The Road to Know Where

Key Features:

 

• Antivirus - Give computer viruses like Trojans and worms no chance.
• Antispyware – Protect yourself from identity theft and online fraud.
• Powerful Virus Scan and Removal - Search out and destroy any viruses that might already be on your computer.
• Firewall – Protect your computer from unwanted intruders like hackers.
• Spamfilter – Keep your inbox clean from junk mail and phishing attempts.
• Backup – Easily secure your important files from computer crashes, damage and theft.

Maximum Security:

 

• Constant optimum virus detection
• For many years the quickest response time to new viruses
• The latest methods for detecting unknown viruses (behaviour blocking, heuristics, cloud security) 

Simple User Interface:

 

• With new “one click” user interfaces - everything at a glance
• Automatically carries out all protection functions undetected in the background
• Silent firewall without annoying querying

WINDOWS 7 TRAINING VIDEOS, HELP & TIPS:

30 Windows 7 Tips & Secrets from Microsoft's Tim Sneath

 

TechNet: Windows 7 Beta 1 Tips

 

What's New in Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) - video walk-through of some new / updated features 

 

Features & Screenshots

  

• First Look: Windows 7 Screenshots
• New Features In Windows 7
• Mark Russinovich: Inside Windows 7
• Windows 7: Find and Organize Part 1 - The User Experience
• Windows 7 Screenshots
• Windows Media Center in Windows 7
• Windows 7 Installation Walkthrough

 

Walkthrough Screencasts to Help Learn Windows 7

 

• AppLocker is a flexible, easily administered mechanism that enables IT professionals to specify exactly what is allowed to run on user desktops. It provides the flexibility to allow users to run the applications, installation programs, and scripts they need to be productive. Learn how you can realize the security, operational, and compliance benefits of application standardization by using AppLocker.
• BitLocker and BitLocker to Go - In Windows 7, core BitLocker Drive Encryption functionality is enhanced to deliver an improved experience for IT professionals and end users—from simple enhancements such as the ability to right-click on a drive to enable BitLocker protection to the automatic creation of the required hidden boot partition. Learn about these enhancements and the new BitLocker To Go, which gives system administrators control over how removable storage devices can be used and the strength of protection required.
• BranchCache is the next step to improving end user productivity in branch offices. BranchCache caches content from remote file and Web servers in the branch location so that users can more quickly access this information. The cache can be hosted centrally on a server in the branch location, or can be distributed across user PCs.
• Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a new command-line tool for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. This demonstration explores how DISM consolidates the core image management functions of multiple tools found in the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) and enables IT professionals to view components of an applied or mounted operating system image and add or remove packages, software updates, and drivers.
• Enterprise Application Compatibility - Explore enterprise application compatibility in Windows 7 with this video feature walkthrough shows how creating compatibility fixes for an incompatible application running in Windows Vista can be used on a Windows 7–based computer.
• Migrating from Windows XP highlights how the User State Migration Tool (USMT), included in the Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows 7, can be used to migrate user files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 using a default installation.
• PowerShell 2.0 helps increase the productivity of IT professionals by providing a powerful, complete scripting language to automate repetitive tasks and conduct remote troubleshooting. Explore how it delivers a growing set of cmdlets that can be used to manage Windows–based PCs and servers, and it can be easily extended.
• Problem Steps Recorder enables users to record their interactions with an application and provide a detailed screen-by-screen view with accompanying information. Learn how this feature works and how the recording can be used to quickly identify problems and help reduce time spent with the help desk.
• User State Migration Tool (USMT) provides fast and flexible options to migrate user profiles and data from one operating system to another. The new Hard-Link Migration feature highlighted in the demonstration can dramatically reduce migration time for in-place operating system migration or computer refresh scenarios. 

"Preview" Videos: Microsoft Windows Overview - Introducing the future of Windows (1:32)

Windows 7

 

• Device Stage: the main stage for your devices (1:25)
• HomeGroup: bringing your family closer, one file at a time (1:34)
• Windows Touch: more functionality at your fingertips (1:43)
• Windows 7 Experience: simplifying how you use you PC (2:04)

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8

 

• InPrivate Browsing: Internet Exporer can be "forgetful" (0:46)
• Accelerators: info you want, on the spot (1:12)
• Web Slices: a piece of the Internet, whenever you need it (1:04)

Windows Live Services

 

• Windows Live Photos: share your memories for free (0:57)
• What's New Feed: feed your inner social butterfly (1:25)
• SkyDrive: with 25GB of free online file storage space - the sky is the limit (1:36)
• Windows Live Messenger: express yourself (1:51) 

 

WINDOWS 7 LEARNING SNACKS

 

1. Introducing Windows 7: Benefits of Windows 7, Improved Accessibility, Enhanced Security, Imporved Operation Efficiency, & Managing Images Using DISM.
2. Implementing User Account Control in Windows 7
3. Introducing BitLocker and AppLocker in Windows 7
4. Desktop Experience in Windows 7
5. Setting Up a Home Network in Windows 7
6. Introducing the Troubleshooting Platform in Windows 7
7. Using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool for Servicing Windows 7 Images 

 

OFFICIAL WINDOWS 7 TRAINING COURSES:

 

• Course 6289A - First Look: Windows 7 for IT Professionals: 3-hour instructor-led clinic introduces students to new features in Microsoft Windows 7: user productivity, improved security and control, streamlined PC management, and desktop optimization.
• Course 6290A - First Look: Windows 7 for IT Professionals Hands-on Lab: 3-hour lab is a companion to the 6289 course and provides hands-on practice with the main technical areas of Windows 7: User Productivity, Improved Security and Control, Streamlined PC Management, and Desktop Optimization.
• Course 6292A - Update Your Technology Knowledge of Microsoft Windows XP to Windows 7: 3-Day instructor-led course is intended for IT professionals who want to update their exisiting Windows XP skills providing user support, desktop configuration, and desktop troubleshooting to Windows 7. 
• Clinic 10125 - What's New in Windows 7 for Consumers: 1-hour clinic provides you with an overview of key enhancements in Windows 7 that help you work more efficiently and easily with your computers. It describes the new features and tools that you can use to organize, find, protect, and share your information.
• Clinic 10077 - What's New in Windows 7 for IT Professionals: 2-hour clinic provides you with an overview of the new and enhanced deployment, security, manageability, and performance features in Windows 7 for IT professionals. 
• Clinic 10088 - What's New in Windows 7 for Information Workers: 2-hour clinic provides you with an overview of key enhancements in Windows 7, which help information workers to improve their productivity as well as work in a more secure environment.

 

ADDITIONAL WINDOWS 7 ONLINE RESOURCES:

 

• Engineering Windows 7
• input.microsoft.com - help Microsoft improve products by submitting feedback sent directly to the folks working on the features.
• Microsoft Windows 7 Partner Program Portal
• "Talking About Windows" IT pros discussing Windows 7
• Windows Experience Blog
• Windows Security Blog
• Windows 7 Blog for Developers
• Windows 7 IT Pro TechNet Support Forums
• Windows 7 Product Marketing/Management Team Blog
• Windows 7 Team Blog
• Windows 7 Website
• Windows Vista Activation Forum

 

I.T. & DEPLOYMENT RESOURCES FOR WINDOWS 7: 

 

• ACT 5.5 Getting Started Handout - Preparing for Compatibilty Testing & Implementing Your Testing Process
• ACT 5.5 Handout Card - Managing the Compatibilty Testing Process & Resolving Compatibilty Issues
• BranchCache Early Adopter's Guide - overview of the BranchCache feature introduced in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. After a thorough introduction of BranchCache and its modes of operation, the document describes BranchCache configuration. It then provides troubleshooting details and a list of tools to be used by BranchCache administrators.
• BranchCache Technical Overview explains the different modes in which BranchCache operates, and describes how BranchCache is configured. The paper also explains how BranchCache works with Web servers and file servers and the steps BranchCache takes to determine that the content is up-to-date.
• Desktop Deployment Overview of the new Windows 7 features.
• DirectAccess Early Adopter's Guide introduces DirectAccess concepts, defines new terms, explains requirements for installation, discusses how to design DirectAccess architecture, and then steps you through installation and deployment.
• DirectAccess Technical Overview - Describes DirectAccess in technical detail, covering why the technology is useful to enterprises with a mobile workforce and the different architectures and technologies that DirectAccess uses to manage mobile connection, authentication, and authorization. Compares selected server and full enterprise network access architectures, describes the step-by-step connection process for mobile computers and users, and summarizes requirements.
• Enterprise Search in Windows 7 Overview - outlines how Windows 7 provides users with an improved and seamless search experience across local and networked corporate data directly within Windows Explorer.
• Federated Search Provider Implementer's Guide describes how to build a basic web service that leverages the Windows OpenSearch provider for federated search.Federated search enables users to search remote data sources from within Windows Explorer and to interact with that remote data from within Windows Explorer.
• How to Install Office Communicator 2007 on Windows 7.
• How to Integrate Drivers in an Image to Perform Clean Installs.
• Managing Shims in an Enterprise provides reusable guidance for reducing the cost of deployment for Windows 7 by accelerating the mitigation of blocking application compatibility issues—including understanding how shims work, when to consider applying shims, and how to manage the shims you do apply.
• Power Management in Windows 7 Overview provides an overview of the power management features in Windows 7. Discover how Windows 7 reduces power consumption and makes power management easier.
• User State Migration Tool: What's New? Learn about Windows User State Migration Tool 4.0, which is a scriptable command-line tool that can be customized to your user file migration needs.
• Virtual PC Evaluation Guide describes how to install Windows Virtual PC and set up a virtual environment, such as Windows XP mode or a custom virtual machine. It also shows you how to try out some of the key features of Windows Virtual PC. (Notes & Home Page)
• Windows Search - Part of the IT Pro at Home: Tips and Tricks series, this screencast shows you how Windows Search can make Windows 7 your one-stop-search-shop at work and at home.
• Windows 7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 Networking Enhancements for Enterprises (6.4 MB) A detailed look at new networking technologies in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, with particular emphasis on enhancements to improve connectivity for a mobile workforce.
• Windows 7 VHD Boot (command line) demonstration explains how to build a bootable Windows 7 VHD image from a Windows 7 “install.wim” file using diskpart.exe and imagex.exe. The demonstration continues with an explanation of how to configure the boot entry using bcdedit.exe and explains the limitations of VHD Boot.
• Windows 7 What’s New Guide covers many new and changed Windows 7 features of interest to IT professionals, including DirectAccess, BranchCache and other networking technologies, VHD boot and other deployment technologies, and AppLocker, Biometrics, and other security technologies.
• Windows 7 Manageability Overview - Windows 7 introduces a number of manageability improvements that can reduce total cost of ownership by helping to increase automation, improve user productivity, and provide flexible administrative control to meet compliance requirements. This paper provides an overview of each of these improvements.

 

DEVELOPER RESOURCES FOR WINDOWS 7: 

 

• Windows 7 Application Quality Cookbook: A Developer’s Guide to Application Compatibility, Reliability, and Performance
• Windows 7 Developer Guide
• Windows Driver Kit (WDK) 1.3 fully integrated driver development system containing material formerly found in the Windows Driver Device Kit (DDK) and tests for stability and reliability of Windows 7 drivers.
• Windows 7 Manageability Overview
• Windows Media Center SDK for Windows 7 Beta is designed to help developers create applications and software components that take advantage of features provided by Windows 7 Media Center. (SDK Team)
• Windows 7 Software Logo Program for Client - Proposed technical requirements for the Windows 7 Software Logo for Client
• Windows 7 for the Enterprise
• Windows 7 Reviewer's Guide [119 Page PDF]
• Windows 7 Training Kit for Developers includes presentations, hands-on labs, and demos.
• Step-by-Step: Adding The MS Loopback Adapter on Windows 7
• Step by Step: Demonstrate DirectAccess in a Test Lab
• Step-by-Step: Windows 7 Upgrade and Migration for Beta
• WS-Dev Remote Extensions for Windows 7 Beta Documentation compliance for WSDAPI (2005/04 WS-Discovery specification).
• Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1: RC (ISO or WEB) provides documentation, samples, header files, libraries, and tools (including C++ compilers) designed to help you develop Windows applications using both native (Win32) and managed (.NET Framework) technologies. (Notes, MSDN)
• MSDev.com 10-Part Web Seminars: "A Developer's First Look at Windows 7"

 

ROAD TO KNOW WHERE RESOURCES FOR WINDOWS 7:

 

• WINDOWS 7 FAQ: Top Answers to First Time User's Questions
• How to Make Windows XP Look & Behave Like Windows 7 for Free
• How to Make Windows Vista Look & Behave Like Windows 7 for Free 
• Ultimate List of Free Windows 7 Software & Resources
  

 

Microsoft has a few people & Teams using Twitter -- and now Microsoft ("the company") has an official twitter feed!

--> http://twitter.com/microsoft

Lack of access to an Arabic keyboard or lack of familiarity with one are two of the most common problems preventing Arabic users from communicating in their own language.

 

Microsoft Maren is a Windows extension that comes to the rescue, allowing you to type Arabic in Roman characters (Romanized Arabic, Arabizi, Arabish or Franco-Arabic) and have it converted on the fly to Arabic script.

 

Maren integrates seamlessly with Windows and works in most Windows applications and websites.   

--> Download "Maren"

Performance - The Fastest Firefox Yet

Things move quickly online, and we’ve beefed up the engine that runs Firefox to make sure you can keep up: Firefox 3.5 is more than twice as fast as Firefox 3, and ten times as fast as Firefox 2.* As a result, Web applications like email, photo sites and your favorite social networks will feel snappier and more responsive.

 

Security - More Ways to Keep You Safe

Keeping you safe while you surf is our top priority, which is why we’ve upgraded our anti-phishing and anti-malware technologies and have added private browsing and “forget this site” options to ensure your privacy.

 

Plus, our open source security process means we have experts around the globe working around the clock to keep you (and your personal information) safe.

 

Customization - One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Everybody uses the Web differently, so why should your browser be exactly like the next guy’s? Whether you’re into chatting, cooking or coding, Firefox has more than 6,000 add-ons to help you customize it to fit your exact needs.

New Features - Advancing the Web

We’ve been working hard to make sure Firefox 3.5 brings you the best of the modern web. With new features like private browsing, tear-off tabs and enhancements to the Awesome Bar, plus major performance enhancements, you’ll enjoy life on the cutting edge.

Firefox vs. IE - See How We Stack Up

We’ve told you about what makes Firefox great, but how do we compare against Internet Explorer? Check out our handy browser comparison chart to see for yourself.

 

--> Download Firefox 3.5