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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.

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The complete post is taken Microsoft Download website

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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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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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Using a mobile computer inside corporate office is very much secure as compare to using it outside the corporate network. In corporate network your mobile computer id protected with corporate firewall, anti-virus, spyware’s, corporate access control and other security polices but what about using mobile PCs outside the boundaries of corporate office. Many organizations using laptops for flexible work hours. Regardless the flexibility introduced by laptops in working hours also introduces more security risks and more unknown challenges. Once an employee takes their laptop and leaves, they are on their own. The laptop becomes an island unto itself and must be able to defend itself against malware, unauthorized access, and other malicious activities.

Microsoft’s latest operating system windows vista provides more secure foundation for laptops as compare to earlier versions of windows operating system. Let’s take a look at some of the components that go into Windows Vista’s security, and why Windows Vista should be the operating system of choice when securing your mobile computer is a priority.

Address Space Layout Randomization: Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is a computer security technique which involves randomly arranging the positions of key data areas, usually including the base of the executable and position of libraries, heap, and stack, in a process’s address space. Prior to windows vista memory addresses were static and could be discovered. Static memory addresses can be easily discovered by an attacker who is developing a malware or trying to do malicious activities on memory.

Data Execution Prevention: Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a security feature Included in Windows Vista , that prevents any application or service to execute code from a non-executable memory location. These types of attacks mainly targets computer programs that are poorly written. Prevention from Data Execution Prevention is first introduced in windows XP sp2.

Windows Vista Firewall: Firewall is a critical first line of defense to protect your computer against many types of malicious software. Vista firewall monitors and restricts both incoming and outgoing traffic. Vista firewall also provides internet protocol security settings and Firewall filtering settings integrated. Monitoring outgoing traffic gives a fair idea which computer programs are trying to access the internet and whether are these programs also trying to send some important data to remote systems.

Internet Explorer with protected mode: Internet explorer running in protected mode provides an extra level of security and data protection to windows vista users. Protected Mode protects the system by ensuring that any malware or exploits encountered via the Web are unable to affect the operating system or core functionality. In Protected Mode, Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista cannot modify user or system files and settings without user consent. Protected Mode requires the user to confirm any activity that tries to put something on your machine or start another program.

BitLocker Drive Encryption: BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature available in Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate for client computers and in Windows Server 2008. BitLocker enhances data protection drive encryption and the integrity checking of early boot components. Drive encryption protects data by preventing unauthorized users from breaking Windows file and system protection on lost, stolen or inappropriately decommissioned computers. This protection is achieved by encrypting the entire Windows volume; with BitLocker all user and system files are encrypted including the swap and hibernation files. Integrity checking the early boot components helps to ensure that data decryption is performed only if those components appear unmolested and that the encrypted drive is located in the original computer.

This post is created while reading some articles on Microsoft Windows Vista website, Microsoft Technet Windows Website and definitions are taken from Wikipedia.

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Windows vista has number of memory management improvements including extensive use of lock-free synchronization techniques, finer-grained locking, tighter data-structure packing, larger paging I/Os, support for modern GPU memory architectures, and more efficient use of the hardware Translation Lookaside Buffer. Windows Vista also offers dynamic address space allocation for different workloads. Windows Vista also has four performance enhancing features SuperFetch, ReadyBoost, ReadyBoot, and ReadyDrive. Instead of discussing all of them in one post I will discuss each feature in a separate post. In this post I am discussing SuperFetch.

SuperFetch
Previous version of windows uses Standby List Management for managing physical memory. Standby List management has two limitations

1. For prioritization of pages relies on the past activities of processes and there is no mechanism for anticipating the future requirement of memory pages.
2. Data used by windows for prioritizing pages is only depends on the pages owned by the processes.

These two shortcomings can result in “after lunch syndrome” when computer is ideal for some time then some memory intensive processes may start running. Memory intensive processes can be antivirus scan or disk defragmentation processes. These processes overwrite their data to active processes cached data and code. When you again start working on the computer system you get the sluggish performance.

SuperFetch is implemented in %SystemRoot%\System32\Sysmain.dll as a Windows service that runs inside a Service Host process (%SystemRoot%\System32\Svchost.exe). SuperFetch relies on support from the Memory Manager. So now operating system can get the page usage history as well as Memory Manager can preload data and code from files on disk or from a paging file into the Standby List and assign priorities to pages. The SuperFetch service essentially extends page-tracking to data and code that was once in memory, but that the Memory Manager has reused to make room for new data and code. It stores this information in scenario files with a .db extension in the %SystemRoot%\Prefetch directory alongside standard prefetch files used to optimize application launch. Using this deep knowledge of memory usage, SuperFetch can preload data and code when physical memory becomes available.

Whenever any process exists or releases the memory, SuperFetch asks the Memory Manager to fetch data and code that was recently evicted. This is done at a rate of a few pages per second with Very Low priority I/Os so that the preloading does not impact the user or other active applications. SuperFetch also includes specific scenario support for hibernation, standby, Fast User Switching (FUS), and application launch. When the system hibernates, for example, SuperFetch stores data and code in the hibernation file that it expects (based on previous hibernations) will be accessed during the subsequent resume. In contrast, when you resume Windows XP, previously cached data must be reread from the disk when it is referenced.

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Microsoft Windows XP is still preferred operating system, instead of the fact that it has a number of security loop holes. When Microsoft started building Vista, there primary goal is to make an operating that can address most of security issues that are addressed in Windows XP. Windows Vista comes with a number of security improvements. It’s important for end user to understand how to use these new security features.

• Network Access Protection (NAP): Network Access Protection (NAP) is one of the most desired and highly anticipated features of Windows Server 2008. NAP is a new platform and solution that controls access to network resources based on a client computer’s identity and compliance with corporate governance policy. NAP allows network administrators to define granular levels of network access based on who a client is, the groups to which the client belongs, and the degree to which that client is compliant with corporate governance policy. If a client is not compliant, NAP provides a mechanism to automatically bring the client back into compliance and then dynamically increase its level of network access. Network Access Protection is complicated to setup but I think it’s a good idea to setup Network Access Protection. Step by step guide: How to Set up Network Access Protection.

• Turn on Phishing Filter: Make sure that Phishing Filter is turned on for all your desktop computers. The Phishing Filter combines a local (client side) system scanning for suspicious website characteristics with an online service. Phishing Filter checks website characteristics to common Phishing websites, warn if it finds any fraudulent and legitimate website.
  The Phishing Filter is not enabled by default—you must actively enable the feature the first time you use the browser after installation. You can enable and disable the Phishing Filter with just a single click at any time using the browser menus.
• Use Network Profiles: Windows Vista does not treat all network connections equally as compare to previous version of Windows operating system. Vista’s Network and Sharing center designate a networks as public, private or a domain network. Vista treats domain networks automatically when computer is used to login into a domain. It’s very important to select proper network network profile because vista implements various security features based on network type.
• Use Vista 64-Bit Version: Windows Vista’s 64-Bit version is more secure as compare to 32-Bit version. Vista 64bit version offers Data Execution Prevention feature. DEP is a security feature that can help prevent damage to your computer from viruses and other security threats. DEP can help protect your computer by monitoring programs to make sure they use system memory safely. If a program tries running (also known as executing) code from memory in an incorrect way, DEP closes the program.

This Post is created reading  a number of Microsoft Technet Articles.

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Applying tweaks on your Vista operating system is good idea but it’s also a good idea to monitor the effects of tweaks that you have been applied on Vista. The Reliability Monitor provides a graph over time so you can see how each action might have affected the running of your PC. Launch it by click Start, typing performance information and pressing [Enter]. Select Advanced tools from the left-hand pane and click Open Reliability and Performance Monitor. Select Reliability Monitor and view the graph to see what’s been going on behind the scenes.

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