John Policelli's Blog

Windows Server 2008 R2 includes an Active Directory Module for Windows PowerShell. This new feature enables you to perform Active Directory administrative tasks by using PowerShell.

The following is a first look at the Active Directory Module for Windows PowerShell that is included with the Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate.

Read the rest of this entry »

Windows Server 2008 R2 includes a Best Practice Analyzer (BPA) for a limited number of server roles, including DNS Server.

The following is a first look at the DNS Server Best Practice Analyzer (DNS BPA) that is included with the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta includes a new Active Directory data management tool, called the Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC). ADAC is a replacement of the Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) console. You can find more information on ADAC at my A First Look at the Active Directory Administrative Center in the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta post.

I’ve been using ADAC as I evaluate the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta, and what follows is a list of user interface enhancements and changes between ADAC and ADUC.

Read the rest of this entry »

I stumbled across a blog post, which lists a number of Windows 7 hotkeys. The blog post can be read here.

Windows Server 2008 R2 includes a new Recycling Bin feature for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS).

The following is a first look at the Active Directory Recycling Bin that is included with the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta.

NOTE: Updated May 8, 2009 to include information for the RC build of Windows Server 2008 R2.

Read the rest of this entry »

Windows Server 2008 R2 includes a Best Practice Analyzer (BPA) for a limited number of server roles, including Active Directory Domain Services.

The following is a first look at the Active Directory Domain Services Best Practice Analyzer (AD DS BPA) that is included with the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta.

Read the rest of this entry »

Microsoft has released a new Active Directory data management tool in Windows Server 2008 R2, which is now called the Active Directory Administrative Center.

What follows is an initial look at the new Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC).

Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a step-by-step guide to installing Active Directory Domain Services in the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta.

Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a step-by-step guide to installing the Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta on VMWare Workstation 6.5. The installation of Windows Server 2008 R2 is very similar to the Windows 7 installation.

Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a step-by-step guide to installing the Windows 7 Beta on Microsoft Virtual PC. The installation of Windows 7 is very similar to the Windows Vista installation.

Read the rest of this entry »

As Steve Ballmer announced during his keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Windows 7 Beta and the Windows Server 2008 Beta are both available to the public starting January 9, 2009.

Read the rest of this entry »