Category: windows 7

Mostly Useless Server 2008 Personalization Trivia

When you first load a fresh install of Windows 7 or Server 2008 (original or R2) the desktop is empty of icons except for the Recycle Bin. Personally, I really like it that way. The search mechanism is so easy to use I have little need for icons cluttering up my desktop background.

However, some people like the look of the familiar. In Windows 7, you can use the “Personalization” control panel applet to add back the icons for Computer, Network and Documents. Windows 2008 has no such option in the control panel for restoring those icons by default. Instead you must type “desktop icons” into the search window and select the hidden control panel feature to “Show or hide common icons on the desktop.”

You can right click “Computer” in the start menu and there is an option for that component to show on the desktop, but the same feature is not available for “Network.” The other option is to install the “Desktop Experience” onto the server, which will add several of the customizing features that one might be wishing for. I also noticed that I have access to the Personalization control panel applet on a server that has Terminal Services (aka Remote Desktop Services) installed.

I suspect there are some registry keys that can reveal some of these interface tweaks. Or maybe this is just a Trivial Pursuit question in the making.

The LearnIT! Tech Kickoff – A first look at what’s new this fall

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak about some of the new features in Windows 7 at the LearnIT! Technology Kickoff. This fun evening event was a great way to gain some insight into what’s exciting about some of the new software that has launched this fall. I’m almost disappointed I didn’t get to attend a session myself.
I’ve taken several classes at LearnIT! through the years, so it was exciting to have the chance to return the favor. If you happened to catch my session and are looking for the slide deck I used, look no further.

Potentially Troublesome Windows 7 User Profiles

While at “the New Efficiency” event last week, I was tapped to see if I had some insight to a problem someone was having migrating and duplicating local user profiles on Windows 7. I’ll admit I haven’t much bothered with user profiles since my NT 4.0 days. Even at my current job, we doesn’t copy or use customized default profiles as a starting point for desktops. We distribute key icons and settings for users with group policies or scripts and don’t worry about maintaining any customizations that each user does for themselves.

My first recommendation was that for migrating existing desktop profiles from XP to Windows 7, Microsoft provides the User State Migration Tool (for large deployments) and Windows Easy Transfer (for a few computers) to move the local documents and settings for users from XP to Windows 7. These tools help ensure all the necessary files are getting moved to the proper locations.

However the question also involved issues copying existing profiles for other users. I didn’t have a good answer for someone having this type of problem in Windows 7, but I promised I’d see if I could come up with something.

After some research, I learned that others were having profile duplication issues with Windows 7 – specifically copying an existing profile to the default one. I found a quite extensive thread on the TechNet forums and an IronGeek.com posting which offered a workaround. I didn’t delve into experimenting with any of these things, but I did pass them along with the hopes that they might point the requester in the right direction.

The next day, I got an update thanking me for providing the information and that he’d been able to solve the majority of his profile related issues. He also mentioned a program called “Windows Enabler”, which I haven’t used myself but I suspect might have been recommended by someone contributing to the TechNet thread or another forum. We all know the web can lead you to many things.

So if you are struggling with an issue similar to this, perhaps those same links will lead you to the answer you need. As with anything on the Internet, your mileage may vary.
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EDIT 10/30/09 – Here’s a link to a great blog post from the Springboard Series with the how/why for Windows 7 profiles work the way they do and the Microsoft recommended way to handle customized default profiles – Configuring Default User Settings, Full Update for Windows 7.

Windows 7 – It’s Official

In case you’ve managed to miss it, today is the official launch of Window 7.

Some great websites to check out if you haven’t already are Talking About Windows and the Microsoft Springboard for Windows Clients. Also, check out the Windows Team Blog post from yesterday listing out some additional events and purchase offers.

Finally, if you missed out on one of live “the New Efficiency” events, there is a free virtual event on October 27th, produced by Windows IT Pro magazine.

Enjoy!

Takeaways from "The New Efficiency" Tech Series

Yesterday, I attended Microsoft’s “The New Efficiency” technical series, as part of the Windows 7/Server 2008 R2/Exchange 2010 product launch. I was a little disappointed at the turn out, since registration had been closed so early. I expected more people and generally “more” from Microsoft with all these new products coming out in just days. But I guess not every event can be hit out of the park.

That being said, there were several sponsor-led sessions that were interesting and then tracks for Windows 7, Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010. My original plan was to hit something from every track, but that proved difficult as the presenters from each track didn’t always keep to the scheduled break times. Thus I stuck with the server track, which was presented by Chris Henley.

Here are a few of the features that were touched on during the sessions:

  • The integrated Best Practice Analyzer covers more areas, such as Active Directory Domain Services and DNS. The BPA was mostly known for it’s use with Exchange, so it’s nice to see it expanded to other critical areas.
  • The Recycle Bin for AD. This feature makes it easier to restore deleted objects in Active Directory without having to resort to an authoritative restore, effectively extending your recoverablity of objects to nearly a year. While possible, its not recommended to reduce the lifetimes for deleted object and tombstone object below the 180 days each. Also, it’s important to note that the recycle bin feature is a schema change and it can’t be turned off once implemented. Finally, while item in the recycle bin can’t have their UPN used again until it moves out to a tombstoned object, but you can manually force items to be moved earlier.
  • In Server 2008 R2 there were changes in the core architecture which affected the networking stack to support IPv6 and IPv4 native to same Windows core protocols.
  • The Server Core installation option supports an additional role for WoW64 and IIS 7.5 also supports ASP on Server Core. Server Core has also gained a text menu environment called “S-config” to make it easier to configure basic server settings.
  • New features in Remote Desktop Services, such as virtual desktops via Hyper-V, improvements in RemoteApp, multimedia support and bi-directional audio.
  • DirectAccess as an alternative to VPNs for corporate network access. DirectAccess requires at least 4 servers and includes a setup wizard that details out how it all hooks together.
  • Improvements in Hyper-V, such as Live Migration and the ability to add some “hardware” (like Hard Drives)to virtual machines without powering them off. Don’t forget the Microsoft Assessment & Planning Toolkit, which can help minimize capital costs and reduce operating costs in your data center.

At the end of the day, the software giveaway was a copy of Windows 7 (32-bit) and the swag bag had the ever-popular XL t-shirt. Hidden among the product pamphlets in the bag was a cool gift from NetApp – a free copy of the book “Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V: Insider’s Guide to Microsoft’s Hypervisor”. Request your copy by November 20th. I’m sure the request will get you on a mailing list of some kind, but I’ll live with that for a free book.

Windows 7 Beta Exam for Pro: Enterprise Desktop Admin

Through the middle of the month, IT Pros will be taking the beta exam version for the 70-686, Pro: Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Admin. My exam slot was in the middle of last week and as far as testing goes, this one hit on every possible area you could run into Windows 7 in the enterprise.

Obviously, I can’t rattle off exam questions and this test had more than the average share of them due the the beta nature. However, I can tell you that there was at least one question for EVERY bullet point in the skills list in the exam catalog.

Because this was geared to the enterprise, general experience with AD and group policy were important, as well as WAN/LAN networking concepts and security methods. And because this is a new OS with plenty of new features, don’t plan to empty your pockets at the testing center until you know the differences between the various options for application compatibility, the range of deployment methods (including image and licensing management) and how the newer features in IE8 and Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 can affect the desktop experience.

This exam, combined with the 70-680 exam, make up the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7 certification. While this certification doesn’t require as many tests as the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator it’s certainly gearing up to be challenging in it’s own right, as the desktop client is the portal through which the majority of workers experience your company network.

Moving Up to RTM for Windows 7

Finally found a moment to install the RTM version of Windows 7 Ultimate on my netbook. I know there was some grumbling on the Internet about how one can’t directly upgrade from the RC to RTM of Windows 7, but I hardly found it a problem. I’m a big fan of clean installs.

First off, I used a USB key for the install instead of the DVD, which completely sliced of the time it took for the installation down to about 45 minutes. For tips on how to set your USB key up for this task, check out this TechNet Tip on Using a USB Key to Install Windows 7.

I did backup all my personal documents before running the installation, but counted on the fact that the “windows.old” directory would have everything I’d want to transfer. Sure enough, it only took a couple clicks to return my documents, photos and music back to their rightful place. I had to handle a few driver issues again (see my previous post about installing windows on the Samsung NC10) so could get my function keys working properly. But since I had downloaded those before, they were also in the “windows.old” directory.

The only thing left after that was the applications I use on a regular basis. The majority of the applications I use are web-based, so I was left with reinstalling AV software, iTunes, Firefox, OpenOffice and a few other minor items. Once that was done, I was back in action.

I admit I didn’t do everything all in one setting, but overall I don’t think it would have taken me more that 2.5 hours from start to finish if I had. Not too shabby.

More Windows 7 Beta Exams

There are two new Windows 7 beta exams available for a short time. As with most beta tests, you won’t find any official study material and likely won’t have enough time to read it anyway. However, if you’ve been using and testing Windows 7 since it’s beta days, it’s worth a shot to take one of these exams.

The promo code will get you the test for free and you’ll get credit for the real deal on your transcript if you pass. Seats and time slots are VERY limited, so don’t waste time thinking about it too long.

71-686: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
Public Registration begins: September 14, 2009
Beta exam period runs: September 21, 2009 – October 16, 2009
Registration Promo Code: EDA7

When this exam is officially published (estimated date 11/16/09), this exam will become the official 70-686 exam, which is one of two exams needed for the the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Adminstrator 7 certification.

71-685: PRO: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
Public Registration begins: September 14, 2009
Beta exam period runs: September 14, 2009 – October 16, 2009
Registration Promo Code: EDST7

When this exam is published (also on 11/16/09) as 70-685, it will be credit toward the MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7 certification. This certification isn’t listed yet in the MCITP Certification list but I suspect it will be paired with the 70-680 exam, much like the Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7 certification.

Information about these and other exams can be found at Microsoft Learning.

Check Out TechNet Events

Today I enjoyed a morning at the Microsoft office in SF attending an event in the current series of TechNet Events. Through the months of September and October, the TechNet Events team is traveling around the US providing tips, solutions and discussion about using Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2.

Today’s presentation was given by Chris Henley, who led some lively and informative discussions on three topics – Tools for migration from Windows XP to Windows 7, Securing Windows 7 in a Server 2008 R2 Environment (with Bitlocker, NAP and Direct Access) and new features in Directory Services.

I was excited to see specific information on Active Directory. If you missed the blogs about Active Directory Administrative Center back in January like I did, you’ll like some of the new features in this 2008 R2 tool, including the ability to connect to multiple domains and improved navigation views.

If there isn’t an event near you this time around, check back after the holidays when they’ll head out again for another series.