Sudhir Diddee, the author of the book, was kind enough to do a giveaway of his book on our blog AND he has provided us one of the chapters in his book to give away for free to our readers!

The free chapter is the first chapter in the book and covers some great Windows 7 tips and tricks that you might not know existed — like Windows Snap, Aero Shake, Sticky Notes, Quick Launch, the Problem Steps Recorder and how to connect to a Projector with a keyboard shortcut.

Download your free book chapter today!

Enter to Win a Free Signed Copy of the Book!

There’s still time to enter to win a signed copy of Sudhir Diddee’s Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips. All you have to do is share your favorite Windows or Office shortcut, tip or trick in the comments section of this blog post before Monday, January 30^th.

Learn more and enter to win today!

Recently, I came across a great book that offers some very unique Windows 7 and Office 2010 tips that have proven to be huge time-savers for me.

The book, written by Sudhir Diddee who is a Microsoft employee, is titled Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips and lists 99 tips on Windows, OneNote, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and more.

Each of the 99 tips is presented with a short scenario explaining the benefits of the tip and when and how to take advantage of it.

Increase Your Productivity with 99 Time-Saving Tips

If you’re wanting to be more productive — or you’d like to help someone else get more done — check out Sudhir’s book:

• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Kindle Edition
• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Nook Edition
• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Paperback Black & White Edition
• Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips – Paperback Color Edition

Book Giveaway: Enter to Win Before January 30^th, 2012

Sudhir was kind enough to sign 3 copies of his new book (paperback color edition) and we will be giving them away on Tuesday, January 31^st 2012. Which means you have until then to submit your entry to win one of the books.

To enter to win all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your favorite Windows or Office shortcut, tip or trick — something you use on a daily basis that helps you save time and be more productive.

Please read the official contest rules at the end of this post and best of luck!

My Favorite “Priceless Computer Tip”

Now, let me tell you about my favorite new tip.

While reading Sudhir’s book I came across tip #19 on setting up rules in Outlook 2010. Of course, I knew about this popular Outlook feature but never truly understood the benefit until reading this scenario and seeing how different rules can help organize my inbox for me. I get so much email, having to manage multiple inboxes, that I truly feel overwhelmed and keeping my inboxes empty has become mission impossible.

Here’s how Sudhir explains the benefits of Outlook rules in his book:

“One of the biggest problems people face is e-mail overload. However, most of the e-mail can be easily managed by setting rules where e-mails from certain people or teams can go directly into a particular folder. For example, e-mails from your manager can be routed into a separate folder. E-mails sent to you where you are in the “cc line” can go to a different folder, or your e-mail stock alerts can go to your investing folder.”

This short description is followed by detailed steps and diagrams that show you how to create and edit rules in Outlook.

After spending approximately 30 minutes setting up my Outlook rules I now get to save at least 30 minutes each day not having to organize my emails by priority before tackling the responses. My New Year’s resolution for 2012 is to keep up with my emails and I’m confident that this quick tip will help stay on top of my mail.

So, that’s my favorite new tip. What’s yours?

Official Contest Rules:

Please read through all of the official stuff below before entering:

No purchase necessary to enter or win. By entering you agree to our use of your name in any TrainSignal literature.

Binding Agreement
In order to enter TrainSignal’s Priceless Computer Tips at Your Fingertips Book Giveaway (the “Contest”), you must agree to these Official Contest Rules (the “Rules”); please read this entire document prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that submission of an entry in the Contest constitutes agreement to the Rules. The Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and TrainSignal, Inc with respect to the Contest.

Eligibility
The Contest is open to all individuals 18 years and older. Current TrainSignal employees are not eligible. Only one entry per person, per day. In order for your entry to be eligible it must meet all of the requirements as listed above. Entries that do not include all of the requirements are deemed ineligible.

How to Enter
To enter the contest you must submit a comment listing your favorite Windows or Office tip, trick or shortcut. Any comments submitted that do not include this will not be eligible to win. You must submit your comment before January 22nd, 2012. Any entries received after the contest deadline will be deemed invalid.

Prizes
All Prizes are not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded. By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation of his or her name and municipality of residence for promotion and advertising purposes as deemed appropriate by TrainSignal, Inc. Any potential winner who cannot be contacted by email within 14 days of the first attempted notification will forfeit his/her prize.

Privacy
Participants agree that personal data including name, mailing address, phone number and email address will be collected and used for purposes of administering the Contest. If a Participant does not provide the required data when requested, the Participant’s Entry will be ineligible for any prizes. All personal data collected will be maintained in accordance with Train Signal’s Privacy Policy which all Participants should read and understand.

Contest Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by TrainSignal, Inc, 152 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60462.

We like to give away free stuff to our readers on a regular basis, it’s what we do to show our thanks for your support! This month we are giving away over $1,000 worth of autographed copies of books by some of the most influential experts in the IT industry.

How to Enter

From Thursday, October 13^th through Friday, October 21^st we will be giving away signed copies of seven different titles — a different book will be given away each day.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Scroll down to the discussion section of this post
2. Briefly tell us about your favorite tech innovation of this year
3. Submit your comment on the days you want to be entered to win according to the list below

On the last day of the giveaway, we will be giving away a grand prize of all the books valued at over $400.

The Goods

At least one winner will be selected everyday during the contest. We will take the comments posted each day and randomly select a winner to receive the book of the day. Remember, on the last day of the contest we will give away a package of all the books being given away valued at over $400. Here’s what you can win on each day of the contest:

Thursday October 13

Zero Day by Mark Russinovich

CONGRATULATIONS to Thursday’s Winners, Duncan Pope & Jesus Lopez

Mark Russinovich, Microsoft Technical Fellow and leading authority on cyber security, composed this novel as a cautionary “what if” tale about the perils of poot security infrastructure. The thrilling novel provides a glimpse of the real threats of cyberterrorism.

Friday October 14

Windows Internals, 5th Edition by Mark Russinovich, David Solomon, Alex Ionescu

Congratulations to Friday’s Winners Kirk Battick and Mike Preston!

A team of internals experts break down advanced techniques in architecture for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista. Learn from great perspectives on performance, debugging, system design, and more.

Saturday October 15

Windows 7 Secrets by Paul Thurrott and Rafael Rivera

Congratulations to Saturday’s Winners Greg Bryant and Ric Chapman!

This full-length guide is a great reference for users to become experts with Windows 7. All the features and functions that distinguish the operating system are covered by Microsoft Windows experts Paul Thurrott and Rafael Rivera.

Sunday October 16

Mastering Windows Server 2008 R2 by Mark Minasi

Congratulations to Sunday’s Winners Kent Nolan and Supun Kaushal!

World-renowned Windows expert Mark Minasi crafted one of the most in-depth Server 2008 R2 resources out there. His book teaches the core concepts crucial to the skills of a sys admin.

Monday October 17

Windows PowerShell 2.0 by Don Jones and Jeff Hicks

Congratulations to Monday’s Winners Albert Osekre and Josue Castillo!

Two Microsoft PowerShell MVPs, Don Jones and Jeff Hicks, put together an ultimate scripting resource for beginners to those with advanced skill sets. They cover all the features of PowerShell v2, and advanced functions, such as writing cmdlets and custom formatting views.

Tuesday October 18

Managing Active Directory with Windows PowerShell by Jeff Hicks

Congratulations to Tuesday’s Winners Camilo Campo and Jeffrey Smith!

PowerShell guru Jeff Hicks shows you how to make Active Directory and PowerShell work together in this second edition publication. Use this book to work with real-world script examples to help you save time and money.

Wednesday October 19

Learn Windows PowerShell in a Month of Lunches by Don Jones

Congratulations to Wednesday’s Winners Ryan Breneman and Simon

PowerShell MVP Don Jones wil have you comfortable with effective PowerShell techniques in just an hour a day.

UPDATE: Thursday October 20

Mastering vSphere 5 by Scott Lowe

We’ve got some more autographed titles for an extra day of IT Book Giveaways! The new book from VCDX Scott Lowe covers the features of the popular virtualization platform from VMware. This book is a surefire guide for knowing how to install and configure vSphere 5, and use it’s features, like the Web Client, to ensure smooth operations after migration. Mastering vSphere 5 will also be added to Grand Prize Book Bundle.

Friday October 21: Grand Prize!

Win all the titles signed by the authors!

UPDATE: Congrats to the Grand Prize Winner Marty Pennartz! And thanks to everyone who participated, your support is greatly appreciated!

Official Contest Rules:

Please read through all of the official stuff below before entering:

No purchase necessary to enter or win. By entering you agree to our use of your name in any TrainSignal literature.

Binding Agreement

In order to enter TrainSignal’s 2011 Fall Book Giveaway (the “Contest”), you must agree to these Official Contest Rules (the “Rules”); please read this entire document prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that submission of an entry in the Contest constitutes agreement to the Rules. The Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and TrainSignal, Inc with respect to the Contest.

Eligibility

The Contest is open to all individuals 18 years and older. Current TrainSignal employees are not eligible. Only one entry per person, per day. In order for your entry to be eligible it must meet all of the requirements as listed above. Entries that do not include all of the requirements are deemed ineligible.

How to Enter

To enter the contest you must submit a comment listing your favorite tech innovation of 2011. Any comments submitted that do not include a tech innovation will not be eligible to win. You must submit your comment according to the giveaway schedule listed above. Any entries received after the contest deadlines will be deemed invalid.

Prizes

All Prizes are not redeemable in cash and must be accepted as awarded. By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use, without additional compensation of his or her name and municipality of residence for promotion and advertising purposes as deemed appropriate by TrainSignal, Inc. Any potential winner who cannot be contacted by email within 14 days of the first attempted notification will forfeit his/her prize.

Privacy

Participants agree that personal data including name, mailing address, phone number and email address will be collected and used for purposes of administering the Contest. If a Participant does not provide the required data when requested, the Participant’s Entry will be ineligible for any prizes. All personal data collected will be maintained in accordance with Train Signal’s Privacy Policy which all Participants should read and understand.

Contest Sponsor

The Contest is sponsored by TrainSignal, Inc, 152 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60462.

Companies could do what they usually do and replace existing hardware with thin clients as machines reach the end of their lifecycle. The problem with this approach is that a particular department, for example, would end up with some users on thin clients and some users on fat clients during the transition, a support nightmare.

Windows Thin PC (WinTPC) is Micorsoft’s solution to these realities. WinTPC is a locked down version of Windows 7 that allows companies to take existing computers within the organization and turn them into thin clients. Rather than having to overcome the financial and operational disincentive to replace hundreds or thousands of full-scale PCs already in place, IT management can use WinTPC to take the computers already sitting on everyone’s desk and turn them into thin clients. If thin clients don’t work out, systems can be rebuilt as traditional fat client installs.

WinTPC versus Windows Embedded Standard 7

Windows Thin PC and Windows Embedded Standard (WES7) are similar options available from Microsoft to deliver the thin client experience as a replacement for the traditional desktop PC.

Windows Embedded Standard is only available to hardware manufacturers. These OEMs then build and sell thin client devices loaded and configured with WES7. WinTPC, on the other hand, is only available to business as part of Microsoft Software Assurance (SA) to those with a volume licensing agreement with Microsoft. Neither product can be purchased directly.

Both WinTPC and WES7 aim to deliver a thin client experience. WinTPC comes directly from Microsoft. Enterprise features such as BitLocker, AppLocker and DirectAccess are built into the base image. Businesses download WinTPC and roll it out to existing hardware using a standard image.

WES7 comes from OEMs who customize features based upon their hardware solution and customer desires. Whereas WinTPC uses operating system level security and lockdowns to turn a standard PC into a thin client, WES7 comes directly on hardware that is already designed and locked to provide a thin client environment. OEMs can remove unused components of WES7 to make a smaller image.

What Is WinTPC

Microsoft positions WinTPC as a transitional operating system for organizations moving toward thin client computing. The idea is that an organization can take a subset of existing computers and rebuild them as thin clients using WinTPC without having to buy any new hardware or make any locked-in commitment to thin client computing. If thin clients don’t work out, IT can just reinstall the regular Windows operating system.

The WinTPC strategy is classic Microsoft. The company knows that there is an interest in thin client computing in the business world. However, businesses are leery of jumping all the way into the thin client pool until they know it will work. With WinTPC Microsoft gives businesses a free way to dip their toe into the world of thin clients.

For example, a CIO can green light a move to thin clients for a single department using WinTPC. There is no cost of acquisition. WinTPC is free as part of SA. The hardware already exists within the company because all of the employees already have regular PCs on their desk. Once the IT department is comfortable rolling out and supporting thin clients, they can move onto to other departments. If it doesn’t work out, they format and start over with Windows 7 installed. In this way, CIOs can try Microsoft as a thin client provider without committing to a costly test or transition period.

If the company decides that thin client computing is the way to go, the idea is that they can move on to buying OEM thin clients as systems end their useful lifecycle.

How WinTPC Works

WinTPC is a locked down version of Windows 7. As such, it requires the same hardware specification as Windows 7. It can be deployed and managed via System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) just like the full versions of Windows.

One of the main issues with using traditional desktop hardware as thin clients is that users end up writing data to the local disk. Whether intentional or not, writing to disk defeats many of the benefits of using a thin client including the ability to work on any client, eliminating the need to back up local systems, and security.  WinTPC uses OS level write filters to ensure that no local data is stored by users of the thin client. Additionally, all system level or program generated writes are shunted to a virtual disk that is destroyed at the end of each session ensuring that the system returns to its clean state each time. IT accesses disk writes via administrator tools or Windows Embedded Device Manager (WEDM).

WinTPC supports RemoteFX for enterprises running Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 with Hyper-V. Over a standard wired network connection, RemoteFX delivers a user interface experience so similar to a standard desktop computer that many users have no idea that they are running a remote desktop.

WinTPC also supports BitLocker and AppLocker.

WinTPC was released to manufacturing in June and is expected for general availability in July 2011.

In this video I’ll show you how you can pin and unpin documents and programs to your Windows 7 taskbar so you can have quick and easy access to them when you need them. I’ll also show you how to change default programs for certain file types, how to view and select different shutdown options like Sleep, Restart, Log off and Lock and where you can find your Show Desktop button all on your Windows 7 taskbar.

Learn more about the Microsoft Windows operating system with our Windows 7 Training courses.

The Windows 7 control panel looks different because items are broken down into categories like System and Security, Hardware and Sound, Programs, User Accounts, etc, instead of unique icons like Display, Mouse, and Internet Options in Windows XP. The Windows 7 control panel is also much more task oriented as each category has specific actions defined it, like Add a Device or Change Display Language.

In this video I’ll show you how you can access your Windows 7 control panel and how you can change the view so that it looks more like the Windows XP control panel that you’re used to. I’ll also show you one feature that you can’t get in the Windows XP control panel.

Learn more about the Microsoft Windows operating system with our Windows 7 Training courses.

In XP you can map a network drive by selecting Map Network Drive in the Tools menu of your My Documents folder. In Windows 7 the process is similar; you simply click on Computer in your start menu and then the Map Network Drive tab. From there you can select a letter for your drive and locate the folder you want to connect to on your network.

In this video you’ll see step-by-step how to map a new network drive on your Windows 7 PC and how you will be able to access it once it’s mapped.

Learn more about the Microsoft Windows operating system with our Windows 7 Training courses.

With Windows 7 Libraries, you can save your files in multiple folders and then add those folders to your Library for easy access. So for example, your Picture Library can include multiple locations where you store your photos and other images.

In this video you’ll learn how Windows 7 Libraries work, how you can add multiple locations to your Libraries and view your files in different ways so that finding what you’re looking for is that much easier.

Learn more about the Microsoft Windows operating system with our Windows 7 Training courses.

At Connections Rhonda did a number of deployment related sessions, including one on securing your deployments, one on VHDs (Virtual Hard Disks) and a pre-conference full day workshop which covered all of the different deployment tools. In our interview we got a chance to talk about some of the latest deployment tools that Microsoft has made available, like the Express Deployment Toolkit (EDT) and the new System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 SP1. Rhonda also mentioned the P2V addon to Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and other useful deployment tools.

The main message Rhonda was trying to get across is that you really need to find the right tools for your particular deployment; Microsoft has come out with a number of free deployment tools that can tackle any type deployment, but the real challenge is understanding what the tools offer and which ones are right for you.

To learn more about Windows deployment and Rhonda’s upcoming conference sessions and classes, check out deploymentdr.com.

Why Use ACT

Windows deployments have always been very involved processes. Compatibility issues are a huge concern whenever an OS is refreshed or updated, and even more so in organizations that rely on critical third-party applications to conduct their day-to-day business. Because of this, a standardized testing program is necessary to ensure that minimal troubleshooting will be needed after a successful Windows deployment.

At its core, the Microsoft ACT allows you to verify compatibility between applications, devices, and system hardware with new versions of the Windows operating system (currently Windows 7). You are not limited to complete OS updates either, you can also assess and determine any compatibility risks involved in installing smaller Windows Updates.

The ACT also includes the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) tool to test applications for issues related to User Account Control (UAC). This is a great feature, as the UAC feature has been an issue (or caused issues) in the past since its release in Windows Vista, though it’s admittedly much better in Windows 7.

Finally, you’ll also have access to the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool. This tool, as the name suggests, allows you to test web applications and websites for compatibility with new releases and security updates to Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Common Compatibility Issues

So what kind of compatibility issues should you expect to find with the Application Compatibility Toolkit?

Microsoft has created a list of common compatibility issues. I’ll go over them briefly, but you can read about them in detail on Microsoft TechNet. The following technologies are most likely to have compatibility issues (and most have quick fixes available):

• UAC: While UAC adds an extra layer of security by minimizing administrator-level access to the computer, it also affects application installers, features, or updates that require Administrator permissions to run.
• Windows Resource Protection (WRP): Basically, when an application attempts to write to protected system files or registry locations, WRP kicks in and creates a temporary work area to allow the application to function as intended without modifying any protected areas. These attempts usually fail with an Access Denied error.
• Internet Explorer Protected Mode: This technology helps to protect your machine against elevation-of-privilege attacks by only allowing web sites or web applications to write to temporary Internet files.
• Deprecations, GINA, and Session 0: Windows 7’s framework changes have caused various issues with deprecated APIs or DLLs from Windows XP and Windows Vista. The Graphical Identification and Authentication DLL went through a big change in Windows Vista, therefore, older GINA DLLs are ignored. Finally, prior to Windows Vista, the first user who logged on to a computer ran in Session 0, the same session used by all system services. In Windows Vista, this has changed so that users and system services run on separate sessions (users now start in Session 1.)
• Windows Filtering Platform (WFP): WFP is an API used to interact with various networking stack filtering functions, applications using older versions of this API might experience failures when running network-scanning, antivirus programs or firewalls.
• Operating System Version Changes: Some application installers check for the OS version number to allow installation only on supported platforms. If an application that would otherwise work with Windows 7, only checks for previous OS version numbers, the application will fail to install.
• Windows Vista 64-bit: While most 32-bit applications can run perfectly fine using a built in emulation program, some 16-bit executables/installers, or applications that rely on 32-bit kernel drivers, may fail to start or function incorrectly.

ACT will allow you to quickly find applications that suffer from compatibility issues so you can better assess the impact on your organization, and come up with a solution to minimize or fix the issue alltogether. Finding out about these compatibility issues before deployment will save you and your organization from having to spend extra time (and money) troubleshooting and minimize downtime.

Verifying Application Compatibility

How will you know if an application is compatible with Windows 7?

ACT uses quite a few methods to find out if an application is compatible with Windows 7. The most valuable information, in my opinion, is the ACT community assessment rating. This rating is calculated by combining the ratings of other IT professionals who have gone through the deployment process and found issues (or no issues) in the software included in the deployment. Ratings are displayed graphically by five colored bars, ranging from red, to yellow, and finally green.

There are three available scores, based on the rating for an application.

• Works: If you vote that an application works, it is denoted as five green bars.
• Works with minor issues or has solutions: If you vote that an application has minor issues, it is denoted as three light green bars.
• Does not work If you vote that an application does not work, it is denoted as a single red bar.

How Can You Help Make ACT Better

Application ratings are based on combined ratings from Microsoft, the application vendors, and the ACT community. By joining the ACT community, all ratings you leave for applications will be included for others to refer to.

The following table describes the icons you’ll see for Microsoft and Vendor Assessments on the Analyze screen. This screenshot was taken directly from Microsoft TechNet.

Your assessment rating will be combined with other IT Professionals’ ratings to help aid future deployments. I highly recommend becoming an ACT community member, as assessment ratings are an invaluable tool for pre-deployments.

Resolving Compatibility Issues

The great thing about assessment ratings is that many come with solutions to fix the issues that come up. Some of these are in the form of updates, patches, or even simply user-submitted fixes that you can read up on to figure out which solution is right for you.

Many fixes are ACT patches such as “ForceAdminAccess, LocalMappedObject, VirtualizeHKCRLite, and ElevateCreateProcess”. Many of these can be quickly added to the application in question by just clicking on their respective check boxes. After testing that the fixes work, you can continue on with the deployment without worry.

Give ACT a Try

While there is much more to the Application Compatibility Toolkit, this should help start you off with understanding its major functions, and what benefits the Microsoft ACT can provide you and your organization during the Windows 7 deployment process.

Download the Application Compatibility Toolkit and give it a try.

If you have any questions or comments regarding Microsoft’s ACT, feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your Windows 7 deployment.

If you’ve ever had to take a group photo, you know how hard it is to get everyone in the photo smiling with eyes open all at the same time.

And if you watch TV, you’ve probably seen the “To the Cloud” Windows 7 commercial featuring the mom and dad with their unruly kids trying to get the perfect family photo. You know, the one where the mom is able to swap out a goofy picture of one of her kid’s heads for a nicer picture, basically so she can piece together a photo that she can share with the rest of the world (i.e. Facebook).

If you haven’t seen it, you can watch the video below (and make sure you read the comments on the video — really funny stuff!).

The commercial is great because it shows the potential of Windows 7 and cloud computing, but the one thing they don’t show or tell you is how the mom is able to edit the photo, or even what program she is using. All we know is that she is using Windows 7 and “the cloud.”

But have no fear, Bill and Heather are here! We’ve figured it out and will share the specifics in how to edit photos using free tools available through Windows Live Essentials 2011.

What you’ll need:

• Windows Vista with SP2 or either 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows 7
• A Working Internet connection, preferably high-speed

How To Download Windows Live Essentials 2011

To Download Windows Live Essentials, or most notably, Windows Live Photo Gallery, you’ll need to first open a web browser and navigate to the Windows Live Essentials 2011 download page.

1. Click on the blue Download Now button in the center of the web page.

2. When the File Download dialog box appears either click run, or save the file to your computer to run and install the Windows Live Essentials applications.

If you like, you can install all of Windows Live Essentials or pick and choose which programs to install. If you do not wish to install all the Windows Live Essentials programs make sure you at minimum install the Photo Gallery and Movie Maker applications.

3. Once you’ve selected the applications to install, click Install.

4. After the programs have installed, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Like always, you can choose to Restart Now or Restart Later.

Once your computer has restarted, you can begin using the Windows Live Photo Gallery to locate and edit your photos.

How to Swap Faces Using Windows Live Photo Gallery

When you open Windows Live Photo Gallery for the first time, the photo gallery will quickly locate all image files on your computer and list those images by folder in the navigation pane to the left.

1. Navigate to the folder which contains the photos you’d like to edit or “swap faces.”

2. Select the photos you wish to work with. To select multiple photos, hold down the shift key and click the individual photos you want. You must select at least two photos. You can work with up to 10 photos. If you try to edit more than ten, you will receive the following message:

Now here’s where it gets tricky. The photos you select must, and I mean MUST, have the same background and lighting. It’s best if the photos were taken using a tripod because the slightest movement or change in the environment will affect if, or at minimum, how well these following steps work.

If you watch the video, you will notice that the family is using a tripod. Also notice the background. They are all sitting on the sofa where nothing in the peripheral of the photo is likely to move. Keep that in mind as you work with the following steps.

3. In the Windows Live Photo Gallery ribbon, click on the Create tab and in the Tools group, click on the button named “Photo Fuse.” The Photo Gallery will then work to “align” the photos.

If the backgrounds do not match or aren’t similar enough, you will receive the following message.

Unfortunately, this message appears often, even when you do have the same subjects, similar lighting, and vantage points.

But, if you are fortunate enough to have taken photos where the subjects, lighting, and vantage points are similar enough, then you’ll see your screen switch to a view that looks like this:

4. From the Photo Fuse window you can drag the face selection box to the person you wish to swap out.

5. You can resize the face selection box by dragging the corner handlebars in or out.

6. Next, simply scroll through the “Which do you like best?” box and click on the face you’d like to use.

7. From there, you can select other individuals by clicking and dragging over their faces and repeating steps 5 and 6.

8. When you are finished editing the photo, click Save.

Ah, Windows gave me the co-workers that nature never could!

If you’d like to see the above steps in action, be watch our YouTube video tutorial demoing the above process.

See how you can increase your productivity by utilizing some simple hot keys on your Windows 7 computer.

We’ll cover enabling Wi-Fi on your computer, finding the network you want to connect to and setting up automatic connections, so that the next time you need to connect to the same wireless network your computer will be able to connect automatically without you having to do anything at all.

Learn more about the Microsoft Windows operating system with our Windows 7 Training courses.

It can be particularly useful to large organizations that are moving from XP to Windows 7 and need to retain key programs that are not compatible with the new OS. By utilizing Windows XP Mode these organizations can safely deploy Windows 7 without worrying about operational downtime or additional costs.

Installing Windows XP Mode on Windows 7

Windows XP Mode works because of virtualization; it is nothing more than a repackaged version of Virtual PC designed specifically for Windows 7. You can download Windows XP Mode for your particular version of Windows 7 at Microsoft.com at no additional cost.

In this video from our Windows 7 Deployment Training, Setup and Deployment MVP, Rhonda Layfield, walks you through the process of downloading, installing and setting up Windows XP Mode on Windows 7. Once you have your Windows XP Mode up and running, Rhonda also shows you how to install and launch a virtual application in XP Mode so you can use it on your new Windows 7 machine, just like any other software.

How to Install Windows XP Mode on Windows 7

Do you have an old program which used to run perfectly in Windows XP but no longer works properly in Windows 7? In this article, we’ll show you how to install Windows XP Mode, a simple solution for running noncompliant Windows XP apps on Windows 7. Towards the end of this post, we’ll also show you how you can then install your old applications on this virtual environment and run them there.

Let’s get started.

Downloading and installing Windows XP Mode

Run a Bing or Google search on “windows xp mode download files”. The first search result you’ll find will lead you right to the official Windows XP Mode download page.

After clicking the appropriate link (where the red arrow on the screenshot above is pointing to), you’ll be brought to the Windows XP Mode download page. Select the specific edition of Windows 7 you have in your computer and choose a language you’re most familiar with. For example, we selected “Ultimate 32-bit” and “English”, respectively.

Next, you’re supposed to download and install these three files in the following order:

1. Windows XP Mode
2. Windows Virtual PC
3. Windows XP Mode update

I suggest you download each of those three files first, then install them in the sequence specified above. Note that the actual filenames will appear quite cryptic. For example, the Windows Virtual PC file may be named Windows6.1-KB958559-x86. To avoid confusion, rename each file after every download in such a way that you’ll know which one was downloaded first, second, and third.

In my case, I left the first file’s name as is. But for the second and third files, I inserted ’2′ and ’3′ in the beginning. Here’s how they looked like after I saved them on my PC:

Installing the Windows XP Mode file

To install a file, just double-click on it. Start with the first installation file.

When you get to the Windows XP Mode Welcome screen, just click the Next button.

In the succeeding screen, you’ll be asked to specify which location you’d like the installation to be placed. Here, we’ve opted to accept the default location. Click Next.

Barring any unforeseen events, the installation should go on smoothly. As soon as the installation setup is completed, click the Finish button.

Installing the Windows Virtual PC file

Now that you’re done installing the first file, you may now proceed with the second. Double-click the second file to begin the next installation.

When you’re asked whether “you want to install the following Windows software update”, click Yes.

Read the license terms and click I Accept if you’re amenable to everything stated in there.

Wait for all updates to be installed. When the installation’s completed, click Restart Now.

Windows XP Mode update

At this point, your computer will automatically restart. Remember that you’ve only installed two out of three files yet. You still lack one more. So once you’ve logged back in, go back to the folder containing those three installation files and double-click the third and last file.

Again, when you’re asked whether “you want to install the following Windows software update”, click Yes.

Just like before, wait for all updates to be installed. Then when the installation completes, click Restart Now.

After the restart, you will have already completed the installation of Windows XP Mode. This also means that you would have an updated version of Virtual PC and a fully licensed Windows XP SP3 running as a virtual machine. The next step is to set up your freshly installed virtual environment.

Setting up Windows XP Mode

Once you’ve logged back in, click the Windows orb > All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Windows XP Mode.

Note: All Programs is not shown in the screenshot below.

In the succeeding window, read the Windows XP Mode License Agreement. If everything looks fine, check the “I accept … ” check box and click Next.

Assign a password and click Next.

You’ll then be asked whether you want to turn on Automatic Updates. This will let your virtualized version of XP perform a routine check for the latest security updates and carry out an automatic installation if any is found. Select your desired option and click Next.

In the next window, you’ll be informed that the setup process will share whatever drives you have on your computer with Windows XP Mode. Just click the Start Setup button.

Once the setup process is done, Windows XP will automatically launch as a virtual machine. This is how it will look like.

Installing an application in Windows XP Mode

In the succeeding steps, we’ll show you how to install a program unto your freshly installed Windows XP Mode environment. We’ll be using an application named ColorPic as an example and we’re assuming its installation file is found in the shared C: drive, inside the Windows 7 environment.

Go to Start > My Computer.

Navigate to the shared C: drive on the Windows 7 host machine.

Find the installation file of the application you want to install and run it by double-clicking.

Proceed with the entire installation process as you would in an ordinary Windows XP environment. At the end of the installation, check the checkbox that says Launch Program File before clicking the Finish button. That way, you can test the program right away to see if it works as expected.

Here’s the ColorPic app running on our Windows XP Mode environment.

Launching the Windows XP application from the Windows 7 desktop

After you’ve installed the application, you can actually launch it straight from the Windows 7 desktop. In Windows 7, just go to the Windows orb > All Programs > Windows Virtual PC > Virtual Windows XP > Virtual Windows XP Applications. You’ll then be able to see all the applications you installed in the Windows XP Mode environment.

Here’s that same ColorPic application again.

See the difference between this and the previous screen shot? It now looks like ColorPic is actually running on Windows 7, not on Windows XP Mode. That’s how all your installed Windows XP applications will look like. They will all appear as if they’re running straight from Windows 7 when in fact, under the hood, they’re actually running on Windows XP Mode.

That’s all for now. Enjoy!

Windows 7 Training

If you’re interested in learning more about Windows 7, take a look at our free Windows 7 training videos and our comprehensive Windows 7 certification training for the 70-680 configuring exam and 70-681 deployment exam:

• Windows 7 Deployment Training
• Windows 7 Administration Training

Windows 7 Deployment Options

You have four Windows 7 deployment strategy options to choose from:

• High-touch deployment with retail media
• High-touch deployment with standard image
• Lite-touch, high-volume deployment
• Zero-touch, high-volume deployment

The strategy that you’ll ultimately choose will most likely be based on skill level and the amount of computers you plan to deploy to, ranging from just a few, to over 500 computer systems. Once you go through all of your options and decide which strategy is best for you, you can refer to this guide to figure out what tools you’ll need so you can properly prepare yourself for the task at hand.

Think about your current situation, how many computers are involved, and what kinds of tools you’re already comfortable using. I would recommend putting all of the information you know about the deployment (or hypothetical deployment) on paper or even a mind-mapping program to better analyze your situation. I find that I am usually a lot more productive during the planning stages if I can put what I know down on paper to clear my mind for the actual planning process.

Let’s take a look at the different Windows 7 deployment strategies, and go over what they entail.

High-Touch Windows 7 Deployment (with Retail Media)

The high-touch with retail media option is the most common deployment strategy and is aimed towards deployments with fewer than 100 computer systems. For smaller businesses and organizations, this method makes the most sense as the IT on board will have to do the least amount of prep work, and focus on each system individually to ensure compatibility and functionality.

This strategy will take advantage of:

• Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
• A flash drive
• Retail Windows 7 media

While there are many different ways to perform a high-touch deployment, the easiest would be to use an “Unattend.xml” file or “answer file”. By creating and using an answer file, you eliminate the need for user input when manually installing/deploying Windows 7. You would still need to put the retail media in, but by using an answer file, the default settings (computer names, time zone, workgroup names, drivers, etc.) would automatically be inputted for you.

You should follow this path when using the high-touch with retail media deployment method:

1. Create an “Unattend.xml” file for Windows 7 using Windows System Image Manager. Be sure to include any drivers you plan to deploy with the image.
2. Copy the resulting file to your USB flash drive. Windows looks for this file in a variety of places, but storing it on a flash drive is the easiest to keep track of, update and transport.
3. Inset the USB flash drive and retail media into the PC, and either refresh or upgrade as required.
4. You can optionally use Windows Easy Transfer to restore the users’ documents and settings to the computer. This step is only necessary if you refreshed the computer with a new installation in the previous step. Upgrades will automatically keep all user settings and documents.
5. Complete the deployment by installing applications and configuring the computer as required.
6. Continue on to the next computer.

Learn more about this type of deployment on TechNet: High-Touch Deployment with retail media

High-Touch Windows 7 Deployment (with Standard Image)

The high-touch with standard image deployment strategy is most commonly used for deployments between 100 and 200 computer systems, but skilled IT staff can take advantage of this method for smaller deployments as well, to save time. The main benefit to this strategy is being able to include any applications and files within the image, so you don’t need to add them after each installation.

This strategy will take advantage of:

• Retail or volume-licensed media
• A Flash drive
• Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010
• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)

As an added benefit to this strategy, once the image has been created, businesses and organizations can provide the image to their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) so that when a new computer is purchased, it will be ready to set up and connect to the network.

Although this is a great strategy to use for most organizations, it doesn’t scale well. Using an image prevents the ability to use the upgrade feature and restoring user data is harder for larger organizations. Also, because this is a high-touch deployment, a technician and flash drive are required to deploy out to each computer system, something that would be costly to do for larger organizations. Larger organizations with multiple departments may also run into issues, since each department might need a different set of applications, creating a need for multiple images.

You should follow this path when using this deployment method:

1. Optional, though recommended, you can use the Applications Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) to prioritize applications, determine any compatibility issues that you might face, and consolidate applications.
2. Set up a client machine as the canvas for creating your first image. Install everything normally from the retail media or VL media. Microsoft recommends you “use an answer file (Unattend.xml) to install Windows on the reference computer to make this process consistent and reproducible.”
3. Install any applications, drivers, settings, and updates that you would like to include in the final image.
4. Run Sysprep to generalize the image for deployment.
5. Boot into the computer using the Windows Pre-installation Environment (Windows PE) and capture the image using ImageX.
6. Copy the image to flash drive, external hard drive, or network share.
7. Next, we need to prepare the installation media; there are two ways to go about this. First, you can create an answer file (Unattend.xml) and point it to the image you copied to the drive or network share. Alternatively, you can create a new installation media by replacing the Install.wim file with the image file you captured previously.
8. Optionally, you can use the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to save documents and settings from client computers.
9. Start deploying onto each client computer, either by using the answer file (Unattend.xml) or using the setup media you created.
10. If you completed Step 8, you can now use the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to restore users’ documents and settings.
11. Finally, the machines must be activated online.

Learn more about this type of deployment on TechNet: High-Touch deployment with standard image

Lite-Touch, High-Volume Deployment

The lite-touch, high-volume deployment strategy is aimed at much larger organizations with a skilled IT professional with deployment experience. Generally, organizations with 200-500 computer systems should use this strategy. Using standardized images and network access using pull automation, limited interaction is required at the beginning of the installation.

This strategy will take advantage of:

• A server configured with the Windows Deployment Services role
• Volume-licensed (VL) media
• Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010
• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)
• Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAPT)
• Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

The lite-touch strategy is great for organizations within the range mentioned above since it offers limited interaction, lowering the time and costs required for deployment. Configurations are consistent across all computer systems, so less problems are likely to occur. MDT 2010 handles all application, driver, and update installations on its own. Not to mention easier maintenance options for updating applications, drivers, and software updates.

This is the path you should follow when using this deployment method:

1. Use the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit to determine compatibility issues with a new operating system.
2. Use the Applications Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) to prioritize applications, determine any compatibility issues that you might face, and consolidate applications.
3. Prepare the infrastructure for MDT 2010 by creating an answer file and optionally install the WDS role in Windows Server 2008 R2.
4. Install MDT 2010 on the file server along with additional components as required, including the User State Migration Tool.
5. Create a distribution share that contains operating systems, applications, drivers, and updates.
6. In MDT 2010, create and customize a task sequence for each configuration you will be deploying. Once complete, create and update a deployment point.
7. Create a device to start the Windows PE image by preparing a removable storage device with the images created by MDT 2010 when you update a deployment point. Optionally, you can add the Windows PE image to WDS to make starting the image a bit easier during deployment.
8. Finally, start each client computer by using the Windows PE image you created, and follow the instructions to connect to the shared resource, choose a task sequence, and install Windows 7.

Learn more about this type of deployment on TechNet: Lite-Touch, High-Volume

Zero-Touch, High-Volume Deployment

The zero-touch, high-volume deployment strategy is fully automated and generally only meant for large organizations with over 500 computer systems, and an IT professional with deployment and Configuration Manager 2007 R2 expertise. Using standardized images with network access using push automation, the deployment becomes completely automated. No interaction with client computers is necessary during the installation process.

The zero-touch strategy takes advantage of:

• A server configured with the Windows Deployment Services role
• Volume-licensed (VL) media
• Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010
• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)
• Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAPT)
• Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
• Configuration Manager 2007 R2

You should follow this path when using this deployment method (Note: items in quotes are direct references to the Microsoft TechCenter guidelines):

1. Review the Planning and Process guide for deploying Windows 7 using the zero-touch strategy.
2. Use the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit to figure out if your organization is ready for Windows 7.
3. Use the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) to prioritize applications, determine any compatibility issues that you might face, and consolidate applications.
4. Prepare your organizations infrastructure with MDT 2010, “including installing and configuring Configuration Manager 2007 R2 and its prerequisites, creating the required user and service accounts, and configuring Active Directory Domain Services.”
5. “Install MDT 2010, and configure the Configuration Manager 2007 R2 integration. This process includes configuring how to define new computers in the site database and creating additional packages that Configuration Manager 2007 R2 requires during deployment (USMT package, Custom Settings package, and so on).”
6. “Optionally, create a custom master image by using Configuration Manager 2007 R2 to deploy Windows 7 to a master computer, customize the configuration, and then capture the custom image.”

Learn more about this type of deployment on TechNet: Zero-Touch, High-Volume Deployment

Windows 7 Deployment Resources

Here’s a couple of handy resources that will help you learn more about Windows 7 deployment:

• Windows 7 Deployment FAQ
• Deploying Windows 7 Essential Guidance
• Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) Overview
• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) Overview — coming soon
• Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit Overview — coming soon

I hope this guide helped you to better understand the Windows 7 deployment process, and to figure out which deployment method is right for you and your organization. If you have any questions about the deployment process, feel free to leave a comment below. Be sure to keep an eye on more articles on Windows 7 deployment. Thanks for reading!

The Ultimate Windows 7 Deployment Training

Master Windows 7 deployment with the help from Microsoft’s Setup and Deployment MVP, Rhonda Layfield. Rhonda’s new Windows 7 deployment training covers everything you need to know to plan and implement a successful deployment, whether you’re deploying to 5 or 5,000 PCs. See every deployment tool and technique that is available to you in action and prepare for the 70-681 MCTS exam to validate your Windows 7 deployment knowledge.

Learn more: Windows 7 Deployment Training

The exam is aimed towards IT professionals who deploy and maintain Windows 7 desktops equipped with Microsoft Office 2010 and who have a minimum of one year of experience managing Windows Desktop deployments, including Microsoft Office.

MCTS 70-681: Skills Measured

The 70-681 exam is split into four sections which are all fairly equal in value (or weight):

• Configuring a Deployment Infrastructure (24%)
• Creating and Configuring Images (25%)
• Deploying Windows 7 (27%)
• Configuring and Deploying Office 2010 (24%)

Let’s take a closer look at each of these four sections.

Configuring a Deployment Infrastructure

The Configuring a Deployment Infrastructure section mostly focuses on various configuration tools, especially the Microsoft Development Toolkit (MDT). Aside from the MDT, you’ll also be tested on network configuration, activation configuration in both Windows 7 and Office 2010 and the Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager’s Operating System Deployment (OSD) environment.

Here is a more complete list of topics covered in this section, as listed on Microsoft Learning:

• Configure the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) environment — including deployment database, deployment share, task sequences, and creating deployment points
• Configure networking for deployment — including Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), IP Helper, Windows Deployment Services, PXE boot, and multicast
• Configure activation — which includes Key Management Service (KMS), Multiple Activation Key (MAK), Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)
• Configure the Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager Operating System Deployment (OSD) environment — this includes SCCM and MDT integration, as well as building an operating system installation, a boot image and driver packages

Creating and Configuring Images

As you probably expected, this section is fairly self-explanatory. You’ll be tested on your knowledge in creating and capturing images, automating installation scripts, creating and customizing task sequences (especially for Office 2010), customizing standard operating system settings, adding applications to already existing images, and configuring for application compatibility.

Here is the detailed topic list from Microsoft Learning:

• Create and capture an image — modify a WIM file, modify a Windows PE boot image, and build a base image
• Create automated installation scripts — silent install scripts, unattended answer files, joining a domain, customizing user settings, and configuring auto-naming
• Create and customize task sequences — installation tasks for Office 2010 and additional applications
• Customize default operating system settings –environment settings, user settings, configuring local Group Policy, and Windows Internet Explorer settings
• Add applications to an image — modify or install on a base image
• Configure application compatibility — configuring applications for User Access Control (UAC) and creating and deploying shims

Deploying Windows 7

The next section deals with the different types of Windows 7 deployment methods, such as Lite Touch, Zero Touch, and possibly High Touch deployments (though High Touch deployments are not mentioned, it may be a good idea to read up on the method just in case.) Aside from the deployment methods themselves, you’ll also be tested on your ability to migrate user settings and data, configure security updates and other post-deployment tasks, and customize hardware settings like drivers, hardware-specific applications, and BitLocker Drive Encryption.

Here is the detailed list of topics for this section as listed on Microsoft Learning:

• Perform a Lite Touch Installation of Windows 7 — which includes staggered deployment and permissions
• Perform a Zero Touch Installation of Windows 7 — which includes permissions, configuring a task sequence and configuring scheduling
• Migrate user settings and data — including Windows Vista, Windows XP, local store vs. remote store
• Configure post–operating system deployment tasks — this includes configuring run-once scripts, identifying appropriate log files, as well as deploying language packs and security updates
• Customize hardware settings — including injecting drivers, installing hardware-specific applications, and configuring Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption

Configuring and Deploying Office 2010

At first, I thought this section was a bit simple and wondered why it took up a full 24% of the 70-681 exam. After going through the topics and reading up on Office deployment, I realized that it is actually quite involved.

This section includes configuring user-specific settings like languages and default locations, application-specific settings like add-ins, security settings, updates, and Key Management Services (KMS), and actual Office deployment. Office deployment is probably the most involved portion, since it includes not only clean installation deployment, but also upgrades.

Here is the detailed topic list from Microsoft Learning for this section:

• Configure Office 2010 user-specific settings — which includes configuring Microsoft Outlook settings, configuring Microsoft Office Communicator settings, setting display languages, editing languages, and setting default file locations
• Configure Office 2010 application-specific settings — which includes configuring compatibility settings, removing applications, adding language packs, configuring application add-ins, security settings, updates, and KMS
• Deploy Office 2010 — which includes clean install, Group Policy Startup script, installation package in SCCM, upgrading from Office 2003 and Office 2007 and migrating user settings

MCTS and MCITP Credit

Should you choose to take and pass this exam, you will earn credit towards two certifications. The first credit you’ll receive is for the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification, which will be granted to you upon successfully passing the 70-681 exam.

The second credit you’ll receive is for the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Administrator, for which you will need to pass four additional exams to complete your MCITP certification; the exams include:

• Exam 70-640: Server 2008 Active Directory
• Exam 70-642: Server 2008 Network Infrastructure
• Exam 70-643: Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure
• Exam 70-647: Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

Conclusion

This would be a great exam for someone who is looking to jump into a new career at a large business or corporation, or someone who already works for one and is planning to deploy Windows 7 and/or Office 2010 in a large-scale environment.  It’s also a great way to get started towards the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification.

When studying for the exam, be sure to include a few different training and practice methods. I always like to include at least two different methods of training for anything I research or train for to be sure I cover all of my bases. TrainSignal offers a great Windows 7 Deployment training course led by Rhonda Layfield that would compliment your exam preparation in a great way. Depending on what works best for you when training, you should also look in to exam-specific books, practice tests, or even actual classes to go along with the video trainings.

That’s all for now, good luck on your exam! (PS: Click here to check out the exam page on Microsoft Learning!)

With Location Aware Printing, you can take some of the hassle out of managing multiple network based printers by setting up default printers based on what network you are connected to.

Imagine working at a school district, roaming between schools, each school having its own printer that you need to print to. Each school is on a different network, but all use the same model of printer. Imagine having to scroll through 5-15 different printers each time you wanted to print something. It’s kind of a pain, right?

Location Aware Printing deals with this issue in the easiest way possible. While it doesn’t offer as many options as I had hoped it would when I first heard of it, it does provide a simple and down-to-earth method of automatically choosing which printer to use based on what network you are on.

The Downside of Location Aware Printing in Windows 7

The one thing that I am not too excited about, is the fact that location aware printing will only work on laptops. Even if you are using the exact same version of Windows 7, if you are using a desktop computer system, there is no way to enable location aware printing.

So if you just picked up your new ultra-portable Atom based PC, or are big on moving your gaming PC around for LAN parties, you’re unfortunately out of luck. I have yet to find a way to enable location aware printing on a desktop machine, though if I do figure out a way to in the future, I’ll be sure to comment on this article and let you know.

Setting up Location Aware Printing in Windows 7

Here are the steps to setting up Location Aware Printing on your Windows 7 laptop. Thanks to Zach from Train Signal for the screenshots.

1. On your laptop, open “Devices and Printers” from within your Start menu. Or go into your Control Panel, click on “Hardware and Sound”, and then select “Devices and Printers,” though the first way is much faster.

2. Click on a printer and then click on “Manage default printers” on the toolbar

3. Click “Change my default printer when I change networks”

4. In the “Select network” list, choose the network you wish to set a default printer to

5. Select the printer you wish to use for that network

6. Click Add

7. Repeat steps 4-6 for each network location you connect to

That’s pretty much it! It’s really simple to set up default printers, and is a welcomed feature to Windows 7. If you no longer want to use location aware printing, simply choose “Always use the same printer as my default printer” in the “Manage Default Printers” window. From then on, when you click print, Windows 7 will automatically choose the correct printer for you.

Note: If you are just now setting up your machine, keep in mind that Wireless Networks will not show up in the list until they have been connected to at least once before.

Conclusion

While Location Aware Printing is a basic feature, it’s a very useful and often missed one. Hopefully in future revisions of Windows 7 (and beyond,) this feature will evolve to give more options for advanced network setups, and perhaps the ability to use it with desktop machines. Until then though, this is a nice addition that I’m sure many of us can make use of.

With more and more businesses moving to Windows 7, it’s important to ensure that technicians have the resources they need to successfully complete their deployments without a hitch. The Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal is a great way to find out what you, as an IT professional, might need to brush up on before starting on your Windows 7 deployment.

Stephen Rose, Sr. Community Manager for Windows 7, notes that “the Springboard Windows 7 Learning Deployment Portal is designed to guide IT Pro’s deployment education by:

• Enabling individuals to measure their proficiency and knowledge against key benchmarks
• Identifying specific skills gaps or areas of weakness to address
• Create personalized learning plans through direction to resources based on the areas and scope of knowledge gaps
• Provide informal knowledge checks through learning and re-assess areas initially identified as knowledge gaps
• Recognizing critical Windows 7 deployment skills and helping to build IT Pro confidence to deploy Windows 7″

Aiming for a global audience, the Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal is available in many different languages, including German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Chinese (simplified and traditional).

Here’s what the portal looks like after you register/login (click on the image to enlarge):

Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal Review

After first visiting the Windows 7 Deployment Portal, one thing you may notice is that it requires a separate registration, apart from Windows Live, (used by TechNet,) and notes that your data will be sent to The Test Factory, located in the UK. This most likely just means that your answers will be sent in order to get responses, but it’s important to note anyhow.

Once registered, you’ll be presented with a set of modules created for each stage of deployment. I found that this was really helpful, allowing you to see the entire course outline before you start. The presentation was very clear and to the point, and you’re informed right away about the estimated length of the modules, (a few minutes each,) and after starting a module, you’ll be informed of the pass percentage (usually 80%.)

Module Questions and Formatting

The module questions are presented very clearly and are multiple-choice in nature. (Either single-choice or multiple-answer.) Each module, consisting of 10 questions each, will offer up the ability to move forward and back through the questions freely, and allows you to mark questions for review. Once the test is complete, you’ll be given a chance to revisit questions that you marked for review (and even ones that you haven’t marked for review.)

What Happens After Each Module?

Once you have completed each module, you’ll be given a pass mark, (percentage,) and if applicable, answers and resources for any question you may have answered incorrectly.

Should you not pass a module, the site will note, “By examining your results we can suggest further learning materials tailored to your personal level of achievement. We recommend you review the following resources, and re-take the test with your new found knowledge.” These resources may include articles, videos, labs, and trainings within the TechNet Library.

These resources are organized in two ways. You can view them as-is, or click on “question specific resources” to see them organized by each question you missed. This helps to better associate what you’re looking to learn when using each resource. You are also given all 10 questions, along with associated resources, just in case you would like to brush up on a topic after answering the question correctly.

After you’ve completed each resource material, a check mark will come up next to said resource on the results page, noting your completion. After you’ve gone through all of the resources, you’ll be given the option to retake the test (and “pass with flying colors,” as they note,) or continue on to the next module.

What Modules Are Covered?

The modules cover a lot of ground; here are the names of each module so you can get a better feel of what is covered. In my opinion, the coverage is vast, especially with the resources provided after each test. The resources are spot on, and go over exactly what you need to know (and more) to answer the question correctly.

• Preparing your deployment
  • Windows 7 deployment methods and technologies
  • Prepare the environment for a Windows 7 deployment
• Configuring an Image
  • Create a Windows 7 image
  • Update a Windows 7 image
  • Deploy a Windows 7 image
• Migration
  • Migrate computers to Windows 7
• Compatibility testing
  • Configure and Manage Application Compatibility
• Deployment methods
  • Light Touch Installation using Windows Deployment Services (WDS)
  • Deploy using System Center Configuration Manager
  • Create and Manage Windows PE environment
  • Manage deployments with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed the portal for many reasons, the most important being: I learned a lot. There were some questions that I thought I knew the answer to, but was only partially right (or completely wrong.) The resources that followed helped me to improve myself as an IT professional, and ready myself should I need to complete a deployment, which is exactly what the portal was created to do.

This would be a great training resource for anyone looking to practice for an exam, brush up before a large deployment, or even test your newfound skills after taking a TrainSignal video course.

Want to Master Windows 7 Deployment?

Need more than what the Windows 7 Deployment Learning Portal has to offer? Check out Train Signal’s new Windows 7 Deployment Training created by Microsoft’s Setup and Deployment MVP, Rhonda Layfield. This is the most comprehensive Windows 7 deployment video training, covering every deployment tool and technique that’s available. It will help you master Windows 7 deployment and prepare you for the 70-681 MCTS exam.

Learn more: Windows 7 Deployment Training

With Ad-Hoc networking, the multiple computers are connected directly to each other through the same wireless cards used to connect to the more standard wireless router or access point. In this article we’ll review the process of setting up an Ad-Hoc network on Windows 7.

How to Create an Ad-Hoc Network on Windows 7

The first step in the process requires that we start at the Network and Sharing center as shown in Figure 1 below. You can access the Windows 7 Networking and Sharing Center through your control panel.

Figure 1: Windows 7 Networking and Sharing Center

Now, from this point, there are two different ways to setup an Ad-Hoc network:

• one uses the Setup a connection or network wizard
• the other utilizes the Manage Wireless Networks control panel

The choice of which one to use depends on your preference. The setup of the Ad-Hoc network only needs to be performed on the first computer being configured.

Let’s review the steps using both of the setup methods.

Ad-Hoc Network Configuration using the Setup a Connection or Network Wizard

When using the wizard method, the first task to perform requires the selection of ‘Set up a new connection or network’ option from the main window; this is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2: Setup a Connection or Network

At the bottom of the list shown in the window is the option to Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network. Once this option is selected the window shown in Figure 3 is displayed.

Figure 3: Set up a wireless ad hoc network

The window shown in Figure 3 describes the Ad Hoc network and describes the requirements. Once you review the text on this window select next.

Figure 4: Give your network a name and choose security options

The next window shown in Figure 4 lets the user select the Network name, Security type and Security key which will be used between the computers. It is always recommended that a strong security option is used even when only connecting together two computers as it is always possible for a nearby person to exploit the lack of security.

There is also an option to Save this network; when this box is selected, the Ad-Hoc wireless network is saved in the list of available wireless networks to connect to.

Figure 5: The Ad-Hoc network is ready to use

Once the Ad-Hoc network has been set up, the window shown in Figure 5 will be displayed; this completes the process using the wizard method.

Ad-Hoc Network Configuration using the Manage Wireless Network Control Panel

Using the Manage Wireless Networks control panel method, the first task is to select the Manage wireless networks option from the top left of the main window; this is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Manage Wireless Networks

Figure 7: Manage Wireless Networks that use (Wireless Network Connection)

Once the Manage wireless networks selection has been selected, the window shown in Figure 7 is shown. From this window, the next option is to select the Add selection to add a wireless network.

Figure 8: How do you want to add a network?

Once the Add selection is selected, the window shown in Figure 8 is displayed. From this window the option to ‘Create an ad hoc network’ would be used to create an ad hoc network.

Figure 9: Setup a wireless Ad-Hoc network

Once this option has been selected, a familiar window is shown that runs through the same set up a wireless ad hoc network selections that are used in the previous method. This process is shown in figures 9,10 and 11.

Figure 10: Give your network a name and choose security options

Figure 11: The Ad-Hoc network is ready to use

Now, if you selected the option to Save this network when creating the Ad-Hoc network, it will show up under Manage wireless networks as shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Manage wireless networks that use (Wireless Network Connection)

Regardless of whether the Save this network option was selected, the computer is going to connect to the just created Ad-Hoc network. However, if the network was not saved, once the computer is rebooted or if a connection is made to another wireless network then the Ad-Hoc network will not be an available option without recreating it again.

Figure 13 shows how the Ad-Hoc network will display in the available networks window on the computer which created the Ad-Hoc network.

Figure 13: Available Networks

Connecting to an Already Created Ad-Hoc Network

The configuration of the computers connecting to an already created Ad-Hoc wireless network is the same as connecting to any other type of wireless network. Figure 14 shows the available wireless networks as shown on the other computers. The different icon shown to the right of each network name shows the type of wireless network.

Figure 14: Open Network and Sharing Center

Simply select the network and choose connect.  If no wireless security was selected, then the network will be connected; if wireless security was configured then the window shown in Figure 15 will be displayed to allow the entry of the security key.

Figure 15: Wireless Security

Once the network is connected, the network will show as connected as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 16: Connected to Wireless Ad-Hoc Network

IP Addressing in Ad-Hoc Networks

Now, another important thing to remember is that typically there is no DHCP server running on computer hosts. What this means is that there will be no IP address automatically assigned as is typically done when using a wireless router or access point.

Two options are available: either to use APIPA addressing (169.254.0.0/16) which will permit a connection between the two computers automatically when a DHCP server is unable to be contacted or using static IP addressing.

Figures 17 and 18 show the output from the ‘ipconfig’ and ‘arp –a’ commands on two computers connected via an Ad-Hoc network using APIPA addressing. The two computers’ addresses can be seen in each other’s ARP tables.

Figure 17: Windows IP Configuration

Figure 18: Windows IP Configuration

The Ad-Hoc network is very useful when trying to connect computers together which have wireless capabilities and no active wireless router or access point to connect them together. If the need to network computers together in these situations happens, the Ad-Hoc option is certainly an easy to setup option which enables these abilities.

Whether you’re supporting tens or thousands of devices, automation and simplification are key. Let’s consider the scenario where an administrator is faced with upgrading hundreds or thousands of computers to the latest Windows and Office releases. In the dark ages, this would involve toting a box of diskettes from pc to pc and painstakingly loading one client at a time.

But times have changed and the process of applying software updates with it. In order to help automate the deployment process, Microsoft introduced the Microsoft Deployment Kit (MDT).

How can MDT help you? Let’s examine how MDT works and whether it will work for you. We’ll also take a quick look at the installation steps and resources for using MDT.

What is MDT?

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is a product in the solution accelerator lineup. And how can it help network administrators? In a word, automation. MDT 2010 provides one console with a complete toolset and documentation that will help you deploy both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 release 2.

The latest release, MDT 2010 Update 1 includes Office 2010 and enhanced Windows 7 driver support. And if you’re in the camp that would like to provide your end user community with greater control and responsibility, the Configuration Manager tool will allow you to give them the ability to initiate and customize their own deployments. The wizard will walk them through the process step-by-step – taking automation to another level.

MDT Systems Requirements

To use Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, you’ll need the following:

• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Deployment Services
• Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows 7
• Windows 7 DVD/source
• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010

How Does MDT Work?

Most organizations will have a typical stable of software that they deploy. This could include the operating system, hardware device drivers, software patches or updates, and of course, applications. With MDT, you add all of these to the collection of available software – or deployment packages.

The administrator decides which OS and other software should be included in each package, then includes password and product key information. Users will use a custom image called the Windows PE image to boot up (this can also be burned to a CD) and log into the network. They can then install packages from the MDT server.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Options

Lite Touch:

• Deployment without management infrastructure.
• Process manually initiated by administrator.
• Uses network shares, Windows Deployment Services, CD/DVD, or USB.
• For: refresh, upgrade, replace or new computer.

Zero Touch:

• Uses System Center Configuration Manager 2007‘s OS deployment features.
• Scheduled and automated via ConfigMgr.
• Centrally monitored with System Center Operations Manager 2007 Management Pack.
• For: refresh, replace, or new computer.

MDT Installation and Deployment Configuration

Download the appropriate file for your architecture, then double click the file to launch the installer.

In order to create your deployment configuration you’ll need to do the following:

1. Create the distribution share
2. Add operating system files to the share
3. Create a task sequence for the reference computer
4. Create a deployment point

MDT Training and Resources

Rhonda Layfield, Microsoft’s Setup and Deployment MVP, covers MDT and other Windows 7 Deployment tools in-depth in her new Windows 7 Deployment Training. This comprehensive course is currently the only video training course available on the market that covers Windows 7 deployment tools and techniques and includes everything you’ll need to master Windows 7 Deployment while preparing for the 70-681 MCTS exam.

Learn more about Rhonda’s Windows 7 Deployment Training.

For up to date news and information, visit the MDT blog and if you find yourself in need of technical assistance, one of the best places to look for help is the MDT Forum. Forums are an excellent resource as they offer a treasure trove of questions and answers – it’s very likely that someone has experienced a problem similar to yours.

In terms of physical texts, there aren’t many books written on the subject yet, but I found Deployment Fundamentals: Deploying Windows clients using MDT 2010 Lite Touch on Amazon. Rhonda Layfield’s Mastering Windows 7 Deployment will be available is March, 2011 and will also cover MDT along with other Windows 7 deployment options in detail.

Next Steps

I hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of MDT. As a free download, this is a tool certainly worth evaluating. The potential benefits include time savings, greater end user empowerment, and overall simplification of administrative tasks.