THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS "DIVA" : Windows 7

So you got yourself a shiny new Windows 7 computer on Christmas morning?

bradley — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:55:00 GMT

and the first thing you want to install is CCH PFX Engagement 6.0? Doesn't everyone?

(okay so like maybe it's just the beancounters on Christmas morning that are giddy with delight of installing tax and accounting software on Windows 7, but in general this is the best way to install line of business applications, older software, and just in general getting a new box set up)

Step one turn off UAC.

Yes, you heard me, turn off UAC. Turn it off DURING THE TIME YOU ARE INSTALLING SOFTWARE. Not turn it off on your Windows 7 permanently, silly.

I have personally found that if I leave it on during the install of software (especially beancounter stuff) it doesn't quite install right even if I run as administrator and run the application compatibility wizard and all that.

So turn off UAC. You will be prompted to reboot your Windows 7. Then install the SQL 2008 (this is on the Engagement CD) and then install the PFX Engagement 6.0 from the MSI file (not autorun).

Remember Vista and Windows 7 have .net installed already. Once you do that the program will run just fine.

Then go back and move UAC back up (mind you as a Vista veteran I move it all the way to the top but the default is one notch from the top).

Windows 7, CCH, pfx Engagment 6.0

Can't see your tax software help files on Win7?

bradley — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:13:00 GMT

How to fix an application that isn't working after 05-026 - THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS "DIVA":
http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/archive/2005/06/23/54763.aspx

After rolling out a new workstation (Win7) our tax software wouldn't show the help file.. I had forgotten that I'd disabled the group policy on the server for some reason on this.

Fortunately I remembered the easy fix and found it on the blog :-) Figured it wouldn't hurt to reblog this as you start to roll out Win7 machines

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;896054

Click on Start
Run
Regedit
Find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Find the subfolder of SOFTWARE
Find the subfolder of Microsoft
Find the subfolder of HTMLHelp
File the subfolder of 1.x
Now click on that 1.x folder and right mouse click
Now click on 'new' and then on 'key' and add a new key
Type in ItssRestrictions
Hit enter
Click on the subfolder of ItssRestrictions
Right mouse click, click on 'new' and then on 'dword'
In the “New value“ box, type in MaxAllowedZone
Hit Enter
Click on that “MaxAllowedZone“ and right mouse click
Click on “Modify“
Change the value data from 0 to 1
Click OK
Close the Registry

Try CCH tax software again. Your help files should now work as expected.

When you get done the left side should look like this

The right side should look like

P.S. This KB article is actually referred to from a “caveat” link at the top of the Security bulletin that points to known issues. Always review the “Known issue” for the issues that have already been found and fixed.

Folder view in Win7

bradley — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:30:00 GMT

So on the "production" win 7 one of the feedback items was that the file open menu didn't open up the file folders the way Vista used to

http://www.windows7update.com/Windows7-Folder-Options.html

So one of the settings I put back on the workstation was the open folder settings.

And voila, the expanded folder pane on the left hand side like Vista did it is back again.

Regardless of what any hack says, a Windows 7 Upgrade is an Upgrade

bradley — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:53:00 GMT

Microsoft SMB Community Blog : Regardless of what any hack says, a Windows 7 Upgrade is an Upgrade. What you need to know.:
http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2009/10/27/regardless-of-what-any-hack-says-a-windows-7-upgrade-is-an-upgrade-what-you-need-to-know.aspx

Microsoft SMB Community Blog : No, OEM Microsoft Windows licenses cannot be transferred to another PC:
http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2009/10/27/no-oem-microsoft-windows-licenses-cannot-be-transferred-to-another-pc.aspx

Already there is buzz about using upgrade media to perform a clean install.  "But if Microsoft didn't want us to to it they would block it'.

Wrong.  It's there for us that are needing upgrade paths but the upgrade media alone is not a qualifying media to perform an upgrade.

So you need to get that pinned?

bradley — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:48:00 GMT

Starting to roll out the official producting Win7's and one of the interesting things is not all icons lend themselves to being "pinned". On our CCH tax icons I have to build "pinable" shortcuts. In particular I have to put the word explorer in front of the shortcut url and then I get the ability to pin it to the task bar.

How to Pin Special Windows Items to the Taskbar | Windows 7 Tutorials:
http://www.7tutorials.com/how-pin-special-windows-shortcuts-taskbar

Dear Windows 7 people:

bradley — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:26:00 GMT

Thank you for making the packaging of the Windows 7 boxes easier to get into. I no longer have to take a knife, and make the sounds of "Psycho" and hack into the Windows Vista packaging. Invariably then I would break the hinge causing the contents of the box to spill out on the floor. Windows 7 boxes are an easy open.

But.

Here's the but... and where you need to do better.

The keycode inside the box has to be the smallest font I've ever seen you use on a Keycode. it's worse than the codes on the HP and Dell computer stickers which are ALWAYS stuck on the bottom of the computers where you have to crawl on the floor with a magnifying glass to see them.

Add to the fact that years of using computers means that I need reading glasses and the fact that the rest of the population is aging just like I am, I'm not sure using the smallest font I've ever seen you use on a keycode is the wisest thing.

When you do Windows 8, would you mind considering a
bigger font on the keycode for Windows 8 please?

Thank you.

Win 7 just officially was released...

bradley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:59:00 GMT

And already in the partner group is the question "how do I get my classic menu back"...

... uh.. you don't...

Start menu:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/partnerwinclient7rc/thread/c47a3087-ef5c-4821-a551-974483bccf51

Hello Karel,

Thank you for posting here.

I understand that you want the XP classic start menu in Windows 7. Yes, as Johnny said, Classic Start Menu has been removed in Windows 7 because shell has been fully new designed in Windows 7. However, we can use a third party tool called CSMenu to achieve your goal.

For more information, you can refer to the following article:

Get the Classic Start Menu in Windows 7

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/2227/get-the-classic-start-menu-in-windows-7/

How to Get Good Old Classic Start Menu Back in Windows 7?

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-get-good-old-classic-start-menu-back-in-windows-7/

How to Get Back Windows XP Style Classical Start Menu in Windows 7

http://www.blogsdna.com/3856/how-to-get-back-windows-xp-style-classical-start-menu-in-windows-7.htm

Hope the information above can be useful. Have a nice day!

Best regards,

Fred Zhou
Partner Online Technical Community
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We hope you get value from our new forums platform! Tell us what you think:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/partnerfdbk/threads
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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Putting Windows 7 on an older machine is putting "Lipstick on a Pig".

bradley — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:32:00 GMT

As Tim Barrett said, putting Windows 7 on an older machine is putting "Lipstick on a Pig".

Windows 7: Crystal Meth for Geeks Q*A :: Third Tier:
http://www.thirdtier.net/2009/10/windows-7-crystal-meth-for-geeks-qa/

Amy will be posting up the slide deck and the recording but here's the Q&A log already.

Low cost Win7 upgrades for non profits -- check out www.techsoup.org

Question: Can I upgrade directly to W7 from XP64?

One question that I see that I want to make real clear on the answer. You cannot inplace upgrade from 32bit to 64bit. You cannot inplace upgrade from XP to Windows 7. While in theory you can do an inplace from XP 32bit to Vista 32bit to Windows 7 32 bit and conversely you could do a 64bit XP to Vista 64bit to Win7 64bit ... The reality is that's a LOOOOONGGG inplace migration you are looking at with possible weirdness at the end.

A clean install runs approx 20 minutes. Inplace upgrades have taken 4 to 6 hours a pop.

Consider using the Microsoft Desktop Deployment as well.

Upgrading to Windows 7 for Small and Midsize Businesses:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee523218(WS.10).aspx

Solution Accelerators | Microsoft Connect:
https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=14

Look for the webcast to be available for download at http://www.thirdtier.net/store/

Attaching a Win7 to a SBS 2003 or a SBS 2008

bradley — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:18:00 GMT

One of the issues I mentioned at SMBnation this weekend was the issue one has when you attach a Vista or Win7 to a SBS 2003 network. If you leave the login script in place, your Win7's and Vista's will throw off a UAC prompt as they first log into the network.

http://cid-c756c44362cd94ad.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Windows7Stuff

In the handouts that should have been on the USB flash drive handed out (which I can't find in my bag so hopefully it was in yours) is a document I've done on how to attach a Windows 7 to a SBS 2003.

Download the doc from here

(if you have the "google docs" like plug in that works but if not try this link -- http://cid-c756c44362cd94ad.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Windows7Stuff/HOW%20TO%20DEPLOY%20WINDOWS%207%20IN%20YOUR%20SBS%202003%20NETWORK.docx

SBS Login script – adjust it (rem it out) to stop the initial UAC prompt on log in for Vista workstations

While SBS support recommends that the SBS login script stays as is, I have REM’d it out. This ensures that as my Vista/Windows 7 workstations boot up they do not get a UAC prompt. I have not found that REMing this script line out makes a difference to my workstations. I also have REM’d out the Trend antivirus line as in the 3.5/3.6 era it works better without this. You could also filter this by OS, but I’ve not found that rem‐ing out hurts anything in my network.

Enable Remote Registry Service to enable remote management of Windows 7

In order to remotely manage and look at the event logs from the server, ensure that you go to the workstation and change the Remote Registry Service from manual to automatic and start the service. (Yes I’m sure I could do this via group policy but I haven’t automated this yet)

Connect computer tip:

Just like with XP, make sure that you add the http://domain/connectcomputer link to the trusted sites in IE in order to be able to run the connectcomputer wizard.

While you'll get the faster smbv2 goodness if you have a Win7+SBS 2008, attaching a Win7 to a SBS 2003 is nearly identical of an experience with a Vista workstation.

Springboard Series Virtual Roundtable

bradley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:58:00 GMT

Springboard Series Virtual Roundtable

Windows 7 Application Compatibility Part 2: Virtualization

Date: Thursday, September 24

Time: 9:00am Pacific Time

https://ms.istreamplanet.com/springboard

Hear from a panel of experts how virtualization tools can help you with application compatibility concerns whether you’re migrating from Windows Vista or Windows XP. Join us to discuss how presentation virtualization, desktop virtualization and application virtualization can reduce testing times, expedite deployment and ultimately help you streamline PC management. We’ll cover the latest desktop virtualization technologies from Microsoft, including App-V, MED-V and XP Mode for Windows 7. Plus we share tips and tricks and demonstrate free tools to analyze and fix applications while answering your questions live during the event. Join live on Thursday, September 24^th, 2009, 9:00am Pacific Time. Missed Part 1? Watch the replay.

For IT Pro tips, tricks and resources for Windows 7, visit the Springboard Series.

As part of the “virtual” experience, you may submit your questions about Windows 7 Application Compatibility to the panel live during the event—or submit questions in advance to vrtable@microsoft.com.

Springboard Series: The resource for Windows desktop IT professionals

Firestarter event for Win7 -- sign up for it online

bradley — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:41:00 GMT

FIRESTARTER - Free Events to Ignite Your Skills:
http://www.technetevents.com/firestarter/index.html

Windows® 7 and Windows 2008 R2 introduce fantastic new technologies to 
streamline your business, enhance security and save you money. This 
Windows Firestarter event will introduce you to these features and then 
dive deep into how they work. See how DirectAccess provides the remote 
user with virtually the same experience they would have if they were in 
the office. Learn how Group Policy and PowerShell can simplify the 
administration of your network, regardless of how large or small it is. 
Experience a simpler yet more rich Web surfing experience with new 
Internet Explorer® 8 features. See new BitLocker™, AppLocker and User 
Account Control Features that are designed to protect your data no 
matter where it is. We will also dive into how easy it is to deploy 
Windows 7 the way you want it deployed - your image, your way - even if 
you are migrating from Windows XP. Join us for this demo heavy session 
on all of this and more at Windows Firestarter.

Seating for the live event is limited, so register today. If you can't 
join us for the in-person event, register for the online event experience.


Time Session Speakers
8:00 am - 9:30 am Introducing Window 7 - What's New Chris Avis
9:30 am - 9:45 am Break
9:45 am - 11:00 am Windows 7 - Diving Deeper - Deployment and Remote 
Access Features Chris Avis
11:00 am - 11:15 am Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm IE8 - Browse the Web in Style! Chris Avis
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Migrating Windows XP to Windows 7: Get it done Chris Avis
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Windows 2008 R2 - Diving In! Chris Avis
Close Detailed Agenda

Windows needs to be restarted so necessary changes to system files can be made before continuing?:

bradley — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:27:00 GMT

Windows needs to be restarted so necessary changes to system files can be made before continuing?:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproinstall/thread/2033e3c1-8840-4b09-a9b1-94bc71e2ffb5?prof=required

http://msmvps.com/blogs/bradley/archive/2009/08/27/windows-needs-to-be-restarted-so-necessary-changes-to-system-files-can-be-made-before-continuing-revised.aspx

Read the updated blog

I was testing out the upgrade of a Vista on a HP laptop. Took a backup so it can be rolled back to the original image and had previously downloaded the VL media from the MVLS web site. I wanted to try an inplace upgrade. Started to install it and it kept insisting that I needed to reboot. No matter how many times I did, no go. Googled and saw that others were hitting this too. While in some cases the upgrade could be continued if you uninstalled Nero, in my case, uninstalling Roxio still didn't fix the issue. I ended up booting from the media and doing a clean install that moves the original vista install over, but when you start to try to do inplace upgrades, remember that ultimately at the end of the day, clean installs are the way to go.

Sometimes you just say "oh heck, I'll do clean" and go on with life.

Windows 7 -- are you ready?

bradley — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:31:00 GMT

The old rule of software is that you wait for Service Pack 1 to deploy software. But since Windows 7 is in reality Service Pack 3 of Vista, should you wait?

I'd argue that you are doing yourself a disfavor if you wait for Service pack 1.

And to all those who want to upgrade inplace from XP, the funkiest systems I've dealt with are inplace upgrades. I wouldn't recommend inplace as a preferred deployment means. Besides, when you start deploying Windows 7 you should also ask yourself if it's time to jump the 32 to 64 bit barrier. Due to that reason alone, you will need to do clean installs and migrate the data.

Windows 7 Role-Based Learning and Readiness:
https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40110019

Win7 updates offers

bradley — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:44:00 GMT

The good news is that the offers to upgrade to Win7 are now being showcased.

Direct2Dell - Direct2Dell - DELL COMMUNITY:
http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2009/06/25/dell-and-the-windows-7-upgrade-program.aspx

The bad news is that the offers to upgrade to Win7 are now being showcased:
Are Some Vista Users Getting Screwed on Windows 7? - PC World:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/167407/are_some_vista_users_getting_screwed_on_windows_7.html

I'm a little concerned about the "while supplies last" comment as that could mean not that much of a supply.

I must admit that I too am counting up the Vista Home I have and when I get to the Vista Ultimates going "dang"
okay lost out on that one.  Also if I pay more for the Windows 7 Ultimates will you stop offering up the 57 languages I don't need
and must manually decline?

But bottom line count up your Vista Home Premiums and for any Macs, at least you can get that upgrade for $29.

You know what I got asked today in the Win7 webcast I did?

bradley — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:46:00 GMT

You know what I got asked today in the Win7 webcast I did? If one had to install SBS 2008 in order to deploy Windows 7 and I honestly said no.

Win 7 http://msmvps.com/media/p/1696447.aspx

Vista - http://msmvps.com/media/p/1618969.aspx

In fact the two handouts I did for how to deploy Win7 and Vista are strictly about installing on a SBS 2003 not SBS 2008. Another question I got was whether you could go from 32 bit to 64 bit (you can't -- you have to clean install).

Can a Windows 7 machine and a SBS 2003 cohabitate nicely? Yes. Will Windows 2008 make the smb file transfer goodness faster? Honestly yes, but 7 will play nice with both server platforms.

More resources here -- http://cid-c756c44362cd94ad.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Windows7?uc=1&isFromRichUpload=1

Windows 7 - pull your slider up

bradley — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:54:00 GMT

Windows 7: User Account Control (UAC) overview:
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/07/windows-7-whats-up-with-the-uac

One of the issues I have with the much complained about UAC in Vista is that it got a bad rap. For the bulk of the user population if you turned off UAC when you installed software and then turned it on right after, you never saw it again.

Steve Friedl wrote a very good techdoc on how to set up a limited user account in Windows 7 http://unixwiz.net/techtips/win7-limited-user.html

But the point of this blog post is more about how I think people should be zipping up their Windows 7. UAC should be up at the top of their defense in depth slider bar (In fact, I have a sushi food bet that by the time Windows 7 SP1 ships they will make the default of that UAC slider bar back up to the top. Anyone who knows anything at all about me knows that I don't much like raw fish)

So here you have it, Susan's single handed marketing campaign to get you to slide your Defense in depth zipper up.

Boxers, Tshirts, Mugs, hats and other swag will be out shortly.

Cartoon is once again done by the brilliant Curtis of www.Curtoons.com

How to get Live Messenger back in the System Tray on Windows 7:

bradley — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:08:00 GMT

SeanDaniel.com - Small Business Server and Other Technology: How to get Live Messenger back in the System Tray on Windows 7:
http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2009/05/how-to-get-live-messenger-back-in.html

Hi my name is Susan and while I really like Win7 there are parts THAT ANNOY ME NO END. Sean Daniel just blogged about one of them.

Thank you Sean... I mean Matt Damon as that was annoying to me.

Windows 7 RC is out

bradley — Wed, 06 May 2009 07:43:00 GMT

If you try to install a Win7 on a SBS 2008 with the connect program you will get the message that it doesn't meet requirements.

The Official SBS Blog : Using Windows 7 BETA With SBS 2008:
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2009/02/06/using-windows-7-beta-with-sbs-2008.aspx

Even if you follow that you'll note that it won't work. Why? Because the build numbers in the code is not the 7100 RC number. So either edit the build number to be the RC number or manually join the Win7's to your SBS 2008 network.

If the internet is a bit slow today

bradley — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:03:00 GMT

The Official SBS Blog : Using Windows 7 BETA With SBS 2008:
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive/2009/02/06/using-windows-7-beta-with-sbs-2008.aspx

Windows 7 RC is out for those on TechNet and MSDN and remember if you want to use connect to add it to your SBS 2008 box you will need to update the connect code.

"Upgrading" your beta to RC Windows 7

bradley — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:05:00 GMT

Delivering a quality upgrade experience
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/07/delivering-a-quality-upgrade-experience.aspx

Honestly the best experience is still a clean install. I've done an inplace from Vista to Windows 7 and it takes a long time to do the inplace. Inplace installs typically also leave behind permission issues. But here's a reason to do a clean install. Because if you have Win7 already, it's not recommended to go between the beta and the RC.

Rumor is that an RC might be out in April or May.. stay tuned.