Microsoft Higher Education - Mid-Atlantic : Windows Vista

Two new updates release for Windows Vista!

Kevin Dean — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:49:53 GMT

I wanted to make sure you were aware that two moreupdates were recently released that improve the compatibility, reliability, andstability of Windows Vista.

Cumulative update rollup for USB core components inWindows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941600

An update is available that improves the compatibility,reliability, and stability of Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941649

Kevin

Windows Vista Solution Accelerators

Kevin Dean — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:40:00 GMT

Check out the entire suite of Windows Vista SolutionAccelerators:

In additionto Windows Vista ServiceLife-Cycle Management, the Windows Vista suite includes:

Windows Vista HardwareAssessment tool,

Business Desktop Deployment2007,

Windows Vista Security Guide,

and the Data Encryption Toolkit forMobile PCs.

Kevin

Two Vista fix packs available for download

Kevin Dean — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 03:04:00 GMT

On August 7, Microsoft released two fix packages for Windows Vista. The Vista performance fix pack, KB 938979, (both 32- and 64-bit versions) is downloadable here. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938979

The reliability fix pack, KB 938194, (32- and 64-bit flavors), can be downloaded here. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938194

These updates resolve some of the performance, compatibility and reliability issues discovered to date. The updates should be available on Windows Update sometime next week, however they are available now at the download center.

Windows Vista Resources

Kevin Dean — Fri, 18 May 2007 18:25:39 GMT

General Information: General info on Windows Vista

For Developers: Information on some of the technologies in Windows Vista for your development teams

For IT Pros: Information on some of the technologies in Windows Vista for your IT Professionals

Webcasts and more: Links to upcoming and on-demand webcasts

General Information:

Windows Vista - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/default.mspx

The best place to start. Filled with general information and links to much more.

Applications that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo – http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933305

This article contains a list of applications that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo. These applications are officially supported on Windows Vista by our independent software vendor (ISV) partners.

Exploring Windows Vista Newsletter - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/newsletter.mspx?wt_svl=20411a&mg_id=20411b – Sign up for the Exploring Windows Vista Newsletter and Get tips, cool downloads, security advice, and useful how-tos delivered to your inbox once a month.

Windows Vista Tips and Tricks - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/windowsvista/tipsandtricks/default.mspx

Find useful tools and helpful tips to help you with your daily tasks. There are webcasts to attend and a cheat sheet to download so you can easily master new capabilities that will improve your productivity.

Enterprise Learning Framework Tool - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/bdd/ELF/Welcome.aspx

The Enterprise Learning Framework (ELF) is a tool that helps organizations develop a training and communication plan for employees during Microsoft Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system deployment.

Learn about Windows Vista at Tech·Ed! June 4-8^th in Orlando, FL - http://www.microsoft.com/events/teched2007/default.mspx

Tech·Ed 2007, Microsoft’s premier annual conference* for IT Pros and Developers is dedicated to providing technical training, information and resources to help you maximize your Microsoft investment. For five days in June, you will interact with experts, collaborate among peers and engage in trainings focused on Microsoft’s innovative technologies to move your business forward.

For Developers:

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Programming Model - http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms687300.aspx

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0, the managed programming model for Microsoft® Windows®, includes the .NET Framework 2.0, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, and Windows Workflow Foundation.

Windows Vista Application Development Requirements for User Account Control (UAC) - http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa905330.aspx

This article is intended to assist application developers with designing Windows Vista capable applications that are User Account Control (UAC) compliant. Detailed steps about the design process are included, along with code samples, requirements, and best practices. This article also details technical updates and changes to the user experience in Windows Vista.

Windows Vista Virtual Labs –

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/virtuallabs/aa948894.aspx

For developers who want to create connected applications with visually appealing and highly-differentiated user experiences, Windows Vista provides the most productive, secure and reliable platform. Developers can take advantage of the .NET Framework for rapidly building connected and secure applications or websites, leverage native Windows APIs for additional functionality and performance or freely mix between the two models. Get a sneak preview of Windows Vista’s improved security, management and productivity by experiencing new Windows Vista Virtual Labs.

Windows Workflow Foundation Web Workflow Approvals Starter Kit - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=a438a9b9-9f15-42ec-866f-2ea58e10db36&displaylang=en

This starter kit is a Visual Studio 2005 project that demonstrates using Windows Workflow Foundation for simple task-oriented workflow in an ASP.NET Web application. A workflow model is used to automate work order requests at a small example company. It includes three pre-defined roles which each play a part in the work order creation, approval and monitoring. The starter kit may be modified for other workflow models to suit other small Web-based task management systems.

For IT Pros:

Windows Vista Hardware Assessment - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/solutionaccelerators/hardwareassessment/wv/default.mspx

The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment solution Accelerator is an inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that will find computers on a network and determine if they are ready to run the Windows Vista™ operating system

Understanding and Configuring User Account Control in Windows Vista - http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/00d04415-2b2f-422c-b70e-b18ff918c2811033.mspx?mfr=true

Enterprises today face a daunting task of enforcing desktop standardization. This challenge is intensified since the majority of users run as local administrators on their computers. As a local administrator, a user can install and uninstall applications and adjust system and security settings at will. IT departments must be given a solution that is both resilient to attack and protective of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. For this reason, the Microsoft® Windows Vista® development team chose to redesign the way that the Windows core security infrastructure and applications interact. User Account Control (UAC) was the outcome of this redesign process.

Windows PE 2.0 for Windows Vista Overview - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa905120.aspx

Microsoft Windows Pre-installation Environment (Windows PE) 2.0 provides powerful preparation and installation tools for the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. With Windows PE, you can start a subset of Windows Vista from a network or removable medium, which provides network and other resources necessary to install and troubleshoot Windows Vista. This document is an introduction to Windows PE, its capabilities, and its improvements over earlier pre-installation technologies.

Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003 SP1 and Later:

(x86) - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=81d1cb89-13bd-4250-b624-2f8c57a1ae7b&displaylang=en

(x64) - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=03fe69b2-6244-471c-80d2-b4171fb1d7a5&displaylang=en

Microsoft Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003 is part of Microsoft Windows Volume Activation 2.0. It allows enterprise users to host Key Management Service on Windows Server 2003 to enable activation of Windows Vista using Key Management Service (KMS) Key.

Webcasts and More:

Windows Vista Webcasts Virtual Labs and Podcasts: http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/technetvista.mspx

Leverage these online resources to explore key Windows Vista product features, plus deployment, security, management, and productivity.

Windows Vista Training Courses

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/bb381709.aspx

Microsoft Learning offers both classroom training and e-learning training courses to help you stay competitive now and in the future. Discover the benefits of Microsoft E-Learning to give you a guided, self-directed learning experience.

Developer Training from Microsoft Learning https://www.microsoftelearning.com/catalog/developer.aspx

FREE! - Collection 5134: Developing Rich Experiences with Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.0 and Visual Studio® 2005 https://www.microsoftelearning.com/eLearning/offerDetail.aspx?offerPriceId=109340

Summary: This collection of 3 2-hour premium clinics teaches Enterprise Developers and Software Architects about the new capabilities provided by the .NET Framework 3.0.

Vista Training Resources

Kevin Dean — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:25:00 GMT

Many of you have asked for Windows Vista training resources, so here you go...

On-demand webcasts - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/windowsvista/tipsandtricks/webcasts.mspx

Learn new Tips & Tricks for using Windows Vista - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/using/windowsvista/tipsandtricks/default.mspx

Providing you with useful tools and helpful tips, this site will help you discover how Windows Vista enables you to be more efficient and productive in your daily tasks—and ultimately empowers you to drive success within your company. You'll also find great webcasts to attend and a helpful cheat sheet to download, so you can easily master new capabilities right now.

Enterprise Learning Framework Tool - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/bdd/ELF/Welcome.aspx - The Enterprise Learning Framework (ELF) is a tool that helps organizations develop a training and communication plan for employees during Microsoft Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system deployment.

Windows Help and How-To - http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.mspx

E-Learning from Microsoft

https://www.microsoftelearning.com/

Classroom training

Clinic 3041: First Look: Deploying Microsoft Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System Client Products
At the end of this half-day clinic, the students will have a high-level understanding of the deployment options for Microsoft Windows Vista operating system and 2007 Microsoft Office System Client Products.
Clinic 3087: First Look: Microsoft Windows Vista for Developers
This one-day instructor-led clinic and hands-on lab introduces students to high-level information and facilitated discovery on the Microsoft Windows Vista platform, thereby maintaining and enhancing their productivity and driving them to further study and adoption of Windows Vista as their preferred application development platform.
Course 5056: First Look: Getting Started with Windows Vista for IT Professionals
This one-day clinic introduces students to Microsoft Windows Vista, including an introduction to security, reliability, performance, manageability, and productivity features.
Course 5057: First Look: Getting Started with Windows Vista for IT Professionals Hands-on-Lab
This 1/4-day hands-on lab introduces students to Microsoft Windows Vista, including an introduction to the security, reliability, performance, manageability, and productivity features.
Clinic 5062: First Look: Using Windows Vista
This half-day clinic and Hands On Lab introduces students to Microsoft Windows Vista including an introduction to the features for security, reliability, performance, manageability, and productivity.
Course 5105: Deploying Microsoft Windows Vista Business Desktops
The purpose of this two-day course is to provide IT Professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully deploy Windows Vista business desktops throughout their organization.
Course 5115: Installing and Configuring the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System
This three-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to install and configure Windows Vista desktops.
Course 5116: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Applications and Tools
This one-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to successfully configure Windows Vista applications and tools.
Course 5117: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Mobile Computing
This one-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to successfully configure Windows Vista mobile computers.
Course 5118: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Windows Vista Computers
This three-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to successfully maintain and troubleshoot Windows Vista computers
Course 5119: Supporting Windows Vista Computers with Desktop Images and Application Packages
This two-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to use a Windows Vista operating system image and application

Windows Vista and the .NET Framework 3.0 – Learning Portal for Developers

Clinic 5135 AE: Introduction to Developing with Windows Presentation Foundation and Visual Studio 2005 -Learn about features and applications of WPF tools for building richer user interfaces. Discover how to integrate user interface, media and documents, and WPF application programming interfaces.
Clinic 5136 AE: Introduction to Developing with Windows Workflow Foundation and Visual Studio 2005- Discover how to embed business processes into your solutions, and learn how to build workflow-enabled applications with Windows Workflow Foundation
Clinic 5137 AE: Introduction to Developing with Windows Communication Foundation and Visual Studio 2005 - Learn how to use WCF as a solution for your service-oriented solutions. Learn about WCF architecture, creating WCF services and clients, and enhancing WCF services with security and reliability.

Windows Vista Learning catalog to find the training that works best for you, whether you are an IT professional, a developer, or a member of an enterprise organization.

BDD 2007 - http://www.microsoft.com/desktopdeployment

Infrastructure Optimization Model - http://www.microsoft.com/io

Windows Vista Team Blog - http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/

TechNet Technical Library - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa905050.aspx

Microsoft Windows Vista - Learning Portal for IT Professionals - http://www.microsoft.com/learning/windowsvista/itpro/default.mspx

Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (BDD)

Kevin Dean — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:07:00 GMT

We released the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD 2007) toolkit! This is the single best place to go for best practices, scripts, migration scenarios, and general guidance on how to deploy Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007.

To learn more about this solution accelerator, visit the Overview page of the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 or download BDD 2007 now.

Overview

Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 is the best practice set of comprehensive guidance and tools to optimally deploy Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Many changes have been made to BDD to significantly ease the deployment of Windows Vista, including new out-of-the-box imaging technologies, XML-based migration scripts, new tools for image engineering (ImageX and System Image Manager), application compatibility (Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0) and the new unattend XML format. Another huge breakthrough with Windows Vista is Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) independence and language neutrality; this means that our customers can get to a minimal number of standard images across multiple hardware types and languages.

As with any advancement in technologies, getting the maximum benefit requires understanding the tools and technologies. BDD 2007 provides the depth of guidance and tooling to make the Windows Vista and 2007 Office system deployment process predictable and scalable.

• BDD 2007 includes best-practice guidance based on every stakeholder role involved with desktop deployment, from business decision makers to end users. Tasks are divided into logical groupings, and comprehensive job aids are included to support the entire deployment process.

• BDD 2007 provides the layer of project management knowledge and tool integration to make the complex desktop deployment process seamless and predictable, while reducing or eliminating deployment-related service disruptions and help desk calls.

• Many of the tools and guides within BDD 2007 can even be used throughout the desktop management life cycle to provision new users, maintain images, and centrally manage drivers and applications.

• BDD 2007 introduces the new Deployment Workbench, which enables users to build and manage multiple OS configurations, define network deployment points and network shares, inject drivers, attach language packs, and chain applications. It even helps generate ISO and WIM images using Windows PE that can be deployed in a networked environment or using DVDs offline.

• BDD 2007 also alleviates much of the scripting requirements of previous deployment practices by incorporating a stand-alone task sequencer derived from System Center Configuration Manager 2007. BDD continues to offer the flexibility for Zero Touch Installation with Systems Management Server 2003 and Lite Touch Installation with minimal infrastructure requirements.

Windows Vista and Office 2007 Launch Events

Kevin Dean — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 02:49:00 GMT

Three breakthrough solutions. One great launch event.

The launch you’ve been waiting for is finally here: Windows Vista™ operating system, the 2007 Microsoft® Office system, and Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. We're coming to your town to give you in-depth insights into all three new releases and how they can help you simplify the challenges of today’s workplace.

IT Professional Track
The morning track, hosted by TechNet Events, offers great information that will help you deploy and manage these three releases and save money on IT operations. You’ll also learn about your options for upgrading to Exchange Server 2007, and the best tools for protecting your computing infrastructure against the latest threats. Register now to attend the IT Professional track.*

Developer Track
The afternoon track, hosted by MSDN Events, explores the capabilities of these releases that will let you create more powerful communication and information-sharing applications than ever before. Microsoft will also cover the broad tool set available across both the Windows Vista and Microsoft Office system platforms, which allows you to make more efficient use of your development time. Register now to attend the Developer track.*

Make a full day of it!
The Microsoft Across America Launch Event includes separate tracks* for partners, small businesses, and IT executives. For more information, visit the Launch Event home page, or download the full agenda.

Windows Vista Security Guide

Kevin Dean — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:38:19 GMT

Just released - Windows Vista Security Guide. This guide provides instructions and recommendations to help strengthen the security of desktop and laptop computers running Windows Vista™ in a domain with the Active Directory directory service.

In addition to the solutions that the Windows Vista Security Guide prescribes, the guide includes tools, step-by-step procedures, recommendations, and processes that significantly streamline the deployment process. Not only does the guide provide you with effective security setting guidance, it also provides a reproducible method that you can use to apply the guidance to both test and production environments.

The key tool that the Windows Vista Security Guide provides for you is the GPOAccelerator.wsf script. The tool enables you to run a script that automatically creates all the Group Policy objects (GPOs) you need to apply this security guidance. The Windows Vista Security Guide Settings.xls file that also accompanies this guide provides another resource that you can use to compare setting values.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/security/guide.mspx

Windows Vista RTM today!

Kevin Dean — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:43:00 GMT

Today we are announcing the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Vista. This is a significant milestone for Microsoft and our partners, and one we are very excited about. RTM signifies the completion of our development work and the start of the next phase for Windows Vista. Here’s what’s next:

1) PC and device manufacturers and software developers are finalizing work on their products and applications.

2) We will deliver Windows Vista to our business Volume License customers and other select TAP-RD customers November 30th so you can move forward on your planning and deployment.

3) Windows Vista will be made broadly available on January 30, 2007.

For more information on Vista’s release please visit Q&A: Microsoft Windows Vista Released to Manufacturing.

Published with BlogMailr

Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Resources for Education Customers

Kevin Dean — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 05:08:00 GMT

Microsoft Press Release

Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and Customers from Counterfeiters

The company announces innovative technology in Windows Vista and Windows Server “Longhorn” to reduce the risk of piracy and software tampering while improving software licensing.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/oct06/10-04SoftwareProtection.mspx

Volume Activation 2.0 Webcasts

Title: Windows Vista Activation for Education customers

On-Demand Registration URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032314523&Culture=en-US

General Whitepapers

White Paper: Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista and Windows Server “Longhorn” – Oct. 2006

Technical Guidance and Whitepapers

Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance Overview

Published: November 1, 2006

View the Technical Documentation

Volume Activation 2.0 Step-by-Step Guide: Provides planning, deployment, and operational guidance for activating volume editions of the Windows Vista operating system.

Volume Activation 2.0 FAQ: Provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0.

Download the Technical Documentation and Other Supporting Materials

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=75674

Technical Attributes

Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Attributes

FAQ

Learn more about the Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0

Download

Get the Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0

Related Resources

Windows Vista

Windows Genuine Advantage

Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007

Microsoft Volume Licensing Web site

Activation 2.0 Support

Support is available through the Worldwide Activation Call Centers

Windows Vista Step-by-Step Guides for IT Pros

Kevin Dean — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:11:00 GMT

Here is a great collection of documents for Windows Vista These step-by-step guides will assist IT Professionals in deploying or migrating to Windows Vista. These guides will also provide step-by-step information on how to control device installation using Device Management and Installation (DMI) and manage ADMX files. There are also step-by-step guides to help you protect data using BitLocker Drive Encryption, to administer the TPM Security Hardware in a computer using Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Services, and to help deploy better-managed desktops and mitigate the impact of malware using User Account Control (UAC). Check it out!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=311f4be8-9983-4ab0-9685-f1bfec1e7d62&DisplayLang=en

Get Windows Vista RC1 !!

Kevin Dean — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 17:58:00 GMT

Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) is now available for you to download, or you may order the DVD by mail. If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to begin evaluating and testing Windows Vista.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/preview.mspx

Top 10 Things to Try with Windows Vista Beta RC1

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/tenthings.mspx

Here are just a few of the top things you can do to evaluate Windows Vista Beta RC1 for your School or University, plan your deployment, and make yourself more productive. If you have been awaiting a release candidate to start your testing, that time is now.

Windows Deployment Services Update Step-by-Step Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/WindowsVista/library/9e197135-6711-4c20-bfad-fc80fc215130.mspx

This Step-by-Step Guide is an introduction to the Microsoft® Windows® Deployment Services update for Microsoft Windows Server 2003. It includes an overview of features, scenarios you can use to test Windows Deployment Services, and details about the technology.

Windows Vista Security and Data Protection Improvements

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/feat/secfeat.mspx

Security threats evolve constantly. To stay protected from threats on the Internet and wireless networks, the Microsoft Windows client operating system must also evolve. Windows Vista is the most secure and trustworthy Windows operating system yet, and it will help organizations achieve their business and computing goals with confidence. This paper describes the most significant security improvements, the benefits they provide, and why the new features matter to IT professionals.

Step-by-Step Guide to Device Driver Signing and Staging

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/WindowsVista/library/ops/4bbbeaa0-f7d6-4816-8a3a-43242d71d536.mspx?mfr=true

This step-by-step guide uses a sample device and driver to demonstrate how to securely deliver device driver packages to client computers in a lab environment so that a standard user can install them without any assistance from an administrator or user interface prompts.

Windows PowerShell RC1

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/msh/download.mspx

Windows PowerShell RC1 Documentation Pack

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B4720B00-9A66-430F-BD56-EC48BFCA154F&displaylang=en

It’s official. "Monad" has a real name all its own: Windows PowerShell. As if that weren’t big enough news, you can now download Windows PowerShell RC1 and the Windows PowerShell RC1 Documentation Pack and take it out for a test drive.