Microsoft have released both Windows 10 version 1703 and ADK 1703 last week, one is on MSDN the other on Microsoft’s download site.
Two Know Issues:
OSD – App-V tools are missing in ADK 1703 when being installed on Windows Server 2016 (sometimes)
OS Deployment – Installing ADK 1703 on Windows Server 2016 could fail
Today, Immidio releases an updated version of its flagship product Flex+. With the Immidio Flex+ workspace virtualization solution, end users get a personalized and dynamic Windows desktop that adapts to their specific situation based on aspects like role, device and location.
Modern workforces expect flexibility from their employers; users need to have the capability to work anywhere with multiple devices and a high degree of self-service. With Flex+ workspace virtualization, Immidio enables such a flexible workstyle in a simple, scalable, extensible and affordable manner, without introducing additional complexity. Immidio Flex+ uses the existing Windows infrastructure, ensuring a low total cost of ownership.
Next to many small improvements, the latest version of Immidio Flex+ contains new features that were mostly developed based on feedback from Immidio’s partners and customers. The focus of this release is to support the latest Windows versions and application virtualization technologies, providing users with an even more dynamic desktop experience and improving the administration of Flex+ in enterprise environments.
Flex+ multi-tenancy support for IT departments
Immidio Flex+ has always supported multi-tenant environments, and this release introduces much improved management of scenarios with multiple environments, such as different customers, DTAP, or separately managed organizational divisions, for instance.
Such setups can now be managed from within a single instance of the Flex+ management console, making it possible for the IT department to switch between these environments and also export configuration items from one environment to another.
An even more dynamic desktop experience
In the initial release of Flex+, Immidio introduced many capabilities for managing the user environment. Flex+ support for shortcuts, file type associations and printers is now even more powerful thanks to the new UEM Refresh feature, which during a Windows session reapplies these user environment settings, dynamically re-evaluating conditions.
Another new feature is Triggered Tasks which executes a custom or built-in task (like UEM Refresh) when a certain trigger occurs. The triggers that Flex+ supports are the lock/unlock of a workstation and disconnect/reconnect of a remote session in VDI and RDS environments.
To improve the dynamic adaption of the Windows user environment, based on role, device and location, this release extends the conditions available in Flex+. The new battery condition makes it easier to detect laptops and tablet devices. The new “Computer or User in Active Directory” condition helps determine the role of the user within the organization and the place of the currently used device within the IT infrastructure.
Support of latest technologies
Immidio Flex+ now supports personalization for Microsoft App-V 5.0, in addition to the existing App-V 4.x integration. Platform support has been extended with Windows 8 and Server 2012.
Other improvements
Many other improvements have been made to the Flex+ management console and client component. These are all documented in the Administrator’s Guide of this Flex+ release.
This Community Technology Preview (“CTP2”) enables System Center customers to jointly evaluate System Center 2012 and Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate. CTP2 includes updates and enhancements to the following System Center 2012 components:
You can get the System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 CTP2 Downloads here:
The Microsoft Technet Gallery is the place where not only just scripts but many other technical resources for Microsoft products including App-V, Exchange, and System Center.
If you like scripts, management packs, utilities, and extensions are important for your success, you’ll definitely want to bookmark this one.
One place on the web where you can find an updated list of ALL the AV exclusions you might want to configure for Windows Server.
Enterprise Configuration Recommendations:
Windows:
Windows / Active Directory:
Cluster:
Forefront: Considerations when using antivirus software on FF Edge Products
FRS:
SQL:
IIS:
DHCP:
SCOM / MOM:
Config Manager 2007:
Hyper-V:
Exchange:
SharePoint:
SMS:
ISA:
Windows Update:
SBS:
MED-V
System Center:
Data Protection Manager:
App-V
Source: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/953.aspx
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 delivers industry leading fabric managment, virtual machine management and services deployment in private cloud environments. Virtual Machine Manager 2012 offers key new features that include hypervisor creation and management, network management, storage management, private cloud creation, self-service usage and service creation. It features deep investments in server application virtualization, service design and service modeling all of which can be used to efficiently offer an on-premises private cloud.
Feature Summary
System Requirements
Download System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 Beta Evaluation HERE
I was recently approached to do a book review on “Least Privilege Security for Windows 7,Vista and XP by Russell Smith” published by Packt Publishing. I will review it soon. It show you how to configure your Windows environment so that your users can operate without administrator permissions.
Here is a list of the just some of technologies that this book talks about to achieve a Least Privilege Security:
I have read already some chapters. I think it is a great book to have on your collection.
You have always not enough time thinking about security. This book does it for you.
As a special offer Packt Publishing are also letting people download preview chapter of this book by download here Chapter No. 3 – Solving Least privilege Problems with the Application Compatibility Toolkit
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is an agentless toolkit that finds computers on a network and performs a detailed inventory of the computers using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and the Remote Registry Service. The data and analysis provided by this toolkit can significantly simplify the planning process for migrating to Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Microsoft Office 2007, Windows Server® 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V, Microsoft Application Virtualization, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, and Forefront® Client Security and Network Access Protection. Assessments for Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Vista include device driver availability as well as recommendations for hardware upgrades.
You can use MAP to inventory the following platforms:
Reporting
– Identification of currently installed Windows client operating systems, their hardware, and recommendations for migration to Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The tool also reports if desktops have anti-virus and anti-malware programs installed and if the Windows Firewall is turned on.
– Identification of currently installed Windows Server operating systems, their hardware, and recommendations for migration to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008.
– Identification of currently installed Microsoft Office software and recommendations for migration to Microsoft Office 2007.
– Detailed assessment and reporting of server utilization gathered using the Performance Metrics Wizard.
– Recommendations for server consolidation and virtual machine placement using Hyper-V
– Assessment of client machines, servers, and the technology environment for the implementation of Microsoft Application Virtualization (APP-V)
– Identification of machines where Microsoft SQL Server components are installed.
– Identification of virtual machines, their hosts, and details about each.
– Identification of Windows Server Roles
Hardware Requirements:
– Windows 2003 x86/x64 or Windows 2008 x86/x64
– 1,5 GB (2 GB 2008)
Software Requirements:
– NET Framework 3.5 SP1
– Windows Installer 4.5
– Microsoft Office Word 2007 or Word 2003 SP2
– MIcrosoft Office Excel 2007 or Excel 2003 SP2
– SQL Server 2008 Express Edition, SQL Server 2008, or SQL Server 2005
Download Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit HIER
There is a new version of MDOP: MDOP 2010 refresh. MDOP 2010 includes:
– Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) 1.0 SP1 – now available for production deployment on Windows 7
– Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) 4.6 – localized client versions and additional languages support
Existing MDOP customers can download the MDOP 2010 Refresh at the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). For evaluation, MDOP 2010 Refresh can be downloaded from MSDN and TechNet.
What’s new in MED-V 1.0 SP1?
– Support for Windows 7 hosts – 32-bit and 64-bit
– MED-V server support for Windows Server 2008 R2
– Support for Japanese Windows versions
Van het Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) 2008, het pack voor Windows desktop beheer dat Microsoft beschikbaar stelt aan klanten is er nu een R2-versie verschenen. MDOP bevat AIS; App-V; Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (beheer en installeren van virtuele pc’s); System Center Desktop Error Monitoring; Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM) en de Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset. De R2-versie van MDOP bevat App-V 4.5 (voorheen Softgrid). Dankzij System Center Operations Manager 2007 Management Pack for App-V 4.5, is er een integratie met System Center. App-V 4.5 bevat Dynamic Suite Composition (DSC), voor het virtualiseren van suites, het ondersteunt 11 talen, en een licentie voor online dienstverleners, ‘Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 Hosting for Desktops’.
Advanced Group Policy Management 3.0 (AGPM) in MDOP is verbeterd.
Tevens bevat R2 versie Asset Inventory Service 1.5 (AIS) waar mee gescand kan worden welke software pakketten op de pc zitten of en of eventuele licenties nog kloppen.