Windows 8
- RTM Release: 2012-08-15
- Consumer Preview: 6.2.8250.0 released 2012-02-29
- Developer Preview: 6.2.8102.0 (Milestone 3) released 2011-09-13
- Target Release 2012-Mid
- Wikipedia Chinese: Windows 8
- Wikipedia: Windows 8
- Wikipedia: Windows 8 Editions
- Windows 8 preview official website
- Windows Dev Center
- Developer Preview
- Windows 8 Developer Preview downloads
- Windows 8 Developer’s Blog
List of improvement and changes in Windows 8 base on user feedback
- Consumer Preview
- Windows 8 Release Preview 安裝秘技兩則
Edit ei.cfg to allow skip license key enter or change edition - TechNet: Windows Setup Edition Configuration and Product ID Files (EI.cfg and PID.txt)
- User Tips / Guidelines
- Windows 8 Tricks, Tips and Shortcuts
- How to Create Your Own Windows 8 Shortcuts (for Shutdown, Perhaps?)
- Bypass Windows 8 Start Screen On Startup & Jump Directly To Desktop
Windows 7
- Fix psshutdown.exe tool in Windows 7 (Still cannot fix it)
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System create or modify 32-bit DWORD: LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy set the value to: 1
- Wikipedia: Compare Windows 7 Editions
- Pushing the Limits of Windows: Physical Memory
- Windows 7 USB DRIVE This device cannot start. (Code 10) (Also valid for USB controller could not startup problem)
1. Backup the registry 3. run regedit 4. Locate the “UpperFilters” value under the following key in the registry: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000} 5. On the “Edit” menu, click “Delete”, and then click “OK”. 6. Locate the “LowerFilters” value under the same key in the registry: HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{36FC9E60-C465-11CF-8056-444553540000} 7. On the “Edit” menu, click “Delete”, and then click “OK”. 8. Quit Registry Editor and restart the computer.
- Troubleshooting whitebox displayed on top-left hand corner after Windows 7 resume from hibernate mode
Maybe related to MSI Notebook Utility: MGSysCtrl.exe, remove/stop/disable this program immediately remove the white box
Windows Vista
- Selectively disable UAC for your trusted Vista applications
Using Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 - Put ntbackup from XP to Vista
- Order 64-bit media for 32-bit Vista
- Enable 4G RAM for Vista
BCDEdit /set PAE forceenable
Undo: BCDEdit /deletevalue PAE
Resources vs Windows XP Windows Vista Ultimate RTM: - Base RAM after install: 260M-300M (minimum can be 168M-230M?) Boot up require 224M RAM else 0x7b error - Disk: 5.3G - Swap: 1G (with 512M RAM) - Resolution: 800x600 - Install Time: 50m (inside VMware, Celeron 1.2G, 512M RAM) - Others: CJK languages are installed by default 64bit will not support 16bit application, 32bit drivers 64bit even will need Vista compatible 64bit applications All versions will include both 32bit and 64bit DVDs, except Starter [32bit Vista] - Support max. RAM: 4G - max. Virtual Memory: 4G [64bit Vista Home Basic] - Support max. RAM: 8G [64bit Vista Home Premium] - Support max. RAM: 16G [64bit Vista Business, Enterprise, Ultimate] - Support max. RAM: 128G Windows XP Pro: - Base RAM after install: 100M-128M - Disk: 1.8G - Swap: 256M (with 128M RAM) - Resolution: 800x600 (640x480 many menu inaccessible) - Install Time: 30m-45m - Support max. CPU: 2 - Support max. RAM: 4G / (128G for x64) - max. Virtual Memory: 4G / (16TB for x64) Windows Server 2003: [Web] - Support max. CPU: 2 - Support max. RAM: 2G [Standard, Standard R2] - Support max. CPU: 4 - Support max. RAM: 4G [Enterprise, Enterprise R2] - Support max. CPU: 8 - Support max. RAM: 64G [Datacenter, Datacenter R2] - Support max. CPU: 32 / 64 - Support max. RAM: 128G [Standard x64, Standard x64 R2] - Support max. CPU: 4 - Support max. RAM: ? / 32G [Enterprise x64, Enterprise x64 R2] - Support max. CPU: 8 - Support max. RAM: 1TB [Datacenter x64, Datacenter x64 R2] - Support max. CPU: 64 - Support max. RAM: 1TB Windows XP Pro: - Base RAM after install: 100M-128M - Disk: 1.8G - Swap: 256M (with 128M RAM) - Resolution: 800x600 (640x480 many menu inaccessible) - Install Time: 30m-45m - Support max. CPU: 2 - Support max. RAM: 4G / (128G for x64) Ref: Paul Thurrott's SuperSite
- Useful shortcuts (applies to Windows XP)
- Window-Break: System Properties
- Window-L: Lock Terminal
- Window-R: Run
- Microsoft Windows shortcut keys from 3.1 to 7
- Useful commands (share with Windows XP)
- tskill to kill process
- Major differences with Windows XP
- .\username to logon locally, domain\username or username@domain.com to logon domain account
- Fast User Switching works in domain mode
- Start -> Run is hidden! Customize the Start button or use Window-R
- By default these start shortcuts are disappered: Favorites, Printers, Run
- By default, the shutdown button does not do shutdown but turn the computer in Sleep mode. (not Standby in XP) It will create a hibernate file and keep the computer in standby mode. In case the power is loss, the computer can still start from the hibernate file.
When in sleep mode, after 15min (?) the computer will auto enter hibernate mode and shutdown. - Most files can have tags (keyword) attach to it
- Can save the search results and re-use later. Saved search is regular file.
- For disc burning. By default Windows Vista use Live File System (UDF?), XP use mastered format (ISO?)
- Vista support read/write UDF upto 2.5 (default use multi-session UDF 2.01), read upto 2.6. XP only support read upto 2.0x (Wikipedia)
- Window+Tab will use the Flip 3D feature, if Aero color scheme is used
- Connect to a Network Projector utility can see other computer’s projected screen
- Windows Meeting Space for peer-to-peer ad-hoc file sharing, replace NetMeeting in XP.
- Meeting can be visible or hidden on the network
- Meeting can set a password
- Require Vista in a private network setup
- Document sharing only keep the latest version, there is no conflict management!
- May affected by firewall
- Default XPS printer driver for printing XPS document (PDF competing format)
- Windows Photo Gallery replace XP’s Picture and Fax Viewer
- Windows Defender is build-in
- Note that Windows Defender can have an Allowed Programs List
- Parental Controls in Home & Ultimate editions
- Windows Mail replaced Outlook Express (or just rename)
- SmartScreen technology JunkMail Filtering
- WARNING: Single identity only, no more multiple identities!
- Windows Contacts replace personal address book in Outlook Express
- Contacts keep at user profile’s Contacts folder as individual file
- Windows Calendar
- Sync Center to do file syncing for laptop
- Windows Mobility Center to adjust laptop related settings
- ReadyBoost function to use Flash drive to speed up machine boot up time
- USB 2.0
- at least 64M free
- 3.5M/s minimum random read for 4kB data
- 2.5M/s minimum random write for 512kB data
- SuperFetch (share with ReadyBoost?) to preload programs / data to speed up things
- Complete PC Backup possible to make a complete system image backup (Business/Enterprise/Ultimate only)
- Create clone of disk into VirtualPC vhd image
- Can only backup to disk/removable disk in NTFS partition
- Restore can be done at the Vista DVD (the Windows PE enviornment)
- New Policy for UAC at: Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options
- Redirect function to redirect protected writes to user profile: AppData\Local\VirtualStore (replace C:)
- BitLocker Drive Encryption
- At least 2 partitions, 1.5G for bootup unencrypt and the rest for C:
- TPM 1.2 BIOS is needed, or
- USB key with BIOS support use of USB key at bootup, with
- Use Group Policy to enable use BitLocker in a non-TPM computer
- Troubleshooting / Problem Reporting: Control Panel -> [System and Maintenance] -> Problem Reports and Solutions
- sfc.exe now can specify the location of offline windows/boot directory
- Snipping Tool allow capture part of the screen and do annotation
- clip command which can pipe (|) stdout data to Windows Clipboard
- where command similar to Unix is available
- whoami command similar to Unix is available
- timeout command, similar to Unix sleep, is available
- User profiles keep in C:\Users, not C:\Documents and Settings (XP)
- Documents folder in profile replace “My Docuemnts" (XP)
- Aero user interface, which will be used when computer rating is at least 3.0
- In Windows Explorer, can use checkbox next to icon to select files instead of Ctl click multiple files
(Organize -> Folder and Search Options, turn on Use Checkbox to select files - The build-in defragmenter now can have schedules!
- Automatic Backups replace ntbackup, however it does not allow you to choose folder to backup!
- Shadow copy (used in Windows Server 2003) can keep file version, Business/Enterprise/Ultimate only
- Created with System Restore point
- When dual boot Windows XP, all Shadow Copies and Restore point will get erased!
- Driver Signature Enforcement: Vista now seems only use signed drivers? (Need to clarify)
- The build-in Administrator account can by-pass the UAC, but is disabled by default
- References
- Windows Vista Home
Windows XP
- Windows XP with SP3 official MSDN ISO leaked
Install as Eval without a product key - Windows XP SP3 Overview
- Service Pack 2 for Windows XP Professional/Windows Server 2003, x64 Edition
- Service Pack 2 for Windows XP Professional/Windows Server 2003, x64 Edition – ISO-9660 CD Image File
- Remove Hidden Devices in Windows XP
- 315539: Device Manager does not display devices that are not connected to the Windows XP-based computer
Open Command Prompt set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 start devmgmt.msc In Device Manager, Show hidden devices
- 315539: Device Manager does not display devices that are not connected to the Windows XP-based computer
- even with PAE turned on, can only see 3.5G RAM
- 512M address maybe used for Display Card and other system resources
- Possible Microsoft locked 4G addressing for XP only even in PAE mode
- PAE & DEP
- may affect performance
- In 32bit Windows XP, DEP require PAE. In 64bit Windows, DEP is always turned on.
- /noexecute=optin setting in SP2 (If CPU support, enable DEP for all Windows system exe)
- /execute to turn off DEP and PAE
- Windows XP ClearType Tuning PowerToy
- Windows XP online ClearType tuner
- Windows Unattended CD Creator
- Known Windows XP SP2 CD Labels
- More Windows XP registry optimize (untested)
- More Windows XP TCP/IP registry tweaks
- Windows XP Startup / Shutdown optimize
- SCHTASKS.EXE and patching SCHTASKS.EXE on Windows 2000
Patch it to allow running under the SYSTEM account
- KB843281: A scheduled task may not occur when you use the Scheduled Task Wizard to schedule a task that the local system account runs on a Windows 2000-based computer
Vista System Restore
- Works for NTFS partition only
- 15% space will be used for System Restore
- Shrink System Restore point will remove backup
- vssadmin CLI tool to manage shadow copy
- Resize Storage usage for C drive: vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=2GB
- Vista System Restore Management
- Schedule Vista System Restore
Change in Control Panel > Admin Tools > Task Scheduler
Vista UAC
- MSDN: Registry Virtualization in Windows Vista
- UAC only filters Local Users out of the Local Administrators group (For WMI behavior, possible apply to other area)
Vista BitLocker Encryption
- For Ultimate & Enterprise only
- Use Vista’s BitLocker with a USB Key
- Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->Windows Components->BitLocker Drive Encryption, Enable advanced startup options, Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM
- Why won’t Bitlocker read my USB token on boot?
The system BIOS must support the USB Mass Storage Device Class
Vista Windows Aero
- Requires
- WDDM driver
- 64M display
- 32bit color
- Windows Aero Theme & Color Scheme
- Pass WGA check
Vista Bluetooth
Vista Windows Mail
- Replace Outlook Express in XP
- Only support IMAP and POP3, no longer support Hotmail’s HTTP
- Can export messages to Outlook/Exchange (need MAPI client e.g. Outlook installed)
Vista Windows Calendar
- Not support to sync with PDA Windows Mobile Device Center
WMDC only support Outlook and does not support Windows Mail, Windows Address Book or Windows Calendar - Subscribed Windows Calendar cannot be re-published, only local Calendar data can publish to a share/website. Alternative is to export/import the Calendar and then publish it.
Deployment
- Dual Boot Vista with Acronis Disk Director
- Guide to setup Dual Boot Vista and XP with screenshots
Need TweakUI to hide Vista partition to prevent XP crash Vista System Restore Point (More Info,
More Info from mvps.org) - Vista SP1 Integration Guide (maybe outdated)
- Deploying Vista with sysprep and ImageX
- Microsoft Business Desktop Deployment 2007
- Don Roessler’s Blog 10 Deployment Differences between Windows Xp and windows vista
- Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
- Vista Windows PE Image Deployment
- TechNet: ImageX and WIM Image Format
…The WIM image format allows you to service an image offline. You can add or delete certain operating system components, patches, and drivers without creating a new image… - TechNet: Windows Vista Deployment Step by Step Guide
- Basic commands to work with Windows Vista PE images
- Installing Drivers to a File Based Image (WIM)
- TechNet Windows Vista: Deployment
- Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK)
Free. Kit to build Vista based Windows PE 2.0, include a base Windows PE
- TechNet: ImageX and WIM Image Format
Workstation Troubleshooting
- Windows tip of the day: viewing your chkdsk report
Recorded in Application Event, From: wininit event id 1001 - KB196452: Why Windows NT Reports 6005, 6006, 6008, and 6009 Event Log Entries
Bootup event log - Cannot find user profile and loaded with a temp profile, unlike XP it will not create a new profile
Goto registry
hkey_Local_machine\software\microsoft\windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileListLocate the key(S-1-5…) that had the old profile(C:\users\username) and delete it. Reboot.
- Trustedinstaller.exe use up 100% CPU in Vista
- Caused by Windows Update, no solution found yet, turn off Windows Update for the time being until a fix is out
- Multi-monitor problem in Vista
All display cards must use same WDDM driver (card from same vendor) in Vista to do multi-monitor, or force install older XPDM driver that allow mixing different drivers - Cannot Add program into the “Open With" context menu
A thread in UltraEdit Forum suggested maybe an older version of the program was installed, but the newer version didn’t updated the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\ProgramName.exe\shell\open\command\(Default). Can try to manual correct the problem, or simply delete the open\command\(Default) key and let it re-create. - Removing hidden Com ports on PC / High com numbers
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1, run devmgmt.msc and show hidden devices - Becoming NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM on Windows
Windows PE
- Bart’s Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD-DVD
- Semson’s WinPE 繁體中文版 (Traditional Chinese support plugin)
- PE玩具箱
- HOWTO create your own WinPE plugin
Include information about the plugin inf format - How to add a ramdrive (ramdisk) to Windows PE
Plugins
- Windows XPE
The Windows XPE plugin is Gianluigi Tiesi attempt to make BartPE closer to Windows XP (XP + PE = XPE) - HWPnP
Plugin For Hardware Detection, use it with Windows XPE plugin - Acronis True Image
- BTS Driver Pack
One package for all the drivers (NIC, SATA/RAID/SCSI)
Common Network Drivers
- Intel PRO/100, PRO/1000, PRO/10GbE ( 2006-11-28, PROSet 11.2 )
- Marvell Yukon Gigabit ( 2006-11-02, 8.61.2.3 )
- Realtek 8111/8168 Gigabit ( 2006-09-01, 658 )
- Realtek 81xx 100M ( 2006-09-01, 649 )
- Broadcom NetXtreme / Netlink ( 2006-11-01, 9.81d )
- VIA Velocity Gigabit / Rhine 100M
- SIS 190/191 Gigabit / SiS 900 100M
- 3Com 100M/Gigabit (3Com 3C996B-T is Broadcom 570x)
- nVIDIA nForce Gigabit
- AMD/ATI (no network)
PE Troubleshooting
- Error starting DHCP Service
- Either use BartPe Network support or PENetcfg
I prefer use PENetcfg
- Either use BartPe Network support or PENetcfg