Tag: Windows 8

Citrix released XenApp Manager

XenApp Manager is a light weight administration app, available from the Windows Store, that lets XenApp administrators perform  session management tasks on their Citrix XenApp 6.5 farms.

From their Windows 8 desktop, laptop or tablet device, administrators can swiftly and smoothly browse, search, disconnect and reset Citrix HDX and Microsoft RDP sessions on Citrix environments with up to 10,000 sessions, managing up to 10 farms at once.

When you are ready to start managing live XenApp environments, just apply XenApp 6.5 FP1 with hotfix DSCXACmd650WX64001 (available below)  to the server used for remote management.  No other servers in the farm require this hotfix.  The XenApp Manager app requires that your device be on the corporate network or connected via a VPN.

XenApp Manager has the following features: Continue reading “Citrix released XenApp Manager”

FAQ: Using Citrix Receiver on Windows 8 and Windows RT

Citrix has released a list of FAQ what you can expect from the Receiver on Win8 and WinRT devices.

Q: Which are the Citrix products that Windows 8 support (Intel based devices)?

Citrix supports the use of the following Citrix clients for use on Windows 8:

  • Receiver for Windows 3.3 (CitrixReceiver.exe) Click here to download Receiver for Windows 3.3. This can be used with Web Interface or StoreFront (CloudGateway Express), however cannot be used on ARM-based devices. Applications are launched from within the Receiver app or can be pinned to the Windows Start Menu. Receiver for Windows 3.3 can be installed along with Win8/RT on the same Intel based machine. It can be used in conjunction with other Citrix clients such as the ShareFile Sync Supports multiple sessions, can be configured with CloudGateway Enterprise for Web and SaaS apps or Follow-me ShareFile data.
  • Receiver for Win8/RT Preview Note: This version requires CloudGateway (Storefront) for desktop and applications access and a properly-configured Access Gateway (Enterprise Edition) 10.X for remote access (AG 5.x is not supported). It cannot be used with Web Interface. Receiver for Win8/RT Preview must be downloaded from the Microsoft Windows Store via a Windows Live account. It can be used on Intel based desktops, laptops and tablets as well as ARM-based Windows tablets such as the Microsoft Surface. Applications are launched from within the Receiver app or can be pinned to the Windows Start Menu. There is no Citrix Connection Center in this Receiver.
  • ShareFile Sync for Windows 1.3 Continue reading “FAQ: Using Citrix Receiver on Windows 8 and Windows RT”

ShareFile sync v1.4 released

ShareFile Sync 1.4 release includes integration with Office 2013. After installing ShareFile Sync, Office 2013 apps like Word, Excel and Powerpoint can be configured to provide access to the ShareFile storage from within office. The following video illustrates how to do this: Continue reading “ShareFile sync v1.4 released”

Group Policy settings reference for Windows and Windows Server

Microsoft has released an updated version of their Group Policy settings reference guide to include support for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. You can read what else is new in the reference guide and download it below.

What’s New?
The Administrative Template spreadsheet contains three columns that provide more information about each policy setting’s behavior related to reboots, logoffs, and schema extensions. These columns are the following:

  • Reboot Required: A “Yes” in this column means that the Windows operating systems requires a restart before it applies the described policy setting.
  • Logoff Required: A “Yes” in this column means that the Windows operating system requires the user to log off and log on again before it applies the described policy setting.
  • Active Directory Schema or Domain Requirements: A “Yes” in this column means that you must extend the Active Directory schema before you can deploy this policy setting.
  • Status: A “New” in this column means that the setting did not exist prior to Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. It does not mean that the setting applies only to Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. Refer to the column entitled “supported on” to determine to which operating system the policy setting applies.

Download the updated reference documents here.

Remote Server Administration tools for Windows 8 & Server 2012

Microsoft has released the new version of their Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8 includes Server Manager, Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins, consoles, Windows PowerShell cmdlets and providers, and command-line tools for managing roles and features that run on Windows Server 2012.  In limited cases, the tools can be used to manage roles and features that are running on Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008. Some of the tools work for managing roles and features on Windows Server 2003.

You can download the tools here.

Update for Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2 available

Microsoft has released an update for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2). This article includes information about the contents of the update and how to obtain the update.

Issues that are fixed

This update lets servers that are running Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 SP2 provide updates to computers that are running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012.

This update fixes the following issues:

Windows 8 user experience guidelines

Windows 8 design principles

Metro style design has a set of five guiding principles to help you make the best choices whendesigning your app. These principles are the foundation for building great Metro style apps.Consider these principles as you plan your app, always ensure your design and developmentchoices live up to these principles.

 

Download the complete PDF file here.

 

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 Update 1

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 Update 1 is the newest version of MDT, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2012 Update 1 supports deployment of Windows 8, Windows 7, Office 2010 and 365, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.

Overview

Deploy Windows and Office 2010 with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 Update 1. MDT is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT provides you with the following benefits:

  • Unified tools and processes, including a set of guidance, for deploying desktops and servers in a common deployment console.
  • Reduced deployment time and standardized desktop and server images, along with improved security and ongoing configuration management.

Some of the key changes in MDT 2012 Update 1 are:

  • Added support for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
  • Support for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1 CTP: Added support in MDT for deploying Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 with Configuration Manager  2012 SP1 CTP, while supporting all new Configuration Manager functionality (offline BitLocker, UEFI, and Assessment and Deployment Kit).
  • Support for DaRT 8 Beta: Updated MDT to support DaRT 8 for Windows 8 deployments, while continuing to support DaRT 7 for Windows 7 deployments.  Added DaRT support for Configuration Manager scenarios.
  • New “Build Your Own Pages” User-Driven Installation (UDI) feature: Enhanced the UDI wizard and designer to enable IT pros to design their own wizard pages with little effort.
  • New System Center 2012 – Orchestrator support: Provided the ability to add steps into an OS deployment task sequence to execute Orchestrator runbooks as part of the deployment process.
  • Other improvements: Added support for Windows PowerShell 3.0, reworked Roles and Features installation logic for Windows 8, improved “boot from VHD” deployment scenarios, and added support for Configuration Manager monitoring.

Continue reading “Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012 Update 1”

Windows 8 download from Technet

Late last night in the Netherlands Microsoft released the download of Windows 8 for TechNet subscribers. I’ve downloaded the versions that where available to me. Only thing I noticed is that Microsoft keeps limiting the number of keys you can request for testing.

I build and rebuild my labs on a fairly regular basis. Problem is that my labs are more then 180 days online so you get those annoying messages that your software isn’t licensed and what not more. I know Microsoft is scared of users installing these versions on regular machines for daily use but restricting it to 3 keys is just plain stupid. In the past you could request up to 14 keys per version and now your stuck with 3. Come on Microsoft, I hope you come to your senses and make more keys available to use testers and early adapters of your software for testing various software.

Now that I’m done with my complaint I’m going to check out Win 8 in combination with Citrix Receiver and other software soon. Keep an eye out for more posts to come.

Windows 8 and Server 2012 RTM

Both Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 are release to manufacturer as of August 1st 2012. That means the final code is complete and Microsoft is delivering it to hardware and software vendor partners.

Server 2012:

Get out your calendars and free up some time on September 4.  That’s when Windows Server 2012 will be generally available for evaluation and purchase by all customers around the world. 

Windows 8:

Windows 8 will be released on October 26th to the public by either upgrading for $39.99 or on a new PC or device. And if you buy an eligible Windows 7 PC today, you will be able to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 (U.S.) through the Windows Upgrade Offer.

However, Microsoft has a number of programs that provides various audiences early access to the Windows 8 RTM code to help prepare for Windows 8 as it enters the marketplace this fall:

  • August 15th: Developers will be able to download the final version of Windows 8 via your MSDN subscriptions.
  • August 15th: IT professionals testing Windows 8 in organizations will be able to access the final version of Windows 8 through your TechNet subscriptions.
  • August 16th: Customers with existing Microsoft Software Assurance for Windows will be able to download Windows 8 Enterprise edition through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC), allowing you to test, pilot and begin adopting Windows 8 Enterprise within your organization.
  • August 16th: Microsoft Partner Network members will have access to Windows 8.
  • August 20th: Microsoft Action Pack Providers (MAPS) receive access to Windows 8.
  • September 1st: Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase Windows 8 through Microsoft Volume License Resellers.
     
    Please note: if a program you are in is not mentioned, please be patient as dates for Windows 8 RTM code availability for other programs will be communicated when the information becomes available.