Blogs and information
Windows Virtualization Team Blog
http://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/
The World Simplified is a Virtual World
http://blogs.technet.com/virtualworld/
Ask the Directory Services Team
http://blogs.technet.com/askds/
Ask the Performance Team
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/
Microsoft Enterprise Networking Team
http://blogs.technet.com/networking/
Ask the Core Team
http://blogs.technet.com/askcore/
Microsoft Advanced Windows Debugging and Troubleshooting
http://blogs.msdn.com/ntdebugging/
Terminal Services Team Blog
http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/
The Hot Blog
http://blogs.technet.com/hot/
Downloads
Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1) delivers updates to corporate environments from Microsoft Update. This release fixes issue found since the release of the product.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3df87b4c5e-4161-48af-9ff8-a96993c688df%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1 Overview
This paper introduces Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1) and provides information about features, and server and client computer requirements.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=2&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1b5eac37-bd48-41fd-869b-f9b06fa64a61%26displaylang%3den
Release Notes for Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
These release notes describe known issues affecting Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1) and include recommendations and requirements for installing the application.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=3&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d8a283ea4-1545-47d5-a86c-5ca379bafb9c%26displaylang%3den
Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
This guide provides instructions for getting started with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=4&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dc8fa2fd1-72f6-4f19-a1b0-f689dae14be6%26displaylang%3den
Deploying Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1
This paper describes how to deploy Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=8&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d208e93d1-e1cd-4f38-ad1e-d993e05657c9%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP1 Operations Guide
This paper documents the major tasks involved in administering and troubleshooting Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 1 (WSUS 3.0 SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=9&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d66d250fa-670f-4a49-95ec-2ffda7691f55%26displaylang%3den
Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance
Technical documentation for planning, deployment, and operations of Volume Activation 2.0 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Includes the Volume Activation 2.0 Overview Guide, Planning Guide, Deployment Guide, Operations Guide, Resources, FAQ and Technical Attributes.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=11&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d9893f83e-c8a5-4475-b025-66c6b38b46e3%26displaylang%3den
TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows
This online book describes the fundamentals of TCP/IP in Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=12&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dc76296fd-61c9-4079-a0bb-582bca4a846f%26displaylang%3den
Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET Framework version 3.5
The Windows SDK for Windows Server® 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 provides documentation, samples, header files, libraries, and tools designed to help you develop Windows applications using both native (Win32®) and managed (.NET Framework) technologies.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=13&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3de6e1c3df-a74f-4207-8586-711ebe331cdc%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Step-by-Step Guides
These step-by-step guides help IT Professionals learn about and evaluate Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=17&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d518d870c-fa3e-4f6a-97f5-acaf31de6dce%26displaylang%3den
Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008
Describes features and technologies in Windows Server 2008 added or changed since Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=18&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d173e6e9b-4d3e-4fd4-a2cf-73684fa46b60%26displaylang%3den
Infrastructure Planning and Design
The Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) guides are the next version of Windows Server System Reference Architecture. The guides in this series help clarify and streamline design processes for Microsoft infrastructure technologies, with each guide addressing a unique infrastructure technology or scenario.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=19&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dad3921fb-8224-4681-9064-075fdf042b0c%26displaylang%3den
Windows Media Services for Windows Server 2008
These Microsoft Update Standalone Package (MSU) files install the latest version of Windows Media Services and related remote administration tools for the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=20&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d9ccf6312-723b-4577-be58-7caab2e1c5b7%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008: Release Notes and Installation Information
Release documentation that contains known issues for the Windows Server 2008 operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=22&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1087a498-40ad-46ba-9ada-f32a58a94a85%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft IPsec Diagnostic Tool
Microsoft IPsec Diagnostic Tool assists Network administrators with troubleshooting network related failures, focusing primarily on IPsec. It is applicable on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=23&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1d4c292c-7998-42e4-8786-789c7b457881%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Security Guide
This Solution Accelerator helps organizations efficiently create, deploy, and maintain a secure environment for a variety of servers running Windows Server® 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=24&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dfb8b981f-227c-4af6-a44b-b115696a80ac%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
Windows Server 2008 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=25&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d13c7300e-935c-415a-a79c-538e933d5424%26displaylang%3den
Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows Server 2008
This spreadsheet lists the policy settings for computer and user configurations included in the Administrative template files (.admx/.adml) delivered with Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=26&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d2043b94e-66cd-4b91-9e0f-68363245c495%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP DHCP Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP DHCP enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=30&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dac38e5bb-18ce-40cb-8e59-188f7a198897%26displaylang%3den
Planning and Deploying Group Policy
This guide provides the information needed to successfully plan and deploy Group Policy using Windows Server 2008 and the Group Policy Management Console.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=32&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d73d96068-0aea-450a-861b-e2c5413b0485%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Technical Overviews
These technical overviews provide IT Professionals with information about how a Windows Server 2008 technology works.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=33&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d46dc26d6-af47-43f0-b3de-521831fe09d6%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Standard
Windows Server 2008 helps IT professionals to increase the flexibility and reliability of their server infrastructure while offering developers a more robust web and applications platform for building connected applications and services.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=37&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3db6e99d4c-a40e-4fd2-a0f7-32212b520f50%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP 802.1X Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP 802.1X enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=40&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d8a0925ee-ee06-4dfb-bba2-07605eff0608%26displaylang%3den
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007
This download comes as a pre-configured VHD. This download enables you evaluate Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2007.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=41&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dd4e8bc52-3c3b-4bae-b937-987da892fad7%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP IPsec Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP IPsec enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=42&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d298ff956-1e6c-4d97-a3ed-7e7ffc4bed32%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 KMS Setup Demonstration
This video demonstrates how to implement the Key Management Service (KMS) in your organization. The demo walks through setting up the KMS host on a Windows Server 2008 computer, how KMS clients activate with the KMS host, and how to review activation status using the slmgr.vbs command.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=43&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dbbf2eb61-2b30-4f2d-bccd-df53e220b8e9%26displaylang%3den
Internet Protocol Security for Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Intenet Protocol security (IPSec) support in Windows Server 2003 allows you to secure network traffic at the Network layer.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=45&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3de6590330-d903-4bdd-9655-81b86df655e4%26displaylang%3den
IEEE 802.1X for Wired Networks and Internet Protocol Security with Microsoft Windows
This white paper examines and compared 802.1X for wired networks and IPsec.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=47&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dd9aef757-f528-41be-a01f-99a60c9a855d%26displaylang%3den
Network Access Protection Policies in Windows Server 2008
You configure NAP health requirements and enforcement behaviors with Network Policy Server in Windows Server 2008.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=48&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d8e47649e-962c-42f8-9e6f-21c5ccdcf490%26displaylang%3den
Demonstrate NAP VPN Enforcement in a Test Lab
Test lab to demonstrate NAP VPN enforcement
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=49&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d729bba00-55ad-4199-b441-378cc3d900a7%26displaylang%3den
Introducing Windows HPC Server 2008
Learn more about Windows HPC Server 2008, and how it brings the power of high-performance computing (HPC) to mainstream while enhancing end users' and cluster administrators' productivity.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=50&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d360b83fb-4000-43e2-b6e8-be4373ad9c94%26displaylang%3den
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Beta for ADO.Net Entity Framework Beta 3
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Beta release for the Windows Desktop platform to support the ADO.Net Entity Framework Beta 3 and the ADO.Net Entity Framework Tools December 2007 CTP
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=6&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d68539fae-cf03-4c3b-aeda-769cc205fe5f%26displaylang%3den
Windows XP SP3 RC2
Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 2 is available to the public. Specific registry settings will allow you to be offered SP3 via Windows Update. You can also choose to download standalone update packages.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d114f3599-12af-42b2-aab1-b969a62c68a7%26displaylang%3den
Release Notes for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Release documentation that contains known issues for Windows XP Service Pack 3.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=2&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d60807c3a-8969-4ddf-beb2-8bfac9ed416b%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft Assessment and Planning
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator is a tool that makes it easy for you to assess your current IT infrastructure for a variety of technology migration projects. It includes the features previously provided with the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Solution Accelerator.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=5&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d67240b76-3148-4e49-943d-4d9ea7f77730%26displaylang%3den
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides Windows Firewall, an enhanced firewall that is enabled by default. This white paper describes the methods used to deploy Windows Firewall settings in a managed environment.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=13&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d4454e0e1-61fa-447a-bdcd-499f73a637d1%26displaylang%3den
Troubleshooting Windows Firewall in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
This article describes how Windows Firewall works, the common problems with using Windows Firewall, and the set of tools used to troubleshoot Windows Firewall issues.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=16&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3da7628646-131d-4617-bf68-f0532d8db131%26displaylang%3den
GPOAccelerator
The GPOAccelerator creates all the Group Policy objects (GPOs) that you need to deploy recommended security settings for your environment to save you hours of work that you would otherwise need to configure these settings. This Solution Accelerator includes guidance to assist you with this tool.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=18&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3da46f1dbe-760c-4807-a82f-4f02ae3c97b0%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft App Virt 4.5 Trial Guides
Trial guide that walks a user through the setup and use of the Microsoft Application Virtualization 4.5 system in standalone mode or with full infrastructure
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=22&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3daa787491-8d08-4d2f-8960-9e9f00226c7e%26displaylang%3den
Notable changes in Windows Vista SP1
Notable changes in Windows Vista SP1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=1&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dd69c4e1b-c81a-41be-b1f5-66e615ba5912%26displaylang%3den
Overview of Windows Vista SP1
Overview of Windows Vista SP1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=3&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d39b802ea-b2cf-4585-8cea-2cc6a6247cb3%26displaylang%3den
Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008
The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is designed to help corporate IT professionals customize and deploy the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 family of operation systems.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=4&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d94bb6e34-d890-4932-81a5-5b50c657de08%26displaylang%3den
Windows Vista SP1 Guides for IT Professionals
These guides provide instructions for evaluating and deploying Windows Vista SP1.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=5&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3de71f0083-1013-4f9c-a3f9-c56e7120a5e9%26displaylang%3den
Update for Windows Vista (KB943302)
Install this update to resolve a set of known application compatibility issues with Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=7&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d4758433b-11dd-49fc-9529-f8d7a914e1bf%26displaylang%3den
Update for Windows Vista (KB937287)
Install this update to enable future updates to install successfully on all editions of Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=8&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d5639710d-dfbf-4527-806e-9a1634d0cc8e%26displaylang%3den
Release Notes for Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Release documentation that contains known issues for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=9&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3db5b681f5-f366-4ad2-ba10-6a7d209de7bd%26displaylang%3den
Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization MCS Sequencing Guide
MCS Guidelines on sequencing with Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=40&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d1c6a73b8-5da8-4a1a-838b-a41ca492c488%26displaylang%3den
TCP/IP Registry Values for Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 allow you to modify TCP/IP behavior with registry values.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=41&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d12ac9780-17b5-480c-aef7-5c0bde9060b0%26displaylang%3den
Windows Server 2008 Developer Story
An executable containing the Windows Server 2008 Developer Story
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=46&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d056bb5f7-65ff-4c42-bdae-65754d96b021%26displaylang%3den
Windows AIK 1.1 Readme Document (February 2008 Update)
Updated readme document for Windows Automated Installation Kit 1.1 (Windows AIK) for Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=49&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d051091e8-51ea-4d2c-96b3-dc9863edebd9%26displaylang%3den
Testing Prep and Implementation
Setting up a testing environment, known issues and tools available - 2 page PowerPoint Presentation
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=22&p=50&srcdisplaylang=en&srccategoryid=&srcfamilyid=&u=%2fdownloads%2fdetails.aspx%3ffamilyid%3d02e01c4d-49a2-43e6-a9c5-8b174d1f089a%26displaylang%3den