUP/SETUP.INI). I'm baffled because I take the same installation CD and I put it in my old WinXP box and I can explore to find the SETUP.INI file exists. Why is my Vista box not able to see this .ini? Do I need to install the mentioned compatibility patch?

Just to be very clear, genuine copies of Office 2003 can install on Vista without issue. When you insert the CD or run the setup program you will get a single blue elevation box like this (unless you have turned off UAC, but I would strongly advise against turning it off):

If you see a red or orange version of the dialog above there is a chance that you have a damaged CD or non-genuine copy. Have a look at this web site to see if your CD is non-genuine and assuming it is, then it is time to start sending me some information. The easiest way is to do some screen prints of the version information and the directory structure. to get a print of the dialog boxed you will need to press alt+PrtScn to capture that dialog box and it must be the selected window when you do this. Then pop over to a mail and press Ctrl-V to paste them in.

Go to your CD and find the setup.exe file and right click on it and select properties. you will get a screen like the 1st one below. Take a shot of this and then also the digital signiatures and details tabs and send them to me - (click here to mail me):

Once this is all done I can see if there is anything obvious. I might also get you to send me a directory listing, but I will mail you if I need that.

thanks

David

Technorati tags: Office 2003, Setup problems, Vista

I hate seeing computers advertised on TV with 512MB of RAM with Vista

David Overton — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:38:06 GMT

This is a personal rant!! I was watching TV and saw a device advertised at a very attractive price, but with only 512MB of RAM. While Vista will work on a machine with 512MB of RAM the RECOMMENDED MINIMUM for all versions other than Home Basic is 1GB, meaning that the systems are shipping with just half the recommended minimum they should ship with. The recommended minimum amount of RAM for Windows XP was 128MB RAM with 64MB being the absolute minimum. Shipping a home premium or business machine with below the recommended minimum is a bit like running Windows XP with 64 (or even 128MB RAM). Think what XP would be like and while Vista is not that bad with 512MB, it is definitely not great.

So, please, please, please, 1GB minimum, 2GB and above for power users. I've seen this discussed in so many places, but please, 512MB is just no fun - don't let it happen to your customers - prepare them now. I just bought 2GB of RAM for about £30 per stick so when buying new PCs, be a good person and put it in there!!

Why, you might ask, does Vista require more memory than Windows XP, well it is all the new things.. such as:

Indexing and Search
Aero Graphics (open up a PC running Vista with Aero and look at the memory use of DWM - you get the idea)
Security Options
New Services space to move (VSS)
Virtualisation of files and registry
Windows Defender
SuperFetch

I am sure there is more too - this is my opinion, but I had to get the rant out of the system.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: rant, vista, memory

Changing the way that Vista User Access Control (UAC) works in Vista by group policy

David Overton — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:15:34 GMT

James gave me some hassle the other day for not referencing his blog (which is a valid thing to do), so I thought I would point out this post as it will end some of the gripes of people out there.

Using Group Policy you can change the following:

User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for administrators
User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for standard users
User Account Control: Elevate on application installs
User Account Control: Run all users, including administrators, as standard users
User Account Control: Validate signatures of executables that require elevation
User Account Control: Virtualize file and registry write failures to per-user locations

More information from James Blog at Views on Windows Vista : Can I customise UAC?.

ttfn

David

Technorati Tags: Vista, Group Policy, UAC, Security

The price of Vista in the UK - some really, really bad maths

David Overton — Wed, 16 May 2007 10:10:00 GMT

OK, so this has really got my goat - I read that there is a £100 difference between the UK and US prices for Vista Premium Edition, so I thought I would add my PERSONAL view on this.

Microsoft does not set the prices, the resellers do - some offer products at a loss to bring you in, some add plenty of margin because they believe the market can bear it
When comparing prices we need to do so on as close to a level playing field as possible - so no VAT & state tax etc
There is some difference due to the unusually high exchange rate - and using the market exchange rate rather than a normal punter exchange rate does not reflect the man on the street pricing
The figures stated don't seem to bear out in reality in my opinion

I found a typical story here:

UK customers face disparity and confusion over the pricing of Microsoft Windows Vista, Computing Which? has discovered.

Windows Vista Home Premium has a recommended retail price of $240 (£125) in the US.
But to buy the same software in the UK would set consumers back £220 – almost twice as much.

The process I will use is very simple:

Lets take an example - Vista Home Premium - I'll use two retailers I know online (I found cheaper in both countries)

www.dabs.com price - £182.30 inc VAT, so £155.15 excl

www.bestbuy.com - $239 excl taxes

Thomas Cook currency rate 1.87 dollars to the pound.

This gives us numbers to put into our equation -

The Best Buy product converts to £127.80. So there is a difference between the two products - £27.35. Add shipping, local cost differences etc and all of a sudden it becomes a much less important question as to where the money goes - VAT and other local costs soon make the real difference. The £100 becomes just £27 once tax and a real price is taken (since the RRP is not actually provided by Microsoft in either country).

The best prices I found in both countries (using Pricewatch and Kelkoo) led to just a £11.55 difference before VAT. Shopping around can make the difference.

ttfn

David

Microsoft Watch - Vista - I Shacked Up with Windows Vista - what happens when a journalist tries Vista and likes it - he makes his Mac Tiger move out for a while :-)

David Overton — Fri, 11 May 2007 21:38:00 GMT

I saw this and the whole article is well worth a read - a good Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Monday read to smile.

I Shacked Up with Windows Vista

Joe Wilcox
Last week, Vista and I started living together again, and Tiger moved into an apartment across the hall. I like Vista, but she's sometimes a tough companion.
Tiger and Vista are both attractive, but my new roomie is just so much more pleasing to look at—and she likes to do fun stuff that's quite different from the cat woman. Over the weekend we did the Vongo together and hung out at the Yahoo Music club. Tiger wouldn't do either.
Vista also is much more social. She loves to nudge her friends and hang out at social clubs MySpace and Live Spaces. She's quite particular about her social calendar, too.

Source: Microsoft Watch - Vista - I Shacked Up with Windows Vista

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Vista business value, MAC

Windows Vista AppReadiness- Find out if your application is known and / or supported or expected to run on Vista

David Overton — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:39:00 GMT

I saw this was released and thought I had to share it - finally a resource will logo'd ready and community opinion on application compatibility for Vista. It states:

Welcome to the Windows Vista Application Readiness Beta site! The central place to find and share information about software that runs on the Windows Vista platform. Browse through a comprehensive listing of applications that have a Windows Vista Logo or are Ready for Windows Vista, See comments on compatibility that the community has contributed and

The url is easy to remember with www.windowsvista.com/appreadiness. As a quick sample you have the following:

Or the "new" sections:

NEW! Community Submitted Applications

Comments

4.5.0 Build 3201

Cosmocom (www.cosmocom.com)

Not working on Windows Vista

Incompatible with Windows Vista

Harvst

V. 7 patch 3

Computer Associates (All Fusion)

Waiting for release of patch for Vista

Incompatible with Windows Vista

Majestic Chess

unknown

Sierra

Currently there is only one version on the market. It appears as if Sierra is no longer making this game. Is there a way to get some shim to install the game?

Incompatible with Windows Vista

fishscape

v .001

fishes

Doesn't play well on Vista.

Incompatible with Windows Vista

NEW! ISV Supported Windows Vista Applications

10.2.0.3

Oracle

Learning Essentials for Microsoft Office

2.0.0

Microsoft Corporation

Garmin Training Center 3.2.3

3.2.3

Garmin International

VectorWorks 12.5.1

12.5.1

Nemetschek North America

FileMaker Pro 9

9.0.1

FileMaker, Inc.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Vista business value, Application Compatibility

Buying Vista and then installing an old version of Office - what are you allowed to do

David Overton — Wed, 09 May 2007 13:40:00 GMT

I have already discussed on this blog what is and is not support for Office on Vista (any version from 2000 on) here. However there is always the question of licensing what is actually allowed and what would be piracy. I am going to try to make it very simple here.

· If you have the Home and Student (was the Student and Teacher) Edition then this can be installed on 3 computers in the same household

· If you have a previous “Full Packaged Product” – the pretty box you bought at a retailers – version of the product then this can be removed from one computer and installed on a new computer. It can only be installed on one computer at any time

· If your software is provided as part of a volume license agreement then you can install on a new computer or other computers, but if you change the number of computers that it is installed on you may have to pay more for the extra usage.

· If you have neither of these then you have an OEM copy – this is provided and supported by the people who supplied your computer and part of the license provision is that it belongs to that computer only and can not be transferred anywhere else.

I hope that makes it clear. As always, leave a comment for any questions.

Ttfn

David

Vista and Longhorn Events in May

David Overton — Wed, 02 May 2007 09:57:00 GMT

Events/WebCasts

1 May 2007, Leeds: Windows Vista After Hours
You may be familiar with Windows Vista at work - whether you have deployed it, or are evaluating it - but have you ever thought about the possibilities of Vista outside of work? This session, aimed at IT professionals, explores not only the built-in elements of Vista, such as Search, Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker and the Networking & Sharing Center, but also how you can extend your Windows Vista Experience, with Windows Media Center, Xbox 360 and specific applications to open up a new world of gaming and home entertainment.
01 May 2007, Leeds: An Introduction and Overview of Microsoft Licensing

Licensing can be confusing - but it needn't be. Attend this course to understand Microsoft Licensing and how to best apply it in your company to fit in with your business needs. This session is aimed at IT professionals who wish to gain a better understanding of Microsoft's Software Licensing. The briefing assumes no previous in-depth or technical licensing experience.
3 May 2007, Reading: Windows Vista After Hours

You may be familiar with Windows Vista at work - whether you have deployed it, or are evaluating it, but have you ever thought about the possibilities of Vista outside of work? This session, aimed at IT professionals, explores not only the built in elements of Vista, such as Search, Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, and the Networking & Sharing Center, but also how you can extend your Windows Vista Experience, with Windows Media Center, Xbox 360 and specific applications to open up a new world of gaming and home entertainment.

22 May 2007, Edinburgh: Vista Deployment Using BitLocker Encryption to Protect Mobile Data - How to Keep Secrets

Windows Vista's BitLocker feature provides the means for you to secure data and ensure the integrity of your mobile systems like never before. In a lab it's a wonderful thing. This session will show you how to take advantage of BitLocker in a production environment.
22 May 2007, Reading: Windows Powershell for IT Administrators

In this session, we'll introduce you to Windows Powershell: what it is and what you can do with it. We'll take a look at how you can use the shell to perform day-to-day administrative tasks. We'll start with a basic overview of shell concepts, commands, cmdlets and how to construct them, then move on to build more complex scripts, before rounding up with ways to administer windows using some of the reporting facilities available in the shell.

29 May 2007, Manchester: Windows Vista System Integrity Technologies

Windows Vista features new system integrity technologies including code integrity, secure start-up, service hardening, mandatory integrity control and Internet Explorer protected mode. In this session, Steve Lamb explains how these technologies work.

31 May 2007, Reading: Vista Deployment Using Group Policy in Windows Vista to Control User Behaviour and Network Security
Ever feel that your existing operating system just didn't have enough Group Policy Objects? For your delectation we've added a whole host more. During this session we'll take a look at the new XML based Administrative Templates and how to gain control of your environment using the powerful new features of Windows Vista.

20 June 2007, Manchester: Everything you Wanted to Know About Imaging Vista But Were Afraid to Ask
At this TechNet event you'll find out how to deploy Windows Vista. We'll look at the new installation processes and tools, and show you how to capture an image, modify it and deploy it onto client computers. Come along and find out just how powerful Windows Vista can be for you.

12 June 2007, Reading: An Overview of Windows Server codename "Longhorn"

In this session, we will look at the new Windows Server operating system, code named 'Longhorn'. Right now this product is in the beta phase, with many of the final features and components present and functional. We'll look at some of the new core operating system features, and see how they enhance productivity and enhance performance. We'll look at some new security improvements. We will also discuss a new feature called Network Access Protection and explain its uses. Finally we will look at the changes Terminal Services has undergone with some significant changes and improvements over previous versions of Windows.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Events, Vista business value, Longhorn

Vista and Longhorn Webcasts

David Overton — Wed, 02 May 2007 07:57:46 GMT

Executive Chat: What's New in Windows Server "Longhorn" with Bill Laing, Iain McDonald, and Colleagues

Tuesday, May 8, 10:00 AM Pacific Time

Join Bill Laing, General Manager for Windows Server; Iain McDonald, Director of Windows Server Program Management; Joseph Landes, Director of Product Management; David Lowe, Senior Product Manager; Ward Ralston, Senior Technical Product Manager; and Eric Rezabek, Product Marketing Manager, to discuss what's new in Windows Server "Longhorn."

TechNet Webcast: Cluster Validation in Windows Server "Longhorn" (Level 300)
Monday, 7 May, 2007

5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. GMT

TechNet Webcast: Internet Information Services 7.0 in Windows Server "Longhorn" Level 300)
Thursday, 10 May 2007

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. GMT

TechNet Webcast: UNIX Interoperability in Windows Server "Longhorn" (Level 200)
Monday, 14 May, 2007

5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. GMT

ttfn

David

Job aids (things to help you do your job) with Microsoft Office 2007

David Overton — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:57:46 GMT

2007 Microsoft Office System

Be productive while using the new versions of Microsoft Office desktop applications.

· Microsoft Office Fluent User Interface Get Started

· Microsoft Office Charts and SmartArt Get Started

· Microsoft Office Styles Get Started

· Microsoft Office Tasks Get Started

· Microsoft Office Tasks Learn More

Everyday Work

Discover best practices for working with e-mail, organizing your time, and more.

· Windows Vista and Microsoft Office Work Smarter Checklist

· InfoPath 2007 Forms Get Started

E-mail

· E-Mail Basics Get Started

· Outlook 2007 E-Mail Signatures Get Started

· Outlook 2007 E-Mail Rules Get Started

· Outlook 2007 Out of Office Assistant

· Delegating Outlook 2007 Access Learn More

· Outlook 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007 Integration Overview

· Outlook 2007 and SharePoint Server 2007 Integration Get Started

· RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Overview

· Subscribing to Web Content with RSS

Time and Task Management

· Microsoft Office Tasks Get Started

· Microsoft Office Tasks Learn More

· Multiple Calendars Get Started

· Sharing Outlook 2007 Calendars Get Started

· Managing OneNote 2007 Notebooks Learn More

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Job Aids, Office 2007

Win an XBOX 360 or 5 x Office and Vista while getting Microsoft to pay some or all of your Marketing Campaign Builder Expenses for Small Business PC, Branch Office solutions or Build Customer Connections Campaigns. Time limited - ends 30th April 2007

David Overton — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:17:00 GMT

Hopefully I have your attention, which is good. Microsoft UK are trying to encourage the use of our marketing tools and also gain some feedback.

First of all, the prizes for the best feedback - an Xbox 360 system OR 5 x Vista Ultimate AND 5 x Office 2007 Pro.

Next, the cash - we can offer a limited number of people £150 towards a marketing campaign - if that covers the whole of the campaign, then so be it and it has cost you nothing! This money is to be used at the UK Partner Campaign Builder portal.

OK, so now for the pitch!

As many of you know we like to help our partners in many ways here at Microsoft and one area that small business partners have asked for help is in the marketing area. Campaign Builder is a one stop shop to either produce materials and run the campaign yourself, or use the agency to run the campaign for you (or at least print the materials). Well, we have a limited number of discount vouchers to make this a £150 easier process.

The idea is simple to do, simply do the following this April (2007 for the pedants)

Visit the Business Efficiency/ Small Business PC Campaign page to learn more about the campaigns
Visit Partner Campaign Builder and get up to £150* towards your first Business Efficiency/ Small Business PC Campaign with Partner Campaign Builder
You then need to enter the promotional codes as below
Send an e-mail to Doverton@microsoft.com with the subject “I used campaign builder and it worked for me” with the details of how you used the campaign and what it has done to help your business and if necessary what it should do better. Send the e-mail by the end of May and we will read them and pick out a winner for either 5 x Office 2007 and 5 x Windows Vista Ultimate OR a Xbox 360 core edition for the 3^rd week of June (you choose which prize you want). (we will notify you of you success via a return mail to your e-mail address and will publish the winning reason on the blog site). We may also ask to discuss the benefits of Campaign Builder with you further to improve the service or ask to create a case study.

· Business Efficiency (Small Business PC) – EJYRDTWA (first 30 partners)

· Branch Office - 7AHXBYP4 (first 160 partners)

· Build Customer Connections - DQH9HCY1 (first 100 partners)

Run the campaign, tell me why you like it and get software or an Xbox. If you have any concerns put a comment on the web and I will answer them. You must be a UK Microsoft partner to qualify, your target market should also be in the UK and you must run the campaign.

ttfn

David

E&OE

Technorati tags: Microsoft, Marketing, Campaign Builder

Channel Expo Show presentations - Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Windows Server (SBS, Naked, Home Server and Longhorn) sales slides

David Overton — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:39:00 GMT

If you visited the Channel Expo show this year then you probably saw one or two Microsoft presentations on desktop and server solutions. James Akrigg and Matt McSpirit provided the desktop entertainment while I covered off what servers we have out there and what is coming in the near future.

We promised the slides and here they are:

Desktop (Windows Vista and Office 2007)- Office 2007 PowerPoint

Desktop (Windows Vista and Office 2007)- PDF

Server (SBS, Windows Server 2003 R2, Longhorn and Home Server) - Office 2007 PowerPoint

Server (SBS, Windows Server 2003 R2, Longhorn and Home Server) - PDF

James has an amazing blog (Out of Office) at http://blogs.technet.com/outofoffice

Matt touches many aspects of desktop technology including that for small business at http://blogs.technet.com/mattmcspirit

Have a look at the blogs and enjoy the presentations.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Channel Expo, Vista, Office 2007, SBS 2003, Nakes Servers, Home Server, Longhorn

View and Search the Windows Vista Registry from the Windows Shell (Explorer) through this Namespace Extensions

David Overton — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:42:22 GMT

I came across this due to someone pointing it out internally - talk about awesome.

The Windows Registry Shell Namespace Extension allows Windows Explorer to view and interact with the Windows Registry data via Explorer windows. It demonstrates existing Shell extensibility points like IShellFolder2 and SHCreateShellFolderView and also demonstrates new concepts in Vista including the property system, property schema extensibility, and content indexing via Protocol Handlers. This project is implemented using C++ and ATL.
This release includes all of the latest deltas and addresses the installation issues for systems without VS2005. This is a temporary fix until James finishes the WIX setup. Installation notes: - Download/open the zip file. - If you have VS2005 installed, just double-click RegNamespace.msi. - If you don't have VS2005, run Setup.exe. This will install the necessary VC Redistrubutable.

Source: Windows Vista Registry Shell Namespace Extensions

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Vista, Windows Vista, Search, Registry

Dreamscapes 3D spinning earth background where lighting changes depending on the time of day - for Vista, amazing!

David Overton — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:06:00 GMT

I just have to share some of the pictures my PC created while running Dreamscapes (free from StarDock at http://dream.wincustomize.com/) - this one is of the planet Earth spinning, but the view of the earth changes depending on the time of day, so you get to see the light polution if it is night etc.

It also works well, as you might expect with Flip 3D:

See the tools to produce this and much more at:

http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2007/03/26/vista-enhancements-and-utilities-changing-the-screen-savers-adding-extra-search-functionality-to-the-start-menu-objectdock-logon-screen-changer-windows-blinds-and-wim-image-modifier.aspx

http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2007/03/26/vista-has-flip-3d-for-changing-applications-well-here-are-some-more-3d-cube-based-virtual-desktop-window-switcher-rotation-based-flip-3d.aspx

http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2007/03/26/changing-vista-boot-screens-and-opening-yourself-up-to-rootkits-or-not.aspx

Vista enhancements and utilities (changing the screen savers, adding extra search functionality to the start menu, Objectdock, logon screen changer, Windows Blinds and WIM Image modifier)

David Overton — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:10:12 GMT

Changing the screen saver settings: http://tweakvista.com/Article39129.aspx (make ribbons fatter, increase the number of them and so on)

Start++ - search tools from WDS in Vista: http://brandonlive.com/2007/02/22/new-tool-i-made-for-vista-start/

“clear” aero theme for Winblinds for Vista: http://www.skinbase.org/rate.php?skins=32542

Logon Screen changer (free from StarDock when released, part of Object Dock during beta): See http://www.stardock.com/newsitem.asp?id=942 and skins at http://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?libid=65

DreamScenes, Dream Maker and Dynamic Dreams – some free, some charged for, for Ultimate Users: http://dream.wincustomize.com/ and http://www.stardock.com/products/deskscapes/ - these include triggers in the “dreams”

vLite – image tweaking tool: http://www.vlite.net/about.html

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Vista, Dreamscene, Logon Screen Changer, Dynamic Dreams, vLite

Changing Vista boot screens and opening yourself up to rootkits (or not)

David Overton — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:12:22 GMT

I love people who want to customise WIndows Vista and some of my previous posts have covered this, however you can go too far - you can hack the OS. While I understand the desire to "hack" the OS to get customisations, there are better ways. This particular example is where people want to change the boot screen in Vista. The ability to do this will be coming from StarDock soon, but until then people have taken to modifying the existing OS files. THERE IS ALWAYS a change that by downloading someones customised file to your PC and it being loaded so early on in the boot process that it could do nasty things, especially since these files are in now way certified by Microsoft.

A classic example of this can be found here when people want to change the boot logo - this could easily be a social engineering attack. The instructions tell someone to remove the access and security permissions from a core system file, overwrite it with one that might make the system look prettier during boot, but who knows what else will happen as a result of the change? This is also known as a trojan horse - as you accept it through the gates on the assumption that it is a gift from the gods, but infact inside it has lots of the enemies troops.

You have a choice - compromise your system security or wait until StarDock release thier boot screen changer. Is it really worth risking the integrity of your system for a pretty graphic for a few seconds during startup?

http://www.myvistaboot.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Changing the boot screen: http://tweakvista.com/article38970.aspx

Boot screen logo generator: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=527262

ttfn

David

Vista has Flip 3D for changing applications, well here are some more (3d cube based virtual desktop, Window Switcher, Rotation based flip 3d

David Overton — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:14:30 GMT

3d cube based virtual desktop: http://chsalmon.club.fr/index.php?en/Download

Rotation based Flip 3D: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=529816

Alternative to flip-3d (switcher): http://insentient.net/

Symantec "Microsoft Listed as Most Secure OS"

David Overton — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:31:02 GMT

Wow, you have to wonder whether this hurt them to say this :-) Now I am a believer that any security vulnerability is bad and that the longer it is out there then the more likely it is to exploit it. If "people" only have one way to crack into your system, then they can still get in and the longer it is out there then the more likely it is that it will be used, however always nice to see that MS is trying hard and while not perfect, is doing better than other people who throw stones at MS. Of course, Windows also has more in it, so being better with more features in the box is even nicer and this is across all versions of Windows, not just the latest (Vista) for example.

I think it shows that the IT industry has more work to do in this area - as Ed the Fed said - "this is a journey."

Surprise, Microsoft Listed as Most Secure OS
By Andy Patrizio

UPDATED: Microsoft is frequently dinged for having insecure products, with security holes and vulnerabilities. But Symantec (Quote), no friend of Microsoft, said in its latest research report that when it comes to widely-used operating systems, Microsoft is doing better overall than its leading commercial competitors.
The information was a part of Symantec's 11th Internet Security Threat Report. The report, released this week, covered a huge range of security and vulnerability issues over the last six months of 2006, including operating systems.
The report found that Microsoft Windows had the fewest number of patches and the shortest average patch development time of the five operating systems it monitored in the last six months of 2006.
<snip>
During this period, 39 vulnerabilities, 12 of which were ranked high priority or severe, were found in Microsoft Windows and the company took an average of 21 days to fix them. It's an increase of the 22 vulnerabilities and 13-day turnaround time for the first half of 2006 but still bested the competition handily.
<snip>
Then there's Mac OS X. Despite the latest TV ads ridiculing the security in Vista with a Matrix-like Agent playing the UAC in Vista, Apple has nothing to brag about. Symantec found 43 vulnerabilities in Mac OS X and a 66 day turnaround on fixes.

Source: Surprise, Microsoft Listed as Most Secure OS

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David

Technorati tags: Security

I love the press - saying that organisations are "banning" Vista when they are doing normal testing - and then writing another story when they get it wrong!!

David Overton — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 15:07:10 GMT

I read with interest the previosu stories about large oganisations banning Vista deployments, wondering if this was anything but normal policy. Then this story broke where NIST in the US "were irked" at suggestions that the ban was in anyway but normal practice until they finish testing

Explaining a Vista ban

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has put a moratorium on using Windows Vista, but that's business as usual, says agency's CIO.
newsmaker The prestigious National Institute of Standards and Technology has put a ban on Windows Vista, but that's standard procedure, according to NIST's chief information officer.
NIST, which does research and sets standards for things like cryptography for government use, is among several federal agencies that have put a moratorium on the use of Vista. The agencies are taking some time to make sure that the new Microsoft operating system meets their needs.
It is not unusual that large organizations aren't rushing to install major software updates. These organizations tend to do a lot of testing before upgrading. The same happened when Microsoft released Windows XP, and again with Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. Microsoft widely released Vista in late January.
Simon Szykman, chief information officer at NIST, was slightly irked by some of the media reports on his agency's move, which painted the ban as a major slap in Microsoft's face. In fact, Szykman said, this is business as usual. Ultimately, NIST expects many of its PCs will run Vista. Still, Microsoft has predicted a swift adoption of Vista by businesses.

Source: Explaining a Vista ban | Newsmakers | CNET News.com

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David

Technorati tags: Vista, Windows Vista, Testing

UK Vista Community Group - First Meeting - March 28th

David Overton — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 19:58:39 GMT

Vista Squad

The place to discuss Windows Vista and the .NET Framework 3.0.
We're excited to announce the inaugural meeting of the Vista Squad!
The event will be held between 18:15 and 21:15 on Wednesday 28th March 2007 at Microsoft's HQ, Thames Valley Park, Reading.
This will be a great opportunity to meet other members, discuss Vista and see two cracking presentations. If you'd like to come pop your name in a comment and we'll add you to the list.
The line-up is as follows:
18:15-18:30: Refreshments
18:30-18:45: Introduction session to introduce the group, the key people involved and finally our aims and goals – (Ray Booysen, Scott Belton, Robert Knapp)
18:45-19:45: Presentation 1 - Are you ready for Vista - Windows hardware assessment tools (Scott Belton)
19:45-20:15: Break - Food, refreshments and networking
20:15-21:15: Presentation 2 - WCF Introduction– (tbc)
21:15: Roundup and close

Source: Announcements : First Meeting

Running Office 2003 on Windows Vista and running other applications that work on Windows XP on Vista

David Overton — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:45:00 GMT

[updated 19th March 14:45 - added App Compat fixes KB article]

I seem to be being asked this question a lot, so I thought I would blog the answer. The short answer is yes, you can run Office 2003 on Windows Vista. For that matter, you can run many other applications on Windows Vista too. For those who want details on how to do this, go to this page.

Lets start from the top - most Windows applications run unmodified under Windows Vista. Some have been designed to, others have been certified to ensure they do. Details of this list can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933305 and includes products like Office 2003 (and 2007) and so on including those by Corel and so on. There is also then community maintained lists, such as http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_List for software that people believes does or does not work. Microsoft have released patches to Vista to increase the number of applications that run without any changes or user interaction. Details of this patch at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932246

Should you get a program that will not run in Vista then there are a number of features that continue to enhance the ability to run untested / older software on your PC. The simplest of these is the "compatibility tab" where you can go and choose compatibility mode or OS version you wish to run the application as.

On the same page will be options to change screen resolution, always run as an administrator, disable visual themes, dpi scaling and desktop composition.

You might also find this tab is grayed out - normally due to the fact that the program is not linked to a .exe, but to a MSI install (e.g. the office applications). To get round this you may have to create a new shortcut linking to the actual exe file required. If you don't know how to do this - start the application, open up Windows Task manager (press Ctrl-Shift+Esc) and go to the process, then right click on it and select properties - this should help you.

If this fails, which is might to occasionally for those rarer applications there are several things to do. One, let Windows Vista sends back the error report so we are aware of it - that way we can fix it if the issue is in Vista, or work with the application vendor to get it fixed. The next route of attack to solve this problem is to use the diagnostic tools we provide (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927386) and if that fails, the application compatibility toolkit (which is more for business). I would start looking at pages like http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa905066.aspx and http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa904987.aspx. After all this, download a copy of VPC 2007 (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/virtualpc/default.mspx) and see if this can help you.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Office 2003, Vista, Application Compatibility, Compatibility

HD Photo Plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® Software (Beta Release for Windows) - The future after JPEG?

David Overton — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:11:47 GMT

I'm not really much of a photographer myself - all my cameras are snappers and the pictures I take are just that - snaps. Now Jo in the Office is a Pro and has sold many of her photographs. Every so often I ask her about Office Collaboration, SharePoint, Content Management to understand what can be used in the small biz space and then spend time talking about which camera I should get :-)

I heard recently about HD Photo which is "and format for end to end digital photographers" (Press release "Microsoft Announces HD Photo, a New Imaging File Format With Advanced"). It is worth noting that to speed release there is a HD Photo Plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® Software (Beta Release for Windows) too.

If you've ever paid close attention to your photos you will know that a "lossy" format means that you loose some of the detail compared to the original, but get much smaller files. Now "HD Photo fully preserves the original image fidelity with high dynamic range while still allowing for significant improvement in compression size." It might even help my snaps look better too.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: HD Photo, Adobe Photoshop, WIndows Vista, Digital Photography

Do you want to be able to see PDFs previewed in Outlook 2007 and the preview pane in Vista Explorer? What about C#, VB, SQL and javascript code?

David Overton — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:43:23 GMT

This has been banded about a lot inside Microsoft, but it is just too good to ignore.

Enjoy!!

Foxit PDF Preview Handler

in my daily work i spend a majority of my 'computing' time in outlook. communicating with peers, team members, customers, etc. is mostly done via communication (sad, i know). a lot of that time it involves sending information attachments back and forth, using office documents, etc. i've said a lot about how much i love the preview functionality within vista and office 2007. i even wrote a code preview handler for .cs, .vb, .sql, .js files.
one of the samples in the msdn article was for pdf files...of which i receive a lot. i don't use adobe reader because i think it is overkill for reading pdf's personally. the sample, however, relies on having adobe reader installed...which i didn't like. i started working with the foxit activex sdk, because i love their reader product. after some communication with the team at foxit, we started collaborating.
as a result of that collaboration, foxit software and i partnered to create the 'foxit pdf preview handler' which you can download for free! this is a pdf preview handler for outlook 2007 and windows vista. the current version requires vista, but we are working on a windows xp version for outlook 2007 on winxp. what this enables you to do is, well...the following:

Source: Foxit PDF Preview Handler

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David

Technorati tags: PDF, PDF Previewer, Outlook 2007, Vista Explorer, Preview Pane

Deploying Vista to many desktops from Small Business Server 2003 with SP2 (R2 or R1) using Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) tools

David Overton — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:56:49 GMT

A nice man named Zack dropped me a mail asking about the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) tools and "real" documentation, which led to Matt in the PTS team writing about all the great tools (see below). I then installed SP2 for Windows Server 2003 and realised that my SBS 2003 system now has the capabilities of BDD to deploy Vista desktops (in my case, pre-configured with Office 2007 too).

Wow. I went and checked and the Windows Deployment Services admin controls are there on my SBS SP2 system, so you can use this information to enable PXE deployments of Windows if you want. These can include other programs such as Office and anti-virus products and also be pre-configures to join the domain etc.

Business Desktop Deployment 2007 - Resources
Posted Wednesday, March 14, 2007 11:43 AM by mattmcspirit

For those of you out there who have an interest in the different ways that you can deploy Windows Vista, Office 2007 and your other applications, you may be interested in the Business Desktop Deployment Workbench, or BDD for short.
So, what is it?
Well, the BDD is essentially, your one-stop-shop for deployment when it comes to our new wave of technology. Want to customise your Vista install? Want to inject drivers for hardware into images? Want to customise WinPE 2.0? Want to easily create Unattend.xml files? Want next week's winning lottery numbers? OK, BDD can't help you with that last one, but it can allow you to do all the others!

Source: Peering through Windows...

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David

Technorati tags: BDD, Business Desktop Deployment, SBS 2003, Service Pack 2, SP2, SBS 2003 SP2

Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista for Microsoft (UK) Partners' Friends and Family

David Overton — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:54:00 GMT

[updated 18th March 08:44am] - The links are working now - hurray

Now before someone goes and shoots this down, we have managed a small discount for Microsoft UK Partners' friends and family. It is not a half price discount or anything close, but if you know someone who was going to buy our software or wanted too, it is now a more attractive price :-)

Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista for your Friends and Family

Are you experiencing the 'WOW' of the new Microsoft Office system and Windows Vista yet? If you are you'll probably want your friends and family to feel it too! To help you spread the WOW factor Microsoft Partner DABS is offering a special price to Microsoft Partners' friends and family on the home-use versions of these exciting new releases*.

Product	Special Friends and Family Price**
Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student	£85.00
Vista Home Premium	£185.00
Vista Home Premium Upgrade	£123.50

*Please note: These products are not discounted. The products on offer are legitimate software applications for home use only. Prices may change at any time and there is no guarantee of availability. This promotion runs until 30 June 2007.

There’s more info’ and details how to order at https://partner.microsoft.com/uk/40037033. To access these offers Partners will need to log-in to the Partner Portal.

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David

Technorati tags: Vista, Windows Vista, Offers, Partners, UK

Using Vista and getting a slower performing network? Perhaps with SBS or other network equipment? Then you need to read Kevin's post at Neoblog.

David Overton — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:26:20 GMT

We all know that sometimes things sloooowwwwwiiinnnngggg down can be a real drag. Some people have seen this sort of thing with Vista and while sometimes it is to do with drivers (do I need to say wireless here??), others it could be one of the "nice" new features in Vista. In the latter example I can give you a good pointer to help.

Susanne Dansey pointed this out to me, which is a posting by Kevin Higerty on this very problem - pop along to his blog to get the low down.

I’ve been running Vista on my SBS network for a while, well since the January Action Pack, and have noticed resource access to the SBS box getting slower and slower over the last few days. At the same time I had issues like log on’s taking 2 minutes, explorer time outs and generally the whole system running like a dog.
The two symptoms have turned out to be seperate, but combined they are a ‘throw the sodding pc outa the window’ type scenario.
Slow networking is due to the auto tuning of TCP/IP in Vista which is turned on by default.

Source: neoblog » Vista + Network = Slow

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David

Technorati tags: Windows Vista, Network, Slow, Auto Tuning, Syn

Vista, by itself, and business value - what can you get

David Overton — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:48:00 GMT

I was a little horrified to see a small business group posting that said

"In my opinion, there is nothing in Vista that warrants an upgrade at this time for businesses."

Oh my golly gosh thought me. Has this person actually looked at the stuff we have to better explain what the benefits are? (I don't know, but if they have then Microsoft needs to do a better job, if not, then Microsoft needs to do a better job telling everyone). 1st off though, just as many people have commented - I expect many people to buy Vista with a new PC, but I also believe that the decision to buy a new PC will in part be driven by Vista as opposed to just hardware needs.

OK, where does Vista add value to businesses (this is where I use it) over Windows XP out the box today and even more so over Windows 2000:

Work More Efficiently
- Searching for documents, e-mails, contacts
- Preview files without opening them via thumbnails and preview pane
- Shrink to fit for IE printing
- Finding open programs, items on start menu, control panel items
- Enhance performance with ReadyBoost
- Glancable information with Gadgets
Staying Connected
- "File" file sharing
- Ad-hoc wireless networking
- Wireless security manager
- Windows Mobile Device Center
Data protection and integrity
- Automatic PC backups
- Previous versions of files, even when out the office
- Anti-phishing technologies
- Anti-spyware tools
- UAC and protected mode in IE
- File and disk encryption
- Image based backup and restore
Systems Management
- Reliability Monitor
- Enhanced Event Viewer
- Memory Checker
- Problem History
- Enhanced Remote Desktop
- Recovery tools
Sales and Marketing
- Fax and Scan tools
- Photo Editing tools
- XPS Support
- Faster response when opening the lid
Dual use - home and business use
- Parential controls
- Media Center
- DVD Playback and burning
- Many many more

It is worth looking at the version comparison document on http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/products/wowpc/CompareWindows.aspx and the Vista comparison guide that can be downloaded at http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/5/E/E5E1A4B0-124F-4A6E-A152-7B5CBA3FE8CB/FY07_SBPC_ToC_BRO.pdf. More information on Vista and Office for small businesses can be found at bCentral and the Small Business web site

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David

Technorati tags: Windows Vista, Vista Ultimate, Vista business value

The hybrid sleep feature and the hibernation feature in Windows Vista may become unavailable after you use the Disk Cleanup Tool (or fix hibernation not working)

David Overton — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:04:00 GMT

[updated 12th March 2007 21:03]

This particular problem went round the internal discussions groups - having told people how to turn on hibernation and suggested a KB article on it, Armelle O'Neal told me that is has already been written up in KB Article (928897).

SYMPTOMS

After you use the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows Vista, you may experience the following symptoms:
You cannot see the Hibernate option in Power Options.
When you use the sleep feature, the computer does not recover its settings if power is lost.
CAUSE
This problem occurs when the Disk Cleanup Tool disables the hibernation file. The hibernation file must be enabled to access the hybrid sleep feature and the hibernation feature in Windows Vista.
When the hibernation file is disabled, and the hybrid sleep feature is enabled, a backup of open programs and open files will not be saved to the disk when you use the sleep feature in Windows Vista. Additionally, if the computer loses power while the Windows is in sleep mode, open programs and open files will not be recovered, and any unsaved work will be lost.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem in Windows Vista, run the powercfg -h on command at an Administrative command prompt to enable the hibernate feature and the hybrid sleep feature. To run this command, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Accessories.
2. Right-click Command Prompt, click Run as administrator, type powercfg -h on, and then press ENTER.

If this fails, it is normally because the command prompt is not actually running at an admin level - click here for my "how to tell"

Technorati tags: Vista, Windows Vista, Hibernate

How to start an administrative (or elevated) command prompt and tell if you got it right (in Vista)

David Overton — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:55:00 GMT

I have had a few people tell me that they have had problems getting an administrative command prompt up and running in Vista. If you have done it correctly then a windows will open just like the one to the left. Notice that it has opened into the X:\windows\system32 directory and that it has the title "Administrator: X:\windows\system32\cmd.exe. Anything else and I would be suspicious.

The process is simple - do either of these

Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Accessories.
Right-click Command Prompt, click Run as administrator

Click Start
Type cmd into the search box and wait for Command Prompt or cmd.exe to appear in the list
Press CTRL-Shift-Enter

Either way, you should get an User Account Control (UAC) prompt appear with a BLUE banner on the top - press Continue here.

For more information on User Account Control go to here

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Windows Vista, Elevate, run as Administrator, Vista Ultimate, Security

Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc) always has the wrong domain name, IP address or always prompting me about security - here are the fixes

David Overton — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:11:25 GMT

One of my UK SBSC partners asked me how to do a couple things in Remote Desktop using the new Vista RDP v6 client as they were bugging the hell out of him and others (I asked him how Vista was going). Since he admins a number of SBS boxes, these were his top (valid) gripes:

Stop putting in IP addresses for the domain name
Stop the pre-prompt for credentials when TSing to another system
Stop the statement about security every time I try to remote admin into things

The good news is that much of this has been documented else where.

Stop putting in IP addresses for the domain name

Problem is that you fill in a screen like this and get a prompt as below. Notice it has the domain name as the IP address? The quick answer is to type the username as <domain>\<username> - eg abusiness\administrator. This will change the domain name.

Stop the pre-prompt for credentials when TSing to another system

Now the pre-prompting for credentials is the process we have just seen above. This is required in domains where Network Level Authentication will stop the TS connection without the appropriate credentials before the connection is made. Details of this can be found at http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2007/01/22/vista-remote-desktop-connection-authentication-faq.aspx#_When_to_use

Stop the statement about security every time I try to remote admin into things

This is again due to increased security levels. It can be solved by either editing your RDP file (the default.rdp file is in your documents folder - it is a text file) or by going tothe advanced tab and tellit it to always connect. This information can be found at both http://weblogs.asp.net/owscott/archive/2006/11/10/Vista_2700_s-Remote-Desktop-Prompt.aspx and http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2007/01/22/vista-remote-desktop-connection-authentication-faq.aspx#_How_to_eliminate

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Vista, Windows Vista, Terminal Server, RDP, Remote Desktop, Credential Prompt

Loading Office 2003 into Vista and fixing the problem with the EULA always coming up

David Overton — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:23:00 GMT

[updated 9:50 22nd July to include link to stop install dialog coming up when installing both Office 2003 and 2007 on the same machine]

Having written about application compatibility and repeatedly answered the question as to whether Vista can run Office 2003 (yes it can), I decided to do a set of pictures for every step of the way. In doing this I got to the bottom of a couple of problems - i.e. how to I get the service packs for Office and how do I stop the EULA from constantly appearing.

Here is my picturesque walk through.

Step 1 - Boot up Vista and insert the Office CD.

Insert the CD with Office on it and it should automatically start with a dialog box askign you if you want to run setup.

Step 2 - Accept the User Access Control (UAC) dialog.

If the dialog does not look just like the one in the 2nd screenshot below then this is a worry! All untampered Office installs should have a "blue bar" at the top of the UAC prompt box

Step 3 - Follow the normal Office install Process

(Note if it is a corporate version some or all of these screens might be missing). The screen shots below show everything from the setup initialising, entering a product key, entering your personal details, choosing the install type - I personally always do a "complete" install and then the product installing and finishing.

Step 4 - Accept the EULA and activate the products.

Find word on the menu, run it, accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) and finally activate the product if required to do so. For the update process to work you must exit all open Office applications.

Step 5 - Update and patch the product.

Skip straight to 5b for the right process or read 5a for more information.

Step 5a - Note - this is for information only - this is what happens if you do this (try to use the Office Update in the products or on the web site), however you can go straight to step 5b without any issue.

Step 5b - update the product using Microsoft Update (eg go to the start menu and type Updates and select Windows Update from the menu). Then below is the process of checking for updates, seeing that there are updates available, looking at the list of updates, hitting the install button, the updates being downloaded and installed and then finally, in this case, the computer requiring a reboot (you might not require a reboot.

Step 5c - go through the update process again. As frustrating as it sounds, some of the updates have to be layers and have a reboot in between, so check again until there are no more updates to be loaded.

Step 6 - Check the version numbers.

Once the updates are installed we need to check the version numbers to make sure they are higher than those listed on http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933305. To do this click Control Panel on the start menu, or search for control panel in the search box. Then search for programs in the search box in the top right corner of control panel. Select the Change or remove Program option. Then right click on the bar with the words "Name" and "Publisher" on it and select "More..." from the menu. Scroll down to the bottom of the window and put a tick in the version box. Finally, press Ok and scroll right in the Control Panel window to see the version number.

Step 7 - Fix the ever repeating EULA when starting an application.

If like me the EULA keeps on appearing then we need to fix this as per http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884202. To do this, we need to find and run regedit. This will prompt us with a BLUE UAC window (if it is not blue then there is a problem and you should not continue), select continue and then click the triangles next to HKEY_Local_Machine and then also the ones for Software, Microsoft and Office. Finally you will see one that is 11.0. Right click on this, select permissions and then put a tick in the full control allow box next to your user. Hit OK and then close regedit. Now open Word again, accept the EULA and that will finally be the last time.

If you install both Office 2003 and 2007 on the same machine then you will also need to go to How to get rid of the installer / configuration dialog when running Office 2007 and Office 2003 on the same system - for Vista and other versions of Windows to stop an annoying dialog box from coming up every time you switch versions of Word.

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Office 2003, Application Compatibility, Vista, Windows Vista, EULA

Was Vista's arrival a surprises to anyone? No? Then how come so many people were unprepared - hardware vendors, ISVs, even Microsoft to an extent

David Overton — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 06:00:20 GMT

Lets start off by saying this is a RANT. If you don't like rants, look away now.

I saw this in CRN and it made me laugh and cry. We have seen news that iTunes has undisclosed issues with Vista (even after being fixed), poor drivers from nVidia and others and even enough to stop a BBC reporter from getting it going, yet from the list below, most are down to 3rd parties. I have only a little sympathy for hardware partners who didn't get drivers out - I was at WinHEC 3 and 2 years ago when the need to build drivers was hammered home. I have seen the offers of help to ISVs to get their applications working. I have seen the large amount of online training available for partners of all sizes to understand the benefits of the products. However, I have also seen the difficulties people have in when to bet on Vista and deploy the resources - I think its success has taken a few people by surprise! Microsoft is certainly happy with the launch.

If like me, when you have 2 years to solve a problem it is always tomorrows problem, until eventually the deadline looms and it suddenly urgent - perhaps many face this issue. Of course, I am hugely over simplifying the issue. Some people chose not to move, saying that they would wait until there was enough market demand. Others, so the rumours say, have no desire to make older versions of hardware or software work on Vista and are using it as a lever to drive upgrades. Finally, the meaning of "minimum requirements" somehow seems to have been lost on people, so when all editions other than basic recommend a minimum of 1GB, that should not be seen as optimum for all users, but the minimum.

I am frankly amazed that some vendors "top" PCs are not Vista compatible and it is because they were not ready - I thought the product was delayed to help these guys get ready - and if lower spec machines are working... gosh! While others have got it all working, on new machines and with new hardware designed for Vista style PCs.

For application issues, many uncertified Windows Vista Apps May Work - no surprise there, but for more information about application compatibility, go to http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2007/02/27/running-office-2003-on-windows-vista-and-running-other-applications-that-work-on-windows-xp-on-vista.aspx

Back to the CRN article - according to various solution providers contacted by CRN, here are the 10 biggest problems faced by early adopters of Vista out of the gate:

1. Lack of available drivers from ISVs causing application conflicts;
2. Lack of available drivers for existing and new peripherals and hardware components;
3. Buggy drivers;
4. New security feature often flags existing applications as suspicious and interrupts service;
5. Few applications aside from Vista and Office 2007 take advantage of user account control;
6. Customers are confused by Office 2007's ribbon-like user interface;
7. The OS automatically recommends which Vista versions is best for each PC's configuration. This will cause small businesses to download different versions of Vista;
8. Benefits of Vista and Office 2007 running together are not obvious. Partners and IT staff need training for maximum ROI;
9. Deployment isn't easy. Partners should use either Business Desktop Deployment tool, "lite" BDD no-charge tool or other tools;
10. Hardware doesn't run Windows Vista well.

Source: CRN | Microsoft, Vista| Hardware, Software Conflicts Dampen Vista's Debut

Of the issues above, numbers 1, 2, (3 when not Microsofts), 4, 5 and 10 are due to people not planning for the release of Vista. Microsoft could be considered at fault here if the organisations did not realise that Vista was coming, but I can't seriously believe many were in that position (unless they listened to Gartner who predicted "shorthorn" that never happened or that Vista would not ship until post April '07). Anyone who said they could not get hold of the code were obviously not using MSDN, Technet, CTPs or attending one of the many conferences where it was given out!

For number 4 - these applications are basically not following the recommendations that have been out for years to not write to certain directories etc. Vista now emulates many of the trouble spots to avoid issues while protecting the systems, so these are very naughty applications rather than just bad one.

For number 6 - we need to educate these people - there is FANTASTIC training on the office site that takes you through the new ribbon and also enables you to view a Office 2003 menu & toolbar and then be told how to work in the new world.

For number 7 - yes this is confusing, however that is more about choices. When people compare Vista to Apple Macs, they forget that you get to choose which box, but not which vendor or environment to use it. There is not a lower cost Mac product for the home, so I guess we could do as Apple has done and just price for the premium version?? :-)

Partner training for Vista, or at least in the UK, was rolled out on a huge scale - online and by visiting many locations, so anyone who chose not to attend was again betting against Vista being important to them - if they are now saying they don't have training, then where was their investment when the opportrunity was offered?

Finally Deployment. Deployment of Vista is easier than deployment of Windows XP & Office 2003. BDD was around to make it easier for them before and has been improved and re-released to make Vista easier. For small business customers, sneakernet is still probbaly the best way - run round to 10 machines and install the software that way - on a Saturday.

OK, rant over... I've Vistafied in the home and at work and loving it! I run the hardware advisor before I upgrade and so far, it has not let me down!

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Windows Vista, Vista, Rant, ISV, Hardware

Virtual PC 2007 released

David Overton — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:06:00 GMT

With support for Vista and Office 2007 being key for people inside and outside of Microsoft we have had two updates recently to support this. This entry relates to Virtual PC 2007 and another will relate to SQL 2005 SP2.

You can find out about Virtual PC 2007 at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx, however the key features over and above the 2004 product are:

· Support for Windows Vista as a host

· Support for Windows Vista as a guest

· Support for Windows Vista 64-bit as a host

· Improved performance compared to Virtual PC 2004

Ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Virtualisation, Virtual PC, Vista, Windows Vista, x64

SQL SP2 updates to support Vista and Office 2007

David Overton — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:06:00 GMT

With support for Vista and Office 2007 being key for people inside and outside of Microsoft we have had two updates recently to support this. This entry relates to SQL 2005 SP2 and another will relate to Virtual PC 2007.

Microsoft announced the release the web of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2. SP2 is an important deliverable for SQL Server, providing support for Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System in addition to delivering important enhancements for customers. It can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/sql/sp2.mspx.

For me, the performance of my reports on my reporting server went up significantly.

Ttfn

David

Technorati tags: SQL Server 2005, SQL 2005, SQL SP2, Vista

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Windows Vista, Windows XP, Office 2003, Exchange 2007 and Office 2007 Action Pack Update - my FAQ

David Overton — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:55:00 GMT

[last updated 8th Mar 2008

Please read http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2008/03/08/action-pack-subscribers-get-full-windows-vista-dvds-not-upgrades-and-they-also-get-a-copy-of-ultimate-too-plus-a-stack-of-materials-to-sell-the-product.aspx to read about how full Vista SP1 will be shipped in the Action Pack

]

Inside Microsoft we have been toiling very hard to provide solutions that answer the most common feedback. To this end, perhaps slightly before all the legal stuff gets finalised, here is my FAQ on the subject, however the headlines are:

You can continue to use the Windows XP and Office 2003 CDs that were supplied in your Action Pack subscription

You can Upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Ultimate. This is not a free upgrade, however you get the benefits of this being thought of as a Not for Resale FPP copy AND it does not expire should you stop using Action Pack* (please see legal statements below) Personally I think this is an amazing offer and I am very grateful to the Windows Vista for taking this unusual step

Questions:

Can I continue to use Windows XP and Office 2003 as previously shipped in the Action Pack, even if my subscription has been renewed?
I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is an Upgrade Edition, however I want to do clean installs - how can I do this?
I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is the Business Edition, but I want Ultimate, how do I get this?
I understand that there are multiple sites available to purchase the Windows Anytime Upgrade from, can I use any of these with the Action Pack DVDs?
I need to build a short term demo system, how can I do that without using one of my keys (for any version - from Home Basic thru to Ultimate)?
I would like OEM media for Windows Vista?
Can I run my business using the Action Pack?
What happens if I need the key again, eg if I have to re-install the OS on the same machine again?
How can I create a system that dual boots Windwows XP and Windows Vista?
Can I upgrade from a Vista Home edition to Windows Vista Business Edition? [updated 15th Feb to point to KB atricle on this subject]
I only have 1 key for Office, but I want to install it more than once, what should I do?
How can I get the x64 version of Vista / Office
I want Exchange 2007 in the Action Pack, can you ship it?

Questions and Answers

Can I continue to use Windows XP and Office 2003 as previously shipped in the Action Pack, even if my subscription has been renewed?

Yes - you are not obligated to upgrade to the new OS or version of Office just because they have been shipped to you (assuming you were a subscriber to the Action Pack when Office 2003 and Windows XP were dispatched). I have put detailed instruction on how to do this here.

I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is an Upgrade Edition, however I want to do clean installs - how can I do this?

The version of Vista supplied is an upgrade edition which means it needs to check for a valid install of Windows 2000 or XP before an install can continue. This means that the install needs to be run from the existing OS rather than booting the DVD. Once the existing OS is booted, insert the DVD and a clean install can then be started (please note that it i a clean install - no part of the previous OS is used in the install and it is moved to one side for easy disposal). Details of this can be found at How to do a clean install using the Action Pack Windows Vista Media

I understand that Windows Vista in the Action Pack is the Business Edition, but I want Ultimate, how do I get this?

N.B. This is not available in all countries. The links here are for the EMEA. The Windows Anytime Update process can be used to upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Ultimate. Once you have been through this process, the individual copy of Vista Business becomes Ultimate with the additional benefit that this is something akin to a Not for Resale Full Package Product version that you can continue to use should you stop subscribing to the Action Pack. Details on the Windows Anytime Upgrade process can be found at How to use the Windows Anytime Upgrade tools.
To better explain the rules around this particular feature the legal team have said:

Unlike all other software distributed through the MAPs program, members of the MAPs program who upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate will be granted the rights identified in the Windows Vista Ultimate end user license agreement (EULA). Specifically this means that users will be able to continue using Windows Vista Ultimate according to the EULA even if they are no longer members of the MAPs program. MAPs members should copy this notice for their records or follow the instructions in the EULA regarding “Proof of License.” Customers should note that the use of all other software distributed through the MAPs program may only be used while customers are members of MAPs.

I understand that there are multiple sites available to purchase the Windows Anytime Upgrade from, can I use any of these with the Action Pack DVDs

Please see How to use the Windows Anytime Upgrade tools for more information

I need to build a short term demo system, how can I do that without using one of my keys (for any version - from Home Basic thru to Ultimate)

You can boot the Vista DVD and not enter a product key - you can then choose which version of the product to install. While not desired, this version can run for a short time (30 days) until activation is mandated

I would like OEM media for Windows Vista

Unfortunately at this time this is not possible via the Action Pack. Of course you can purchase OEM media through your preferred distributor. The reasoning for this are simple. We have lots of piracy for Windows OEM. To put this in perspective, in the UK, the measued piracy rate for Windows XP is in the range of 10-15%. If you are partner competing against someone who is using pirated media then your prices will appear uncompetitive. If your customers are using pirated media, then may still expect top quality service, but have a very cheap view on value for it. As partners you have repeatably "shopped" customers and partners who are abusing the Action Pack media. The easiest way to stop the problem was to make it upgrade only, thus reducing the availability to abuse it. We do understand that this is not 100% desirable, however the ability to do clean installs, demo builds etc is still there and documented here.

Can I run my business using the action pack

The short answer is yes. The long answer is detailed at http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2007/01/25/clearing-up-some-things-about-vista-office-2007-and-the-action-pack.aspx

What happens if I need the key again, eg if I have to re-install the OS on the same machine again?

The key is automatically saved in your online digital locker and you can also take a disk image of the hard disk. from the FAQ on the anytime upgrade faq (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx) it states:
Should I save the file that prepares my computer to upgrade?

No, you do not need to save the file. A copy has automatically been saved for you in the digital locker website from Microsoft. You should, however, install the file (by downloading or double-clicking the file) on the computer that you are going to upgrade, as soon as you receive the file. This will prevent errors during the upgrade process.
Can I recover my upgrade licence file?

Yes. If you need to recover your upgrade licence file so that you can restore your computer, a copy of your upgrade licence file is available from the digital locker website from Microsoft.
I did not download the file that prepares my computer for upgrade. Is there a link to this file?

A link is provided in an email message that was sent to you when your order was completed. The download link is valid for 30 days after your purchase or for three days once you click the link from the email message. You can also obtain your file from the digital locker website from Microsoft.

How can I create a system that dual boots Windwows XP and Windows Vista?

Using the process described for a clean install at How to do a clean install using the Action Pack Windows Vista Media the only difference is that you choose your 2nd partition or disk as the destination for the install. When you reboot your system the boot menu will offer you your legacy OS boot menu or the Windows Vista installed on the second disk.

Can I upgrade from a Vista Home edition to Windows Vista Business Edition?

You can qualify to use upgrade media, but the actual install will be a "clean install" - for more details, see http://uksbsguy.com/blogs/doverton/archive/2007/02/13/upgrading-from-windows-vista-home-to-vista-business-or-vista-ultimate.aspx and also the KB article http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/932616/en-us

I only have 1 key for Office, but I want to install it more than once, what should I do?

The key supplied with Office is valid for ten installs, so you can install it on ten different machines

How can I get the x64 version of Vista / Office?

We now have a process in hand to get this sent out with a later Action Pack. I can't promise which one and I am pretty sure we have missed the cut-off date for the next shipment, but we will ship x64 capability later this year

I want Exchange 2007 in the Action Pack, can you ship it?

We are working on shipping Exchange 2007 and Windows Server 2003 x64 as soon as possible in an Action Pack shipment

ttfn

David

Technorati tags: Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Clean Install, Vista Upgrade, Windows Vista, Vista, Action Pack, Windows Anytime Upgrade

David Overton's Blog : Vista

SBS 2008 Update Rollup 1 Released to fix Vista AV reporting issue and GoDaddy domain registration issue

SBS 2008 Update Rollup 1 Releases Today

How to create a VPN on Windows Vista to connect to a Windows Server, such as SBS 2008

Invalid certificate issued to localhost.localdomain when remotely access SBS 2008 from a Windows PC

What software could you not live without – tell Windows Vista Magazine?

Seeing is wanting for Windows Vista (Mojave Experiment) – people having their perceptions changed by actually seeing what it can do…

Performance monitoring tools to go with Windows Vista Magazine article

Update for Media Center for Windows Vista available for download

June 2008 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista available for download

Welcome to readers of Windows Vista Magazine as I'm now a contributor

Diagnose Windows Performance issues with the tools Microsoft uses

This consumer operating systems stuff is harder than 1st thought – Red Hat and Novell no longer targeting consumers with desktop Linux

Red Hat skips consumer Linux desktop

Available to everyone (well almost) - Windows Vista SP1 Released to Windows Update

Action Pack Subscribers get Full Windows Vista DVDs - not upgrades and they also get a copy of Ultimate too, plus a stack of materials to sell the product

Full, not Upgrade Vista product

Help to sell Vista

For small Businesses

For Medium sized businesses and Enterprises

Office Live Workspace Update for Windows Vista to enable "Open From" and "Save to" menu items in Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Office Live Workspace Update for Windows Vista

More ways to engage with customers using the Microsoft advertising campaigns

Microsoft drops the price of retail versions of Vista significantly all over the world, but plenty in the UK

Microsoft is cutting the retail price of its Windows Vista operating system by as much as 39% here in New Zealand.

Technical RollUp : March 2008 - Technical Rollup Mail - Platforms (Windows, virtualisation, Active Directory, Core, Debugging, Terminal Services, Vista SP1 changes / new / implementation guides)

Blogs and information

Downloads

Is your network going to be IPv6 ready?

Switch To IPv6 On Internet's Root Servers Begins

How to repair the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 on Windows Vista

How to repair the .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.0 on Windows Vista

New build of Vista SP1 RC Preview to load and rumour that Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15

Vista SP1 Confirmed for February 15 – XP SP3 Too?

New Small Business Oriented blog - Microsoft Police (entry on licensing) and Vista bloody Vista (who's fault is it when things don't work on Vista)

Microsoft Police

Vista, bloody Vista!

Report: Small businesses moving to Vista fastest | InfoWorld | News | 2008-01-14 | By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service

Samba developers can now see the Windows Protocols, make their products more interoperable with Microsoft Windows and see where Patents are to then choose to avoid or license

Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals - download details

Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals

Files in This Download

How to get Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC (legitimately) via the Public Availability Program

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC Public Availability Program

More on the differences between real world Vista performance and that of a benchmark

The right time to assess Windows Vista's performance

How to modify the Windows Vista Aurora, bubbles, mystify and ribbons screensaver hidden settings

Windows Vista Aurora Screensaver Hidden Settings

Is Vista really that bad or do we have rose tinted glasses - How well was Windows XP accepted in the early years

Performance

ENT Review: Windows XP - I feel I could be reading a Vista review

Windows XP Annoyances for Geeks , Second Edition - tips, tricks and books on how to increase the performance of XP over 9x were common

Adoption Rate

Windows 98: What now? - January 2004 - 15/16 months after the release of XP

Windows XP SP2 Penetration Hits 60 Percent - after 1 year the SP was only at 60% of Windows XP base, which was then about 30-50% of the Windows base

Slow Corporate Rollout for Windows XP SP2 - many organisation try to avoid upgrading to even service packs, let alone complete OSs

Users Enjoying Breather Between Windows XP and Longhorn - people have always been keen to stay where they are and not move

7 Million Windows XP Shipments - no-one was impressed with the acceptance of Windows XP and the same discussions are being had about Vista

Application Compatibility

Windows 2003 compatibility issues upset some IT pros - application compatibility a problem on all versions of Windows as ISVs go through the certification process in a time that matches their business needs

Relevance

Column: Don't Lose Sleep Over Windows XP - simple, people said it was not for business

Vista SP1 beta vs XP SP3 beta and performance - what a load of old

Another Vista UI tweak - change the size of the thumbnail (preview) picture in Vista Aero when you hover over an icon in the taskbar

Thumbnail Sizer

3D Rotating (swaying gently back and forth) User Pictures in Windows Vista Start Menu

3D Rotating User Pic in Windows Vista Start Menu

Photos, photography, JPEG XR, Photosynth, the future of photography and Seadragons - why all the excitement?

Look at the recent events:

The demos by themselves are awesome -

The short term future is described by people like Pete:

In fact, the information already available has lead to some people being inspired to write their own tools:

People are now also seeing further into the future with views on how the world will be different.

Travelling through time - a 3D tour of the world made real

HD Photo to become JPEG XR

New reliability, compatibility, USB and MCE Updates to Windows Vista available via Windows Update now. The USB update fixes 1-2% of all Vista crashes!!

New Updates to Windows Vista available via Windows Update this week

Windows Vista UK Web Special Offers (I saw 18% off at one site and yes, it is legit)!!

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