If your running Vista or Windows 7 you’re going to want to update your IE 8 to IE 9 and enjoy a LIGHTER – FASTER and a Cleaner experience. Microsoft is saying they are ahead of the rest of the pack with this new release…..
Internet Explorer 9 RC Now Available: Here’s the Most Interesting New Stuff – FROM HOW-To Geek
Filed under IE - Internet Explorer, Internet, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Software, Update, WEB, Windows 7
Change is always difficult and moving from something you have had for 10 years – you know how to fix almost everything from just experience because you have had to do it so many times. Vista and negative press made it really easy not to upgrade when it came out a few years ago, but not the case with Windows 7.
With support and security issues moving to Windows 7 today make a lot of sense, but just because it makes sense doesn’t mean it makes it easy to move forward and start your upgrades. It’s in Microsoft best interest to try to make it as easy as possible to help you make that move and they have been releasing tools to do just that.
You need to look at and use the following program to really position your current state and to get a true picture of where you need to be tomorrow.
Are you looking for a tool to simplify your organization’s migration to Windows 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 8—and, in turn, benefit from improved desktop security, reliability and manageability? The MAP 5.5 Internet Explorer migration assessment inventories your environment and reports on deployed web browsers, Microsoft ActiveX controls, and add-ons, and then generates a migration assessment report and proposal—information you need to more easily migrate to Windows 7 and Internet Explorer. The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and the Security Compliance Manager are the essential toolset to automate your desktop and server deployment of new Microsoft technologies. Using MDT and SCM, you can significantly reduce the costs and time to securely deploy and manage Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Hyper-V, and Microsoft Office 2010 across your organization.
What can I do with it??? Identify and analyze web application and database readiness for migration to the Windows Azure platform.
FULL ARTICLE – Assess your environment for migration to Windows 7 with MAP 5.5
If you pay for or use the FREE version of AVG anti-virus – they have had issues with the current upgrade with systems running Vista and WIN7. The upgrade deletes a very important file and your systems go into a Blue Screen – re-boot loop.
They (AVG) seems this is not the first time they have had issues with upgrades – A company this size with so many users should not be releasing upgrades which shut down your systems. Once burned OK, twice burned – I believe it’s time to move on and find another product.
If you have followed this BLOG you will have noticed that I am a user of Microsoft Security Essentials – this is another FREE anti-virus software that is light and works really well. This would be great alternative to AVG or any paid service your using. You can find the LINK to Microsoft product and others utilities @ my DOWNLOAD PAGE.
If you have been one of the unlucky people who did the upgrade and have not been able to fix your system yet, there are methods to do this which you can find in an article that ran this morning in DAILY TECH – AVG Update Cripples Users’ Windows 7, Vista Computers
Filed under Anti-Virus, Information, Internet, Microsoft, Microsoft Security Essentials, Security, Software, Virus
I have mentioned on several occasional that this package from Microsoft is a very clean and well put together piece of software (Multiple software titles). This may not be for the true Techie, but for the common PC user this package is a fantastic add-on to Windows Vista and Windows 7. I know what I will be doing tonight to my two systems at home!
Do more with Windows on your PC with free programs from Microsoft for photos, movies, instant messaging, email, social networking, and more. Get it all in one simple download.
Messenger – Stay in touch with the people you care about most from your PC, phone, or the web. Share photos and videos as you chat, and see the latest updates from your friends.
Photo Gallery – Get great tools for organizing, touching up, and sharing your photos and videos. Create stunning panoramas, movies, and slide shows, and publish them online.
Movie Maker – Turn your photos and videos into polished movies that are easy to share. Add special effects, transitions, sound, and captions to help tell your story in style.
Mail – Efficiently manage multiple email accounts, calendars, and your contacts—even when you’re offline. Plus, use a great tool for sharing lots of photos in email without filling up anyone’s inbox.
Also included in Windows Live Essentials – Writer, Family Safety, Windows Live Mesh, Messenger Companion, Bing Bar Outlook Connector Pack, Microsoft Silverlight.
From the Microsoft Blog – Inside Windows Live – Hit the link to learn all about this great package!
We are pleased to announce that Windows Live Essentials 2011 for Windows 7 and Windows Vista is now available for download! (Releasing in 48 languages over the next few hours, so if your language is not yet available, it will be very soon.) Windows Live Essentials 2011 was designed and built to connect your PC to the services you use every day. We’re also announcing today that Dell will be the first global PC manufacturer to ship PCs with Windows Live Essentials 2011 and Windows 7 pre-installed, just in time for your holiday purchases. Many other PC manufacturers are also planning to make Windows Live Essentials 2011 available and we’ll continue to keep you updated as they start releasing.
Download it today!
Get started and download Windows Live Essentials 2011 today. It is being released in 48 languages over the next few hours, so if you don’t see it in your language yet, you should see it very soon. If you’re running Windows Vista or Windows 7 on your PC, make sure you have the latest Windows updates installed before you install Windows Live Essentials (see the system requirements here). If your computer is still running Windows XP, you can, of course, continue to use the current Windows Live Essentials software, and then switch to Windows Live Essentials 2011 when you buy a new PC or upgrade to Windows 7.
Together with Windows 7 and the new Internet Explorer 9 beta, Windows Live Essentials completes your Windows experience and connects your PC to the services you use every day. Try it out and let us know what you think!
Some other news
Dell to Offer Windows Live Essentials 2011 on New Systems Later This Year
Filed under Entertainment, Internet, Microsoft, NEW Product, Software, Technology, Update, WEB
Do you use Steady State tool kit?
You always have to wonder when companies have a great product or service – they do an upgrade and that service goes away. Well Microsoft is certainly one of those companies many times over.
I see some changes happening at Microsoft, they are starting to do many things differently – one of them is listening to the users and doing something about it or trying!
If you manage system then most likely you have used Windows Steady State tool kit, well they have never created a Windows 7 version of this great tool. When I say Microsoft listens and take actions, well I don’t think you will see Steady State for WIN7…..
A Windows 7 version of Steady State was not created and we’ve heard loud and clear from IT Pros that this is something they wanted and needed. After we evaluated the types of functionality Steady State provides, we found that using new Windows capabilities that are built into Windows 7, Group Policies and free tools from Microsoft, the majority of Steady State functionality could actually be replicated by IT admins.
The good news is that they have addressed this concern and have put together a few papers explaining how to do almost the same thing as Steady State for XP and Vista within WIN7 – So Microsoft says…
Going back to the Windows article, the comments don’t paint a very good picture… read for yourself!
If your thinking of moving to WIN7 or already have and was wondering where STEADY STATE was, well you have your answer and some reading to do.
Filed under Management, Microsoft, Networking
K12 Educational Blog 