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Windows 7 for XP ProfessionalsUpdating Support Skills from XP to Windows 7by Bink.nu's Raymond Comvalius
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Meiryo UI is a new Japanese font added to Windows 7. It is optimized to display Japanese text in Ribbon UI. Ribbon UI is a new user interface component which is expected to be used in many applications which run on both Windows Vista and Windows 7. This download package contains the fonts Meiryo UI and Meiryo UI bold. The new fonts will allow applications to optimally display Ribbon UI and can also be used to display Japanese text effectively in other parts of the UI, particularly where text area is limited. All Japanese Windows Vista users are recommended to install this package.
Download details Meiryo Font Update
This guide shows you how to centrally configure and distribute commonly used settings and rules for Windows Firewall with Advanced Security by describing typical tasks in a common scenario. you get hands-on experience in a lab environment using Group Policy management tools to create and edit GPOs to implement typical firewall settings. You also configure GPOs to implement common server and domain isolation scenarios and see the effects of those settings. This guide applies to computers running Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows Server® 2008 R2, and Windows Server® 2008.
Download details Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Step-by-Step Guide
Microsoft launched its much anticipated Windows 7 operating system last week to great fanfare. One of the features of Windows 7 is DirectX 11, which is a superset of DirectX 10.1 already used in Vista Service Pack 2.
Windows Vista introduced the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM), which allowed new features such as virtualized video memory and scheduling of concurrent graphics contexts. Windows 7 also uses WDDM, albeit a newer version. Microsoft had promised that Vista users wouldn't be left in the cold, and would be able to download and use DirectX 11. It included DirectX 11 in a beta version of its "Platform Update" available in September. The final version is now available via Windows Update. The Platform Update is meant for computers running Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Vista SP2, and is composed of four parts: The Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library contains DirectX 11, DirectCompute for hardware accelerated parallel computing, and the XPS Library for document printing.
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This fell in my lap over the weekend, but I didn’t have time to cover it last week: An update is available that allows for a potential power saving in an AMD multicore processor that is running an x64-based version of Windows Vista SP2, of Windows Server 2008 SP2, of Windows 7, or of Windows Server 2008 R2.
The update in itself is worth a download and an install, to make post-Vista 64-bit platforms play nice with Enhanced C1 state (C1E) for lower power consumption for an AMD multicore processor. But what is interesting is that under Hotfix Support for Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2 it says SP1 (Service Pack 1) and SP3 for Vista.
Full Info at Source via Activewin
Bink Says: This is a complete normal process, Windows 7 is RTM so any issues that are fixed after this will end up in the 1st Service Pack. It is normal that the KB on this issue mentions this. So a week after Win7 Sp1 is released a KB article might show up mentioning a hotfox that wll end up in Win7 SP2.
Just a heads up to prepare for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2. It will be available in the coming weeks on the Download Center (DLC) and also through Windows Update and WSUS. On April 28th, we announced the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. SP2 includes all updates that were released since SP1. It also includes support for new types of hardware and other technology improvements. For more information on the changes with SP2, see the notable changes document on TechNet.
Here’s a short list of the tools and guidance that’s available for SP2:
· If you’re managing systems that connect directly to WU, you can use the updated Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit to prevent WU from offering SP2 to your client computers.
· For more information about SP2, refer to the SP2 Frequently Asked Questions on TechNet.
· For help with deployment related questions, you should read this blog post on the Windows team blog.
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EDIT: SP2 has now been officially released.
32 Bit version.
64 Bit version .
Today we are announcing the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. SP2 represents the latest step in Microsoft’s commitment to continuous improvement. It includes all updates that have been delivered since SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards.
As we have mentioned before, here are some of the key benefits of Windows Vista SP2:
Continue at source
A "Windows Vista SP2 Prerequisites" update is coming via Windows Update on April 28, 2009. Showing that Service Pack 2 is expected early next month.
Update for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista (KB955430)
Description: Install this update to enable future updates to install successfully on all editions of Windows Server 2008. This update may be required before selected future updates can be installed. After you install this item, it cannot be removed. This update is provided to you and licensed under the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 License Terms.
Last week we announced the Release Candidate (RC) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2. We initially made it available for TechNet and MSDN subscribers. Today, we’re making it available to anyone interested in testing SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 prior to final release.
You can download the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 RC from our Customer Preview Program site or install through Windows Update using our Windows Update Experience Kit.
If you have the SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Beta installed, you will need to uninstall that first before installing the RC.
You can also check out the SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 RC notable changes here. And you can submit feedback on SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 here on the TechNet Forums.
Source: http://windowsteamblog.com/
Hotfixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista SP2 RC.
Windows Server® 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista® Service Pack 2 include all the previously released updates for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista. This document contains the list of Hotfixes and Security Updates in Windows Server 2008 SP2 RC and Windows Vista SP2 RC. Many of these updates are available to the public on the Microsoft® Download Center and Windows® Update, while others are only available to specific customers or partners. It is a standard practice to include all of these updates in a service pack, and they are included in Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2.
Download At Source
This week we are announcing that Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 has hit an important milestone in development: Release Candidate (RC).
Starting today, the RC of SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers to test prior to final release. In the very near future, we will be making the RC broadly available for anyone to download and test. You can expect another blog post from me when that happens.
SP2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 include updates that have been delivered since the release of SP1, as well as support for new types of hardware and emerging standards. As we’ve described since we first talked about SP2, we’ve taken your feedback into account when developing SP2. Specifically, we expect SP2 to continue the security benefits of both products and simplify deployment for our customers.
The judge overseeing the “Vista Capable” suit against Microsoft has removed the “class-action” designation from it, but also declined Microsoft’s motion for summary judgment.
The latest court action on February 18, resulted in Judge Marsha Pechman reversing her original decision to allow the case class-action status. Pechman did note that individual plaintiffs will be allowed to continue legal proceedings if they can prove harm.
As TechFlash blogger Todd Bishop explains:
“According to today’s ruling, Pechman removed the class-action status after finding that the plaintiffs hadn’t adequately shown that the Vista Capable program caused widespread, artificial inflation in PC prices. However, she said, that doesn’t preclude specific plaintiffs from pursuing claims against Microsoft if they can provide ‘evidence of individual deception.’”
The Vista Capable suit, filed in March 2007, claimed Microsoft “engaged in bait and switch — assuring consumers they were purchasing ‘Vista Capable’ machines when, in fact, they could obtain only a stripped-down operating system lacking the functionality and features that Microsoft advertised as ‘Vista.’”
To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, Microsoft Press is offering Free E-Books -
- Windows Vista Resource Kit, Second Edition
By Mitch Tulloch, Tony Northrup, and Jerry Honeycutt with the Windows Vista Team ISBN: 9780735625969 In-depth, comprehensive, and fully updated for Service Pack 1, this Resource Kit delivers the information you need to administer Windows Vista. Sign up to download the entire book from here : (PDF, 44.8 MB).
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By Patrice Pelland ISBN: 9780735625426 Get this Free E-Book now from here, Sign up to download the entire e-book (PDF, 7.8 MB)
Microsoft has delayed Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) by at least a month, and will now ship it to manufacturing sometime in May or June, according to a website that has accurately predicted Windows release dates in the past.
TechARP.com, a Malaysian website that correctly predicted the release dates for Windows Vista SP1 and XP SP3 in 2008, said that Microsoft will deliver a release candidate - the final test version - of Vista SP2 in March, a month later than the site had predicted earlier. Also, Microsoft will send the service pack to OEMs and out for retail copy duplication at some point in the second quarter of 2009, not in April as originally thought.
Windows Vista SP2 will be released for download from the web at an undetermined date after Microsoft ships the service pack to OEMs. In the past, Microsoft has had both short and long lag times between the two dates.
I just came across a snap poll on the front page of the CNN website. No real surprise that (currently) 78% of respondents answered 'Yes' to the question of "Should Microsoft ditch Vista?". There was a significant number of voters, see below for a snapshot of the results.
Should Microsoft ditch Vista?
Yes 78% 132249 No 22% 36707 Total Votes: 168956
As I said, it's no surprise really, with the beta release of Windows 7 there is already a significant buz in the IT industry that this release might actually be a significant improvement on Vista. The enterprise administrators I have spoken with are, as always, non-commital at this stage however most recognise that the lifecycle of XP will soon be at an end. If W7 lives up to expectations it could well see implementation in the enterprise space that never happened with Vista. IMHO.