Stijn C. at myITforum.com

[Powershell]

The Powershell team released Windows PowerShell 2.0 and WinRM 2.0 for pre-Windows 7 operating systems on Windows Update. This non-security, optional update is designed for Windows Server 2008 SP2, Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP2, and Windows XP SP3.

Windows PowerShell 2.0 and WinRM 2.0 are also available as part of  the Windows Management Framework (WMF) Core Package on the  Microsoft Download Center and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

The WMF Core Package available on the Microsoft Download Center and the Windows Update release contain the same binaries of the products, so you can now download them from either source. Because Windows PowerShell 2.0 is in-place upgrade to Windows PowerShell 1.0, we will no longer be offering Windows PowerShell 1.0 on Windows Update.

Windows PowerShell 2.0 appears as an option in a Windows Update scan only if the computer meets the following conditions.

• The computer has at least Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP1
• The computer does not have a non-RTM (CTP, Beta, RCs etc.) release of Windows PowerShell. (Windows PowerShell 1.0 RTM can be installed.)

as found on the Powershell Team blog.

[Powershell] The scripting games 2010 are a wrap!

The scripting games took place from 26 of April to May 10.
Although I sometimes struggled to get the scripts submitted on time,I really need to start working on my time management skills :), it was a lot of fun.
This is actually the first time I participated in this event and I was a awesome experience!
The community participating was all around twitter and the forums, any questions asked where rapidly answered,… etc.

I also liked the idea that multiple judges grated the scripts submitted. As there are several approaches you can tackle a problem, your vision might not always be the most efficient.
This actually brings me to the only drawback of the 2010 Scripting Games. If a second opinion would result in a downgrade of your script, it’s useful to have the ‘why’ communicated.

The greatest advantage of participating really comes down to one thing: I learned a lot.
The events were challenging and forced me to start exploring new items (like remoting, winforms/WPF,…), searching for useful information and so on.
Powershell is not about reading a book but getting your hands dirty and the 2010 Scripting Games provided that opportunity whether you’re a novice or advanced scripter.

Anyway, all things need improvement but already now this experience was top of the bill!
See you all again next year!

[App-V] Application Virtualization Sequencing SuperFlow

The SuperFlow interactive content model provides a structured and interactive interface for viewing documentation.

Each SuperFlow includes comprehensive information about a specific dataflow, workflow, or process. Depending on the focus of the SuperFlow, you will find overview information, steps that include detailed information, procedures, sample log entries, best practices, real-world scenarios, troubleshooting information, security information, animations, or other information.

Each SuperFlow also includes links to relevant resources, such as Web sites or local files that are copied to your computer when you install the SuperFlow.

This SuperFlow provides detailed information about the Application Virtualization Sequencing process.

Download the superflow

[Software] McAfee Antivirus deleting svchost.exe

found on Ask the core team
Summary

McAfee has identified an issue with the a Virus Definition (DAT) file which causes a false positive detection of the w32/wecorl.a virus in svchost.exe.   When this false positive occurs, svchost.exe may be quarantined or removed depending on software configuration.  This can cause the computer to shut down with a DCOM or RPC error, remain running without network connectivity, or in some circumstances trigger a Bugcheck.  Windows XP SP3 is the only affected operating system which has been identified.

Resolution

To manually repair a computer which is not-functioning due to this issue, follow the steps below:

   1.  Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing F8 before the Windows splash screen.
   2.  Log into the machine, then press CTRL+ALT+DEL and start Task Manager
   3.  Select New Task (Run…) from the File menu
   4.  Type cmd.exe and press ENTER
   5.  Type ren “%programfiles%\Common Files\McAfee\Engine\avvscan.dat” avvscan.old
NOTE: This will remove McAfee virus definitions.  Make sure to update
       to the latest (5959 DAT or newer) definitions after completing these steps
       to restore virus definitions.
   6.  Type copy %systemroot%\system32\dllcache\svchost.exe %systemroot%\system32\
       and press ENTER
   7.  Restart the computer

For a tasksequence approach, browse the Configuration Manager team blog.

McAfee articles:
https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=KB68780
https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=KB51109

[Office] Office 2010 goes RTM

Office 2010 now availble on Technet and MSDN

[SCUG] Best of MMS 2010

Best of Microsoft Management Summit 2010

Best of MMS 2010 will provide the opportunity to learn more about IT Management solutions from Microsoft and how you can adopt them in your datacenter. MMS is an annual event in Las Vegas where we deliver deep technical content on our latest management solution offering.

In a year packed with new management product releases, MMS 2010 will provide the latest technical updates on Desktop, Datacenter, Device and Cloud management features and solutions from Microsoft. This year 5 of our Belgian Experts from the System Center User Group will attend this event and bring back all the valuable information and present them to the Belgian IT Professionals.

register now!

Date:
May 11,2010

Location:
Microsoft Office
Da Vincilaan 3
1935 Zaventem

[TechNet Webcast] System Center and the Green Client

With the release of the Windows 7 operating system, new capabilities, working scenarios, and efficiencies are emerging. In the area of green IT, Windows 7 contains new features that, when combined with Microsoft System Center, drive the reduction of operational costs through centrally controlled power management. 

In this webcast, we describe the enterprise-class power management capabilities that were introduced in the newly released Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Configuration Manager 2007 R3. From integration with Intel vPro technology, to power management planning, to centrally controlled policy application, to industry-standard reporting formats, join us to learn why Configuration Manager should be your technology of choice to help reduce energy costs.

System Center and the Green Client (Level 300)

Duration:
60 Minutes

Date:
Monday, May 24, 2010

[Beta] Configuration Manager R3 beta Available

As announced by Brad Anderson at MMS 2010 the R3 Beta is now available for download from the Microsoft Connect Site.

To download R3:

1. Goto https://connect.microsoft.com/site16
2. Sign in to the site
3. Download the bits

the key improvements are:

• Monitoring and Planning: The Power Management feature collects information about computer usage and power settings for computers in the origination.  Reports are provided to allow the administrator to analyze this data and determine optimal power management settings for computers.

• Enforcement: Power management allows the administrator to create power plans which can be applied to collections of computers. These power plans configure Windows power management settings on computers, and different power plans can be configured for peak and non-peak working hours.

• Compliance: After applying power plans to computers in the organization, the administrator can run reports to validate that power settings were correctly applied and to calculate power and carbon footprint savings across collections of computers.

[Beta] System Management in the cloud: Intune

Microsoft is advancing it’s cloud strategy with a new online offering for PC management and security combined with the best Windows experience called Windows Intune. Windows Intune simplifies how businesses manage and secure PCs using Windows cloud services and Windows 7—making it easier for IT staff to manage and secure PCs from virtually anywhere. In addition to the core cloud service in this offering, we’re also providing access to Windows 7 Enterprise upgrades as well as advanced on-premise management and virtualization tools (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack).

Microsoft Takes Desktop Management to the Cloud: Introducing Windows Intune

[Powershell] Quick reference April 2010 update

Quick reference guide to commonly-used Windows PowerShell commands. For best results, open the file in Microsoft Word, print the contents to legal-sized paper (8 inches by 14 inches), and fold the resulting printout in half, making a four-page booklet.

Powershell Quick reference

[Powershell] Scripting Games 2010 announced!

The scripting games 2010 will start April 26th!

So head over to http://2010sg.poshcode.org, log in with either your Windows Live ID or OpenID, complete your profile,
and wait for the Games to begin on April 26, 2010.

More information can be found on the Hey Scripting Guy blog.

Technet 2.0 live!

Just noticed that Technet 2.0 is alive and kicking!

[Config Mgr] Documentation Library Update for February 2010

From the Configuration Manager Team Blog:

The Configuration Manager documentation library (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb680651.aspx) has been updated on the Web and the latest content on the Web has Updated: February 1, 2010 at the top of the topic.

This month's updates incorporate customer feedback.  We do value customer feedback and try to incorporate it when possible.  Although we can't promise to make the docs perfect for everybody, we are committed to continual improvement.  So, keep that feedback coming, and feel free to contact us about anything related to the documentation by using our usual address of SMSDocs@Microsoft.com. 

What's New in the Configuration Manager Documentation Library for February 2010

The following information lists the topics that contain significant changes since the January 2010 update.

Supported Operating Systems and Hard Disk Configurations for Operating System Deployment

- Updated to clarify that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are supported by operating system deployment in Configuration Manager 2007 SP2.

Operating System Deployment Task Sequence Variables

- Updated to add the _SMSTSTimezone task sequence variable.

Apply Network Settings Task Sequence Action Variables

- Updated to correct the name of the OSDDNSSuffixSearchOrder task sequence variable.

Log Files for Operating System Deployment

- Updated to correct the location of the CreateTSMedia.log file.

How to Verify That Site Information Is Published to Active Directory Domain Services

- Updated to clarify that Configuration Manager 2007 does not use the msSMSSiteBoundaries attribute for the site code object.

Program Properties Page and Program Name Properties: Environment Tab

- Updated with corrected information that Allow users to interact with this program is available only when Program can run is configured for Only when a user is logged on or Whether or not a user is logged on.

Configuration Manager in Multiple Active Directory Forests

- Updated to clarify that to discover a computer resource in another forest by using Active Directory System Discovery, there must be a forest trust between the site server forest and the forest where the computer is located. The absence of the trust is also added to Troubleshooting Discovery Issues and the troubleshooting entry "Discovery Does Not Return Any Results". For more troubleshooting information about this requirement, see The Configuration Manager Support Team Blog post: Configuration Manager AD system discovery will not work across external trusts starting with Service Pack 2.

-- The Configuration Manager Writing Team

[Config Mgr] Managing System Center Configuration Manager clients in a workgroup

When managing SMS or SCCM clients that are in a workgroup, clients will need access to a WINS server the contains the proper entries for the SMS/SCCM site systems. 
If a WINS is not available, as an alternative you can edit the LMHOSTS and HOSTS files on each client to allow for name resolution.

Find out more on the Configuration Manager support team blog

[Win 7] expiration dates and functionality

Effective March 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC enters the next phase of expiration:

• Expiration notifications in the task bar continue.
• Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.
  Important When the computer restarts, your work will not be saved.

Effective June 1, 2010, Windows 7 RC expires:

• Windows starts to a black desktop.
• Windows 7 RC users are presented with a Windows Activation screen. The screen states that the Windows that you are running is not genuine.
• Computers that are running Windows 7 RC restart every two hours.

More information on support.microsoft.com