Microsoft Deployment Toolkit Utility

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012 (MDT) is now available for download. The toolkit can be used to monitor and roll out to large numbers of end user products like Windows 7, Office 2010, Office 365, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP. MDT 2012 can also be used to deploy in test environments the beta versions of Windows 8 and of Windows Server 2012. The utility can let end users initiate and customize software installs on their computers using System Center Configuration Manager 2012. The product can also be integrated with the Microsoft Security Compliance Manager for added deployment security.

Microsoft Touted Windows to Go

Windows 8 Enterprise, one of three editions of the upcoming Windows 8 OS, it's only limited to corporate customers. Windows 8 Enterprise will be available only to businesses that have signed Software Assurance deals with Microsoft. Windows to Go is one of the limited features available only to Windows 8 Enterprise. Windows to Go will run on PCs or other devices powered by Windows 7 or Windows 8. Microsoft touted the feature as a secure way for out-of-office workers to access corporate resources from personal or shared devices, and as a solution to the "bring your own PC" problem of people using their own machines, which may be less secure and more likely to be malware infected, to connect with the company's network.

Microsoft Officially Named Windows Server 2012

Microsoft has reworked its naming convention for its server edition of Windows, after it officially named the next edition as Windows Server 2012. At the Microsoft Management Summit 2012 (MMS) in Las Vegas on 17 April, Microsoft corporate vice president Brad Anderson talked about how Microsoft’s private cloud offering will become even more powerful with Windows Server 8 and announced that the operating system will officially be named Windows Server 2012. Anderson also discussed how IT professionals can evolve their roles with cloud computing to help their businesses be more competitive.

Microsoft Unveiled Windows 8 Versions

Microsoft has unveiled the various editions of the soon to be released Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro will be available for x86-powered PCs and tablet devices. The Pro version comes with encryption, visualization, PC management and domain connectivity features not included in the basic consumer package. Microsoft said the Pro version was targeted at technically savvy users and businesses. However, enterprises with Software Assurance agreements would still be able to get their hands on a special enterprise version of the operating system. For specifically designed ARM processor based system, Microsoft will release Windows RT (Real Time). Windows RT comes packaged with "touch-optimized" versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. None of the desktop packages come bundled with Microsoft's productivity suite. In addition, Windows RT comes with device encryption technology.

How to Manually Check Google Chrome Plugin Update

More and more malicious websites can be found in the Internet. Your system can be attacked through outdated Google Chrome plugin in which it exploited security flaw on the code. You can manually check whether your installed plugins in your Google Chrome are updated. Simply visit http://secbrowsing.appspot.com/ and the site will display a summary of your installed plugins in Google Chrome. You can install SecBrowing plugin in your Google Chrome by clicking Chrome Extension.

How to Disable Autorun.inf in Windows 7

Autorun function when you insert CD/DVD media can be a great security risk for your system. There are viruses which make utilize of this default Windows behavior to infect your computer. Below are the steps to disable this default Windows 7 feature for Autorun.

1. Type gpedit.msc in the Search programs and files dialog of your Windows 7
2. In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to User Configuration then selects Administrative Templates 
3. Choose Windows Components then selects Windows Explorer
4. Scroll down the list on the right side pane and find Default behavior for AutoRun 
5. Double click on Default behavior for AutoRun and choose Enabled
6. From the drop down list choose Do not execute any autorun commands
7. Click OK to accept the settings

How to Change Default Listening Port of RDP

In light of the most recent Microsoft's critical update MS12-020 released last March, those computers facing the Internet with Remote Desktop Protocol enabled should re-configure its default listening port other than port 3389 as a workaround. MS12-020 is labeled as critical because it could allow intruders to obtain LocalSystem control on a computer with RDP enabled.

 To change the port that Remote Desktop Protocol listens, you need to follow these steps,

1. Start Registry Editor.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
3. On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then click Decimal.
4. Type the new port number, and then click OK.
5. Quit Registry Editor.
6. Restart the computer.