Three factors will drive mass adoption of Windows Vista in 2008

First, the launch of Windows Server 2008 will enable a host of features in Windows Vista that previously seemed like expensive and unnecessary overhead. The second factor is that hardware will catch up to the performance needs of Windows Vista. The third factor is that Microsoft will stop offering Windows XP for sale to its OEM customers in 2008. Once this happens, all new Microsoft based systems will have Windows Vista installed. More and more Windows Vista systems will need to be supported in all enterprises.

Windows Vista is coming to the enterprise in 2008

Organizations that are not prepared for how to work with this radical new design will have skyrocketing support costs and lots of extra hours to keep users running. A skilled and well trained support organization will be able to deploy Windows Vista and achieve fewer calls to the helpdesk than ever, along with an increased comfort in knowing that the systems are better protected from attacks and user errors.

This hands-on lab driven course will give you the skills you need to configure Windows Vista to maximize performance and security while minimizing user support issues. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of the OS go back to the office with proven abilities to configure and administer Windows Vista in less time and effort than ever before.

Immediate Benefits of this Course:

1. Understand all of Windows Vista's new features and decide which ones are "winners" and which are not for your enterprise
   
2. Perform new tasks with hands-on labs
   
3. Discover how Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7 co-exist and how to take advantage of additional security features when used together
   
4. Understand the major and minor differences in all the versions of Windows Vista, and how to choose the correct version for the features you need to use
   
5. Use the updated wireless features of Windows Vista and how Ipv6 works
   
6. Understand the new data storage options including updates to the file system and BitLocker
   
7. Experience supporting Windows Vista in a Windows Server 2008 environment, with full enterprise implementation of its features
   
8. Explore the new Group Policies (GPO) for Windows Vista, and determine how to best integrate them into your current environment
   
9. Discover how Windows Vista and Office 2007 work together to provide benefits to administrators and end users - also see the challenges you will need to face
   
10. Plan the best path to migrate YOUR network to Windows Vista, and what upgrading mistakes to avoid
    
11. Troubleshoot the new boot sequence (Boot Configuration Database BCD) - The old process is gone!
    
12. Test the new Aero interface, understand what you need to have to run it and if you need it
    
13. Explore all of the highly-touted new security features of Windows Vista, including the new Security Center - are they all you expected? Are their any weaknesses?
    
14. Know how to easily identify, diagnose and troubleshoot issues with Windows Vista using Windows Vista's new tools like Reliability Monitor
    
15. Gain a full, working knowledge of Windows Vista and how it will operate in your environment, it's features, advantages, limitations and overall abilities
    
16. Walk out of this three-day comprehensive course ready to deploy, implement, maintain, secure and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows Vista
    

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Ten hands-on labs will help you master the material:

1. Windows Vista Requirements — You will examine several configurations to determine if Windows Vista is required or possible.
   
2. Installation — You will perform a clean installation of Windows Vista, utilize Windows Easy Transfer to save settings for import, and then deploy Vista using WinPE and ImageX.
   
3. User Settings — You will Configure settings to Windows SideShow, Meeting Space, Calendar, Media, Mail, and Internet Explorer for optimal performance and security.
   
4. Networking Windows Vista — You will utilize a wide variety of techniques to configure and test network access, including using Workgroups and People Near Me, joining a Windows Server 2008 Domain, implementing and testing Network Access Protection (NAP) between Windows Server and Windows Vista, IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity, wireless, and Remote Desktop assistance.
   
5. Windows Vista Security — You will Configure and test folders and files with NTFS settings including EFS, BitLocker in Virtual PC Machines, Security Center settings, Windows Firewall to block attacks, Windows Integrity Control, Trustworthiness Levels and use iCACLS Command Line Tool to manage Access Control.
   
6. Data Storage — You will create Search Folders, set Index Options, configure Volume Shadow Copy, use restore points and back up the system state.
   
7. User Account Control and Adminisration — You will use updated Sysprep, Vista Hardware Assessment Tool, SIM, PNPUTiL, PKGMGR, OCSetup, BCDedit, and PowerShell to perform administrative tasks. You will create a User Account Control Policy locally and on a Windows Server 2008/Domain, and configure compatibility for legacy applications with Application Compatibility toolkit 5.0.
   
8. Group Policy — You will create Local Policies and Domain Policies using new featured settings, then troubleshoot Policy Orders with new requirements and test.
   
9. Performance Monitoring and Maintenance — You will use SysInternal Tools to monitor clients, configure Event Viewers filters and forwarding, configure batch files to run at scheduled times, configure advanced start up settings in System Configuratoin Utility, and Setup and configure OneCare.
   
10. Troubleshooting Windows Vista — You will utilize built-in tools to troubleshoot and repair the system.