Vista Migration Tools Released by Microsoft

In an attempt to help businesses adapt to Windows Vista, Microsoft has released free tools that will help companies migrate to the new operating system, including software that will allow older versions of Windows to run alongside Vista in a virtual environment.

Microsoft is hoping the tools will make moving to Vista less painless for business customers, particularly those who depend on older versions of Windows.

During a meeting with financial analysts, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called analysts sales estimates for Vista "overly aggressive" and tried to downplay expectations for OS sales. Less than a week later Bill Gates is quoted saying the Vista operating system has received "an incredible reception."

Many businesses have said they are in no rush to update to Vista. In an effort to help Vista gain more acceptance, Microsoft has released 6 tools designed to help business customers migrate from previous versions of Windows:

• Virtual PC 2007
   
• Microsoft Solution Accelerator for BDD (Business Desktop Deployment) 2007
   
• Microsoft ACT (Application Compatibility Toolkit) 5.0
   
• Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Tool
   
• Volume Activation Management Tool
   
• Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003

Virtual PC 2007

Virtual PC lets you create separate virtual machines on your Windows desktop, each of which virtualizes the hardware of a complete physical computer. It can be used to run legacy applications, provide support, train users and enhance quality assurance.

Virtual PC lets you run multiple operating systems at once on a single physical computer and switch between them as easily as switching applications -- with a mouse click. Virtual PC is available from the Microsoft web site.

The Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD)

The Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is best-practice guidance for desktop deployment. BDD is targeted at companies that want to reduce deployment time, effort, and cost by increasing the level of automation to optimally deploy Windows Vista and Office 2007.

Solution Accelerator for BDD 2007 includes user migration tools, remote deployment tools, and integration with other Microsoft deployment products, such as System Management Server 2003. BDD also includes or can be used to integrate other tools including ACT 5.0, Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, and the Volume Activation 2.0, into the deployment process. BDD is a free (registration required) download.

Information about BDD can be found here, or it can be downloaded from the Microsoft web site.

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0 is a lifecycle management tool that assists in identifying and managing your overall application portfolio, reducing the cost and time involved in resolving application compatibility issues, and helping you quickly deploy Windows Vista and Windows Updates. ACT can be downloaded from the Microsoft web site.

Windows Vista Hardware Assessment Tool

The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment solution Accelerator is an inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that will find computers on a network and determine if they are ready to run the Windows Vista operating system.

The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment solution accelerator performs three key functions, including hardware inventory, compatibility analysis, and readiness reports with upgrade recommendations for each PC. The tool can be downloaded from the Microsoft web site.

Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)

The Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) enables IT professionals to automate and centrally manage the volume activation process using a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). VAMT v1.0 is only available as a US-EN (x86) release.

A MAK performs a one time activation of computers against Microsoft. Once the computers are activated they require no further communication with Microsoft. The number of computers that can be activated with a specific MAK is based on the type and level of the organizations's volume license agreement with Microsoft. The VAMT can be downloaded from the Microsoft web site.

Key Management Service (KMS) for Windows Server 2003

Microsoft Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003 is part of Microsoft Windows Volume Activation 2.0. It allows enterprise users to host Key Management Service on Windows Server 2003 to enable activation of Windows Vista using Key Management Service (KMS) Key.

Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 is a set of technical and policy related solutions provided by Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform (SPP) that gives Microsoft customers a more secure and easy to deploy solution to protect and manage their volume license keys.

KMS based activation allows enterprise customers to host a local service within their environment to enable activation of machines running Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise editions within their environment instead of any activation against Microsoft. Machines that have been activated through KMS will be required to reactivate by connecting to the KMS host at least once every 6 months. KMS for Windows Server 2003 can be downloaded from the Microsoft web site.

Visit Bill's Links and More for more great tips, just like this one!