Team member Kim Griffiths has this to share today:

On Wednesday, Nov. 18th, I'll be hosting a webcast that will give you info on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 deployment planning.  The webcast will run 60 minutes and will go into the best practices and lessons learned from dealing with volume activation in a variety of environments, including networked, isolated, roaming, branch office, development, and test. 

TechNet Webcast: Plan for and Deploy Volume Activation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

• Webcast Length: 60 minutes
• Date: 11/18/2009
• Time: 10:00:00 AM Pacific

Register for this TechNet webcast now.

 
I hope to "see" you there!

  - Kim 

Meet Tamer Erzurumlu, a business development manager on the Genuine Windows team with over 15 years at Microsoft in several different roles, including building business in new countries, opening new Microsoft subsidiaries worldwide, supporting computer manufacturers with programs for preinstalling genuine Microsoft software, and launching new initiatives such as the Microsoft Office Ready program and the commercial Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) program.  You’ll hear from Tamer occasionally when he has news to share about his focus areas for genuine Windows.  Today, Tamer writes:

Tens of millions of used computers and laptops are discarded each year by businesses, individuals, and organizations. Did you know there are a variety of ways to extend their life?  A pre-owned computer that is decommissioned, refurbished, and loaded with genuine Microsoft software through the commercial Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) Program provides an cost effective alternative to purchasing a new PC. Reusing PCs also helps to reduce e-waste and contribute to environmental stewardship worldwide.

The commercial MAR program provides partners with a cost-effective means of delivering genuine Microsoft software, distinguishing their business practices, and certifying the validity of their offerings. It enables eligible refurbishers that partner with Microsoft to preinstall genuine Windows and other Microsoft software on refurbished PCs.  For customers, the benefits of the commercial MAR program include knowing that the software installed on their refurbished PCs is properly licensed and provides the same level of performance as they would expect when purchasing brand new PCs. Customers buying refurbished PCs will get the out-of-the-box experience they expect from a new PC.

It is estimated that many refurbished PCs being resold today by companies that do not participate in the commercial MAR program contain counterfeit software, putting customers at risk and harming legitimate refurbishers and resellers. Microsoft is committed to helping ensure that customers get the genuine Microsoft software they expect when purchasing a refurbished PC. Microsoft operates a program of refurbished PC test purchases to identify refurbishers and resellers who are marketing and selling counterfeit Microsoft software. Thousands of cases of illegal activity have been uncovered by Microsoft investigations into suspected illegal software, thanks to test purchases, mystery shopper programs and reports of suspected counterfeit from our customers and partners. This helps keep potential counterfeiters from viewing piracy as a crime without consequences.

For example, in a recent investigation conducted by Microsoft anti-piracy investigators, three separate refurbished PC test purchases were made from PC Products, a company in Illinois. These test purchases resulted in sales of counterfeit software, and were part of the routine, ongoing program started earlier this year by the commercial MAR program. As part of the settlement, PC Products has agreed to: cease and desist from manufacturing and selling counterfeit software (burned CD-R copies of Windows XP Professional recovery media in addition to other Microsoft software); allow Microsoft to inspect PC Products’ inventory and warehouse; and provide a list of those people or companies who either purchased counterfeit software from PC Products or provided counterfeit software to PC Products.

With economic and environmental concerns at the forefront in today’s world, it’s important for partners to have access to programs that are cost-effective and promote reduction in e-waste.  Learn more about the commercial MAR program, or check out the following links for additional information:

· View additional questions and answers about the investigation.

· Learn more about the lifecycle of a refurbished PC and who is typically involved in the process.

· Find out how refurbished PCs have made a positive impact on a number of communities, businesses and individuals worldwide.

 - Tamer

Earlier today the Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog posted some information about Microsoft Security Essentials helping to detect malware that turns out to be embedded in copies of non-genuine Windows Vista that people have downloaded.

I blogged back in May about a similar case where we saw Windows 7 RC builds that had malware embedded in them. I know people are excited about Windows 7 too but with only a couple of days to go until launch I’d encourage everyone to hold off downloading that ‘free copy’. Otherwise, you might end up getting more than you expected. 

Hi there – just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself before getting to today’s post.  My name is Jodi Kogan, and I manage communications for the Genuine Windows team here at Microsoft.   I’ll be posting news related to genuine Microsoft software, as well as topics on behalf of other team members such as news, podcasts, and links to information that will help you get the most from genuine Windows.

Today, I have an update from Kim Griffiths, a product manager on our team focusing on enterprise and government customers. She is a former infrastructure consultant specializing in Active Directory, security, and Microsoft Exchange with more than 15 years of experience working in IT, and will be contributing to our team blog from time to time with information for IT professionals, including podcasts. Kim says:

Here’s the scenario: You have the Key Management Service (KMS) hosted on Windows Server 2003 activating your Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 systems. Now you are ready to start piloting and deploying Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. Some of your first questions are likely:

· Can I use the same KMS to do that?

· Do I need to do anything to make that work?

The answer to both is yes.

The update to the KMS is necessary because of the keys. With each new product edition and release, new keys are provisioned and distributed to our customers. An update is necessary to make the service aware of these new keys in order to activate the new generation of operating systems. There are basically four steps to accomplish this task: 1) apply the update, 2) install the new key, 3) activate the updated host, and 4) check to make sure everything is working properly.  It is a simple process that should only take a few minutes to complete.

Check out this video podcast to see what you need to do and where to get more information.

An update is available that installs Key Management Service (KMS) 1.2 for Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and for later versions of Windows Server 2003. To learn more, view the KB article (968915).

For more information on volume activation, including KMS, visit the Windows Client Tech Center for Volume Activation.

It is important to note that there is also an update for KMS hosted on Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. To learn more, view the KB article (968912). That update is separate from the one described in this blog/podcast, though the process is similar. Not to worry, we’ll cover this one soon.

Today, we announced a new reason to own genuine Windows software - free high-quality consumer anti-virus and anti-malware software from Microsoft! Available for use on genuine Windows PCs at no cost, Microsoft Security Essentials is an anti-malware service that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malware.

Microsoft Security Essentials is available in 8 languages across the 19 countries shown below, using it requires no registration, there are no trial conversions or renewals required to stay up to date with the latest version and it is available for download directly from Microsoft now at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/.

During installation, you’ll be asked to validate Windows running on your PC to make sure that it’s genuine. As with all of our validation technology Microsoft doesn’t use any information collected during validation about the copy of Windows that is installed or the PC it is installed on to identify or contact the owner or user.

If a copy of Windows fails validation during setup then the screen below will be shown and the user will be offered an easy way to purchase genuine Windows directly from Microsoft.

Once installed, Microsoft Security Essentials provides you with real-time protection that runs quietly in the background, enabling you to continue using your PC without constant interruptions. And since it never expires and is updated automatically, you can feel safer knowing that your genuine Windows-based PC will be better protected by the latest advancements in security technology.

I’ve been using MSE on a few PCs for the last number of months and here’s what I love about it so far:

• MSE is independently certified by West Coast Labs – that makes me feel good about relying on it
• MSE uses the same core engine as Microsoft’s enterprise-class AV/AM products and is backed by Microsoft’s Malware Protection Center which makes me feel even better
• When it does find something that doesn’t belong it enables you to clean or remove it quickly and easily rather than loading a big heavyweight app.
• It’s free!

Click here to read the official press release or download Microsoft Security Essentials now.

Today, another blog joins The Windows Blog family. Previously my Genuine Windows/WGA blog, the new Genuine Windows Blog will feature posts not only from me, but from other genuine Windows team members, genuine Microsoft software partner teams, and other guest bloggers who can shed light on not just the challenges of fighting piracy, but the work that Microsoft is doing to help protect its customers from the risks of counterfeit software.

In the meantime, we'd like to add a few links to past blog posts that you might find helpful:

• Activating Windows 7: A video that outlines the customer experience of product activation and why it's important.
• Windows Activation Technologies - Activation and Validation in Windows 7: Read more about the next generation of product activation technology that started with Windows Vista and has been updated for Windows 7.
• The Surprising Risks of Counterfeit Software in Businesses: Key research that our team supported; a white paper about the risks businesses face when counterfeit software exists within their computing environments.
• What's the risk?: Foundational research that documents the risks customers might face when searching for free or heavily discounted software online.

Thanks and I look forward to the discussions that will happen here at our new home!

- Alex Kochis, Director, Genuine Windows