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	<title>Helmers BlogHelmers Blog</title>
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		<title>The Surface Pro&#8230;finally available in 20+ countries</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2013/05/the-surface-profinally-available-in-20-countries/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2013/05/the-surface-profinally-available-in-20-countries/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 23:24:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surface Pro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surface RT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4268</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="720" height="327" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/image5.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="image.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />The Surface Pro is available in several countries at the moment, in a couple of days it also will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In some of the countries it’s already available [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="720" height="327" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/image5.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="image.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>The Surface Pro is available in several countries at the moment, in a couple of days it also will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In some of the countries it’s already available at the time of this blog.</p>
<p>In the Netherlands Microsoft has already opened it’s Windows Brand Store again, from May 30th you can come in and check the Surface Pro. I’m not sure yet where it will be sold, but I ask my contact at Microsoft Netherlands if this info is already available, but it will probably be sold in the same stores you can already buy the Surface RT (Dixons, Media Markt, Mycom and Saturn), and off course you can also order it in the online Microsoft Store.</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" alt="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/image5.png" width="720" height="327" border="0" /></p>
<p>Since I’m very happy with my Surface RT, I’m not sure if I will buy the Pro…. I really love the battery life of the Surface RT, but I also love the Windows 8 Pro on my tablet. Maybe I have to play with the device first, let’s see if we can make this happen…..</p>
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		<title>Surface RT available in the Netherlands, Surface Pro..coming soon?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2013/02/surface-rt-available-in-the-netherlands-surface-pro-coming-soon/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2013/02/surface-rt-available-in-the-netherlands-surface-pro-coming-soon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:02:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surface]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surface Pro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surface RT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows RT]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4229</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/SurfaceRT-Blog.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="SurfaceRT Blog" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Since today the Surface RT is available in the following countries : Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands! Since I’m from the Netherlands (altough I already own a Surface RT) I was wondering in which retail stores (besides the Microsoft online store) it would become available. Bas Paumen [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/SurfaceRT-Blog.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="SurfaceRT Blog" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Since today the Surface RT is available in the following countries : Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands! Since I’m from the Netherlands (altough I already own a Surface RT) I was wondering in which retail stores (besides the <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/mseea/nl_NL/cat/categoryID.60117600" target="_blank">Microsoft online store</a>) it would become available.</p>
<p>Bas Paumen (Business Group Lead Windows at Microsoft NL) told me that it will also be on sale at the <a href="http://www.mediamarkt.nl/mcs/shop/microsoft-surface.html" target="_blank">Mediamarkt</a>, <a href="http://www.saturn.nl/mcs/shop/microsoft-surface.html" target="_blank">Saturn</a>, <a href="http://www.dixons.nl/surface" target="_blank">Dixons</a> and <a href="http://blog.mycom.nl/surface" target="_blank">MyCom</a>. At the moment they’re not all offering the Surface RT, but that will probably change in the next couple of days/weeks.’</p>
<p><strong>Surface Pro</strong><br />
I’m not sure <em>when, </em>but the Surface Pro will also come to the Netherlands (and probably to the other new Surface countries). When I visited the Surface Pro page on Microsoft.com it was saying ‘coming soon’….so let’s hope we don’t have to wait very long before the Surface Pro can be bought in a Dutch retail store!</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/image.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for a larger view" alt="Click for a larger view" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/image_thumb.png" width="704" height="269" border="0" /></a></p>
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		<title>New Apps coming to XBOX starting with SkyDrive</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/12/new-apps-coming-to-xbox-starting-with-skydrive/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/12/new-apps-coming-to-xbox-starting-with-skydrive/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:44:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RTLXL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SkyDrive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[XBOX 360]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ziggo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4202</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image1.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="image.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />&#160; Today Major Nelson announced a list of 40 new apps coming to XBOX 360 before Spring 2013! Because I live in the Netherlands not all Apps will become available here. Please check out the blog post at MajorNelson.com for the entire list For some of the Apps it’s not sure if they will be [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image1.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="image.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Today Major Nelson announced <a href="http://majornelson.com/2012/12/11/over-40-new-apps-coming-to-xbox-new-apps-launch-on-xbox-live-this-week/" target="_blank">a list of 40 new apps</a> coming to XBOX 360 before Spring 2013! Because I live in the Netherlands not<em> all</em> Apps will become available here. Please check out the blog post at <a href="http://majornelson.com/2012/12/11/over-40-new-apps-coming-to-xbox-new-apps-launch-on-xbox-live-this-week/" target="_blank">MajorNelson.com</a> for the entire list</p>
<p>For some of the Apps it’s not sure <em>if</em> they will be available in the Netherlands, but the following Apps certainly will appear on a Dutch Xbox near you:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://support.xbox.com/nl-NL/apps/rtlxl/rtlxl-info" target="_blank"><strong>RTL XL</strong></a> (already available)<br />
<em>watch missed RTL (4, 5, 7, 8) programs </em></li>
<li><strong>SkyDrive</strong> (available on December 11th)<br />
<em>SkyDrive is the place to store your files so you can access them from virtually any device. With SkyDrive for Xbox, you can easily view your photos and videos on your TV. You can also play slideshows and view photos and videos shared with you. For more information, visit the </em><a href="http://blogs.windows.com/skydrive/b/skydrive/archive/2012/12/11/skydrive-comes-to-xbox-360-photos-and-videos-on-your-tv.aspx"><em>Inside SkyDrive blog</em></a></li>
<li><strong>Karaoke</strong> (available on December 11th)<br />
<em>Karaoke provides access to more than 8,000 songs from the latest hits to the oldies but goodies, available on Xbox LIVE. Your avatar will go on stage and sing with a full complement of stage props and back band. Use SmartGlass to play/stop/pause, browse the database and lyrics or to add songs to the playlist. Songs don’t require any download and will playback immediately via streaming for a robust karaoke experience.</em></li>
<li><strong>Eredivisie Live</strong><br />
<em>watch live soccer games from the Dutch soccer league</em></li>
<li><strong>LiveSport.tv</strong> (not available yet?)<br />
<em>watch sports</em></li>
<li><strong>Pathe Thuis</strong><br />
<em>watch/rent movies</em></li>
<li><strong>SBS</strong><br />
<em>you can probably watch missed SBS (6 / Net 5 / Veronica) programs, but there is no info about the app yet</em></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ziggo.com/nl/pers/persberichten/60,3213/ziggo-ontwikkelt-app-voor-microsofts-xbox-360-platform/" target="_blank"><strong>Ziggo</strong></a><br />
<em>watch live tv with your Ziggo subscription, just like the iOS and Android App. In the near future Video on Demand will be added to the App. The <a href="https://twitter.com/ZiggoCompany/status/278570610257457152" target="_blank">Ziggo Company Twitter account</a> told me that <strong>recording</strong> live tv will also become available in a later stadium.</em></li>
</ul>
<p><em></em> </p>
<table width="650" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/XBOX_Ziggo.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="XBOX_Ziggo" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/XBOX_Ziggo_thumb.jpg" alt="XBOX_Ziggo" width="328" height="186" border="0" /></a><br />
Screenshot of the Ziggo App</p>
</td>
<td width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image2.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image_thumb1.png" alt="image" width="201" height="244" border="0" /></a><br />
Twitter conversation in with Ziggo</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="325"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/RTLXL_Nieuws.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="RTLXL_Nieuws" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/RTLXL_Nieuws_thumb.jpg" alt="RTLXL_Nieuws" width="244" height="183" border="0" /></a><br />
Screenshot of RTL XL App</td>
<td valign="top" width="325"> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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		<title>When can we expect the results of the 70-688 exam?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/12/when-can-we-expect-the-results-of-the-70-688-exam/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/12/when-can-we-expect-the-results-of-the-70-688-exam/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:50:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-688]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[71-688]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MSLearning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4190</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="504" height="228" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="image.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />UPDATE (January 17th) : The results have arrived! Since it has been a while since I attended the Managing and Maintaining Windows 8 (71-688) exam, I was wondering when the results should become available. I tweeted @PrometricIT_Edu asking them when we could expect the results. Too bad their answer wasn’t the one I expected. The [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="504" height="228" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="image.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p><strong>UPDATE (January 17th) : </strong>The results have arrived!</p>
<p>Since it has been a while since I attended the <em>Managing and Maintaining Windows 8</em> (71-688) exam, I was wondering when the results should become available. I <a href="https://twitter.com/PrometricIT_edu/status/278255597000998912" target="_blank">tweeted @PrometricIT_Edu</a> asking them when we could expect the results.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/PrometricIT_edu/status/278255597000998912" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" alt="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/image.png" width="504" height="228" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>Too bad their answer wasn’t the one I expected. The strange thing is that the exam period ran from October 17th – October 31th. <img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="71-688 exam period" alt="71-688 exam period" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/71-688-exam-period.jpg" width="650" height="314" border="0" /> If I add 8 weeks to the last date we could expect the results <em>before</em> (or <em>around</em>) December 26th. Prometric is talking about <em>the end of Janury 2013</em>, so that’s a month later results normally become available. When I check the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-688" target="_blank">exam details page</a> at Microsoft.com, the exam will be published on January 18th, 2013. So when <em>can</em> we really expect the results? I’m not sure, but I will certainly ask my MS Learning contacts for a reaction. When I have the response, I will update this blog post.</p>
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		<title>What do the Dutch experts think of Windows 8?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/11/what-do-the-dutch-experts-think-of-windows-8/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/11/what-do-the-dutch-experts-think-of-windows-8/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 15:39:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BrandStore]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Experts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4169</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/windows8-experts.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windows8-experts" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />On November 7th 2012 Microsoft Netherlands had invited 8 Dutch experts to share their experiences with Windows 8. In the presentation below (sorry, it is in Dutch) you can see what they had to say. I would like to say thanks to Microsoft Netherlands to invite us and have a discussion with us about the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/windows8-experts.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windows8-experts" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>On November 7th 2012 Microsoft Netherlands had invited 8 Dutch experts to share their experiences with Windows 8. In the presentation below (sorry, it is in Dutch) you can see what they had to say. I would like to say thanks to Microsoft Netherlands to invite us and have a discussion with us about the pro’s and con’s of Windows 8.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=65E28FB6F80D867B&amp;resid=65E28FB6F80D867B%21154158&amp;authkey=ABrWkhN0B2Htno8&amp;em=2&amp;wdAr=1.6&amp;Embed=1" frameborder="0" width="650" height="418"></iframe><br />
Source : <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/MicrosoftNL/microsoft-quotes-door-experts" target="_blank">SlideShare Microsoft NL</a></p>
<p>So, what do you think of Windows 8?</p>
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		<title>How-to Refresh your Windows 8 PC</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/11/how-to-refresh-your-windows-8-pc/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/11/how-to-refresh-your-windows-8-pc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[How-To]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Refresh]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4153</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/windows8-refresh-pc.jpg" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windows8-refresh-pc" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Windows 8 doesn’t only bring the Windows 8 Interface (formerly known as Metro), but also a couple of nice new features. One of the new features is called  “Refresh your pc”. When you refresh your pc, the following happens: Your files and and personal settings stay unchanged The computer settings will be reset to their [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/windows8-refresh-pc.jpg" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windows8-refresh-pc" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Windows 8 doesn’t only bring the <em>Windows 8 Interface</em> (formerly known as Metro), but also a couple of nice new features. One of the new features is called<em>  “Refresh your pc”.</em></p>
<p>When you refresh your pc, the following happens:</p>
<ul>
<li>Your files and and personal settings stay unchanged</li>
<li>The computer settings will be reset to their defaults</li>
<li>Apps which were installed from the Windows Store won’t be removed</li>
<li>Installed Desktop applications (which were installed manually) will be removed</li>
<li>A list of removed applications will be saved on the desktop.</li>
</ul>
<p>It can be quiet a job to reinstall <em>all</em> applications after a <em>Refresh </em>action. With the command <em>RecIMG</em> an <em>new</em> base image can be created very easily. If you choose to <em>refresh</em> your pc again, all applications which were <em>installed</em> before the new base image is created will not be removed.</p>
<p>Just follow the next few steps to create a new base image:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 1: </strong>Install your pc with <em>all</em> applications which should be available in the base image</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 2: </strong>start an <em>administrative command prompt </em>and create a folder where the image can be saved.<br />
(C:\RefreshImage in the example below)<br />
<a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image5.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="click for a larger image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image_thumb4.png" alt="Click for a larger image" width="670" height="385" border="0" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Step 3: </strong>Create a new <em>base image: </em>‘RecImg /CreateImage C:\RefreshImage’<br />
The image will be created, this can take a while.<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="RecImg /CreateImage C:\RefreshImage" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image6.png" alt="RecImg /CreateImage C:\RefreshImage" width="670" height="349" border="0" /></li>
<li><strong>Step 4: </strong>Check if the image created is also the <em>active</em> base image : ‘RecImg /showcurrent’<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="RecImg /showcurrent" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image7.png" alt="RecImg /showcurrent" width="670" height="353" border="0" /></li>
</ul>
<p>The <em>base image</em> is ready and can be used.</p>
<p><strong>Use the Base Image</strong><br />
To <em>refresh </em>your pc, just follow the next steps:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 1: </strong>Press the <em>Windows-key</em> and enter <em>‘Refresh’</em>. Select <em>‘Refresh your PC’</em><br />
<a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image8.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click to view a larger image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image_thumb5.png" alt="Click to view a larger image" width="670" height="387" border="0" /></a><em><strong>Note :</strong>  Only <strong>Administrators</strong> can refresh the pc!<br />
</em></li>
<li><strong>Step 2: </strong>Click <em>Next</em> in the wizard <em>Refresh your PC</em><br />
<a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image9.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for a larger image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image_thumb6.png" alt="Click for a larger image" width="670" height="387" border="0" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Step 3: </strong>Click on <em>Refresh<br />
<a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image10.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for a larger image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image_thumb7.png" alt="Click for a larger image" width="670" height="387" border="0" /></a><br />
</em></li>
<li><strong>Step 4 : </strong>The PC will be restarted to be refreshed, this process can take several minutes. After a few minutes the PC will be refreshed and <em>all</em> applications which were available when creating the base image are still available.<br />
<a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image11.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for a larger image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image_thumb8.png" alt="Click for a larger image" width="670" height="387" border="0" /></a></li>
<li><strong>Step 5: </strong>If necessary the task bar (or desktop) icons have to be recreated.<br />
<a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image12.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for a larger image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/image_thumb9.png" alt="Click for a larger image" width="670" height="387" border="0" /></a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />
To recovery your pc, it’s not necessary to create a <em>backup</em> or <em>reinstall</em> your entire pc. Just create a refresh image and save a lot of time!</p>
<p>Please leave a comment if you have questions.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Windows 8 : Disable access to the Windows Store with GPO</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/windows-8-disable-access-to-the-windows-store-with-gpo/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/windows-8-disable-access-to-the-windows-store-with-gpo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 21:24:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GPO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Server 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4112</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="687" height="298" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Windows-store-not-available1.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Windows-store-not-available" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />When you use Windows 8 in the Enterprise I can imagine that you (the IT Administrator) wants to disable some features. One of the first features (just like Windows Media Center in the Windows 7) I expect customers want to disable will probably be access to the Store. Windows 8 Group Policies I downloaded the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="687" height="298" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Windows-store-not-available1.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Windows-store-not-available" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>When you use Windows 8 in the Enterprise I can imagine that you (the IT Administrator) wants to disable <em>some features</em>. One of the first features (just like <em>Windows Media Center</em> in the Windows 7) I expect customers want to <em>disable</em> will probably be access to the <em>Store</em>.</p>
<p><strong>Windows 8 Group Policies<br />
</strong>I downloaded the proper <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=25250" target="_blank">Group Policy Settings Reference Sheet</a> from Microsoft.com and the correct policy to <em>disable </em>access to the store could be a <em>User Policy</em> or a <em>Computer Policy.</em> So you can disable access to the store for the <em>normal users</em> and leave it accessible for the <em>IT Administrator</em> or <em>Management</em> (if you like).</p>
<p>Two different GPO’s at “<em>System\Internet Communication Management\Internet Communication Settings”</em>:</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image12.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for full size" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb5.png" alt="Click for full size" width="670" height="42" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>With the following Help Text:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“This policy setting specifies whether to use the Store service for finding an application to open a file with an unhandled file type or protocol association.When a user opens a file type or protocol that is not associated with any applications on the computer, the user is given the choice to select a local application or use the Store service to find an application.If you enable this policy setting, the &#8220;Look for an app in the Store&#8221; item in the Open With dialog is removed.If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the user is allowed to use the Store service and the Store item is available in the Open With dialog.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>And two different GPO’s at “<em>Windows Components\Store”:</em></p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image13.png" alt="image" width="635" height="61" border="0" /></p>
<p>With the following Help Text:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“Denies or allows access to the Store application.If you enable this setting, access to the Store application is denied. Access to the Store is required for installing app updates.If you disable or do not configure this setting, access to the Store application is allowed.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>What’s the difference?<br />
</strong>So with the <em>first</em> Policy you can <em>enable</em> or <em>disable</em> the Store for finding an application to open a file with an unhandled file type or protocol association. The <em>second</em> Policy actually <em>disabled</em> access to the Store.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image14.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for full size" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb6.png" alt="Click for full size" width="670" height="387" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>When you <em>disable</em> access to the store you will <em>still see</em> the Store tile on your Start Screen, but when you open the store you will see the following message:</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image15.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Click for full size" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb7.png" alt="Click for full size" width="670" height="386" border="0" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Remove the Store Tile</strong><br />
To entirely remove the Store tile from your Start Screen, just remove the <em>Store</em> shortcut in &#8220;C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs&#8221; (thanks to Roel Janssen for posting this solution).</p>
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		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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		<title>Windows 8 gestures won&#8217;t work with Microsoft Touch Mouse</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/windows-8-gestures-wont-work-with-microsoft-touch-mouse/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/windows-8-gestures-wont-work-with-microsoft-touch-mouse/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Oct 2012 19:50:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[How-To]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gestures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardware]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Touch Mouse]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4092</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="285" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Microsoft-Mouse-and-Keyboard-Center-2.0.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center 2.0" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Today Microsoft release version 2.0 of their Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center. I upgraded the Mouse and Keyboard center from v1.1 to v2.0, but I ran into a strange issue. Because of the non-working Windows 8 gestures with version 1.1 of the software I decided to disabled the two and three finger gestures. After I [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="285" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Microsoft-Mouse-and-Keyboard-Center-2.0.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center 2.0" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Today Microsoft release version 2.0 of their <em><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/touch-mouse/3KJ-00001#support" target="_blank">Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center</a></em>. I upgraded the Mouse and Keyboard center from v1.1 to v2.0, but I ran into a strange issue. Because of the <em>non-working</em> Windows 8 gestures with version 1.1 of the software I decided to disabled the <em>two </em>and <em>three </em>finger gestures.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image8.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb1.png" alt="image" width="670" height="603" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>After I upgraded the software to v2.0, the two and three finger gestures <em>still</em> didn’t work. Although the gestures <em>were enabled</em>.</p>
<table width="667" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image9.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb2.png" alt="image" width="270" height="258" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="340">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image10.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb3.png" alt="image" width="270" height="253" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Switching between <em>Disable this gesture</em> and <em>enabling</em> it again didn’t quiet work, so I dediced to <em>remote</em> v2.0 of the software and <em>reinstall</em> v1.1 (I’m glad I still had the ‘old’ version available).</p>
<p>When I checked the settings in v1.1 the gestures were<em> disabled</em>, I <em>enabled</em> them and removed the software again.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image11.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image_thumb4.png" alt="image" width="314" height="235" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>After I reinstalled v2.0 of the Mouse and Keyboard Center the Windows 8 gestures were completely working!</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong><br />
If you also have issues with the Windows 8 gestures when upgrading to <em>v2.0? </em>Reinstall v1.1 and check the settings, you probably <em>disabled</em> some of the gestures.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for the <em>Microsoft Mouse &amp; Keyboard Center v1.1</em>, just click <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30462" target="_blank">here</a> for the 64-bit version, or <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30463" target="_blank">here</a> for the 32-bit version.</p>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>It&#8217;s October 19th&#8230;..so where are the results?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/its-october-19th-so-where-are-the-results/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/its-october-19th-so-where-are-the-results/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:27:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-413]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-414]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-415]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-416]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MSLearning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prometric]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4074</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="141" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/prometric_19th_october.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="prometric_19th_october" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Update (Oct. 22nd) : Spoke to Prometric Netherlands this morning. They told me we should not expect the results anywhere near the first half of November. When I asked how they came up with that information, they told me the beta exam ran until September 24/25. The results will be available 6-8 weeks after that date. I will contact MS [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="141" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/prometric_19th_october.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="prometric_19th_october" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p><strong>Update (Oct. 22nd) : </strong>Spoke to Prometric Netherlands this morning. They told me we should <strong>not </strong>expect the results anywhere <em>near the first half of November</em>. When I asked how they came up with that information, they told me the beta exam ran until September 24/25. The results will be available <em>6-8 weeks after</em> that date. I will contact MS Learning as soon as they are online and available. I spoke to my MS Learning contact later in the evening and she told me (that the results should be updated in the upcoming night).</p>
<p><strong>Update (Oct. 23nd) : </strong>This morning I checked the Prometric website and the results were there. For what I hear that&#8217;s not<em> </em>the case <em>for everybody</em>, so please leave a comment if you don&#8217;s see the entire results yet (some see one or more exam still saying <em>Tested</em>).</p>
<p>On <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/it-has-been-8-weekssince-the-first-windows-server-2012-beta-exam/">August 20th I blogged</a> about the date that we should expect the results of the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-413" target="_blank">70-413</a>, <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-414" target="_blank">70-414</a>, <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-415" target="_blank">70-415</a> and <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-416" target="_blank">70-416</a> (Windows Server 2012) exams. October 16th was the date the exams went ‘Live’, but sadly enough (not for the first time) the beta results are <em>not available</em> again on this date<em>. </em>That’s why I had contact with one of my contacts at MS Learning several times, during the last few days.</p>
<p>What I didn’t really understand that, in the past we <em>always</em> received the results of the beta exams <em>before</em> the exam went ‘Live’. For what I understand is that something Microsoft Learning is discussing internally, let’s hope when the next series of beta exams arrive the issues are solved and the beta results are available way before the exams go ‘Live’.</p>
<p>I also contacted <a href="http://twitter.com/PrometricIT_edu" target="_blank">Prometric</a> via Twitter several times. On <a href="https://twitter.com/PrometricIT_edu/status/256827595889467393" target="_blank">October 12th they  told me</a> to expect the results somewhere mid-this week.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="https://twitter.com/PrometricIT_edu/status/256827595889467393" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image5.png" alt="image" width="558" height="130" border="0" /></a></p>
<p align="left">Because it’s already October 19th in the entire world (in just two more hours the 19th is almost over <em>everywhere</em> except for the United States). They assured that the results would still become available on October 19th. Since their headquarter is located on the American East Coast, we can expect the results somewhere between <em>now</em> and October 20th 6:00 GMT…</p>
<p align="center"><a href="https://twitter.com/helmernl/status/259345185476075521" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image6.png" alt="image" width="558" height="724" border="0" /></a></p>
<p align="left"><em>I agreed with my contact at MS Learning to let her know if the results were <strong>not</strong> available by Monday morning (October 22nd), so she can contact Prometric HQ and to make sure the results will be available ehh…FAST.</em></p>
<p align="left">Please let me know if you received the results (or if it’s still saying ‘Tested’), so I know what to tell <a href="http://twitter.com/mslearning" target="_blank">MS Learning</a> on Monday morning.</p>
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		<slash:comments>22</slash:comments>
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		<title>Update : The 2nd Windows 8 exam (71-688) is not available anymore</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/the-2nd-windows-8-exam-71-688-is-availablein-beta/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/the-2nd-windows-8-exam-71-688-is-availablein-beta/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:19:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[71-688]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4052</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="841" height="550" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SNAGHTML4c81415.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="SNAGHTML4c81415.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Update (Oct 17th) : Around 14:00 (CET) today I read on Tweakers that all the beta-slots are filled up. I&#8217;m curious if, just like with the Windows 7 beta&#8217;s, MS Learning will open up some more slots for the peers who were sleeping at the time the mail was received. I know…some of you (including me) are still [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="841" height="550" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SNAGHTML4c81415.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="SNAGHTML4c81415.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p><strong>Update (Oct 17th) : </strong>Around 14:00 (CET) today I read on <a href="http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_message/39117831#39117831" target="_blank">Tweakers</a> that all the <em>beta-slots</em> are filled up. I&#8217;m curious if, just like with the Windows 7 beta&#8217;s, <a href="http://twitter.com/mslearning" target="_blank">MS Learning</a> will open up some more slots for the peers who were sleeping at the time the mail was received.</p>
<p>I know…some of you (including me) are still <a title="Update : Are you MCSE Server/Desktop Infrastructure yet?" href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/are-you-mcse-serverdesktop-infrastructure-yet/">waiting for the final results of the Windows Server 2012 exams</a>, but MS Learning just sent out an invite for a new (Windows 8) beta exam : the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-688" target="_blank"><em>70-688</em></a><em> : Managing and maintaining Windows 8. </em>Too bad the <em>exam information</em> page is not yet available, but they told me it will be online soon.</p>
<p><em>Note : To be clear&#8230;I do <strong>not</strong> share the promotional code with you. If you want to be invited, just create a SME (Subject Matter Expert) profile <a href="https://connect.microsoft.com/site862" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
<p>I received the message below earlier today. So if you normally would get the invites and didn’t already receive it, check your spam folder!</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="SNAGHTML4c81415" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SNAGHTML4c814151.png" alt="SNAGHTML4c81415" width="650" height="425" border="0" /></p>
<p>When you pass both the 687 and the 688 you’ll receive the <em><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa-windows-8.aspx" target="_blank">MCSA Windows 8</a></em> Certification!</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image4.png" alt="image" width="650" height="170" border="0" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Update : Are you MCSE Server/Desktop Infrastructure yet?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/are-you-mcse-serverdesktop-infrastructure-yet/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/are-you-mcse-serverdesktop-infrastructure-yet/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:07:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-413]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-414]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-415]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-416]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Certified]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4033</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="167" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/beta-results-70-413-414-415-416.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="beta-results-70-413-414-415-416" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Update (Oct 12th) : It looks like the Prometric Candidate History pages are having some troubles showing anything, so no results today. Update #2 (Oct 12th) : It looks like it is fixed, but not if you live in the Netherlands and the ISP ‘Ziggo’ (like me). Update #3 (Oct 16th) : My contact at [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="167" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/beta-results-70-413-414-415-416.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="beta-results-70-413-414-415-416" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p><strong>Update (Oct 12th) : </strong>It looks like the <em><a href="https://www.register.prometric.com/CandidateHistory.asp" target="_blank">Prometric Candidate History</a></em><em></em> pages are having some troubles showing anything, so no results today.<br />
<strong>Update #2 (Oct 12th) : </strong>It looks like it is fixed, but <strong>not</strong> if you live in the Netherlands and the ISP ‘Ziggo’ (like me).<br />
<strong>Update #3 (Oct 16th)</strong> : My contact at MSL told me we should expect the results somewhere before (or around) October 19th<br />
<strong>Update #4 (Oct 19th) : </strong>Check <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/its-october-19th-so-where-are-the-results/">my <em>new</em> blog post</a> about the results of the four Windows Server 2012 exams!</p>
<p>We just have to wait a few more days before we know the answer to the question. Somewhere around October 16th the results of the four remaining Windows Server 2012 Beta’s should be available, at least if my sources were right. I think they the results could even be there a bit faster.</p>
<p>Earlier today I received a question from my good friend (and MVP) <a href="http://twitter.com/emereb" target="_blank">Elias Mereb</a>, asking me if I already received any news about the results of the 70-413, 70-414, 70-415 and the 70-416. He received ‘proof’ that the results are starting to show on Prometric.com!</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image.png" alt="image" width="670" height="59" border="0" /></p>
<p>I checked my status immediately, but (as always) they were al four still saying ‘<em>Tested’</em>. I certainly will start asking my contacts later today if the results should pop-up any moment, so we can start F5-ing on Prometric.com.</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/image1.png" alt="image" width="670" height="177" border="0" /></p>
<p>Even if I pass<em> all four</em> of them, I still have to pass the 70-412, which I failed (sadly enough). I probably will attend the 412 somewhere later this (or next) month.</p>
<p>What about you? Do you see the results of (any of) the four exams yet? Please let me know in the comments!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
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		<title>Windows 8 App Update : SkyDrive</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/windows-8-app-update-skydrive/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/10/windows-8-app-update-skydrive/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Oct 2012 13:08:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SkyDrive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Store]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=4006</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Windows-8-App-Updates.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Windows-8-App-Updates" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />On October 5th Steven Sinofsky announced that the built-in Apps for Windows 8 will receive an update. The strange thing is that he announced that the Bing App would be the first one, but strangely enough I already received an update for the SkyDrive App. For now I don’t see an update for the Bing [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Windows-8-App-Updates.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Windows-8-App-Updates" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>On October 5th <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/10/04/updating-our-built-in-apps-for-windows-8.aspx" target="_blank">Steven Sinofsky announced</a> that the built-in Apps for Windows 8 will receive an update. The strange thing is that he announced that the <em>Bing</em> <em>App</em> would be the first one, but strangely enough I already received an update for the <em>SkyDrive</em> App. For now I don’t see an update for the <em>Bing App</em> arriving, but the day (Saturday) isn’t over yet…</p>
<p>Check out the differences below (click on the image for a larger view).</p>
<table width="650" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center">‘<em>Old version’</em></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center">‘<em>New version’</em></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Skydrive-02.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Skydrive 02" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Skydrive-02_thumb.png" alt="Skydrive 02" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-03.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 03" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-03_thumb.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 03" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Skydrive-03.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Skydrive 03" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Skydrive-03_thumb.png" alt="Skydrive 03" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-04.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 04" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-04_thumb.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 04" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Skydrive-04.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="Skydrive 04" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Skydrive-04_thumb.png" alt="Skydrive 04" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-04b1.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 04b" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-04b_thumb1.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 04b" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>And there are also a few ‘<em>New features’</em>  available with this update:</p>
<ul>
<li>Search within SkyDrive</li>
<li>Rename and move folders and files</li>
<li>New first-run experience (see the upper right screenshot)</li>
<li>Custom sort order</li>
</ul>
<p>I also discovered a feature from which I’m not sure if it was already available in the ‘old version’. Please leave a comment if you have also found it in the old one…</p>
<table width="650" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><em><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-06.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 06" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-06_thumb.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 06" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a><br />
Access ‘Recent’ and ‘Shard’ documents</em></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-07-.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 07 " src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-07-_thumb.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 07 " width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a><br />
<em>Open documents with Office Web App</em></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-08-.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 08 " src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-08-_thumb.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 08 " width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a><em><br />
Search within SkyDrive</em></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="325">
<p align="center"><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-09.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SkyDrive Update 09" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SkyDrive-Update-09_thumb.png" alt="SkyDrive Update 09" width="260" height="155" border="0" /></a><br />
<em>Rename and Move file and folders</em></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>I couldn’t find the <em>Custom sort order</em> yet, but the <em>Search within SkyDrive</em> also didn’t work just right after the update (indexing?). If you have found the feature, please let me know through the comments!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>UPDATE : The first Windows Server 2012 (and Windows 8) results appear on Prometric!</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/the-first-windows-server-2012-and-windows-8-results-appear-on-prometric/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/the-first-windows-server-2012-and-windows-8-results-appear-on-prometric/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:33:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Server 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3979</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="218" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/certified01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="certified01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />It has been some time since you could attend the Configuring Windows 8 (70-687), Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 (70-410), Administering Windows Server 2012 (70-411) and the Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services (70-412), but the results are finally there. Although not all the results are yet visible at Prometric. I’ve seen Erik Bakker [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="218" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/certified01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="certified01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>It has been some time since you could attend the <em>Configuring Windows 8 (70-687), Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 (70-410), Administering Windows Server 2012 (70-411) and the Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services (70-412)</em>, but the results are <em>finally</em> there. Although not <em>all</em> the results are yet visible at Prometric.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML4e903e.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="SNAGHTML4e903e" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML4e903e_thumb.png" alt="SNAGHTML4e903e" width="670" height="225" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>I’ve seen <a href="https://twitter.com/bakker_erik/status/248092581844631552" target="_blank">Erik Bakker</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/martijnbrant/status/248106512780763137" target="_blank">Martijn Brant</a> tweeting they passed the 70-410! The strange thing is, I already know I passed the 410 (and the 687), but the results are still not visible for me at the Prometric website. I did fail the 414, but I already rescheduled it for this Friday…so I could earn the <em>MCSA Windows Server 2012</em> just before the weekend starts.</p>
<p>Just talked to my contact at MSLearning and she told me that <em>all</em> the results should be available in the next few hours (if everything goes the way it should, that’s one thing you never know for sure if Prometric is involved if you ask me).</p>
<p>So if you are still seeing <em>Tested</em> at one of the exams named above, please leave a comment! The results of the 70-413, 70-414, 70-415 and 70-416 are still about a month away, for know <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/it-has-been-8-weekssince-the-first-windows-server-2012-beta/">the schedule I blogged about earlier</a> seems to be precise!</p>
<p><strong>UPDATE (Sept 24th, 2012) : </strong>I <em>finally</em> received my score of the 687 and 410. This afternoon they were both still showing ‘<em>Tested</em>’, but just a few moments ago (when I checked it again after my MS Learning contact told me it should say ‘<em>Passed</em>’) it did indeed say <em>‘Passed</em>’.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image4.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image_thumb3.png" alt="image" width="670" height="99" border="0" /></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
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		<title>Windows 8 &amp; first three Windows Server 2012 Available at Prometric</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/windows-8-three-windows-server-2012-available-at-prometric/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/windows-8-three-windows-server-2012-available-at-prometric/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 23:05:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Certified]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Server 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3974</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="526" height="85" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML80f57d9.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="SNAGHTML80f57d9.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Earlier today Guido tweeted about the availability of the Windows 8 and the (first three) Windows Server 2012. I checked…and indeed they are available, so start preparing for the exams so you’re able to pass the exams! This also means that we can start F5-ing on the Prometric website next monday, since the beta results [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="526" height="85" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML80f57d9.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="SNAGHTML80f57d9.png" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Earlier today <a href="http://twitter.com/guidovbrakel" target="_blank">Guido</a> tweeted about the availability of the Windows 8 and the (first three) Windows Server 2012. I checked…and indeed they are available, so start preparing for the exams so you’re able to pass the exams!</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML80f57d9.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SNAGHTML80f57d9" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML80f57d9_thumb.png" alt="SNAGHTML80f57d9" width="526" height="85" border="0" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML836b69c.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SNAGHTML836b69c" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTML836b69c_thumb.png" alt="SNAGHTML836b69c" width="520" height="36" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>This also means that we can start F5-ing on the Prometric website next monday, since the beta results should be available just <em>after</em> the general availability of exams. My contact at Microsoft Learning <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/it-has-been-8-weekssince-the-first-windows-server-2012-beta/">told me earlier</a> that we should expect the results on September 17th. Please leave a comment if you <strong>don’t</strong> have the results by the end of next week (September 21st), so I could forward them to my friends over at Microsoft Learning.</p>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>MCSA Windows 7&#8230;.getting ready for MCSA Windows 8 / Server 2012?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/mcsa-windows-7-getting-ready-for-mcsa-windows-8-server-2012/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/mcsa-windows-7-getting-ready-for-mcsa-windows-8-server-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:34:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Server 2008]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3962</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mcsa-windows-71.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="mcsa-windows-7" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Earlier today I received an e-mail from Microsoft telling me that I earned a new certification. Just like the MCSA Windows Server 2008 Certification it’s an another name for an ‘old’ certification, one of the two ‘MCITP Enterprise Desktop’ Windows 7 exams. With the MCSA Windows 7 Certification, I just can’t wait to add the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mcsa-windows-71.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="mcsa-windows-7" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MCSArgb_1481_1458.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="MCSA(rgb)_1481_1458" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MCSArgb_1481_1458_thumb.png" alt="MCSA(rgb)_1481_1458" width="337" height="100" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>Earlier today I received an e-mail from Microsoft telling me that I earned a new certification.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTMLb5f33d7.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="SNAGHTMLb5f33d7" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SNAGHTMLb5f33d7_thumb.png" alt="SNAGHTMLb5f33d7" width="650" height="467" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>Just like the <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/04/mcitp-server-admin-vs-mcsa-windows-server-2008/">MCSA Windows Server 2008</a> Certification it’s an another name for an ‘old’ certification, one of the two ‘MCITP Enterprise Desktop’ Windows 7 exams. With the MCSA Windows 7 Certification, I just can’t wait to add the two <em>other</em> MCSA certifications to my list : MCSA Windows 8 and MCSA Windows Server 2012, from which the results <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/it-has-been-8-weekssince-the-first-windows-server-2012-beta-exam/">are expected next week</a>! Or should we expect the <em>Windows 8</em> and (first) <em>Windows Server 2012</em> results somewhere this week…?</p>
<p>What do you think? Please leave your response in the comments…</p>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 (non-VL) with MDT 2012 &amp; Windows ADK</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/deploying-windows-server-2008-r2-non-vl-with-mdt-2012-windows-adk/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/09/deploying-windows-server-2008-r2-non-vl-with-mdt-2012-windows-adk/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:27:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Deployment Toolkit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[How-To]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MDT 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WAIK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Server 2008 R2]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3935</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="295" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MDT-2012-Win2k8R2-Featured.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="MDT 2012 - Win2k8R2 - Featured" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Just a few weeks ago Microsoft has released MDT 2012 Update 1, with full support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. Microsoft did also release the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8, the replacement for the good old WAIK. With the RTM of Window Server 2012 I decided to upgrade my [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="295" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MDT-2012-Win2k8R2-Featured.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="MDT 2012 - Win2k8R2 - Featured" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Just a few weeks ago Microsoft has released <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=25175" target="_blank"><em>MDT 2012 Update 1</em></a><em>, </em>with full support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8. Microsoft did also release<em> </em>the <em>Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8, </em>the replacement for the good old <em>WAIK. </em>With the RTM of Window Server 2012 I decided to upgrade my <em>Deployment</em> environment to the latest version. When I did some initial deployments of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 everything worked <em>just fine</em>, but when I tried to deploy Windows Server 2008 R2 (non-VL version) or Windows 7, I ran into a small problem.</p>
<p><strong>The Issue<br />
</strong>Just after the deployment I had to enter the <em>Product Key. </em></p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image.png" alt="image" width="621" height="505" border="0" /></p>
<p>At first I thought I made a mistake during the built proces, but after <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30652" target="_blank">I asked a question</a> at the <a href="http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/mdt" target="_blank">Microsoft Deployment Toolkit</a> Forum. Because the first responses suggested that there was something wrong with my Deployment Share. After some suggestions and a start from scratch (the first time I imported and upgraded the ‘old’ deployment shares), also not importing the ‘old’ deployment shares, the answer came from Michael Niehaus:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“MDT 2012 Update 1 switched from using SETUP.EXE to instead use ImageX to apply the image.  As a result, if you use retail or OEM media, you&#8217;ll get a prompt because the product.ini file isn&#8217;t being read any more (SETUP.EXE did that, ImageX doesn&#8217;t).</em></p>
<p><em>Fortunately the fix is pretty simple:  Look up the correct setup (generic) key in the product.ini file on your media and specify it in the unattend.xml (second location).  After you do that, it won&#8217;t prompt any more.</em></p>
<p><em>This won&#8217;t happen with volume license media.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>So that’s probably why the people who responded earlier didn’t have the same issue, they were (probably) using <em>volume license media</em>!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>The Solution<br />
</strong>So, to fix the issue had to specify the (generic) product key (from the <em>product.ini</em> in the <em>Sources</em> folder)</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image1.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image_thumb.png" alt="image" width="620" height="192" border="0" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image2.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image_thumb1.png" alt="image" width="620" height="259" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>Open the <em>unattend.xml </em>(in the correct <em>Control</em>  Task Sequence folder) and enter the product key at the <em>second </em>  start-tag.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image3.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/image_thumb2.png" alt="image" width="643" height="268" border="0" /></a></p>
<p>Now you can just restart the Task Sequence and you won’t be asked for a product key during the deployment!</p>
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		<title>It has been 8 weeks&#8230;since the first Windows Server 2012 Beta Exam!</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/it-has-been-8-weekssince-the-first-windows-server-2012-beta-exam/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/it-has-been-8-weekssince-the-first-windows-server-2012-beta-exam/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:50:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-410]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-411]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-412]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-413]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-414]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-415]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-416]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-687]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows Server 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/windows-server-2012-beta-result-header.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windows-server-2012-beta-result-header" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />This week it has been 8 weeks since you were able to attend the first (out of seven) Windows Server 2012 beta exams. I  attended the 70-410 allong with the Configuring Windows 8 beta (70-687) on June 25th, this week about 8 weeks ago. During a normal beta period, the time between attending the exam [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="299" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/windows-server-2012-beta-result-header.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windows-server-2012-beta-result-header" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>This week it has been <em>8 weeks</em> since you were able to attend the <em>first</em> (out of <em>seven</em>) Windows Server 2012 beta exams. I  attended the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-410" target="_blank">70-410</a> allong with the <em>Configuring Windows 8 beta (</em><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-687" target="_blank"><em>70-687</em></a><em>) </em>on June 25th, this week about 8 weeks ago.</p>
<p>During a <em>normal</em> beta period, the time between attending the exam and the day you receive the results is about eight weeks. Earlier this year, during the two Private Cloud beta’s (<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-246" target="_blank">70-246</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-247" target="_blank">70-247</a>) we all had to wait about <strong>12 weeks</strong> before we received the results! I looks like Microsoft (and Prometric) are going to set a new record. If you have attended the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-410" target="_blank">70-410</a> during TechEd North-America, you can add two more weeks…</p>
<p><strong>MS Learning</strong><br />
I just spoke to a contact of mine at MS Learning, asking her when I could expect the results of the two beta’s I attended at TechEd Europe. She told me the result should <em>probably</em>  become available when the exam goes <em>Live</em> : September 17th! So it looks like we have to wait for another four weeks for the results become available.</p>
<p>In the weeks after TechEd Europe (attended the two final exams earlier today) I attended 6 more Windows Server 2012 beta exams. For some of them the results will also become available around September 17th. The results of the <em>last four</em> exams will be available around October 16th, just within the <em>normal</em> period of eight weeks.</p>
<p><a href="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/image4.png"><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/image_thumb.png" alt="image" width="670" height="470" border="0" /></a><br />
<em>overview of the Windows 8 &amp; Windows Server 2012 exams I attended last months</em></p>
<p><strong>When can we expect the results?</strong><br />
Check out the schedule below for the (expected) result dates of the Windows Server 2012 (and Windows 8) exams:</p>
<table width="650" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><strong>Exam</strong></td>
<td valign="top" width="431"><strong>Exam name</strong></td>
<td valign="top" width="165"><strong>Expected Exam Result</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-687" target="_blank">70-687</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Configuring Windows 8</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">September 17th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-410" target="_blank">70-410</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">September 17th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-411" target="_blank">70-411</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Administering Windows Server 2012</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">September 17th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-412" target="_blank">70-412</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">September 17th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-413" target="_blank">70-413</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">October 16th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-414" target="_blank">70-414</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">October 16th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-415" target="_blank">70-415</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">October 16th, 2012</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="52"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-416" target="_blank">70-416</a></td>
<td valign="top" width="431">Implementing Desktop Application Environments</td>
<td valign="top" width="165">October 16th, 2012</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>What do you think?<br />
</strong>So if you’re, just like me, waiting for the (first) results of the Windows Server 2012 beta exams….just wait a little more! The first results won’t be available for another 4 weeks.</p>
<p>Please leave your comments below….</p>
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		<title>Windows 8 is available on TechNet and MSDN!</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/windows-8-is-available-on-technet-and-msdn/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/windows-8-is-available-on-technet-and-msdn/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:57:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MSDN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RTM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TechNET]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3887</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Windows-8-Has-Arrived.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Windows-8-Has-Arrived" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Just a few minutes ago, when I was just checking some things on TechNet to prepare to download Windows 8, I discovered that the download is there…. And it’s also available through MSDN, although the Subscriber Download page is still showing the Release Preview…. Just Enter Windows 8 in the search field…and press Go to [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="691" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Windows-8-Has-Arrived.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Windows-8-Has-Arrived" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Just a few minutes ago, when I was just checking some things on TechNet to prepare to download Windows 8, I discovered that the download is there….</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/image1.png" alt="image" width="670" height="327" border="0" /></p>
<p>And it’s also available through MSDN, although the Subscriber Download page is still showing the <em>Release Preview</em>….<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/image2.png" alt="image" width="670" height="327" border="0" /></p>
<p>Just Enter <em>Windows 8</em> in the search field…and press <em>Go </em>to start <em>searching…</em>..next you will see <em>Windows 8</em> appearing in the list…</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="image" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/image3.png" alt="image" width="670" height="572" border="0" /></p>
<p><a href="https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/hh442898#searchTerm=&amp;ProductFamilyId=481&amp;Languages=en&amp;PageSize=10&amp;PageIndex=0&amp;FileId=0" target="_blank">Download</a> Windows 8 from MSDN</p>
<p><a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/hh442904#searchTerm=&amp;ProductFamilyId=481&amp;Languages=en&amp;PageSize=10&amp;PageIndex=0&amp;FileId=0" target="_blank">Download</a> Windows 8 from TechNet</p>
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		<title>How-to Migrate my @Hotmail to @Outlook.com</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/how-to-migreer-ik-mijn-hotmail-naar-outlook-com/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/how-to-migreer-ik-mijn-hotmail-naar-outlook-com/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:00:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[How-To]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hotmail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Migrate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outlook.com]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3821</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="692" height="303" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/outlook-com-featured.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="outlook-com-featured" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />After I published my earlier blogpost about Upgrade your Hotmail account to the new Outlook.com I received a question via Twitter if I could tell what happened with @NaomideBoer her upgrade to Outlook.com. She didn’t only wanted her inbox to be upgraded to the new Outlook.com look, but she also wanted to change her e-mail [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="692" height="303" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/outlook-com-featured.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="outlook-com-featured" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>After I published my earlier blogpost about <a href="http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/upgrade-your-hotmail-account-to-the-new-outlook-com/">Upgrade your Hotmail account to the new Outlook.com</a> I received a question via Twitter if I could tell what happened with @NaomideBoer her upgrade to Outlook.com. She didn’t only wanted her inbox to be upgraded to the new Outlook.com look, but she also wanted to change her e-mail address to something new.</p>
<p>I also tried the ‘<em>Rename your e-mail address’ </em>procedure and it worked just fine. This easily can occur when there have ben some hick ups in the <em>renaming</em> proces, or we just used a slightly different method…</p>
<p>In the following steps I will explain how you can migrate your e-mail from <a href="mailto:yourname@hotmail.com"><em>yourname@hotmail.com</em></a><em> to <a href="mailto:yourname@outlook.com">yourname@outlook.com</a></em>, be honest a @outlook.com e-mail address looks much more professional…. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-style: none;" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wlEmoticon-smile.png" alt="Smile" /></p>
<p><span id="more-3821"></span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 1 : </strong>Go to <a href="http://mail.live.com">http://mail.live.com</a> (or <a href="http://www.outlook.com">http://www.outlook.com</a>) and logon with your current Microsoft Account (read: <em>Hotmail address</em> or <em>Windows Live ID</em>)<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="050en-rename-your-account" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/050en-rename-your-account.png" alt="050en-rename-your-account" width="617" height="468" border="0" /></li>
<li><strong>Step 2 :</strong> Click on the <em>radar</em>-button and select <em>More mail settings</em>.<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="05en-rename-your-account" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/05en-rename-your-account.png" alt="05en-rename-your-account" width="517" height="468" border="0" /></li>
<li><strong>Step 3: </strong>Click on <em>Rename your email address</em>.<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="06en-rename-your-account" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/06en-rename-your-account.png" alt="06en-rename-your-account" width="513" height="468" border="0" /></li>
<li><strong>Step 4 : </strong>Enter your new e-mail (Microsoft Account) and, if you wish, select something other then Outlook.com and press <em>Save<br />
</em><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="07nl-rename-your-account" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/07nl-rename-your-account.png" alt="07nl-rename-your-account" width="506" height="278" border="0" /></li>
<li><strong>Step 5 : </strong>You’re automatically logged out. Enter your <em>new</em> credentials and press <em>Sign in</em>.<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="08en-rename-your-account" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/08en-rename-your-account.png" alt="08en-rename-your-account" width="720" height="448" border="0" /></li>
<li><strong>Step 6 : </strong>After you’re logged in you will be asked where you want old e-mail to be delivered. You can choose to create a new folder, or let it be delivered in your <em>Inbox.</em><br />
After that click <em>Done </em>or click <em>Skip this step</em> right away.<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="09en-rename-your-account" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/09en-rename-your-account.png" alt="09en-rename-your-account" width="589" height="468" border="0" /></li>
</ul>
<p>You’re e-mail address has been migrated from <em>@hotmail.com</em> to <em>@outlook.com</em>.</p>
<p>Thanks to <em><a href="http://twitter.com/ingmarverheij" target="_blank">@IngmarVerheij</a> for letting me help </em><em><a href="http://twitter.com/naomideboer" target="_blank">@NaomideBoer</a>.</em></p>
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		<title>Upgrade your Hotmail account to the new Outlook.com</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/upgrade-your-hotmail-account-to-the-new-outlook-com/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/08/upgrade-your-hotmail-account-to-the-new-outlook-com/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 05:28:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hotmail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Outlook]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3809</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="642" height="274" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/featuredbanner.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="featuredbanner" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Yesterday Microsoft has launched the Preview version of the new Outlook.com, which will replace the ‘old’ Hotmail.com over time. If you don’t want to create a new hotmail.com e-mail address, it’s also possible to ‘migrate’ your old Hotmail (or Live.com) to the ‘new’ Metro style Outlook.com Just follow the steps below. Step 1 : Logon [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="642" height="274" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/featuredbanner.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="featuredbanner" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Yesterday Microsoft has launched the Preview version of the new <em>Outlook.com, </em>which will replace the ‘old’ Hotmail.com over time. If you don’t want to create a new hotmail.com e-mail address, it’s also possible to ‘migrate’ your old Hotmail (or Live.com) to the ‘new’ Metro style Outlook.com Just follow the steps below.</p>
<p><span id="more-3809"></span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 1 : </strong>Logon to your current Hotmail/Live mail via <a href="http://mail.live.com">http://mail.live.com</a><br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="01en - upgrade outlook to hotmail" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/01en-upgrade-outlook-to-hotmail.png" alt="01en - upgrade outlook to hotmail" width="720" height="468" border="0" /></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 2 </strong>Select <em>Upgrade to Outlook.com</em> from the Options<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="02en - Upgrade to outlook" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/02en-Upgrade-to-outlook.png" alt="02en - Upgrade to outlook" width="216" height="246" border="0" /></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 3 </strong>Select <em>Upgrade to Outlook </em>to start the upgrade process (this will only take a few seconds)<br />
<img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="03en - Upgrade to outlook" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/03en-Upgrade-to-outlook.png" alt="03en - Upgrade to outlook" width="720" height="396" border="0" /></li>
</ul>
<p>You’re done….the next time you logon you will see the new Outlook.com interface…</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-width: 0px;" title="04en - Upgrade to outlook" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/04en-Upgrade-to-outlook.png" alt="04en - Upgrade to outlook" width="720" height="420" border="0" /></p>
<p><strong>Note : </strong>If you would like to <em>switch</em> to the ‘old’ Hotmail interface. Just replace step 2 with the following:</p>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="04aen - Upgrade to outlook" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/04aen-Upgrade-to-outlook.png" alt="04aen - Upgrade to outlook" width="270" height="335" border="0" /></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Two Windows Server 2012 Exams&#8230;Twelve Days&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/07/two-windows-server-2012-examstwelve-days/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/07/two-windows-server-2012-examstwelve-days/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2012 06:19:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Certification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-411]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[70-412]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[71-411]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[71-412]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MCP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MSLearning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3777</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="796" height="305" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/windowsserver2012exams.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windowsserver2012exams" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Last Tuesday I  received an e-mail from MS Learning inviting me for both the 71-411 (Administering Windows Server 2012) and the 71-412 (Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services). In the e-mail the period you could attend the beta exam (using the mentioned promotional code) runs from July 19th until July 29th. I did some research [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="796" height="305" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/windowsserver2012exams.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="windowsserver2012exams" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Last Tuesday I  received an e-mail from MS Learning inviting me for both the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-411&amp;locale=en-us" target="_blank">71-411</a> (Administering Windows Server 2012) and the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-412&amp;locale=en-us" target="_blank">71-412</a> (Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services). In the e-mail the period you could attend the beta exam (using the mentioned promotional code) runs from July 19th until July 29th. I did some research and the last three Windows 7 exams (back in 2009) had a ‘bit longer’ period between the first announcement and the last day you could possible attend the exam. The average time between the first announcement an the last day you could attend the exam is (just check the table below) about 1 month!</p>
<p><span id="more-3777"></span></p>
<table width="806" border="1" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="408"><strong>Exam</strong></td>
<td valign="top" width="170"><strong>Announcement</strong></td>
<td valign="top" width="218"><strong>Attending Period</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="408"><a href="http://blogs.technet.com/b/betaexams/archive/2009/04/15/register-for-beta-exam-71-680-ts-windows-7-configuring.aspx" target="_blank">71-680</a> (Windows 7 Configuring)</td>
<td valign="top" width="170">April 15, 2009</td>
<td valign="top" width="218">May 5, 2009 – May 18, 2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="408"><a href="http://blogs.technet.com/b/betaexams/archive/2009/09/15/register-for-beta-exam-71-685-pro-windows-7-enterprise-desktop-support-technician.aspx" target="_blank">71-685</a> (Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Support Technician)</td>
<td valign="top" width="170">Sept. 15, 2009</td>
<td valign="top" width="218">Sept. 14, 2009 – Oct. 16, 2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="408"><a href="http://blogs.technet.com/b/betaexams/archive/2009/09/15/register-for-beta-exam-71-686-pro-windows-7-enterprise-desktop-administrator.aspx" target="_blank">71-686</a> (Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Administrator)</td>
<td valign="top" width="170">Sept. 15, 2009</td>
<td valign="top" width="218">Sept. 14 2009 – Oct. 16, 2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="408">71-659 (Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization)</td>
<td valign="top" width="170">Nov. 25, 2009</td>
<td valign="top" width="218">Dec. 4, 2009 – Dec. 31, 2009</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="408">71-243 (Admin. and Deploy SCCM 2012)</td>
<td valign="top" width="170">Jan. 17, 2012</td>
<td valign="top" width="218">Feb. 1, 2012 – Feb. 23, 2012</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><img style="background-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border: 0px;" title="SNAGHTML3be1d82" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/SNAGHTML3be1d82.png" alt="SNAGHTML3be1d82" width="592" height="629" border="0" /></p>
<p>I’m not sure why Microsoft should shorten the period to a period of 12 days between the first announcement and the <em>final</em> day you’re able to attend the exam, that’s why I contacted Microsoft’s Stephanie Jordan. She promised me she would discuss this with the product planner and get back to me (probably somewhere later today).</p>
<p><strong>Update : </strong>The short period has everything to do with the 3 month period until Windows Server 2012 will be general available, the exams should go live around the same period.</p>
<p>Anybody else who thinks the timeframe to attend the exam is a bit small? Please leave a comment!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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		<title>Deploying Windows 8 Release Preview with MDT 2012 Update 1 (Beta)</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/07/deploying-windows-8-release-preview-with-mdt-2012-update-1/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/07/deploying-windows-8-release-preview-with-mdt-2012-update-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 23:59:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Deployment Toolkit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Windows 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deployment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MDT 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3767</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="466" height="203" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mdt_task_sequence.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="mdt_task_sequence" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Today Microsoft has released the beta version of MDT 2012 Update 1. You can upgrade the following versions of MDT with the MDT 2012 Update 1 Beta : MDT 2008 Update 1 MDT 2010 MDT 2010 Update 1 MDT 2012 After you installed MDT 2012 Update 1, you should upgrade your deployment share. You should [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="466" height="203" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mdt_task_sequence.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="mdt_task_sequence" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Today Microsoft has released the <a href="http://connect.microsoft.com/site14/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=8689" target="_blank">beta version of MDT 2012 Update 1</a>. You can upgrade the following versions of MDT with the MDT 2012 Update 1 Beta :</p>
<ul>
<li>MDT 2008 Update 1</li>
<li>MDT 2010</li>
<li>MDT 2010 Update 1</li>
<li>MDT 2012</li>
</ul>
<p>After you installed MDT 2012 Update 1, you should upgrade your deployment share. You should also read the <em>Release Notes</em> where you can find some more tips about this new version.</p>
<p>Some of the new features :</p>
<ul>
<li>Support for using the DaRT 8 Beta with the Windows 8 Release Preview version of the Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK).</li>
<li>New “Build Your Own Pages” support for User-Driven Installation (UDI), enabling IT pros to create new wizard panes using simple drag-and-drop operations – no coding required.</li>
<li>Integration with <strong>System Center Orchestrator</strong>, enabling task sequences to invoke Orchestrator runbooks at any point in the deployment process.</li>
<li>Completely reworked “Roles and Features” logic, supporting both installation and removal, as well as providing a new Lite Touch wizard pane for selecting roles and features to install at deploy time.</li>
<li>Support for PowerShell 3.0 to make it easier to run PowerShell scripts inside task sequences on Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows PE 4.0.</li>
<li>Simple monitoring functionality for Configuration Manager task sequences, leveraging the monitoring capabilities provided initially in MDT 2012 for Lite Touch deployments.</li>
<li>Improved “boot from VHD” deployment capabilities, supporting both bare metal and refresh deployment</li>
</ul>
<p>Instead of the Windows AIK (for Windows 7), you can now use the Windows ADK to deploy Windows 8 Release Preview and Windows 7. When installing Windows 7 using Setup.exe with Windows PE 4.0 from the Windows ADK, two error dialog boxes are displayed while still in Windows PE. The dialog boxes do not affect the deployment, but you must click OK in each of them before the deployment process will continue.</p>
<p>I created a small (7 minute) video of a default Windows 8 Release Preview deployment with the new version of MDT. Please leave a comment if you like it.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMAuXzuztY0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMAuXzuztY0</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>TechEd Europe : The Delegate Party in the Amsterdam Arena</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/06/teched-europe-the-delegate-party-in-the-amsterdam-arena/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/06/teched-europe-the-delegate-party-in-the-amsterdam-arena/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[TechEd Europe 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arena]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Country Drinks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TechEd]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3753</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Banner01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Banner01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Just like every year, on Wednesday it was time for the delegate party. This time no seperate Country Drinks, but one big (soccer) party in the Amsterdam Arena. I made a compilation video of this event which you can watch below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bAlCJU9FTg]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Banner01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Banner01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Just like every year, on Wednesday it was time for the delegate party. This time no seperate Country Drinks, but one big (soccer) party in the Amsterdam Arena. I made a compilation video of this event which you can watch below.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bAlCJU9FTg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bAlCJU9FTg</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>TechEd Europe : A small overview</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/06/teched-europe-day-0-a-small-overview/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/06/teched-europe-day-0-a-small-overview/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:37:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TechEd Europe 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3746</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Banner01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Banner01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />Today I arrived at TechEd Europe to attend the Windows 8 and Server 2012 beta exams. Between the two I was able to shoot a short video, so you (all my peers who are unable to attend) can all get an idea of what&#8217;s going on at the Center of IT! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcBrSwzKYzw]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="690" height="300" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Banner01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="Banner01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>Today I arrived at TechEd Europe to attend the Windows 8 and Server 2012 beta exams. Between the two I was able to shoot a short video, so you (all my peers who are unable to attend) can all get an idea of what&#8217;s going on at the Center of IT!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcBrSwzKYzw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcBrSwzKYzw</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>This week I&#8217;ll be at the center of IT! And you?</title>
		<link>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/06/this-week-ill-be-at-the-center-of-it-and-you/</link>
		<comments>http://helmersblog.nl/2012/06/this-week-ill-be-at-the-center-of-it-and-you/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jun 2012 22:05:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Helmer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TechEd Europe 2012]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://helmersblog.nl/?p=3738</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<img width="840" height="250" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/teched2012_banner01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="teched2012_banner01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" />This week I&#8217;ll be visiting TechEd Europe which is held in Amsterdam this year. Where possible, I&#8217;ll try to blog from the event. Maybe there also be some short video&#8217;s&#8230;but that just depends on the bandwidth at the RAI in Amsterdam. So&#8230;keep an eye on my blog the next couple of days&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="840" height="250" src="http://helmersblog.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/teched2012_banner01.png" class="attachment- wp-post-image" alt="teched2012_banner01" style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;" /><p>This week I&#8217;ll be visiting TechEd Europe which is held in Amsterdam this year. Where possible, I&#8217;ll try to blog from the event. Maybe there also be some short video&#8217;s&#8230;but that just depends on the bandwidth at the RAI in Amsterdam.</p>
<p>So&#8230;keep an eye on my blog the next couple of days&#8230;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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	</channel>
</rss>
