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Windows 7
Windows 7: Use Bitlocker to Go as replacement for TrueCrypt
Jul 5th
For several years I used TrueCrypt based encryption to secure my data. Since the release of Windows 7 and enhancements in the disk management I now see the possibility to replace TrueCrypt. How? Well I would create a VHD fixed disk and encrypt this virtual volume with Bitlocker to Go.
Note: before you start please make sure you are running Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 7 Ultimate version
- Start Computer Management
- Click Disk Management and right click
- Click Create VHD
- Enter the VHD filename and location; the Virtual disk size and set the format to fixed size. The disk will be encrypted so you need to set it fixed. Click OK.
- New volume is created now. Please initialize the disk, create new SIMPLE volume, choose drive letter and format it as NTFS.
- After following the steps new disk should appear in Windows Explorer.
- Go to Windows Explorer and right click on the new created drive. Choose Turn on Bitlocker…
- Check Use a password to unlock the drive and type your password. Click Next
- Save the recovery key to a secure location. I would recommend to print it out and keep this somewhere offsite! Click Next
- Click Start Encryption to encrypt the VHD disk.
- Depending on the selected size the VHD disk will be encrypted.
If you running on a installation of Windows 7 Enterprise of Windows 7 Ultimate than Bitlocker to Go is available for you and you can secure your DATA with the proposed solution. I am not going to share this VHD with other operating systems like OSX or Linux, but If I would need to access the secured volume with non windows 7 based system I would always use a virtual machine based on Win7.
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Loading ...Windows 7: Create a directory symbolic link to a network share
Mar 13th
Mklink allows you to create symbolic link to a directory or a file. This was a long-waited feature for Windows and available on unix/linux based systems.
Windows Vista introduced this new feature and with Windows 7 we can utilize this now in more depth with the libraries.
Make sure you started a evaluated command prompt otherwise you will get the following message:
You do not have sufficient privilege to perform this operation.
How to start evaluated command prompt (cmd.exe)?
- Click the Start button
- In the search box, type cmd
- Hold CRTL and SHIFT; in the list of results, click cmd
- UAC will kick and click Yes
The preparation is done now.
I want to create a directory symbolic link to a network share located on \\IP\Share.
How to create a directory symbolic link to a network share?
- mklink local_dir \\ip or servername\sharename /d
Before we can continue we need to connect to the IPC$ share otherwise the action will fail. The share is located on the NAS without guest permissions.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Windows 7: USB/DVD Download Tool
Dec 15th
If you are planning to deploy and install Windows 7 on your computer systems and you are downloading ISO files than this tool can help you in creating the USB or DVD’s installation files. Now days I only download the ISO file from MSDN of the Microsoft Volume Licensing websites.
The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool allows you to create a copy of your Windows 7 ISO file on a USB flash drive or a DVD. To create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive, download the ISO file and then run the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool. Once this is done, you can install Windows 7 directly from the USB flash drive or DVD.
To download the tool please click here. Run the setup, next and install.
Start the “Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool” shortcut from the menu.
Browse the iso file and click next.
Choose USB drive or DVD.
Select your removable drive and click Begin copying.
That’s it! Insert the USB drive and power the system, change the boot order and select the removable drive.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Windows 7: Release to Manufacturing
Jul 29th
Development of Windows 7 has completed and Microsoft announced release to manufacturing (RTM).
It’s almost here! We’re very happy to tell you that we’ve hit the last big milestone on the way to Windows 7: Release to Manufacturing. We’re packaging copies and manufacturers are putting it on new PCs. On October 22, you’ll be able to get the final shipping product. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done; you helped make this an operating system we’re all going to enjoy.
Don’t miss the good stuff. With the final release rapidly approaching, make sure you learn about special offers and other news including details about launch events in your area. A great way to keep up with what’s going on is to sign up for one of our free newsletters. Not only will you get the scoop on the Windows 7 launch, you’ll get useful news throughout the year.
Last week I bought my first MAC ever and just started learning MacOS, but still looking forward to get Windows 7 loaded on all my systems.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Windows 7 RC: Add virtual disk (.vhd) with Disk Management”
May 19th
The wow experience as IT pro and Windows 7 RC having VHD format integrated into the operating system.
The Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format is a publicly available image format specification that specifies a virtual hard disk encapsulated in a single file, capable of hosting native file systems while supporting standard disk and file operations. They are commonly used as part of the Hyper-V feature of Windows Server 2008 R2, for example. For more information about VHDs, see Additional references. You can use Disk Management to create, attach, and detach virtual hard disks (VHDs). Membership in Backup Operators or Administrators, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete these procedures.
Create new Virtual Hard Disk and attach it as your local drive.
The virtual hard disk is attached now. Initiate the disk and assign letter & format. I can now encrypt it with Bitlocker and password.
How cool is that? 
No TrueCrypt anymore for me….
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Windows 7: VMWare Workstation
Jan 15th
Finally after 2,5 year Vista was released I can say “WOW” with the first public beta of Windows 7. The installation process was and went smooth. I installed one VM and two physical machines. The setup went fine on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M57 and on my ASUS home system. I am looking forward to see the latest version released.
What’s new in Windows 7?
- Improved taskbar and full-screen previews
- Jump Lists
- New ways to work with Windows
- Internet Explorer 8
- Windows Live
- Better device management
- HomeGroup
- Faster, more responsive performance
- Extended battery life
- Theme packages reflect your style
- Take control of problems
- Share music and videos
- Windows Touch
- Handwriting recognition additions
- AppLocker
- Bitlocker with enhanced usb encryption
- etc
If you didn’t download it than I suggest browsing to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx and get the bits. Anyway I wanted to share my first experience with installing and playing with VMWare Workstation Version: 6.5.1 Build: 126130 and Windows 7 beta. It’s simple as it should. Plug and play
The installation went smooth and in minutes I was able to run my VMs and all without hassle. I moved from Vista to Ubuntu and in the end I installed Windows XP as my desktop OS.
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