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Over the past few months, the Solution Accelerators team collaborated with Microsoft security experts, multiple government agencies worldwide, and a large community of IT security professionals to develop and test these new security baselines.All of these baselines are free for you to use.

In case you are not familiar with all of the security baselines available for Microsoft products, they ship as part of the Security Compliance Management Toolkit (SCMT) Series. The SCMT helps you to plan, deploy, and monitor security baselines for Windows® operating systems, Internet Explorer, and 2007 Microsoft® Office applications. It contains background information about compliance, and planning advice about how to automate security compliance. It also refers you to other tools and guidance that you can use to establish and deploy a security baseline, and then monitor and maintain compliance with your established configuration.

Where do you start?

At a high level, security compliance consists of four basic steps:

1.Plan how to meet security baseline requirements.
2.Deploy security baseline configurations.
3.Monitor security baseline configurations.
4.Remediate security baseline configurations.

The tools, guidance, and recommendations in the SCMT help you through each step of this process and give you the support to make key decisions about security baseline settings for your specific environment.

Here’s what you get:

•Security guide – The toolkits include new and updated security guides for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 SP2, Microsoft Office 2007 SP1, and Internet Explorer 8. The guidance provides you with best practices and automated tools to help you plan and deploy your security baselines.
•Attack Surface Reference workbook – A resource that lists the changes introduced as server roles are installed on computers running Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.
•Security Baseline Settings workbook – A resource that lists all of the prescribed settings for each of the preconfigured security baselines that the guides recommend.
•Security Baseline XML – XML files that allow you to consume the data defined in the security baseline settings workbooks.
•GPOAccelerator tool – A tool that you can use to create all of the Group Policy objects (GPOs) you need to deploy your chosen security configuration. This release also supports creating security configurations on computers not joined to a domain.
•Baseline Compliance Management Overview – The overview discusses best practices on how to monitor security baselines for Windows operating systems, Office applications, and Internet Explorer 8.
•DCM Configuration Pack User Guide – A step-by-step prescriptive user guide about how to use Configurations Packs with the DCM feature in Configuration Manager 2007 R2.
•DCM Configuration Packs – Configuration Packs that provide prescriptive security information, which you can use to check the compliance of systems in your environment.

What should you do next?

•Learn more about the Security Compliance Management Toolkit Series.
•Download the Security Compliance Management Toolkit Series.
•Find other Windows 7 Solution Accelerators here: Windows Desktop Solution Accelerators.
•The Solution Accelerators team is developing a new tool called the Security Compliance Manager. It will help you manage your security and compliance process for the most widely used Microsoft technologies. Join the Beta review program and provide your feedback on the features you want most.
•Get all the step by step guides, whitepapers, how to’s and screen casts on deploying and managing Windows 7 in your environment from the Springboard Series on TechNet.

Now Available Security Baselines for Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 8 – Springboard Series Blog

On Windows XP, you must first install Rights Management Services Client with Service Pack 2 and .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2. Outlook 2007 is required to be installed and running for operating on Outlook PSTs.

Download AD RMS Bulk Protection Tool

•All the updated technologies in the Platform Update for Windows Vista are already included in Windows 7. The Platform Update for Windows Vista is not required for Windows 7.
•To apply the Platform Update for Windows Vista, you must have Windows Vista Service Pack 2 installed.

Download and Description of the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 and the Platform Update for Windows V

New features in the RDC 7.0 client update

The RDC 7.0 client update contains the following new features.

Web Single Sign-On (SSO) and Web forms-based authentication

Remote Desktop (RD) Web Access now uses forms-based authentication to improve the user experience. Web SSO makes sure that after a user is logged on, no additional passwords are required for RD Gateway, RD Session Host servers and RemoteApp programs.
For security, Web SSO requires remote applications to be signed using a certificate from a trusted issuer.
Access to personal virtual desktops by using RD Connection Broker

Users can access personal virtual desktops when they use the new Remote Desktop Virtualization Host in Windows Server 2008 R2. Personal desktops are assigned to users on a one-to-one basis and maintain state over time.

Access to virtual desktop pools by using RD Connection Broker

Users can access virtual desktop pools when they use the new Remote Desktop Virtualization Host in Windows Server 2008 R2. Pooled desktops are shared between multiple users, and all changes a user makes are typically rolled back when the user logs off.

Status & disconnect system tray icon

A single system tray icon enables users to see all of their remote connections. The user can disconnect all or individual connections that use this icon. The icon appears only when opening RDP connections which are associated with a RemoteApp and Desktop Connection feed.

RD Gateway-based device redirection enforcement

In Windows Server 2008, it was possible for non-Microsoft Remote Desktop clients to override the gateway device redirection controls. In Windows Server 2008 R2, device redirection settings are defined in RD Gateway and can be configured not to be overridden.

RD Gateway system and logon messages

System and logon messages can be added to RD Gateway and displayed to the remote desktop user. System messages can be used to inform users of server maintenance issues such as shutdowns and restarts. Logon messages can be used to display a logon notice to users before they gain access to remote resources.

RD Gateway background authorization & authentication

Background authentication and authorization requests are performed after a configured session timeout is reached. Sessions for users whose property information has not changed are not affected, and authentication and authorization requests are sent in the background.

RD Gateway idle & session time-outs

Configurable idle and session time-outs with RD Gateway provide better control of users who connect through RD Gateway. An idle time-out lets the user reclaim resources that are used by inactive user sessions without affecting the user’s session or data. This helps free up resources on the RD Gateway server.

NAP remediation with RD Gateway

NAP remediation allows you to manage remote clients by updating them with the latest software updates and settings. This helps keep remote clients in compliance with network security policies.

Windows Media Player redirection

Windows Media Player Redirection enables content hosted in Windows Media Player to be redirected to the client for decoding on users’ computers. This improves the quality of the video and makes sure that video and audio are always in sync. This works for both full Windows Media Player and Windows Media Player controls hosted in Web pages.

Bidirectional audio

You can redirect audio recording devices such as microphones on the client computer. This is ideal for applications such as Windows 7 voice recognition, and applications that record audio.

Multiple monitor support

In Windows Vista and in Windows Server 2008, Terminal Services supported only monitor spanning. Remote Desktop Services now includes multiple monitor support for up to 16 monitors, and works for both Remote Desktop and RemoteApp programs.
Note For connections with multiple monitor support enabled, AeroGlass support is currently not supported and will be turned off.

Enhanced video playback

Bitmap acceleration improves the remote display of graphics-intensive applications such as PowerPoint, Flash, and Silverlight.

Download and Description of the Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 client update for Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

While in past Microsoft was underlining that Windows handhelds are focused on professional applications and enterprises, clearly it was a mistake. Having millions over millions of consumer users means that mobile operating system of Apple mobile devices is very stable. Recently Apple released technical documentation and hardware components that are used to develop accessories that interact with iPod touch and iPhone so probably there will be more and more hardware accessories for these devices.

Source: msmobiles.com – Apple dumps Windows handhelds

“Let’s count down from seven for Windows 7!” exclaimed Kevin Turner, chief operating officer for Microsoft.

A curtain that shrouded the store dropped and the crowd roared as workers within the store, dressed in shirts matching the primary colors of the Microsoft logo, danced and lined up to give high-fives to patrons as they streamed through the doors.

Many, including Aliso Viejo resident Stefanie Tran, had been waiting for this moment since the day before.

Tran was first in line, around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. She waited through the night, partly for her own curiosity, but mainly to secure tickets to a parking lot performance by Canadian pop star Justin Bieber at 5 p.m. today.

“It’s phenomenal,” Tran said of the store. “It was well worth (the wait). I’m glad I’m a part of this, this is so cool.”

Before the curtain came down Turner, who said Microsoft was happy to be a part of the Mission Viejo community, presented a $1 million software grant to the YMCA of Orange County and a $500,000 software grant to Goodwill of Orange County. Both organizations also received $50,000 each for their programs.

Mission Viejo Mayor Frank Ury praised Microsoft for the generosity, and thanked the company for choosing his city first.

“We’re first in the state in public safety and now we’re first in the state with a Microsoft Store,” he said. “I’m excited that 100 new jobs have been created in Mission Viejo and I think it’s a wonderful location for Microsoft to pick.”

Source: 1,000-plus people crowd Microsoft Store microsoft, store, viejo, mission, first – News – OCRegis

For routine computing issues, it’s not always convenient to call a customer support line and talk to a technology professional.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the software could fix itself, or at least point to the problem and suggest how you can fix it?

Increasingly, it can. And with the launch last week of Windows 7, Microsoft customers are finding a whole new world when it comes to getting software support at their fingertips.

Lori Brownell, general manager of Product Quality and Online Support at Microsoft, says support for Windows 7 is a real evolution from previous versions of the flagship operating system.

Traditional live support via the phone, e-mail and chat are still there, but so are a host of resources, many available through a new online forum. There is support through Twitter, a library of software “Fix its” that can solve problems with a single click, and other diagnostic and repair tools available directly through Windows 7 itself.

“Windows XP had little built-in support, and Windows Vista included some diagnostics to assess network connectivity issues,” Brownell says. “But Windows 7 truly reflects broad customer feedback that has enabled us to build a comprehensive set of resources that solve customers’ most pressing problems and even keep them ahead of potential problems. For example, Windows Update searches for updates, like driver updates, automatically.”

Support tools include:

•Windows Update: automatically updates your software to help prevent problems
•Windows Action Center: includes more than 20 automated troubleshooters that are built into Windows 7
•Scripted diagnostics and solutions: through Fix IT solvecommon software problems with the click of a button
•Online Support: through Microsoft Answers provides peer to peer help, guidance from customer support experts and Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs)
•In the moment help: through tweets to @MicrosoftHelps twitter handle
•Easier, more intuitive online resources such as the Windows Help and “How To” center and the solution centers available on support.microsoft.com

Full Story: Windows 7 The Next Generation of Customer Support Automated diagnostics, new online forums

Your sound card has stopped working, your computer seems sluggish, the network is down, your hard drive is clicking, you can’t view a website, your monitor is hard to read, your new webcam isn’t working, your favorite program won’t run, and a funny burning smell is coming from your computer. What can you do on your own to try to troubleshoot the issue before you pick up the phone to call tech support?

If you’re running Windows 7, quite a lot. Microsoft has included a lot of self-support tools in Windows 7 that you can try using before you seek the help of others, and we’ll examine these in a moment. Then there are the tools you were born with—your five senses (see, hear, smell, taste, touch) and most importantly your brain. And by brain I’m including your memory, experience, and capacity for logical reasoning. Finally, there is ancient and sacred lore passed on in secret from Master to Disciple over the millennia. We’ll see shortly how your brain, your senses, and the secrets of the Wise Ones can be very helpful for troubleshooting computer problems. But first let’s look at what troubleshooting tools are built into Windows 7.

You can download the e-book in XPS format here and in PDF format here.

Also nice gift for your parents

Source:
Microsoft Press Free e-book Windows 7 troubleshooting tips

Zig Serafin, General Manager of the Speech at Microsoft Group.

Keyboards and mice still are the dominant methods for working with a PC or laptop. But big leaps in speech-recognition technology mean that talking to a computer may soon be as natural as using a mouse.

Leading Microsoft’s charge to that audible future is Zig Serafin, general manager of the Speech at Microsoft group. Serafin says his team’s goal is simply to create the world’s most advanced speech platform, one that spans cloud-based voice services, mobile phones and world-class servers for enterprise customers. “Voice is the new touch,” says Serafin. “It’s the natural evolution from keyboards and touch screens. Today, speech is rapidly becoming an expected part of our everyday experience across a variety of devices. Bill Gates articulated this vision a decade ago, and we’re seeing it happen today.”

Two years ago, Microsoft acquired Tellme Networks and has subsequently merged Microsoft’s speech development team (formerly the Speech Components Group) with Tellme to form the Speech at Microsoft group. The group’s sophisticated speech-recognition technology and Web speech engine, which has been under development for more than a decade, is leading to a wave of voice-enabled products promising easier, faster interactions — spanning automobiles, smartphones, and personal productivity software.

For example, Ford Sync, powered by Microsoft and Tellme, provides in-dash voice-activated navigation and search. In addition, Bing for Mobile, Exchange Server 2010, Windows 7, and new Windows® phones such as the Samsung Intrepid from Sprint are all voice-enabled.

“See” Your Voice Mail

One of the most eagerly awaited features in Exchange Server 2010 is the new Voice Mail Preview, a capability that is poised to transform the way people retrieve and navigate voice mail. Using speech-to-text technology, Exchange 2010 automatically sends a text preview of voice mail right to the user’s inbox.

Instead of wondering whether the little red light on their phones is signaling an important call, people can scan text previews, right in Outlook, to determine message content and priority.

Exchange Server 2010’s voice mail feature turns an audio call into a text preview.

Click for high-res image

Rajesh Jha, corporate vice president of Microsoft Exchange, says Voice Mail Preview in Exchange 2010 makes it dramatically easier to visually sift through voice mail on your PC, mobile phone, or any popular Web browser to quickly determine the importance of a call. “For me, this feature is invaluable during meetings or other situations when actually listening to voice mail is not a viable option,” says Jha.

Exchange Server 2010 will launch at TechEd Europe, which runs Nov. 9–13 in Berlin.

Continue at source for

“Hands-Free” Calling, Texting and Search

Looking Ahead: What’s Next

Source: Spread the Word Speech Recognition Is the “New Touch” in Computing The Speech at Microsoft group