Wednesday, September 25, 2013

How to Force Proxy Settings Via Group Policy

This article describes how to force proxy settings via Group Policy.
  • Click StartAll programs – Administrative Tools – Group Policy Management.
  • Create or Edit Group Policy Objects.
  • Expand User configurationPoliciesWindows SettingsInternet Explorer MaintenanceConnection.
  • In right Pane Proxy Settings


For some security reasons maybe administrator need to prevent end users from change their proxy settings.
You can do it with group policy follow this steps:
  • Click StartAll programs – Administrative Tools – Group Policy Management.
  • Create or Edit Group Policy Objects.
  • Expand Computer Configuration – Administrative Templates – Windows Components - Internet Explorer – Internet Control Panel
  • In right Pane Disable the Connections page (Enabled) 
  Locking connection settings for Internet Explorer


2.1. In Group Policy Object Editor open a corresponding GPO for a domain, website or organizational unit;
2.2. Expand in the left part of the window: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer;
2.3. Select Internet Control Panel in Internet Explorer;
2.4. Double-click Disable changing proxy settings n the right part of the window;
2.5. Set the value Enabled and click OK.


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Upgrading Windows Server 2008R2 Editions With DISM

Please note the following:
  • You can only do upgrades. You CANNOT downgrade
  • The server you upgrade cannot be a domain controller (demote, upgrade, promote)
  • This works on Standard, Enterprise edition, both full & core installations.
  • You cannot switch form core to full or vice versa. It’s edition upgrade only, not  for switching type of install.
This is how to find the possible target editions for your server:
C:\Windows\system32>DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385

Image Version: 6.1.7600.16385
Editions that can be upgraded to:

Target Edition : ServerDataCenter
Target Edition : ServerEnterprise

The operation completed successfully.
So I went to Enterprise Edition by executing this process takes some time but is painless but for one reboot.
C:\Windows\system32>Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerEnterprise /ProductKey:489J6-VHDMP-X63PK-3K798-CPX3Y

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.1.7600.16385

Image Version: 6.1.7600.16385

Starting to update components...
Starting to install product key...
Finished installing product key.

Removing package Microsoft-Windows-ServerStandardEdition~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.7601.17514
[==========================100.0%==========================]
Finished updating components.

Starting to apply edition-specific settings...
Restart Windows to complete this operation.
Do you want to restart the computer now (Y/N)?
You either use a MAK key (if you don’t have a KMS server) or the default key for your volume license media. When you have KMS in place (and the matching server group KMS key A, B, or C) the activation will be done automatically and transparent for you. Standard trouble shooting applies if you run into an issue there.
These are the public keys for use with a KMS server:
  • Windows 7 Professional – FJ82H-XT6CR-J8D7P-XQJJ2-GPDD4
  • Windows 7 Professional N – MRPKT-YTG23-K7D7T-X2JMM-QY7MG
  • Windows 7 Enterprise – 33PXH-7Y6KF-2VJC9-XBBR8-HVTHH
  • Windows 7 Enterprise N – YDRBP-3D83W-TY26F-D46B2-XCKRJ
  • Windows 7 Enterprise E – C29WB-22CC8-VJ326-GHFJW-H9DH4
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition – FKJQ8-TMCVP-FRMR7-4WR42-3JCD7
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter – 74YFP-3QFB3-KQT8W-PMXWJ-7M648
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise – 489J6-VHDMP-X63PK-3K798-CPX3Y
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-Based Systems – GT63C-RJFQ3-4GMB6-BRFB9-CB83V
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard – YC6KT-GKW9T-YTKYR-T4X34-R7VHC
  • Windows Web Server 2008 R2 – 6TPJF-RBVHG-WBW2R-86QPH-6RTM4
Don’t worry this is public information (KMS Client Setup Keys), these will only activate if you have a KMS server and the to key make that KMS server work.
Either way there is no need for reinstall & migration or upgrade installation in for a simple upgrade scenario So do your self a  favor and always check if you can use DSIM to achieve your goals!

Resource : http://workinghardinit.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/upgrading-windows-server-2008r2-editions-with-dism/

Troubleshoot Shockwave Player installation in Windows


If you have problems installing Adobe Shockwave Player, work through the steps below. After each step, restart the computer to ensure that the changes take effect before moving on to the next step.

1. Uninstall previous versions

Be sure to remove previous versions before you install Shockwave Player. Use any of the following methods:
  • Double-click the uninstaller.exe file in C:\Windows\system32\Adobe\Shockwave 11.
  • Use the Add Or Remove Programs utility in the Windows Control Panel.
  • (Shockwave 8 and 8.5) Use the uninstaller available from the Web Players page.
Note: Close all applications before you run the Shockwave Player uninstaller. Quit all running applications, including browsers and instant messaging clients. Check the Windows system tray to make sure that no applications that use Shockwave Player are in use.

2. Download the Adobe Shockwave Player installer

Download the installer from the Download Center.

3. Check browser settings (Internet Explorer)

Before installing Shockwave Player, check the following browser settings:

Check the security level

Make sure that the security level is not set to High or to a custom level that doesn't allow viewing of ActiveX controls. Typically, the default security level (medium) allows you to view Shockwave content. For a custom level, ensure that both Download Signed ActiveX Controls and Run ActiveX Controls And Plug-ins are set to Prompt.
  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Choose Tools > Internet Options.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. Click Defaul Level, or click Custom Level and do the following:

    a. Find the section ActiveX Controls And Plug-ins.

    b. Set Download Signed ActiveX Controls to Prompt.

    c. Set Run ActiveX Controls And Plug-ins to Prompt.

Check user permissions

If you don't have administrator access to Windows XP SP2 , Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can't install Shockwave Player successfully. Administrative privileges are required for the Windows system registry and for the C:\WINDOWS\system32\Adobe\Shockwave folder.

4. Download an alternate installer

  1. If the issue still occurs, download an alternate Shockwave Player installer.
  2. Close all applications and run the installer.
  3. Go to the test page to confirm that Shockwave Player installed successfully.

5. Check firewall and utility settings 

Some Internet utilities, such as Norton Internet Utilities, function similar to a firewall and can restrict viewing of ActiveX controls. In some cases, they block Shockwave content. Ensure that firewall or utility settings are set to allow ActiveX controls and Shockwave (SWF) content.