Technical documentation for planning, deployment, and operations of Volume Activation 2.0 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Includes the Volume Activation 2.0 Overview Guide, Planning Guide, Deployment Guide, Operations Guide, Resources, FAQ and Technical Attributes.

• Volume Activation 2.0 Overview Guide, Planning Guide, Deployment Guide, Operations Guide - Provides planning, deployment and operational guidance for activating volume editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
• Volume Activation 2.0 Resources - Provides a list of resources for Volume Activation 2.0.
• Volume Activation 2.0 FAQ - Answers to frequently asked questions about Volume Activation 2.0.
• Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Attributes - Spreadsheet detailing Volume Activation 2.0 technical attributes.

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The Windows command-line tools are used to perform various tasks related to Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2008.You can use the command reference to familiarize yourself with new and enhanced command-line tools, to learn about the command shell, and to automate command-line tasks by using batch files or scripting tools.

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I participated in creation of this great guide around security on Windows Server 2008 - really, you gotta see this... Also check out the new and shiny Solution Accelerator called "GPOAccelerator" - it really rocks!

Info from Microsoft:
The primary purposes of this guide are to enable you to do the following:

• Use the solution guidance to efficiently create and apply tested security baseline configurations using Group Policy.
• Understand the reasoning for the security setting recommendations in the baseline configurations that the guide prescribes, and their implications.
• Identify and consider common security scenarios, and then use specific security features in Windows Server 2008 to help you manage them in your environment.
• Understand role based security for different workloads in Windows Server 2008.

Hardening:
The WS2008 Security Guide also includes information on how to harden the following server roles and the role services that they provide:

• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server
• Domain Name

Hello IT Pros!

February 27 is a big day.  Windows Server 2008 will be officially launching in Los Angeles with Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, kicking off in just a few hours. 

In support of this very important technology milestone as well as the Windows Vista SP1 release, the Microsoft Solution Accelerators Team has just released the third-generation of the agent-less infrastructure assessment platform called Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator 3.0 (or simply MAP).  Through the use of remote WMI calls and secure inventory engines, the MAP tool enables you to quickly inventory a wide variety of networks (AD-managed, IP ranges, and workgroups), securely assess IT environments of servers, desktops, applications and devices, and auto-generate specific and actionable reports and proposal documents in a matter of hours.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE BLOG POST...

GO HERE TO DOWNLOAD MICROSOFT ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING (RTM BITS)

Thank you,

Baldwin Ng (Sr. Product Manager, Microsoft Assessment and Planning)

Hi,

Just want to let you know that my latest article about "Group Policy related changes in Windows Server 2008" has been released today on www.windowsecurity.com.

This 4th article in the series deals with Group Policy Preference actions, processing options, SYSVOL, Item Level targeting (ILT), Export/Import functionality, "well hidden stuff", variables, logging, future additions etc. - read more here...

I hope you like it - feel free to drop a comment or vote on the site!!!

/Jakob

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Sometimes you come upon a strange KB article - which makes you wonder why that information is public or what’s the general purpose of the article is… I found this one today:

How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948472

This is quoted from the article:

SUMMARY

This article describes how to extend, or re-arm, the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period. The evaluation period is also known as the "activation grace" period. These instructions apply to any edition of Windows Server 2008. This includes evaluation copies.

INTRODUCTION

Evaluating Windows Server 2008 software does not require product activation. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation, and it may be evaluated for 60 days. Additionally, the 60-day evaluation period may be reset (re-armed) three times. This action extends the original 60-day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days.
Note Although you can reset the 60-day evaluation period, you cannot extend it beyond 60 days at any time. When you reset the current 60-day evaluation period,

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