Windows 7

Choosing an Appropriate User State Virtualization Solution

Get practical guidance on how to implement the right mix of virtualization technologies to meet your organization’s IT and business needs.

User state virtualization describes the separation of user settings and data from an end user’s personal computer. Microsoft® Windows® provides three technologies for virtualizing user state information: Roaming User Profiles, Folder Redirection, and Offline Files. Windows 7 includes improvements that provide IT implementers with more options, greater flexibility, and simplified management of these User State Virtualization technologies, as well as provide end users with a better overall experience. The challenge organizations face today is to implement the right mix of these technologies to meet their business needs. This whitepaper is designed to provide technical decision makers with practical guidance in this area. The paper assumes the reader already has some familiarity with how these technologies work.

Download details Choosing an Appropriate User State Virtualization Solution for Windows 7

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Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals (March2010)

The Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals is a Microsoft Office Excel-based spreadsheet listing software applications which have met Windows 7 Logo Program testing requirements for compatibility with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7, and have thereby earned the right to display the Windows 7 Logo Program logo with the application. These products are identified with the compatibility status “Compatible – Windows 7 Logo.”
Additionally, this list includes applications with the following compatibility statuses: “Compatible,” “Free Update Required,” “Paid Update Required,” “Future Compatibility,” and “Not Compatible.” These statuses are based upon the software publishers’ statements of compatibility. These products have not met the Windows 7 Logo Program testing requirements. For an explanation of the various compatibility statuses, please see the Release Notes for the Windows 7 Application Compatibility List.
For the latest collection of compatible applications and hardware devices, please visit the Windows 7 Compatibility Center. You can also leave feedback on compatibility and suggest new products to get added in future reports.

Download details Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals

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Virtual PC update to remove CPU requirement

Install this update to remove the prerequisites required to run Windows Virtual PC and XP mode. The prerequisites include a processor which supports hardware assisted virtualization (HAV) which is also enabled in the BIOS. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Download details Update for Windows 7 (KB977206)

Download details Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB977206)

KB: Error message about hardware-assisted virtualization for Windows XP Mode in Windows Virtual PC o

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Windows XP Mode now accessible to more PCs

More news to add to the slew of news coming out from Redmond today.

We’re announcing an update to Windows XP Mode today that will make it a more accessible to PCs in small and midsize businesses who want to migrate to Windows 7 Professional but have applications that still require Windows XP. Windows XP Mode will no longer require hardware virtualization technology to run. This change makes it extremely easy for businesses to use Windows XP Mode to address any application incompatibility roadblocks they might have in migrating to Windows 7. Windows XP Mode will of course continue to use hardware virtualization technology such as Intel VT (Intel Virtualization Technology) or AMD-V if available. You can find more information and download the update which will go live later today here.

Continue At Source

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Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Today during our online Desktop Virtualization Hour event, we’ll be talking a little bit about Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

For Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1 will be introducing two new desktop virtualization features: Microsoft RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory. These features are designed to meet the increasing needs of our customers as they utilize virtualization in their environments with Windows Server 2008 R2. You can read more about RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory on the Windows Server Division WebLog.

For Windows 7, SP1 includes only minor updates, among which are previous updates that are already delivered through Windows Update. SP1 for Windows 7 will, however, deliver an updated Remote Desktop client that takes advantage of RemoteFX introduced in the server-side with SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2.

Continue At Source

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Desktop Virtualization Hour

Microsoft will host a webcast at 9 a.m. (Pacific) today to discuss the new licensing model, the alliance with Citrix and share more about the company’s evolving virtualization strategy. You can watch the webcast streaming live here: http://www.desktopvirtualizationhour.com/

You can read more about today’s announcement in Brad Anderson’s post on the Windows team blog and on STB News Bytes.

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Microsoft announces new desktop virtualization agreement with Citrix and simplified VDI licensing

Microsoft Corp. today announced new investments around desktop virtualization technologies and solutions, including virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), to help organizations of all sizes increase flexibility, employee productivity and IT cost savings. During a webcast at 9 a.m. PDT, the company will detail new technologies, simplified licensing models and an alliance with Citrix Systems Inc., furthering its virtualization strategy from the desktop to the datacenter.

“Employees crave options in where and how they work. And yet, IT still needs to enforce security and compliance of devices. The business is being pulled in two directions,” said Brad Anderson, corporate vice president of the Management and Services Division at Microsoft. “Microsoft’s desktop virtualization strategy is unique in addressing this balance. It builds on existing investments and comprehensive management to mitigate risks and control costs, while still equipping end users to be more productive from anywhere.”

Customers are also looking at desktop virtualization as a means to reduce costs and accelerate delivery of new applications. A new Microsoft total cost of ownership study on the use of application virtualization technology showed that customers using a Microsoft virtualization technology called Microsoft App-V achieved a 27 percent labor savings, and equivalent cost savings of $82 per PC per year, in application life-cycle management compared with those not using application virtualization. The study also demonstrated how Microsoft App-V helps IT professionals deliver applications more quickly and efficiently.

“We have a strong philosophy that IT is an enabler for the business, and we are always looking for the best IT solutions to meet the needs of our employees and customers,” said Chaz Spahn, senior systems engineer for Expedia Inc. “We’re working with Microsoft on our desktop virtualization projects. We’re using App-V in production and looking to virtualize about 90 percent of our applications. In addition, we have two use cases where we are exploring hosted desktops and foresee about 30 percent of our users could move to this platform. Microsoft was our choice since they have the right solutions to increase our speed of application and desktop provisioning, improve security and compliance, and provide integrated management across our physical and virtual environments.”

Microsoft outlined improvements that make it easier to access desktop virtualization. More information on today’s announcement and Microsoft’s virtualization strategy is available here.

•New VDI promotions available for qualified customers to choose from today. Microsoft and Citrix Systems are offering the “Rescue for VMware VDI” promotion, which allows VMware View customers to trade in up to 500 licenses at no additional cost, and the “VDI Kick Start” promotion, which offers new customers a more than 50 percent discount off the estimated retail price. Eligibility and other details on the two promotions can be found at http://www.citrixandmicrosoft.com.

•Improved licensing model for virtual Windows desktop. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance customers will no longer have to buy a separate license to access their Windows operating system in a VDI environment, as virtual desktop access rights now will be a Software Assurance benefit.

•New roaming use rights improve flexibility. Beginning July 1, 2010, Windows Client Software Assurance and new Virtual Desktop Access license customers will have the right to access their virtual Windows desktop and their Microsoft Office applications hosted on VDI technology on secondary, non-corporate network devices, such as home PCs and kiosks.

•Windows XP Mode no longer requires hardware virtualization technology. This change simplifies the experience by making virtualization more accessible to many more PCs for small and midsize businesses wanting to migrate to Windows 7 Professional or higher editions, while still running Windows XP-based productivity applications.

•Two new features coming in Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack 1. Microsoft Dynamic Memory will allow customers to adjust memory of a guest virtual machine on demand to maximize server hardware use. Microsoft RemoteFX will enable users of virtual desktops and applications to receive a rich 3-D, multimedia experience while accessing information remotely.

•New technology agreement with Citrix Systems. The companies will work together to enable the high-definition HDX technology in Citrix XenDesktop to enhance and extend the capabilities of the Microsoft RemoteFX platform.
“By joining forces in desktop virtualization, Citrix and Microsoft can provide customers of all sizes with groundbreaking solutions that are profoundly simpler, richer and more cost-effective,” said Gordon Payne, senior vice president and general manager, Desktop Division, at Citrix Systems. “Today’s announcements mark a historic milestone in our 20-year relationship that will dramatically simplify desktop computing for years to come.”

Microsoft Accelerates Desktop Virtualization Expands desktop virtualization strategy to offer ch

Also: Microsoft’s Approach to Virtualization & It’s Role in Your Desktop Management Strategy – Windows

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What’s New in Folder Redirection and User Profiles

Discusses the improvements in folder Redirection and user profiles and how to customize default user profiles.

Folder Redirection and user profiles in the Windows 7 operating system provide users with a consistent user experience, regardless of where the user is logged on. This document discusses the improvements to these technologies and how to customize default user profiles.

Download details What’s New in Folder Redirection and User Profiles

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Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7 Series

Today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows^® Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010.

“Today, I’m proud to introduce Windows Phone 7 Series, the next generation of Windows Phones,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer at Microsoft. “In a crowded market filled with phones that look the same and do the same things, I challenged the team to deliver a different kind of mobile experience. Windows Phone 7 Series marks a turning point toward phones that truly reflect the speed of people’s lives and their need to connect to other people and all kinds of seamless experiences.”

Designed for Life in Motion

With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration. On the Start screen, dynamically updated “live tiles” show users real-time content directly, breaking the mold of static icons that serve as an intermediate step on the way to an application. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start.

Every Windows Phone 7 Series phone will come with a dedicated hardware button for Bing, providing one-click access to search from anywhere on the phone, while a special implementation of Bing search provides intent-specific results, delivering the most relevant Web or local results, depending on the type of query.

Windows Phone 7 Series creates an unrivaled set of integrated experiences on a phone through Windows Phone hubs. Hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks. Windows Phone 7 Series includes six hubs built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people:

People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.

Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.

Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.

Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.

Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games.

Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.

Availability

Partners from around the world have committed to include Windows Phone 7 Series in their portfolio plans. They include mobile operators AT&T, Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, and manufacturers Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc. The first phones will be available by holiday 2010. Customers who would like to receive additional information about Windows Phone 7 Series and be notified when it is available can register at http://www.windowsphone7series.com.

To watch the full replay of Steve Ballmer’s press conference at Mobile World Congress, and to experience Windows Phone 7 Series through an online product demo, readers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/news/windowsphone.

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How to replace default Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Recovery Environment in Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset

Abstract

This guide describes how to replace the default Windows Recovery Environment (RE) with a Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset version 6.5 (new version of Winternals ERD Commander).

Introduction

Microsoft has been developed a new version of ERD Commander from Winternals, which Microsoft acquired while ago; Named Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset, or DaRT for short.

In order to replace Windows RE boot image with DaRT you’ll need to use account with administrative privileges (member of the local Administrators group at least).

It’s recommended to replace the default Windows RE within DaRT for getting wide local troubleshooting toolset such as LockSmith for passwords reset, restoration utility, etc.

In order to perform the replacement follows these steps:

Preparing the field…

1. Open Windows Explorer, click with Alt and choose Folder Options from the Tools menu.

2. Choose Show hidden files, folders and drives and deselect Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and Hide extensions for known file types.

3. Then click OK.

4. Open C:\ Drive, right-click Recovery folder. Choose Properties from the menu.

5. Select Security tab, and click on Edit.

6. On the new windows, click on Add and find you user account, then click on OK.

7. Assign Allow: Full Control permissions for the specific account and click on OK.

Now, as you can see the C:\Recovery folder is accessible to your user account.

At C:\Recovery\<UID> you’ll find the Winre.wim image file. This is the Windows RE image that have been loaded every time you’re choosing to repair your computer from the F8 startup menu.

Creating ERD Commander ISO Image

1. Install DaRT 6.5 from Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 2009 R2 (available to customers with active Software Assurance license) on your computer or on computer with DVD burner.

2. Open ERD Commander Boot Media Wizard from the Windows menu and follow these steps to create ERD ISO image:

2.1. On the welcome screen click Next.

2.2. Insert and navigate to Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 media and click Next.

2.3. On the Preparing files screen click on Next.

2.4. Select or exclude the tools that will be included in your ERD image and click on Next.

2.5. Locate the Windows Debugging tools and click on Next.

2.6. Choose if you want to update your ERD’s system sweeper and click on Next.

2.7. If you want to add additional drivers, click on Add. Then click on Next.

2.8. On the Additional Files click on Next.

Note: You can add useful applications and files to your ERD ISO image such as disk imaging utility, corporate antivirus, etc.

2.9. To create the ISO image click on Next.

2.10. If you want to burn the ISO into a media set the wizard to your media burner. Click on Next to proceed.

2.11. Click on Finish.

3. On the ISO navigate to the Sources directory; inside X:\Sources (when X: is the CD driver letter) you’ll find boot.wim image.

4. Copy boot.wim into C:\Recovery\<UID>\ and change the file name to Winre.wim.

Note: It’s recommended to rename the original Winre.wim file name to Winre.wim.old or delete it from the C:\Recovery directory.

Next time you’ll restart your computer and choose Repair your computer you’ll notice that DaRT has been added to the Windows RE menu (and there’s also network support at the start of Windows RE).

Note: My personal recommendation is to deploy Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 with a built-in DaRT recovery environment support.

Note that you will need an active Software Assurance (SA) license to each OS that deployed with DaRT.

Summary

This guide described how to create ERD ISO image by using Diagnostic and Recovery Toolset and then replacing the default Windows RE boot image with DaRT boot image on Windows 7 & Server 2008 R2.

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