Windows Vista Update - September 13, 2006

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The excitement is building as Windows Vista moves into the last stages of development. Further to my earlier post about the Step-by-Step Guides currently available for Windows Vista, I wanted to provide some additional information and links to some other resources available to help you understand, prepare for and leverage Windows Vista-based  technologies in your environments. 

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: Links to upcoming and on-demand webcasts

General Information:

Windows Vista

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx

This is the source for all content that is being made public on Windows Vista.  It breaks down the information into various areas that may be of interest.

Get Windows Vista RC1!

https://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx

Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) is now available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers, as well as those people who signed up for the Windows Vista Customer Preview Program (CPP) with the release of Beta 2 in June.  If you are not registered but would like to receive Windows Vista RC1, the CPP will open to new participants in the coming weeks. Please check the above site periodically for updates.

Internet Explorer 7 RC1 is now available! - www.microsoft.com/ie

Internet Explorer 7 Release Candidate 1 (IE7 RC1) for Windows XP SP2 is now publicly available for download at and the Windows Download Center.  Among all the other features, the robust new Internet Explorer 7 architecture and improved security helps protect you against malicious software, and helps to keep your personal data safe from fraudulent websites and online phishing scams.

Download Windows Defender (Beta 2)

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=435BFCE7-DA2B-4A6A-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en

A Free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.

For Developers:

Microsoft Pre-Release Software Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 - Release Candidate https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=19E21845-F5E3-4387-95FF-66788825C1AF&displaylang=en

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 (formerly known as WinFX), is the new managed code programming model for Windows. It combines the power of the .NET Framework 2.0 with new technologies for building applications that have visually compelling user experiences, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and the ability to support a wide range of business processes. These new technologies are Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, and Windows CardSpace (formerly code named "Infocard"). Microsoft plans to ship .NET Framework 3.0 as part of the Windows Vista operating system.

The Windows Vista Developer Story: Application Compatibility Cookbook

https://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/reference/appcompat/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnlong/html/AppComp.asp

While Windows Vista is highly compatible with most of the applications written for Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and their service packs, some amount of compatibility breaks are inevitable due to new innovations, security tightening, and increased reliability. This document is the first step for application developers to become familiar with how to verify the compatibility of their applications. This document also provides an overview of the few known application incompatibility issues in Windows Vista and provides links to detailed white papers and other developer guidance.

Windows Vista Forums

https://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/support/forums/default.aspx

Ask questions, share information, or exchange ideas with others, including experts from around the globe. Choose a discussion group from the lists below. You can then check out interesting posts, answer a question, or post your own questions.

For IT Pros:

Top 10 Things to Try with Windows Vista Beta RC1

https://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

https://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

https://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

https://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

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

Windows PowerShell RC1 Documentation Pack

https://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.

Webcasts:

Windows Vista Webcasts and events: https://www.microsoft.com/events/series/technetvista.mspx

Tune in and see how Windows Vista advancements in security and reliability, along with its operational efficiencies, give you and your users confidence in your organization's PCs. During these free webcasts, we introduce you to key Windows Vista product features and explore deployment, security, management, and productivity. Live webcasts also include a question and answer session. View one webcast, view a few, or view them all – the information will help you prepare for Windows Vista.

TechNet Webcast: User Account Control (Level 200)

Monday, September 18, 2006

9:00 A.M.–10:00 A.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: How Microsoft IT Optimizes Client Security by Using Windows Vista (Level 300)

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

9:30 A.M.–10:30 A.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Windows Vista Built-in Diagnostics (Level 200)

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

11:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Performance Features in Windows Vista (Level 200)

Friday, September 29, 2006

1:00 P.M.–2:00 P.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Deploying Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System Using BDD 2007 (Level 300)

Friday, September 29, 2006

9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. Pacific Time

TechNet Webcast: Group Policy in Windows Vista (Level 200)

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

9:30 A.M.–10:30 A.M. Pacific Time

MSDN Webcasts and Events page - https://msdn.microsoft.com/events/

If you need more info, post a comment on the blog and I'll get back to you. 

Have fun!!