Marc Valk dot Net » Windows 7

Which Windows 7 is right for you

mvalk — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:43:18 +0000

A nice chart summing up al the differences between the Windows 7 versions.

Original source: here (and that one was based on a table from wikipedia)

Forefront Client Security and windows 7

mvalk — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:45:30 +0000

I just installed a new virtual machine with Windows 7 Enterprise. As I wanted to have some good protection from viruses and malware, I decided to go for Forefront Client Security.

I copied the installation files for FCS to a local temp folder, and executed the command CLIENTSETUP.EXE /NOMOM (to install FCS with the MOM agent). Keep in mind that if you are using a x64 system, execute the clientsetup.exe inside the x64 folder
This installation failed because of UAC.
I changed my UAC settings to low by launching the “Change UAC Settings”, under the tool tab in MSConfig.

Again I tried to execute the CLIENTSETUP.EXE /NOMOM.
This time FCS installed correctly.
After installation I pressed the “Check for Updates Now” inside FCS, but it reported that there we’re now updates….strange, because the definition files are from September 14th 2006.

I then found this webpage: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935934/ you can download the antimalware definition files manually and install them. This solved it for me.

Windows 7 Federated Search

mvalk — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:57:20 +0000

wow, this is nice.

Windows 7 Federated Search.
This Federated Search will change the scope of your search beyond your Computer. You can now search for items in remote repositories from your PC. It is based on OpenSearch and the RSS format. Since it is based on open standards, it becomes very simple to create custom ‘search connectors’ for your own remote repositories. For example, you can search Flickr or Twitter from within explorer.
Here are some search connectors.

I even created one for my own site , you can download it here

Windows 7 Ads

mvalk — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:30:08 +0000

Nice Windows 7 advert. LOL

And another one, with the funny kid

This one is also funny.

Microsoft Windows 7 – 64bit and IE8 new tab hang

mvalk — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:27:04 +0000

A few colleagues of mine had some problems with IE8 in Windows 7. Whenever they CTRL+clicked on a link in IE8, the new tab would hang. I did not have this problem on my machine (as a developer would say: “it works on my machine”).
Also when the dragged a link from the address bar to their favorites bar, IE8 would crash completely.

After some intensive research one of my colleagues found a solution and posted it on his blog, check it out here.

Some other things that might happen. because of this setup:

An error will occur when you open the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and connect to a SQL Server instance:
Unable to cast COM object of type ‘System.__ComObject’ to interface type ‘Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop.IServiceProvider’. This operation failed because the QueryInterface call on the COM component for the interface with IID ‘{6D5140C1-7436-11CE-8034-00AA006009FA}’ failed due to the following error: No such interface supported (Exception from HRESULT: 0×80004002 (E_NOINTERFACE)). (Microsoft.VisualStudio.OLE.Interop)
When using Microsoft Exchange’s webmail page, you’re popup’s when creating a new mail message could resolve in a white page (no content)

Installed: Windows 7

mvalk — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:12:13 +0000

After waiting a long time on august 6th, Windows 7 finally arrived. The installation was really easy, and I am surprised with the boot time, but then I always am with a freshly installed OS.

Some “nifty” things I found out:

Command Prompt Here
I always had a power toy installed which added a context menu to the windows explorer, to open a command prompt at the exact same folder I was browsing. This is now built into windows 7. Just hold shift and right click a folder.
Explorer in new process
As you try out the command prompt thingy, you might notice another new context menu “open in new process”. This will open a new explorer window, but different from the menu “open in new window” it will open as a new explorer.exe process. So if one explorer.exe crashes (why should it?), another will still stay open.
Starting your pinned taskbar programs
with the windows key combination Win+1, Win+2, Win+3, you can start the programs which you pinned to your taskbar.
ISO Burner
really nice.. build in ISO burner. Just double click any ISO file.
WordPad
WordPad can open the Office Open XML (Word Files).
Peek at desktop
damn… where is my “desktop” shortcut on my taskbar. Searched a few seconds for it and then I found it. On the other hand (right side) of the taskbar, next to the clock. Nice thing is you can also peak @ the desktop by hovering over this “button” .
your favorite folders pinned
If you’re always opening the same folders, you can pin them with the Explorer icon on the taskbar. Hold the right-click button down and drag the folder to the taskbar, and it will be pinned in the Explorer Jump List.

Windows 7: RDP Platform Improvements

mvalk — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:45:34 +0000

Some things in RDP that will be improved in Windows 7:

Aero Experience
like translucent effects, previews
Direct 2D & Direct 3d 10.1
True MultiMon Support
RDP Core Performance Improvements
Multimedia: Media Foundation
Running Audio and Video smoothly
Multimedia: DirectShow
40% gain in bandwidth reduction

I’ve seen a demo where they played a video (1080p), the audio was a little behind on the video (but not irritating slow), the video was really smooth and the processor load on the server was only 1%.
Want to see it for yourself? Check out this link, @ 22min. it is playing the video, and @ 23min, it plays the HD movie.

My opinion: impressive, I know some company’s who really could use it.