OEM Technical Zone
First Look at Windows 8 (Subcribe to the channel)
Express Deployment RTM is here!
Great news have hit the market with the launch of the new Express Deployment Tool (RTM) and was launched on the Microsoft OEM Partner Center for partners to download.
This tool takes the required work needed for PC Essentials depoloyment by the system builder, and minimizes the required work loading the computer dramatically. Image preperation time to include Windows x86 or x64 bit, Office 2010, Windows Live Essentials 2011, Bing Bar 6.1, Security Essentials, Hard Drive Recovery, Basic OEM Information, OOBE Information, Customized Networkable WinPE with a deployment and capture GUI interface are reduced to about 20 minutes preperation time through a quick and intuitive task based GUI Interface.
The tool enables the system builder to quickly and easily adopt Microsoft Technology in a prescribed manner according to the PC Essentials guidelines. This ultimately drives up the quality of the software and user experience that the system builder are selling to the customer. Download and start using this tool that will save you time and money today by following the link in the table below!
Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
Download Here
Keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level with SP1 for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. Now available through Automatic Updates, Windows Update, or the Microsoft Download Center, SP1 provides ongoing improvements to the Windows operating system including previous updates delivered over Windows Update and incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback. Want to know about what's included in SP1?
Helpful Links (The following links are provided after receiving feedback from the channel regarding common queries)
Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial
Deploying Windows 7 from A to Z
Windows 7 Upgrade and Migration Guide
Guidance for Small and Midsize Businesses
Windows 7 Videos
Windows Intune
More Information
Windows Intune simplifies how businesses manage and secure PCs using Windows cloud services and the Windows 7 operating system—so your computers and users can operate at peak performance from virtually anywhere.
Windows Intune Technology Tune-up
Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Join Microsoft Technical Fellow and host Mark Russinovich for the Windows Intune Technology Tune-up. This virtual roundtable event is your chance to ask a panel of IT professionals and Windows Intune experts your questions about cloud-based PC management
Windows Home Server 2011 (RC1)
Today we are pleased to announce the availability of the Release Candidate for Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 (formerly Windows Home Server Code Name “Vail”). Affordable and easy-to-use, Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 (WHS) is the ideal solution to help families keep their important digital files and PC’s automatically backed up, organized, and accessible.
The Release Candidate (RC) signifies our last mile efforts for releasing this product to our customers, and prepares our network of software and hardware partners for its release. Along with the RC, we have also released an update to theWindows Server Solutions SDK which provides tools and information to develop add-ins and extend the functionality of Windows Home Server 2011.
This WHS RC is the first public release to include changes in the storage features, so let’s look at some of the changes you can expect. All existing technologies such as server and client backup, health monitoring, remote web access, streaming media, and simplified dashboard management are still included.
A new Move Folder Wizard makes it easy for you to move data from one drive to another. As Hard Drives are added to the Home Server, your health alerts will notify you that a new Hard Drive is available. From here, you can automatically format and configure the new drive for additional storage.
Once configured, you can easily use the Move Folder Wizard to move your data to the new drive as needed.
To see this in action, please watch our Windows Home Server Move Folder Wizard Learning Bite.
Data protection also includes daily Server and PC backup, Previous Versions via Shadow copy which lets you return prior versions of existing files (without needing to restore from backup), and a protection feature for pre-defined folders (such as Recorded TV, Videos, Photos) in case these are accidently deleted.
We are also excited to announce Acer is in the final testing phase of Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011. Irene Chan, Senior Business Manager from Acer America Corp. stated this morning “We're excited to offer this new and improved, easy-to-use OS on our Aspire easyStore Home Server this Spring. Designed for households and small businesses with multiple PCs, Aspire easyStore offers a simple way to network computers, centralize, share and protect digital data as well as access it remotely from anywhere in the world." stated
Microsoft Asset & Planning Toolkit - IT Infrastructure made easier
Download here
Have you ever needed a tool to assist you in analyzing a client's IT infrastructure to be able to give the best advice on the way forward, or generally as a tool to take your company to the next level? Well if your answer is yes, Microsoft has just the tool and it's called MAP!
MAP is one of the tools provided by the Microsoft Solution Accelerators team. The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, and Security Compliance Manager provide tested guidance and automated tools to help organizations plan, securely deploy, and manage new Microsoft technologies—easier, faster, and at less cost. All are freely available, and fully-supported by Microsoft.
FAQ Resources
Windows 7 - FAQ
Server - General Information