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SyncToy helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers quickly and easily. SyncToy 2.0 for Windows is available as a free download from the Microsoft Download Center. The easy to use, customizable application helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers.

There are files from all kinds of sources that we want to store and manage. Files are created by our digital cameras, e-mail, cell phones, portable media players, camcorders, PDAs, and laptops. Increasingly, computer users are using different folders, drives, and even different computers (such as a laptop and a desktop) to store, manage, retrieve and view files. Yet managing hundreds or thousands of files is still largely a manual operation. In some cases it is necessary to regularly get copies of files from another location to add to primary location; in other cases there is a need to keep two storage locations exactly in sync. Some users manage files manually, dragging and dropping from one place to another and keeping track of whether the locations are synchronized in their heads. Other users may use two or more applications to provide this functionality.

Now there is an easier way. SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without additional complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another case. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

We have collected feedback from the discussion forum on the Windows XP Professional Photography web site, from customer feedback surveys, from a large number of professional and hobbyist photographers at Microsoft, and from various world-wide forums, sites, reviews and blogs on the web. Based on your feedback, the following features were added to this release of SyncToy:

• Dynamic Drive Letter Assignment: Drive letter reassignment will now be detected and updated in the folder pair definition.
• True Folder Sync: Folder creates, renames and deletes are now synchronized for all SyncToy actions.
• Exclusion Filtering Based on Name: File exclusion based on name with exact or fuzzy matching.
• Filtering Based on File Attributes: The ability to exclude files based on one or more file attributes (Read-Only, System, Hidden).
• Unattended Folder Pair Execution: Addressed issues related to running scheduled folder pairs while logged off.
• Folder Pairs With Shared Endpoints: Ability for folder pairs associated with the same or different instances of SyncToy to share end-points.
• Command line enhancements: Added the ability to manage folder pairs via the command line interface.
• Re-Architect Sync Engine: The SyncToy engine has been rearchitected to provide scalability and the ability to add significant enhancements in future releases.
• Sync engine is also more robust insomuch that many single, file level errors are skipped without affecting the entire sync operation.
• Sync Encrypted Files: Sync of Encrypted files works when local folder and files are encrypted, which addresses the common scenario involving sync between local, encrypted laptop PC folder and remote, unencrypted desktop PC folder.
• 64-Bit Support: SyncToy now has a native 64-bit build (x64 only) for 64-bit versions of Windows.
• Folder pair rename
• Sub-folder Exclusion Enhancements: Descendents created under excluded sub-folders are automatically excluded. Usability improvements for the sub-folder exclusion dialog.
• Folder Pair Metadata Moved: Folder pair metadata removed from MyDocuments to resolve any issues with server-based folder pair re-direction setup.
• Setup Improvements: Integrated setup with single self-extracting archive file and no extra downloads if you already have .NET Framework 2.0 installed. Enabled silent install for the SyncToy Installer file (see readme.txt file for more information). Removed combine and subscribe actions.
• Removed combine and subscribe actions.

Download SyncToy

The complete post is taken Microsoft Download website

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It happens many times we lose Internet access when waking our system from sleep mode, the network icon shows ‘local only’, then normally we restart machine and restore the wireless link. So first you need to check the life of device driver for notebook’s wireless adapter, it may be older than the machine.

So now you will have to update driver, visit the notebook vendor’s site and get the latest version of the driver, download & update then restart machine. Now put machine on sleep mode for a longtime then wake it up and check at bottom-right corner indicate Internet connection.

For that you’ll have to chose correct way to update Window drive driver because wrong selection may be the cause, if anything happens unlikely.

Guideline for driver update

• This may be the batter option for those, who are not able to get updated version of driver from the notebook vendors site for the appropriate update, get your driver from the PC vendor. System vendors often customize the drivers for their machine.

• Update driver one at a time, if you try to load several driver at a time then it can create some problem and also bit tough to find-out which one is not supporting or creating problem.

• Create the restore point, suppose if anything happens wrong during updating of the driver then it can protect from harm. Windows XP an Vista create a restore point before the new driver installation. For precaution set yourself via system restore with descriptive name in case you forget when and what exactly you updated. Roll Back Driver function under the Driver tab in the Device Manager Properties dialog box. Likewise, run the updates own installer rather than using Properties’ Update Driver button.

Mostly PC users can manage their software updates on their own, through vendors help. You can also update your Microsoft Office automatically via the Windows Update service, and other major applications offer similar auto-update functions. Likewise, Flash, QuickTime, and other media players can be set to update automatically.

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Visit these sites when your media player goes on strike.

YouTube Help Center: In case of troubleshooting it is too quick to recommend that you un-install and then re-install the Adobe Flash Player (going through instructional video).everyone think that it is the simpler and surest way to cure all type of minor malfunction/glitches, but here I would start with the simpler steps the site suggests, like restart your browser, accessing the page using another browser then clear your browser cache.

Here I recommend you to clear your browser cache it can cure a range of page loading woes. In Firefox, click Tools > Clear Private Data, check the “Cache” option and rest uncheck, and click the “Clear Private Data Now” button. In Internet Explorer, click Tools > Delete Browsing History, and click the “Delete files” button next to Temporary Internet Files

Adobe offers a Shockwave Player support FAQ site is specific to Windows XP and others that describe various error messages, along with info on troubleshooting topics.You’ll find the latest version of the Flash Player on the Adobe Download Center. The company’s Flash Support Center is intended for Flash developers.

Apple iTunes for Windows :Apple provides separate pages to troubleshoot iTune video on Windows Vista and windows XP/2000 . it contains “unexpected quits, freezes, and launch issues” on this page for Vista and this page for XP/2000

Apple QuickTime for Windows: If you see an animated QuickTime logo in bottom right corner on QuickTime Troubleshooting site it means Apple’s Media Player is installed and functioning.

Troubleshooting Windows Media Player 11: Microsoft’s has its own troubleshooting website for the media player .It contains separate section for Most Popular/Common Questions, Self Help Options, Technical Support Options, standard FAQ’s on playing DVD’s, ripping MP3’s and finding the installing codec’s.

In typical Microsoft fashion there is separate WMP FAQ page for Windows Vista and another troubleshooting page that focuses on problems when using the player in XP and for good measure a Knowledge-Base article is troubleshooting resources

Most of the company has its own support site that provide some pages to handle and cure the problems like installing QuickTime for Windows, to enable Flash content in QuickTime movies, to view streamed files behind a firewall, and diagnosing audio-playback problems (for iTunes also).

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Microsoft’s Windows Operating system is the king of operating system market. Windows nearly captured 90% Market of desktop operating system. Windows Vista gives a chance to other operating system also to complete with windows operating. Now people thinking about vista replacements. Let’s have a look to other operating system that may replace windows operating system.

Apple’s Mac OS x is one of the biggest threat to Windows operating system. Apple’s Mac OS x offers a great degree of support for application support, functionality, packaging and overall a good operating system that can compete with Windows operating system. Biggest problem with Mac OS x is Apple it self, Apple restricts its Operating system from running to other hardware platform. If Apple makes its Operating system to other hardware platforms then it will be a big threat to Windows operating system

As compare to Apple’s and Microsoft’s operating system Linux is free and open source desktop operating system. Linux runs on vast verity of hardware and processor architecture. An active and growing developer community is backed up with Linux Operating System that makes Linux available on number of Hardware platforms as well as a number of desktop option in Linux it self. The wide variety of desktop Linux incarnations makes it difficult for ISVs and IHVs (independent hardware vendors) to close these application support gaps.

Solaris is one of the elder friends of Linux Operating system. Solaris has some unique features as compare to other operating systems like ZFS and containers. Solaris currently not support vats verity of hardware and processor architecture platforms. Solaris also face issue with software vendors. Currently not many developers develop applications for Solaris as compare to develop for Linux or Windows. The only way we’re likely to see an uptick in Solaris-based clients is if Sun’s thin-client Sun Ray product line starts winning some major converts.

Free BSD is also take benefit form open source Linux platform. BSD’s licensing is far more easy as compare to Linux for proprietary makers. FreeBSD makes up part of Apple’s OS X core, and this behind-the-scenes OS X inclusion is probably the most prominence that FreeBSD will end up enjoying.

Mobile Devices: Today’s hottest topic of discussion in operating system arena is Mobile desktop operating system and mobile devices. More and more mobile devices are coming into the market to replace desktop clients. Google is cooking its Linux and Java based operating system called as Android. Nokia has also recently acquired Symbian mobile OS and turns it into an open source project. Apple’s iPhone and iPod devices are also open for developers. The key success factor with these devices will be how they handle user input and display information on to the screen.

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SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without additional complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another case. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

Following features were added to this release of SyncToy:

• Dynamic Drive Letter Assignment: Drive letter reassignment will now be detected and updated in the folder pair definition.
• True Folder Sync: Folder creates, renames and deletes are now synchronized for all SyncToy actions.
• Exclusion Filtering Based on Name: File exclusion based on name with exact or fuzzy matching.
• Filtering Based on File Attributes: The ability to exclude files based on one or more file attributes (Read-Only, System, Hidden).
• Unattended Folder Pair Execution: Addressed issues related to running scheduled folder pairs while logged off.
• Folder Pairs With Shared Endpoints: Ability for folder pairs associated with the same or different instances of SyncToy to share end-points.
• Command line enhancements: Added the ability to manage folder pairs via the command line interface.
• Re-Architect Sync Engine: The SyncToy engine has been re-architect to provide scalability and the ability to add significant enhancements in future releases.
• Sync engine is also more robust insomuch that many single, file level errors are skipped without affecting the entire sync operation.
• Sync Encrypted Files: Sync of Encrypted files works when local folder and files are encrypted, which addresses the common scenario involving sync between local, encrypted laptop PC folder and remote, unencrypted desktop PC folder.
• 64-Bit Support: SyncToy now has a native 64-bit build (x64 only) for 64-bit versions of Windows.
• Folder pair rename
• Sub-folder Exclusion Enhancements: Descendents created under excluded sub-folders are automatically excluded. Usability improvements for the sub-folder exclusion dialog.
• Folder Pair Metadata Moved: Folder pair metadata removed from My Documents to resolve any issues with server-based folder pair re-direction setup.
• Setup Improvements: Integrated setup with single self-extracting archive file and no extra downloads if you already have .NET Framework 2.0 installed. Enabled silent install for the SyncToy Installer file. Removed combine and subscribe actions.
• Removed combine and subscribe actions

Download SyncToy

SyncToy Discussion Forum

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The more you search, the more searches you save, and the more likely you have saved most of the search you want, but you may want to narrow the criteria. To build from an existing search:
1. Browse to your Searches folder.
2. Double-click the existing search.
3. Click Search Tools, and then click Search Pane.
4. Click the Advanced Search expansion arrow.
5. Modify the criteria (use wildcard characters).
6. Click Search. You can even save this new search for reuse.

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The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 3.5 is the revised version of the original Microsoft Security Risk Self-Assessment Tool (MSRSAT), released in 2004 and the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 2.0 released in 2006. Security issues have evolved since 2004 so additional questions and answers were needed to ensure you had a comprehensive toolset to become more aware of the evolving security threat landscape that could impact your organization.
The tool employs a holistic approach to measuring your security posture by covering topics across people, process, and technology. Findings are coupled with prescriptive guidance and recommended mitigation efforts, including links to more information for additional industry guidance. These resources may assist you in keeping you aware of specific tools and methods that can help change the security posture of your IT environment.

There are three assessments that define the Microsoft Security Assessment Tool:

• Business Risk Profile Assessment
• Defense in Depth Assessment (UPDATED)
• Mid-Market Security Core Infrastructure Operations Assessment (NEW)

The questions identified in the survey portion of the tool and the associated answers are derived from commonly accepted best practices around security, both general and specific. The questions and the recommendations that the tool offers are based on standards such as ISO 17799 and NIST-800.x, as well as recommendations and prescriptive guidance from Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group and additional security resources valued in the industry.

After completing an Assessment, you will gain access to a detailed report of your results. You may also compare your results with those of your peers (by industry and company size), provided that you upload your results anonymously to the secure MSAT Web server. When you upload your data the application will simultaneously retrieve the most recent data available. To be able to provide this comparative data, we need customers such as you to upload their information. All information is kept strictly confidential and no personally identifiable information whatsoever will be sent.

Download Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 3.5

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Professional Edition ; Windows Vista; Windows XP Professional Edition
• .NET Framework Version 2.0
• Internet Explorer 6.0

You should have the latest service packs installed for your operating system and browser.
The MSAT does not require an Internet connection for you to use it. But to upload your results and to check for updates, you will need an Internet connection.

This post is taken Microsoft Website.

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Recently some days back my friend Rich has written one very good book Windows Vista named as Windows Vista - The Pocket Guide. Vista Pocket Guide is very good and easy read book for all Windows Vista users. Vista- Pocket Guide help Vista users to find solutions for their day-to-day Vista issues as well as how they can get most out of Windows Vista.

Windows Vista- The Pocket Guide consists of 134 page in 9 chapters. First chapter of this book gives an introduction to computers and here author strongly recommend that first go to Getting Started chapter then after jump to any other chapter in this book.

Getting Started is very useful and a must read section of this book, before start reading the book. Here I find some very useful content like how to dual boot XP with Windows Vista, Which version of Vista is best for you, What to choose between Vista 32 and 64bit and many more.

Rest of the book deals with specific guide and issues in each chapter. Security and System maintenance and Management section I find very useful for Vista users.

1. Getting Started
2. Backing Up Early and Often
3. Security
4. System Maintenance & Management
5. Increasing Performance
6. Working Efficiently
7. Personalizing Vista
8. Taking Control of Your Files

Vista Pocket Guide download

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Recently Microsoft has published a white paper, regarding five misunderstood features in Windows Vista and how these five features can benefit your laptop, desktop or organizations computers. 

1. User Account Control
2. Image management.
3. Display Driver Model
4. Search
5. 64 bit architecture

Adopting these feature is not straightforward as it’s seen, because these five features affect two key areas: application compatibility and hardware performance. This White paper explains all these five feature in a very effective manner.

User can download and view Five Misunderstood Features in Windows Vista here

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The Windows Deployment Services is the updated and redesigned version of Remote Installation Services (RIS). Windows Deployment Services enables you to deploy Windows operating systems, particularly Windows Vista. You can use it to set up new computers by using a network-based installation. This means that you do not have to be physically present at each computer and you do not have to install each operating system directly from a CD or DVD.

What’s new in Windows Deployment Services?
Windows Deployment Services includes changes to the RIS feature set, including the following:

• Ability to deploy Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
• Windows PE is the boot operating system.
• Image-based installation, using Windows image (.wim) files.
• An extensible and higher-performing PXE server component.
• A new boot menu format for selecting boot operating systems.
• A new graphical user interface on the client computer that you use to select images.
• The Windows Deployment Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in and the WDSUTIL command-line tool, which enable you to configure and manage Windows Deployment Services.

Benefits of Windows Deployment Services
Windows Deployment Services provides organizations with the following benefits:

• Allows network-based installation of Windows operating systems, which reduces the complexity and cost when compared to manual installations.
• Deploys Windows images to computers without operating systems.
  Supports mixed environments that include Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
• Built on standard Windows Vista setup technologies including Windows PE, .wim files, and image-based setup.

This Article is taken from http://msdn.microsoft.com

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