Windows 7

Windows Management Framework brings PowerShell 2.0 to the masses

Just days after the official release of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft has now made its new Windows Management Framework (WMF) available as well. The major component here is PowerShell 2.0, which is supported out-of-the-box for the two new operating systems. The download also includes WinRM 2.0 and BITS 4.0.

As Microsoft’s Lee Holmes said in a recent blog post, the Windows Management Framework provides “a consistent management interface across the various flavors of Windows.” What he means is that in addition to Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, PowerShell 2.0 remoting can now also be used to manage machines running Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003 and Server 2008.
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The Windows Report — Gearing up for R2 and Windows 7

General availability for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 is just around the corner, and while most organizations won’t upgrade to both at the same time, there are some compelling reasons to run them together.

This month, IT author, speaker and consultant Greg Shields calls in to discuss some of the best reasons to use the two new operarting systems as a tandem, and shares some of his favorite Windows 2008 R2 features.

News Roundup: AD turns heads, Exchange hits RTM

Lots going on in the world of Windows this month, as you might expect. Here’s a roundup of some of the top news from this past week:

1. Forget Live Migration; AD is king in R2
   While most of the attention around Windows Server 2008 R2 has been given to Hyper-V enhancements and brand new features like Direct Access, when it comes right down to it, Active Directory is still No. 1 on the priority list for admins.
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Group Policy management gets a boost with MDOP 2009 R2

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 aren’t the only new releases Microsoft has on tap this month. The new Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 2009 R2 (usually pronounced emm-DOP) will be out by late October, with enhancements for Group Policy and application virtualization.

The new pack will include Windows 7 support for nearly all of its components, including Advanced Group Policy Management 4.0 (AGPM), which will also support Windows Server 2008 R2.
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Partner products to get the Windows 7 stamp of approval

One of the major problems surrounding Windows Vista involved software and hardware compatibility — or rather, incompatibility. Microsoft is looking to avoid those issues this time around with Windows 7.

How? By branding all compatible products with a big Windows 7 thumbs up.
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Here comes Windows 7 — time to party?

I’m sure many of you have seen this by now, but as part of promoting Windows 7, Microsoft is urging folks to host “launch parties” at their homes in honor of the new OS. As reported by Neowin, the company will provide free party packs to the hosts including balloons, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and free copies of Windows 7 (and I only made one of those three things up).

While it’s too late to be one of the official honorary hosts (bummer!), there’s still time to learn how to throw your own Windows 7 party. Microsoft even produced a video providing “tips” on throwing a successful launch party (below). If you can spare six minutes that you don’t mind never getting back again, it’s defintely worth checking out (heh).
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Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 arrives a little early

Microsoft released Deployment Toolkit 2010 (MDT) earlier today, somewhat sooner than expected. The set is designed to ease the burden on those getting ready to deploy Windows 7 and/or Windows Server 2008 R2.

The release candidate for MDT 2010 was made available in August, and the official release was expected soon after the October 22 launch of the company’s latest desktop and server operating systems. Continued »

Windows 7 now available to subscribers, VL customers

For those who didn’t know, this morning Microsoft made Windows 7 available to SA customers, and TechNet and MSDN subscribers were given access on Thursday.

Those looking to make the upgrade from XP or Vista after the October 22 launch date will definitely want to check out the new OS now. As you may recall, Vista hit a few snags in the hardware/software compatibility departments when it was first launched, so as Microsoft blogger Brandon LeBlanc puts it, “Now is the time to work on your applications to make sure they are Windows 7 compatible.”
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News Roundup: Windows 7, R2 hit RTM

The folks at Microsoft had said both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 would be released to manufacturing before the end of the month, and they were true to their word, getting both in with just about a week to spare yesterday.
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MVP dishes on DirectAccess, VPN Reconnect in R2

I spoke with Gary Olsen earlier to get his thoughts on some of the new features to be included with Windows Server 2008 R2. In addition to being a prolific TechTarget contributor, Gary is also a Microsoft MVP in Directory Services and a systems software engineer with Hewlett-Packard.

Check out the short podcast below to hear what Gary had to say about Microsoft’s new DirectAccess feature. In this segment, he talks about the VPN challenges facing both users and IT folks, and how DirectAccess addresses those issues. He also provides details on VPN Reconnect and how it works.
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 Gary Olsen on DirectAccess in Windows 2008 R2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download