TechNet Flash: Windows 7 public release means specials for IT pros

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Volume 11, Issue 23: October 22, 2009 Note from the Editor We're celebrating today's general availability of Windows 7 with some special offers and special content just for IT pros and TechNet Flash readers. We know that two of your biggest concerns are application compatibility and deployment, so here's something just for you: the new eBook from Microsoft Press, Deploying Windows 7, offering essential guidance from the Windows 7 Resource Kit and TechNet Magazine. You'll find selected chapters from the Windows 7 Resource Kit on deployment platforms, planning, and testing application compatibility, to name a few. You'll also get six new articles on Windows 7 from industry experts on migration, running Windows 7 in mixed environments, certification and more. The eBook is free for a limited time. For testing your software and hardware on the final version of Windows 7, download the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial. If you feel like celebrating with us and learning more from the experts and the community, visit TalkingAboutWindows.com to attend the events and join the conversation with other IT professionals. Now for the special offers: First up is the Microsoft Action Pack for TechNet Flash subscribers. For US$299 the Microsoft Action Pack subscription includes internal-use, full-version software including: RTM versions of Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Web Server 2008 R2, plus resources to help you grow. Visit Action Pack Online or call 1-866-668-1215 to get your Action Pack subscription. The Action Pack is not available for everyone, so see if you qualify for this special opportunity. If you sign up or renew your Action Pack subscription between October 15, 2009 and June 15, 2010, you'll be automatically entered into " The Great Office Technology Makeover Sweepstakes" for five new laptops, HP multi-function color laser printer and Web evaluation to refresh your business. And if you are in the market for upgrading your home PCs, we have a special deal for you. Check out 7 Days of Windows 7 for great offers on hot PCs running Windows 7. There'll never be a better time to buy. The offers are updated daily and available while supplies last. Program ends October 28. New TechCenter for SharePoint 2010 (Beta) Products Visit the new SharePoint 2010 Beta TechCenter and learn how to get started with the new tools and resources to help you install and deploy Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010, including a series of video learning modules for IT pros. Thanks for reading, Mitch Irsfeld Editor, TechNet Flash Subscribe to the TechNet Flash Feed blog for news updates as they happen, often several times a day. Or, to get the TechNet Flash Feed, plus news of new webcasts, videos and new TechNet Magazine content, all in one place, get the TechNet Widget for your desktop. Your Featured Content Update Your Selected Topics Ensure that the content most relevant to you is presented in this section. New Videos for IT Pros Windows 7 Deployment Saves Money Microsoft's Blain Barton interviews PowerShell MVP and IT pro Max Trinidad about his work in rolling out Windows 7. Max cites savings in the fact that Windows 7 installs cleanly and runs on three-year-old hardware running Windows XP. He reports strong productivity using PowerShell and the IT Pro Momentum program. TechNet Presents: Real-World Azure The DPE U.S. Central Region team just wrapped up an Azure tour and we recorded one of the final events of the tour. This webcast video discusses some of the real-world aspects of using Azure. This is the IT pro-focused portion of the event. More "How Do I?" Videos Featured Downloads Simplify Deployment with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 MDT unifies tools and best practices into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. New features such as flexible driver management, optimized user interface workflow, and Windows PowerShell can simplify deployment and make your job easier. Download System Center Service Manager 2010 Beta 2 Trial Software With built-in processes and workflow for incident, problem resolution, and change control, and its configuration management database, Service Manager orchestrates activities and connects knowledge from System Center Operations Manager, System Center Configuration Manager, and Active Directory. Register to download your evaluation copy. Upcoming Webcasts Using Project 2007 to Manage Small IT Projects (Level 100) October 27, 2009, 10:00 A.M. Pacific Time Learn some key tips and tricks to set up small IT project plans and manage the projects using the new tools in Project 2007. We walk you through a proven planning process using project management best practices for planning your scope, timeline (schedule), and costs (resources) in Project 2007. Thrive Live! A Technical Framework for Data Governance October 28, 2009, 9:00 A.M. Pacific Time Find out how you can employ your knowledge of your own organization's data flows and data privacy and security policies to identify threats to data resources, manage risk, and select technical controls to improve the privacy and security of your sensitive information. On Demand IT Manager Community Chat: Windows 7 - What's in It for You? In this webcast, Kevin Remde and his guests discuss the improvements in Windows 7 that can reduce the total cost of ownership by helping to increase automation, improve user productivity, and provide flexible administrative control to meet compliance requirements. _________________ In This Issue: Your Featured Content New Videos for IT Pros Featured Downloads Upcoming Webcasts On Demand Get the TechNet Widget for Your Desktop Get breaking news, videos, webcasts, podcasts, and TechNet Magazine highlights. Training and Books Download the Free Windows 7 Sampler PDF We're celebrating the release of Windows 7 with a complimentary PDF download, courtesy of Safari Books Online. Read more than 400 pages of free chapters from The Definitive Guide by William R. Stanek, Windows 7 in Depth by Robert Cowart and Brian Knittel, Windows 7: Up and Running by Wei-Meng Lee, and Microsoft Windows 7 Unleashed by Paul McFedries. Free Exchange Server 2010 E-Learning Clinics Learn about the new unified messaging features, effective deployment scenarios, development platform options, and more. These clinics are free for a limited time. Clinic 6899: Exploring Features of Exchange Server 2010 (two hours) Clinic 6900: Introduction to Exchange Server 2010 (one hour) Clinic 6901: Exchange Server 2010 in an Enterprise (one hour) National and Global Events Microsoft Tech·Ed Europe 2009 November 9-13, 2009 Berlin, Germany As an IT professional, do you want to stay in control of your IT environment and be a trusted source for strategic guidance? No other conference offers you the breadth and depth of Tech·Ed Europe. It's your opportunity to help build business growth and success, and keep your career development on track. Find a TechNet Event in Your Local Area Resources TechNet Flash Feed Blog Community News Solution Accelerators Case Studies and White Papers How Microsoft Does IT Support News TechNet Flash Archive TechNet Magazine MSDN Flash Newsletter Security Newsletter Learning Paths for Security IT Management Community Hub TechNet Plus Direct Enjoy the Privileges of a TechNet Plus Direct Subscription Benefits include: Full library of Microsoft software for evaluation without limits Immediate access through subscriber downloads Two Professional Support incidents Access to beta software before public beta releases Exclusive tools and utilities Microsoft respects your privacy.  Please read our online Privacy Statement.                    If you would prefer to no longer receive this this newsletter, please click here to unsubscribe.  These settings will not affect any other newsletters you've requested or any mandatory service communications that are considered part of certain Microsoft services.  To set your contact preferences for other Microsoft communications, see the communications preferences section of the Microsoft Privacy Statement. 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Exploring Windows: Windows 7 is here

Sign up for other newsletters | Unsubscribe | Update your profile Volume 109 October 22, 2009 Exploring Windows brings you tips, tricks, downloads, and updates to help you get the most out of Windows. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe to the Exploring Windows newsletter. You can find additional Windows tips, tricks, and how-to's on the Exploring Windows website. 7 ways to simplify your life with Windows 7 You told us to make Windows simpler and easier to use. We listened. Windows 7 has better ways to find and manage files to help you speed through everyday tasks. It's designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC works just the way you want it to. Get to know Windows 7, and see how it can simplify just about everything you do with your PC. Windows 7 features that help make everyday tasks easier Easily work with multiple open windows Calling all multi-taskers - new desktop enhancements make working with multiple windows on your desktop easier. Want to maximize a window? Just drag its border to the top of the screen. Read more about improvements to the desktop. Get to what you need, fast In Windows 7, the taskbar puts what you want to do at your fingertips. Pin the programs you use most to the taskbar or even pin a specific document to a program. Learn more about what's new with the taskbar. Make your PC your own One way to simplify your PC is to customize how your desktop looks and acts. Windows 7 gives you ample ways to do that, from controlling what appears in your Start menu to personalizing themes. Read more about customizing your desktop. Connect PCs and share files in a few steps Say good-bye to that hodgepodge of cables and USB drives. HomeGroup, a new feature in Windows 7, lets you share files, photos, and music among your home PCs as if all the data was on a single hard disk drive. Learn more about this feature. Learn from people like you For the former Windows XP user, welcome to Windows 7 8/19/2009, Andre Did you just make the move from Windows XP to Windows 7? To help make the transition a smooth one, here is a quick guide to help familiarize yourself with some of the changes and benefits... Windows 7 in 77 seconds - Pin 10/3/2009, Robert The new Pin feature in Windows 7, which replaces the quick launch feature of previous versions of Windows, lets you organize your favorite and often-used programs on your Taskbar or in your Start menu... There's no place like HomeGroup 8/3/2009, Windows Media Center Team Windows Media Center has tapped into the new HomeGroup feature to provide a smoother experience for sharing media between Windows 7-based PCs. Here I'll focus on sharing recorded television content... Windows 7, Play To, and a Samsung DLNA-enabled TV 7/24/2009, Barb In my opinion, the Play To/streaming enhancements in Windows 7 are some of the coolest new features in Windows 7. Anyone, novices included, should be able to use and have fun with this technology set... Next steps • Explore more Windows 7 features • Compare Windows 7 to the version you're using now • See which edition of Windows 7 is right for you • Get Windows 7 Special offers • 7 days of Windows 7 savings - offers end 10/28. • Upgrade 3 PCs. Save over $200. • Buy a PC. Upgrade a second PC for 50% off. Better together Windows Live Essentials Get seven great programs in one free download. Internet Explorer 8 Internet Explorer 8 extends your Windows 7 experience to the web. Windows phones Take all of your Windows stuff with you on the latest Windows phones. Already have Windows 7? We'll help you get started with helpful articles, tips, and tricks. Register your copy of Windows 7 here. Microsoft respects your privacy. Please read our online Privacy Statement. If you would prefer to no longer receive this newsletter, please reply to this message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line or click here to sign in and unsubscribe. These settings will not affect any other newsletters you've requested or any mandatory service communications that are considered part of certain Microsoft services. To set your contact preferences for other Microsoft communications, see the communications preferences section of the Microsoft Privacy Statement. Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052 Sign up for other newsletters | Unsubscribe | Update your profile © 2009 Microsoft Corporation Terms of Use | Trademarks | Privacy Statement