• DreamScenes RTM dated July 19
  It’s finally out, but it looks like it could have been out much sooner.
  (tags: PR Beta DreamScene )
• Vista file copying showdown: RTM vs SP1
  A comparison of copying the same file using the RTM release, and the SP1 release
  (tags: SP1 Copy )
• 9 Ways Vista MMC Gives You More Control
  A nice article showing what the Microsoft Management Console can do for you.
  (tags: Review )
• Microsoft extends Windows XP’s stay
  Not everyone is ready to go to Vista yet, but historically the transition to a newly released OS has gone the same way.
  (tags: PR Sales )

Overview:
The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) can be scripted by using a built-in COM object.

This package contains a great deal of script examples:
BackupAllGPOs.wsf
BackupGPO.wsf
CopyGPO.wsf
CreateEnvironmentFromXML.wsf
CreateGPO.wsf
CreateMigrationTable.wsf
CreateXMLFromEnvironment.wsf
DeleteGPO.wsf
DumpGPOInfo.wsf
DumpSOMInfo.wsf
FindDisabledGPOs.wsf
FindDuplicateNamedGPOs.wsf
FindGPOsByPolicyExtension.wsf
FindGPOsBySecurityGroup.wsf
FindGPOsWithNoSecurityFiltering.wsf
findorphanedGPOsInSYSVOL.wsf
FindSOMsWithExternalGPOLinks.wsf
FindUnlinkedGPOs.wsf
GetReportsForAllGPOs.wsf
GetReportsForGPO.wsf
GrantPermissionOnAllGPOs.wsf
ImportAllGPOs.wsf
ImportGPO.wsf
ListAllGPOs.wsf
ListSOMPolicyTree.wsf
QueryBackupLocation.wsf
RestoreAllGPOs.wsf
RestoreGPO.wsf
SetGPOCreationPermissions.wsf
SetGPOPermissions.wsf
SetGPOPermissionsBySOM.wsf
SetSOMPermissions.wsf
SampleEnvironment.xml
ScriptingReadme.rtf
SampleMigrationTable.migtable
Lib_CommonGPMCFunctions.js

System requirements:
Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista

Download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=38c1a89b-a6d2-4f2a-a944-9236999aee65

If you are in a large international organization you might want to upload Vista ADML files for the different languages used on management computers to the Central Store.

Now you can download both ADMX and ADML files for Vista in a single package:
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7471439

You might wanna pick out the languages needed only (ADML files) - as this will take up around 80MB of SYSVOL space.

Check out this article, it’s really good for a “quick” summary of the GP related changes in Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008 (Longhorn)

http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/5ae8da2a-878e-48db-a3c1-4be6ac7cf7631033.mspx?mfr=true

This tweak is for broad band cable connections on stand alone machines with WinXP professional version - might work on Home version also. It will probably work with networked machines as well but I haven’t tried it in that configuration. This is for windows XP only, it does not work on win2000. I use 3 Com cards so I don’t know how it works on others at this point. It does not involve editing the registry. This tweak assumes that you have let WinXP create a connection on install for your cable modem/NIC combination and that your connection has tcp/ip - QoS - file and print sharing - and client for Microsoft networks , only, installed. It also assumes that WinXP will detect your NIC and has in-box drivers for it. If it doesn’t do not try this.
In the “My Network Places” properties (right click on the desktop icon and choose properties), highlight the connection then at the menu bar choose “Advanced” then “Advanced Settings”. Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK (more…)

3com card, cable connections, change directories, ip qos, microsoft networks, ms networks, netmon, networked machines, printer sharing, tweak, Windows, windows xp cd, winxp professional, xp

The default Windows XP installation contains a number of unnecessary services that are started by default. Extra running services consume CPU cycles and memory. To free up system resources and tune your operating system for optimum performance, you can stop and disable the services. The list (below) details those that may be unnecessary:

NOTE: I recommend disabling one at a time. If you notice problems in your programs, then undo what you have done.

* Alerter: Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts.
* Application Layer Gateway Services: Provides support for 3rd party protocol plugins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall.
* Application Management: Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove. (more…)

application layer gateway, automatic distribution, catalog database, component object model, computer browser, critical windows, cryptographic services, gateway services, internet connection sharing, remote computers, root service, unnecessary services, Windows, windows files, windows updates, windows xp installation, xp, xp service