Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Gartner recently released their latest Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems and Microsoft has come out as the clear & away #1 database across all categories including the cloud – surpassing Oracle, IBM, Amazon and other notable vendors.

Read the entire report, at no cost, here:

• GARTNER: Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems
  http://www.gartner.com/technology/reprints.do?id=1-2PMFPEN&ct=151013&st=SB

In case you missed them, here’s the Surface Pro 4 factsheet and the Surface Accessories factsheet.

They highlight the new liquid cooling/fanless heat dissipation for quiet operation, the new Surface Pen “eraser” with stiction for the feel of erasing, and the new Surface dock which works with Surface Pro 3, 4, and Book.

• DOWNLOAD: Surface Pro 4 Factsheet
  https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.microsoft.com%2Fdownload%2Fpresskits%2Fsurface%2Fdocs%2Fsurfacepro4fs.docx
• DOWNLOAD: Surface Accessories Factsheet
  https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.microsoft.com%2Fdownload%2Fpresskits%2Fsurface%2Fdocs%2Fsurfaceaccessoriesfs.docx

Looks like in the recent Windows Insider build from yesterday, we are now allowing users to activate Windows 10 using product keys from Windows 7 or 8.x.

Per Gabe Aul’s blog post on the Windows blog:

Device activation improvements: We have received a lot of feedback from Insiders on making it easier to activate Windows 10 on devices that take advantage of the free upgrade offer to genuine Windows by using existing Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product keys. If you install this build of the Windows 10 Insider Preview on a PC and it doesn’t automatically activate, you can enter the product key from Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 used to activate the prior Windows version on the same device to activate Windows 10 by going to Settings > Update & security > Activation and selecting Change Product Key. If you do a clean install of Windows 10 by booting off the media, you can also enter the product key from prior Windows versions on qualifying devices during setup. Refer to the Insider Hub for more information on these activation improvements including requirements.

Looks like those old copies of Windows 7 are lookin’ really good about now… or at least during the T2 timeframe, ‘eh?

• BLOG: Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10565
  http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2015/10/12/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-10565/

Since updating to Windows 10, I’ve encountered an issue twice where the monthly updates failed to install.  Each time, the solution involved erasing/flushing the Windows update file cache and retrying.

Here’s how to do this in case you need to accomplish the same thing:

Flush the Software Distribution Folder.

Run Command Prompt as administrator. In the CMD box that appears on the computer screen, enter the following strings of text, one at a time, and hit Enter.

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

Now browse to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files and folders inside.

If the files are in use, restart your device. After rebooting, run the commands above again. Your Windows Store App needs to be closed by the way, so do not start it.

Now you will be able to delete the files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder. Now in the Command Prompt windows, type the following commands one at a time, and hit Enter:

net start wuauserv

net start bits

Reboot. If you are using Windows Update try using Microsoft Updates or vice versa.

Taken from:

• Fix: Windows Updates fail to install in Windows 7 / 8 / 10
  http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-updates-fail-to-install
• Remove the temporary update files that Windows uses to identify updates for your computer
  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-error-80070002

LOL, this is just the *BEST*.  Someone did a mashup of Interstellar & our Surface Book advertisement.  And it’s just awesome.

While you’re watching this, download the Surface Book Factsheet here with benefits, technical specifications, and our price sheet:

• Surface Book Factsheet
  https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.microsoft.com%2Fdownload%2Fpresskits%2Fsurface%2Fdocs%2Fsurfacebookfs.docx

Have you ever application that couldn’t find other computers on your network?

Ever needed to turn your home network from a “public” network to a “private” network on Windows 10? 

A private network is one in which devices/computers are discoverable by other devices/computers.  When you’re on a “private” network, discovering other machines for certain software is suddenly possible – otherwise your application or tool may never see other computers on your own home network – simply because it thinks it’s on a public network

Here’s the steps:

1. Go to Start – Settings
   
2. Click on Advanced Options
   
3. Turn ON “Find devices & content”

You’re done.  To verify that your machine now considers the local network “Private”, go to Control Panel – Network & Sharing Center and look for the words “Private Network”.

FYI: Office Professional Plus 2016 has posted to Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) for customers to download:

• Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) Downloads
  https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/
  Downloads/DownloadsAndKeys.aspx

Please also note the availability of THIS SEPARATE DOWNLOAD – the Office ProPlus 2016 Key Management Service Host – that was released today as well.

If you are looking to leverage your Software Assurance Training Vouchers, and want to know what sort of training is available – eLearning, classroom, French, English, etc – go to the following reporting site: 

• Software Assurance Training Catalog
  https://www.microsoft.com/learning/sa-vl-catalog/savldefault.aspx

From here, you can generate a report that shows:

• Different languages the training is offered in
• What training is available in eLearning format
• What training is downloadable as SCORM compliant modules
• What training is offered in a classroom by an instructor from a Certified Training & Education Center
• Sort by target audience: End user, IT Pro, & Developer
• Identify which course are eligible for purchase through SA training vouchers versus not-available to SA training vouchers
• A specific product(s) that you need training in

See the report below.  Notice the Windows 10, Skype for Business, and other courses “coming in Q4 2015”.

Today we’re releasing a preview of our new OneDrive for Business sync client for organizations and we wanted to share what this means for users and IT administrators alike. Based on your feedback, we’ve focused our innovation in three key areas: improving sync reliability, enriching the user experience and delivering greater IT control.

…

Read more here:

• ONEDRIVE BLOG: I sync therefore I am…
  https://blog.onedrive.com/i-sync-therefore-i-am/

WANT A QUICK DEMO?
In this 2-minute demo, Jason Moore from the OneDrive engineering team highlights the new OneDrive for Business file sync client Windows and Mac OSX – from controls for selective folder sync to setup and IT management options.

In this short demo, Reuben Krippner from the OneDrive team demonstrates updates to OneDrive for Business – from the new sync client to new for experiences in the browser and on mobile phones.

Join Microsoft Windows Experts for a day of discussion and demonstration for Technical Decision Makers, IT Professionals and Developers. Come learn why Windows 10 is the best operating system for business use. We’ll share, demo and dig into new features built for businesses while giving you hands on experience to take back to your teams!

AGENDA

• 9:30am Registration Opens
• 10:00am Keynote
• 11:00am IT Pro Breakout |  Developer Breakout
• 12:00pm Lunch, Partner & Devices Showcase
• 1:00pm IT Pro Breakout  |  Developer Breakout
• 3:30pm Afternoon Break, Partner & Devices Showcase
• 4:00pm IT Pro Breakout  |  Developer Breakout
• 5:30pm Happy Hour! Ask the Experts, Partner & Devices Showcase

IT PRO/TECHNICAL DECISION MAKER TRACK
Join us for an exclusive keynote address followed by 300 level technical sessions led by Microsoft experts.

Protection Against Modern Security Threats

• Learn how to implement new security features like Microsoft Passport and Windows Hello to deploy and use biometrics and multi-factor authentication to strengthen your identities.
• See how Windows 10 delivers new ways to protect critical business information from leaks or theft using Enterprise Data Protection in Office.
• Other Key Technologies: Device Guard, Office Single Sign On and Azure Active Directory.

Managed for Continuous Innovation

• Understand how Windows 10 helps you reduces the cost and complexity of managing and deploying Windows devices.
• Learn how to implement Windows as a Service in your business.
• Other Key Technologies: Windows Update for Business, Dynamic Provisioning, and Office Deployment.

Be More Productive

• Learn how to ensure your critical line-of-business apps keep working whether Win 32 or web based.
• Understand new ways to manage and control apps with the Windows Store for Business, giving you the control.
• Other Key Technologies: Enterprise Mode for Internet Explorer; Edge, Office, Bridges.

Next Gen Windows Hardware & Devices

• See the latest Windows 10 hardware including Surface and OEM devices.

DATE/TIME:
November 5th, 2015, 9:30AM-5:30PM

LOCATION:
Hyatt Regency Orange County
11999 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840
See map and/or driving directions

REGISTRATION: (Los Angeles)
https://www.microsoftevents.com/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x21889a48d

———————-

Note that this event is happening elsewhere in 12 cities  throughout the US – including New York, Seattle, .  Check this site to see if it’s coming to your neighborhood:

• REGISTRATION FOR OTHER CITIES:
  https://www.microsoftevents.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x743082b1