What You'll Learn

• How to deploy Windows Vista in an Enterprise environment using powerful imaging tools
• Test applications with the Application Compatibility toolkit and the built-in single session Virtual PC
• Manage group policy using the GPMC
• How to deploy workgroup group policy support with the Windows Shared Computers Toolkit
• Use Enterprise troubleshooting tools for Windows Vista
• Enable offline data storage using shadow volume copy services
• Hands-on labs to reinforce your Windows Vista support skills
  

Course Outline

1. Installation, Migrating, and Imaging Scenarios

• Windows Vista Versions
• Comparison of Windows Vista Business Versions
• Windows Vista Minimum Hardware Requirements
• Hardware Requirements for Windows Vista
• Real World Hardware Requirements
• Boot Configuration Changes
• The BCD Store
• The Windows Vista Boot Environment
• BCD Editing Tools
• Installing vs. Upgrading to Windows Vista
• Installation from the Network
• WIM Image Format
• File-Based Image Format
• WIM Structure
• Imaging with Imagex
• Deployment Tools for Windows Vista
• Sysprep Version
• Windows System Image Manager
• User State Migration Tool Version
• Using Windows Deployment Services
• Initial Startup of Windows Vista
• Using Windows Easy Transfer

2. Windows Vista Desktop, Internet Explorer Integration, and Multimedia

• Desktop Window Manager
• Windows Vista Network Explorer
• Windows Vista Control Panel
• Default View
• Classic View
• The System and Maintenance Control Panel
• The Security Control Panel
• The Hardware and Sound Control Panel
• The Programs Control Panel
• The Appearance and Personalization Control Panel
• The Ease of Access Control Panel
• Internet Explorer User Interface Features
• Tabbed Browsing
• Scale-to-Fit Printing
• Print Selected Content Only
• RSS Feeds
• PNG Transparency
• Internet Explorer 7 Security Enhancements
• Protected Mode
• Phishing Filter
• Cache Clearing
• Security Status Bar
• Running Internet Explorer without Add-Ons
• Windows Mail
• DVD Video Authoring
• Windows Movie Maker
• Windows DVD Maker
• Rights Management
• Output Content Protection Management
• PVPOPM
• PVPUAB
• Protected User Mode Audio
• Windows Vista Media Center

3. Customizing the User Interface

• Personalizing Windows Vista
• Ease of Access Center
• Using the Start Menu
• Built-In Search
• Customizing the Start Menu
• Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
• Folder Options
• The Windows Sidebar and Gadgets
• Explorer Shell Views
• Using Help
• Default Programs
• Playing with Aero Glass
• Windows Flip D
• User Profiles
• Search Folders
• Dynamic Views
• Defining the Search Index
• Power Management
• Selecting a Power Plan
• Advanced Power Options
• Auxiliary Display Support
• Installing Additional Features from DVD

4. Windows Vista File Systems

• Windows Future Storage
• The Microsoft Game Plan for WinFS
• Basics of WinFS
• Unify, Organize, Explore, Innovate
• Backward Compatibility
• File and Registry Redirection Protection
• Windows x: Updatable System Files
• Windows and Windows XP: Protected System Files
• Windows Vista: A Bit of Both
• Encrypting File System
• Searches, Alias Virtual Folders
• Virtual Folders for Profiles
• Search Folders
• Dependence on Indexing
• Custom Search Folders
• Transactional NTFS
• Improved I/O Cancellation
• Support for Symbolic Links
• exFAT for Removable Devices
• Volume Shadow Copy Service
• System Restore Points
• Previous Versions
• Differences from Backup or Restore
• Universal Disk Format System
• Automatic Scheduled Defragmentation
• SuperFetch and ReadyBoost

5. Understanding Services and Process

• Windows Vista Local Services
• Services and Session
• Windows Service Hardening
• Using the Services Console
• Starting and Stopping Services
• Service Failure Recovery Options
• Svchost.exe Service Groupings
• Service Dependencies
• Windows Vista Services Resource
• Using the Task Scheduler
• Creating a Basic Task

6. Windows Vista in a Workgroup or SOHO Environment

• Workgroups vs. Domains
• Windows Meeting Place
• Collaboration Scenarios
• Prepare the Windows Firewall
• Set Up People Near Me
• Start a New Meeting
• Inviting Others to Join a Windows Meeting Session
• Upgraded Wireless Networking
• Establishing a Wireless Connection
• Connecting to an Available Wireless Network
• Viewing Wireless Connection Details
• Security for Wireless Networks

7. Windows Vista LAN Connectivity

• Networking with Windows Vista
• Using Connect to
• Using the Network Center
• Network Categories
• Discovery and Sharing
• Local Area Connections
• Windows Vista TCP/IP Improvements
• Configuring Client IP Addresses
• Automatic Private IP Addressing
• Using an Alternate IP Configuration
• Network Diagnostics
• Network Connection Details
• Windows PP Support
• The netsh Utility
• Configuring IP with ipconfig
• Configuring IPv
• Domain Name System
• Configuring the DNS Tab
• Adding Additional Suffixes to Queries
• Dynamic DNS
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

8. Windows Vista, Active Directory, and Group Policies

• Group Policy Basics
• Registry Locations
• Deployment Rules
• Linking Group Policy
• Administrative Tools
• The Local Security Policy Tool
• GPOE and GPMC
• Assigning and Publishing MSI Packages
• What Is MSI?
• Why MSI?
• What Do MSI Files Contain?
• Options for Policy-Based Deployment
• Administrative Templates
• Classic Administrative Templates (ADM Files)
• New Administrative Templates (ADMX Files)
• Group Policy
• Using the Local Group Policy Editor
• Built-In GPMC
• Resultant Set of Policy
• Security in Windows Vista
• Centrally Configure System Health Policies
• Software Restriction Policies
• New Policies for Windows Vista

9. Remote Capabilities of Windows Vista

• Remote Access Networking
• New Connection Wizard
• VPN Client Support
• Configuring VPN Connections
• Creating a VPN Connection
• Defining the VPN Connection
• Data Encryption Options
• VPN Logon Security Options
• Supported VPN Protocols
• Configuring IPsec
• Enabling Remote Connectivity
• Remote Desktop Configuration
• Configuring Remote Desktop
• Remote Desktop Connection Features
• Configuring Display Options
• Remote Assistance
• Terminal Services Gateway
• Asking for Help
• Remote Assistance Using the Remote Desktop Web Connection
• Using Group Policy with Remote Connections

10. Windows Vista Features for Notebook Clients

• Power Management Options
• Three Power Plans
• The Hidden Fourth Power Plan
• Power Plan Details
• Battery Meter
• Sleep Mode for Fast Resume
• Back Up and Restore
• Windows Mobility Center
• Offline Files and Folders
• Offline Files Settings
• Sync Center
• Revamped Synchronization Headquarters
• Sharing from Laptops
• Network File and Printer Sharing Applet
• Enabling BitLocker

11. Local, Network, and Internet Protection

• UAC for Standard Users
• Changing UAC Settings
• Local UAC Disable Process
• Network Access Protection
• What NAP Does
• Access Limits
• NAP Components
• Windows Firewall
• Local Windows Firewall Configuration
• Enabling Exceptions
• Unblocking Programs and Services
• Advanced Configuration
• Windows Firewall ICMP Settings
• Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
• Windows Firewall Properties
• Computer Connection Security Rules
• Windows Security Center
• Windows Defender
• Internet Options

12. NTFS Security

• NTFS Access Control
• Security Principals, SIDs, and the Security Access Token
• Local and Network Service Accounts
• NTFS Permissions
• Effective Permissions
• Secondary Logon
• Encrypting File System
• EFS Features
• EFS Internals
• Data Recovery Agents
• Windows Vista EFS Enhancements
• BitLocker Volume Encryption
• Partitioning for BitLocker
• Trusted Platform Module
• Three Modes of Operation
• Installing BitLocker
• Recovery Scenarios

13. Configuring Applications for Windows Vista Clients

• Application Compatibility Tools
• Program Compatibility Wizard
• File and Registry Virtualization
• User Account Control
• UAC in Windows Vista
• Configuring UAC
• Changing UAC Settings for Application Compatibility
• Application Compatibility Toolkit
• Test Compatibility with Virtual PC Express
• Standard User Analyzer
• Compatibility Administrator Tool
• Tuning Windows Vista for Program Compatibility
• Setting Environment Variables

14. Troubleshooting, Monitoring, and Fine-Tuning

• Diagnostic Tools
• Windows Memory Diagnostics
• Windows Network Diagnostics
• Windows Disk Diagnostics
• System Configuration Utility
• System Information
• Windows Performance Diagnostic Console
• Problem Reports and Solutions
• Event Viewer in Windows Vista
• Event Viewer Categories
• Reliability Monitor
• Restart Manager
• Startup Repair
• Windows Update Agent
• Configuring Update Settings in Group Policy

Labs

Lab 1

• Partition and format the hard drive for Windows Vista and BitLocker installation using diskpart
• Install Windows Vista from DVD
• Enable the local Administrator account
• Use the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard
• Install the Windows WAIK deployment tools for Vista
• Explore the command line Imagex imaging tool
• Create an answer file using the Windows System Image Manager
• Create a Win PE load set
• Boot Win PE using a memory stick

Lab 2

• See the effects of ClearType font smoothing technology
• See how memory and color settings affect the AERO interface
• Build an MMC 3.0 console with new Vista snap-ins
• Install IIS and configure multiple IE7 home pages
• Adjust the phishing filter
• Run IE in "no add-ins" mode

Lab 3

• Customize the Vista Interface
• Create custom dynamic searches
• Work with the new Documents folder
• Set up gadgets

Lab 4

• Configure the file system index i
• Use client-side ShadowCopies to recover a deleted file
• Use DEFRAG as an alternative to the File and Registry Virtualization

Lab 5

• Use the Services Console to start and stop services
• Service failure recovery options
• Use the Task Scheduler to create a Basic and Advanced Task
• Create a collaborative meeting with a partner
• Share the desktop and transfer control of the desktop
• Create and edit a handout
• Share an application

Lab 6

• Set up Windows Meeting Place
• Establish and join meetings
• Share handouts, desktops, and resources

Lab 7

• Using the Network Center
• Discovery and Sharing
• Configuring Client IP Addresses
• Automatic Private IP Addressing
• Using an Alternate IP Configuration
• Using Network Diagnostics
• Netsh command-line tasks

Lab 8

• Learn your way around the Group Policy Object Editor
• Discover how to "refresh" policies immediately
• See Group Policy results in the Registry
• Locate new Vista policy categories
• Test the new capabilities of ADMX files
• Become familiar with the Group Policy Management Console
• Restrict USB drives with new Vista device policies
• Set different local policies for different users

Lab 9

• Create a VPN Connection
• Enable Remote Connectivity
• Remote Desktop Configuration
• Configure Remote Desktop
• Use remote assistance

Lab 10

• Create a custom power plan
• See how the custom plan interacts with Group Policy
• Configure the Offline Files cache
• Test Offline Files and the new Sync Center
• Become familiar with the new Mobility Center

Lab 11

• Enable and Disable User Account Control options

Lab 12

• Encrypt an entire drive with BitLocker
• Manage BitLocker startup and recovery keys
• See how NTFS permissions interact with share permissions
• Discover a limitation of the "Effective Permissions" tab
• Explore "allow" vs. "deny" in NTFS permissioning
• Use EFS to encrypt a single file
• Simulate a lost BitLocker startup key
• Temporarily disable BitLocker

Lab 13

• Set up the Program Compatibility Wizard
• Test applications using Standard User Analyzer
• Application Verifier

Lab 14

• Begin working with Vista's new Event Viewer
• Create a filtered view
• Set up an event subscription for centralized viewing
• View new safe-mode options
• Perform a network-based file backup with the new Vista tool
• Perform a Startup Repair
• View restore points from the Recovery Environment

Course Schedule

For more dates in Q4 and 2008 see our new course Implementing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Windows Vista.

Classroom Dates and Locations

Date

Location Details

To request a location or date, use our By Request service.