The Windows Vista resource kit was released this week. I know many administrators have been waiting for it as the previous resource kits have been an invaluable resource.
Like the previous resource kits it will include tools, utilities, and vital information all in one package. It is currently retailing for $59.99 US. I think I just got it for around $35 from Amazon. So you can find it just about anywhere for much less.
From the Vista Team Blog. Here are some of the topics covered in the resource kit:
* Deployment
From installation basics to corporate-level installation guidance for the Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, the Windows Vista Resource Kit covers all areas of Windows Vista deployment including:
o Deployment automation
o Application compatibility and deployment
o Disk imaging
o User state migration
o Volume activation
* Management
Controlling how Windows Vista functions and how users access its resources is an important part of supporting the operating system. The Windows Vista Resource Kit covers management topics such as:
o User accounts
o Disks and storage
o Device management
o Printing
o File sharing and collaboration
o Internet access and security
* Maintenance
The ability to restore a system to efficient operation is an important part of a technician’s job. The Windows Vista Resource Kit offers guidance for maintenance tasks including:
o Health and performance monitoring
o Remote user assistance
o Software updates and patches
o Client protection (hardening Windows)
* Networking
Windows Vista is designed to operate in networks from two linked home systems to immense corporate networks with thousands of networked computers. The Windows Vista Resource Kit has everything you need to know about the following topics:
o Configuring Windows networking
o Configuring Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
o Connecting to remote networks
o Deploying the next generation Internet-TCP/IP version 6 (IPv6)
* Troubleshooting
Windows Vista is designed to be the most resilient operating system we’ve ever released. In spite of this, problems do sometimes happen. When they do, the Windows Vista Resource Kit has information on the following topics:
o Startup issues
o Hardware issues
o Network issues
o Stop errors
* Tools and Utilities
In addition to the guidance listed above, the Windows Vista Resource Kit includes a CD of tools and utilities to help you troubleshoot, manage, and configure Windows Vista. Among these tools are more than 150 timesaving scripts to help automate administrative tasks, additional job aids, and an eBook of the entire resource kit.
Obviously it is also a great source of information for cool tweaks and free utilities. You can expect we will be combing through it for any good ideas in this regard.
