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Intro I’ve been hesitant to dive into XenServer PowerShell cmdlets, but there’s no rational reason to not do it. Citrix continues to make great strides in expanding and updating PowerShell for XenServer, PVS, and XenDesktop. Today, we’ll go over a function that queries an array of XenServer Poolmasters and returns the total VM count on […]

If you are a MacOS user, you have probably heard of MacPorts (unless you are a Howebrew fan).

RISC OS users have a similarly named website at http://www.riscosports.co.uk

This site has a good collection of software including lot of Emulators for classic consoles and machines, Games, and a selection of downloads.

There are also some programs compiled with VFP support, including Quake, POVRay and MuView.

You will also find Raspberry Pi specific items including Khronos.

Finally there are some fun little OpenGL examples and some useful resources.

Some of the software is older release (ie Vice) but the site is still being update in 2018 and there is plenty of interest to download and try.

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If you’ve been in IT for a while, you probably have an IT checklist of some sort. Even if you’re not working in a full-on ITIL or Six Sigma shop, there is a basic list of items that you consider and plan out for each of the applications in your environment. A Basic IT Checklist […]

The post IT Checklist: what are your must-haves? appeared first on 24x7ITConnection.

July 25th, the Research Triangle PowerShell User Group will host Jeff Hicks. He will cover implementing PowerShell scripts with Scheduled Jobs. It proves to be an informative meeting. Check more at MeetUp – http://meetu.ps/e/Fynqw/z9BYg/d Thanks, Alain   Advertisements

In the previous article we saw how to customise the Adobe Reader DC installation and deploy it via Microsoft Intune. Now that it’s installed on Windows 10 end-points let’s look at how updates work.

First though, it’s important to point out that the version of Adobe Reader DC deployed from the single file Windows Installer is 2015.07.20033, while the version that is current as of July 2018 is 2018.011.20055. The deployed version then is extremely out of date, and given that Intune cannot deploy Windows Installer Patch (MSP) files directly, the end-point needs to rely on the Adobe Acrobat update service to download and install updates.

Updating Adobe Reader DC

Adobe Reader (and Acrobat) installs the Adobe Acrobat Update Service. On typical enterprise PCs or virtual desktop environments this service may not be desirable, because updates are managed by Configuration Manager or monthly image updates. On a Windows 10 desktop deployed modern management style, it can be up to the device to ensure the OS and applications are kept up to date; thus, this service should remain enabled on those end-points.

The updater is actually two components – the Update service and a scheduled task that runs ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe’ to check for, download and install updates.

The task has two triggers – one after user logon, but with a delay of 12 minutes, and the other at a scheduled time that is possibly different per device. Here’s the scheduled task:

Adobe Acrobat Update Task

In theory, the service should download and apply an Adobe Reader update within 24-hours after installation. In practice, your mileage will most certainly vary. In my testing (which wasn’t exhaustive), it would take more than that to download an update and I resorted to using the ‘Check for Updates’ option from within Adobe Reader manually. 

Update Process

Downloading and installing updates does not unfortunately go straight to the latest version. In my testing, my target PCs downloaded an intermediate update to 2015.023.20070 before the second update to 2018.011.20055. This means that in the real world, it could be several days before a PC has the most recent version installed.

Adobe Reader DC – An update is available

Fortunately, the updates are downloaded and installed without user intervention, meaning that the update process works for users without administrative rights to their PC.

To Deploy or Not Deploy

So understanding that to deploy Adobe Reader DC via Microsoft Intune requires deploying a version that is more than 3 years old and relying on the end-point to download and install updates, the question that should be asked – should you deploy Adobe Reader to Windows 10 machines via Microsoft Intune?

Here’s what you should consider:

• Many organisations prefer Adobe Reader over 3rd party PDF readers for first party features and support.
• Of the top 50 Windows desktop applications in 2018, Adobe Reader had the most vulnerabilities (source: Flexera), beaten only by Windows itself. If the option is to install an old version of Adobe Reader and rely on the automatic updater on the end-point to install the latest version, the time to update may be unacceptable for some organisations
• PowerShell can be used to deploy Adobe Reader to Windows 10 PCs via Intune; however, this does not allow for user self-service installs and will require building in logic to account for failures in network connectivity during the download or retrying the installation if it were to fail
• Windows 10 includes a capable PDF Reader in Microsoft Edge and other browsers also implement native PDF viewing features
• Other PDF readers are available from the Microsoft Store, so it is possible to deploy and keep a PDF reader up to date simpler than the process I’ve outlined in these articles; however, many of these are less than ideal – the UI is often not great and many have up sell features built into them

Summary

In these articles, I’ve demonstrated how to package and deploy Adobe Reader DC as a native application via Microsoft Intune, while relying on the automatic updater installed by the application for an end-point to keep Reader up to date. This approach allows you to deploy Adobe Reader in the same way as other line-of-business applications for required or optional user-driven installs and then reporting in the Intune console.

Because Adobe haven’t released a newer version of the single file Windows Installer for Adobe Reader, you should consider carefully whether this approach is right for your organisation. Deployment of an old version of a high-target, popular application on Windows with the highest number of patched vulnerabilities is probably not a great idea. You might though have good reason to deploy it for features that your users require.

So what can you do if you need to deploy it?

1. Make it an optional user-driven install and make most users rely on the PDF viewer built into their browser
2. Deploy via PowerShell if you want to enforce the install on end-points (this could be targeted by Azure AD groups)
3. Look at alternatives readers from the Store
4. Request Adobe update their installer or make Adobe Reader available from the Microsoft Store

I would prefer install from the Store but that will require enough organisations asking for this feature. Adobe has a Feature Request form and I would encourage you to use it.

unsplash-logoRuss McCabe

This article by Aaron Parker, Adobe Reader DC deployment with Microsoft Intune Part 2 appeared first on Aaron Parker.

Intro Summer is time for vacations, beaches, and WEM Upgrades! Citrix has released version 4.7 of WEM. You can now download the new version here (requires Platinum licenses and login to Citrix.com). I’ve provided the release notes below. What’s new Workspace Environment Management 4.7 includes the following new features. For information about bug fixes, see Fixed […]

Adobe Reader is of course one of the most common applications on Windows desktops and if you’re moving to a Modern Management approach you’re likely looking at how to deploy Adobe Reader DC to Windows 10 via Microsoft Intune. 

This is a challenge today because Adobe Reader DC comes as an executable, that while it can be extracted for the MSI, it includes support files that cannot be deployed via Intune. Microsoft only enables Windows desktop applications to be deployed from Intune where the installer is contained in a single file Windows Installer.

Adobe Reader DC Executable Installer

The Adobe Reader installer hasn’t changed much since as long as I’ve been writing about it (which has been way too long). What is different with Adobe Reader DC is that Adobe has moved to an evergreen model whereby they’re largely moved away from major releases and instead now deliver a continuous release cycle.

The current installer for Adobe Reader DC is a single executable that can run as is, or can be extracted for customisation typical of enterprise environments. When extracted it looks like this:

Adobe Reader DC extracted files

This just won’t work for deployment via Intune or the Windows 10 MDM channel. We need that single Windows Installer file. Better yet, we need Adobe to make Reader DC available via the Windows Store, but that’s a topic for another article.

Adobe Reader Windows Installer

Adobe does make a single file Windows Installer available for Adobe Reader DC, in various languages; however, the file was released in 2015 and unfortunately they’ve not updated it since. There has been several major releases and updates since March 2005.

Adobe Reader DC single file Windows Installer on the public FTP site

So, now we have a way to deploy the file, let’s see how to customise it and deploy via Intune.

Customising the Installer

Customisation of the Adobe Reader installer for enterprise deployment is well documented and I’ve written about previous versions several times. The same process applies but pay attention to any version specific settings.

Just like previous versions, you use the Adobe Customization Wizard to customise the installer for your needs and deploy a custom package.

Adobe Customization Wizard DC

However, we can’t customise the single file Windows Installer directly because when saving the customisations, we get this:

Adobe Customization Wizard DC – setup.ini was not found

To customise the installer, we need to use a 3 step process:

1. Download and extract Adobe Reader DC executable installer
2. Create a custom transform for this installer
3. Apply the transform to the single file Windows Installer, so that the customisations are embedded into the installer. InstEd It! is a great free MSI editor to do that

I won’t go into a detailed step-by-step on how to use the Adobe Customization Wizard here because the documentation is detailed enough, but I will include a list of options I recommend you embed into the installer. There are some additional defaults and you may have specific options applicable to your environment.

OptionValue Personalization Options / EULA OptionSuppress display of End User License Agreement (EULA) Installation Options / Run InstallationSilently Installation Options / If reboot required at the end of installationSuppress reboot Shortcuts / DesktopRemove the Adobe Reader DC shortcut (no one needs that one on the desktop...) Online Services and Features / Disable product updatesDisabled (i.e. not ticked) - ensure Adobe Reader can update post-deployment Online Services and Features / Disable UpsellEnabled

As I’ve listed in the table, it’s important to keep the Adobe Updater enabled, so that once Reader is deployed via Intune, end-points can manage updates themselves. I’ll cover more on updates in the next article.

Now that you have a customised single file Windows Installer for Adobe Reader DC, you can import that into Microsoft Intune, and make it available for deployment.

Adobe Reader DC installed via Intune

Summary

In this article, I’ve taken a look at how to deploy Adobe Reader DC as a mobile application for Windows 10 devices enrolled in Microsoft Intune via MDM by creating a customised package based on a single file Windows Installer.

In part 2, I’ll take a look at how Adobe Reader is updated post-deployment and discuss whether this type of deployment is the right approach. There are other options and ideally I’d like to see Adobe make Reader DC available via the Microsoft Store.

Larry Costales

This article by Aaron Parker, Adobe Reader DC deployment with Microsoft Intune Part 1 appeared first on Aaron Parker.

We wrote previously about the welcome continued improvements in Organizer. Another application which continues to see welcome regular improvements is RiscOSM, the software which allows you to create your own maps from raw data. These can then be exported to other RISC OS applications.

You can review the version history online. The latest update is 20th June 2018. As well as lots of bug fixes, Sine Nomine continue to expand the software in two key directions.

Firstly the software features allow you to do more and more with the maps. A highlight of the recent Wakefield show was watching the enthusiastic demonstration of the new editor features for changing paths.

Secondly, a map creation program is only as good as the raw data it is able to use. There is now a large range of data available for use covering not just UK but large parts of Europe, America and Australia. The software now also offers integration to some online photo resources.

It is great to see the software continuing to evolve, and we look forward to seeing what Sine Nomine will be showing at the next Show.

RiscOSM website

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Is Speech Recognition or Dictation in Windows 10 Good Enough Yet? In the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (1803), a new voice recognition option turned up. There was still the older ‘Windows Speech Recognition’ which has been around for a while, but Dictation https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/4042244/windows-10-use-dictation seems to be a more modern implementation. I couldn’t find too […]

The post Is Speech Recognition or Dictation in Windows 10 Good Enough Yet? appeared first on 24x7ITConnection.

Deployment of hosted Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environments in Microsoft Azure allows Partners to create compelling services for their customers. At Microsoft Inspire 2018, we will demonstrate how partners can build on RDS technology in Windows Server 2016 today and continue to grow their businesses by leveraging upcoming improvements in both Windows Server 2019 and the next generation Remote Desktop Services modern infrastructure (RDmi).

Introduced at Inspire 2017, RDmi will enable Microsofts Partners to reduce the cost and complexity of hosted Windows desktop and application deployments in Azure by using Microsoft Azure services like Azure Active Directory for authentication and enable enhanced security features like conditional access, multi-factor authentication, and Intelligent Security Graph.

Together, these investments offer more secure, scalable, and efficient RDS solutions.

Attend the Inspire RDS session

Attend our panel session and learn best practices from current partners for hosting Windows desktops and applications in Azure, including:

• ASPEXCloud computing specialist and Microsoft Cloud Solution Partner.
• CloudJumperDaaS solution specialist and Microsoft Cloud Solution Partner.
• Lakeside SoftwareSpecialist for Workspace Analytics.
• LiquidwareSpecialist for application layering and user environment management.

Title: Remote Desktop Services (RDS): Partner business opportunities hosting Windows desktops and applications on Microsoft Azure

Session code: AP148p

Panel speakers: Andrew Walz (CloudJumper), Ben Murphy (Lakeside Software), Jason E. Smith (Liquidware), Micha Wets (ASPEX), and Clark Nicholson (Microsoft)

Date and time: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 2:303:30 PM

Room: Mandalay BayOceanside Ballroom G

Stop by the RDS Booth

To see these new capabilities for yourself, stop by booth AI23 in the Azure Infrastructure section and gain a better understanding of new cloud-integrated architectural options. However you choose to engage with us, you will walk away understanding the fastest growing market segments and the best practices to reduce cost, complexity, and improve customer value.

Apply for the RDmi Private Preview

Want to get hands-on experience with RDmi? You can apply to participate in the RDmi Private Preview. You will be notified if you made it into the preview program shortly after applying. Please note, preview seats are limited, so not everyone who applies will get in.

Virtual architecture is complex to stand-up and deploy, and when it comes to the ability of your support team to fix an issue it needs to be done fast and when possible – proactively.  This is extremely important from the business user perspective in all organizations, but even more importantly in healthcare where there is […]

The post Simplify Troubleshooting your IT Healthcare Virtual Architecture with Goliath Technologies appeared first on 24x7ITConnection.

Today, we are announcing the general availability of the Remote Desktop web client for Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 Preview. With a few simple PowerShell cmdlets, the client can be added to an existing Remote Desktop Services deployment, side by side with the RDWeb role.

This first release of the web client contains a core set of features to get you started in providing a simple, no-install, consistent cross-platform solution to end users who dont need some of the more advanced features from a native client.

The following features are currently available:

• Access desktops and apps published through a feed
• Single sign-on
• Print to PDF file
• Audio out
• Full screen and dynamic resolution
• Copy/paste text using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V
• Keyboard and mouse input support
• Localized in 18 languages

The web client is supported on Edge, IE11+, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers for desktop platforms like Windows, macOS, Chromebook, and Linux.

Excited and just want to get started now?

Head over to our installation instructions page to learn about the new PowerShell cmdlets now available in the gallery. These cmdlets make it easy to deploy, configure, and maintain the web client.

Curious about how your end users will access the Remote Desktop web client? Read Access the Remote Desktop web client for an overview of the client and its functionality.

Want to know when a new version is available and what it contains?

Here are a few ways you can keep track of new developments for the web client:

• Twitter: Like to keep on top of tech news through social media? Follow @msremotedesktop on Twitter.
• PowerShell: Scripts are the way to go? You can use our PowerShell cmdlets to query for the latest version and take action.
• Documentation: Want to learn about the changes in each version? Consult our Whats new page for all the details.

Think the web client can be improved?

Send us your thoughts. This release is only the beginning, and we want to enable much more functionality with the web client as time goes on. Weve already gathered some feedback from the public previewbut we want to hear from you. Head over to our suggestion box to vote for new features youd like to see added or request your own.

Come see us at Microsoft Inspire

Are you one of our partners attending Microsoft Inspire in Las Vegas this week? Then stop by booth AI23 Monday through Wednesday in the Azure Infrastructure section for a live demo, ask some questions, or just say Hi.

You can also learn more about Remote Desktop Services in Azure by attending our live session:

• Title: Remote Desktop Services (RDS): Partner business opportunities hosting Windows desktops and applications on Microsoft Azure
• Code: AP148p
• Timeslot: Wednesday, July 18, 2:303:30 PM
• Room: Oceanside Ballroom G

The Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 client for macOS with its redesigned user experience and new code base has been available in the App Store since last November and the feedback has been incredible, helping us continuously improve the client.

As more and more customers have switched to the new client for their daily usage, we are now preparing to retire the older Microsoft Remote Desktop 8.0 version from the App Store. To that end, on September 1, 2018, version 8.0 will be retired and only version 10 will remain available for download.

If you are one of our macOS customers, now is the time to download the new version, test all familiar scenarios, and give us feedback for any issues or concerns you might have before September.

Submit your feedback through Help > Report an issue in the client or request additional functionality via our UserVoice Suggestion box. We look forward to your feedback, comments, and help in ensuring the new client meets all your needs.

Elesar have released an updated version of Font Directory Pro. As the version number suggests, this is just an incremental update. It does add one really useful feature (suggested by a user) to allow text on the global clipboard to be used in the application.

It is good to see the software being updated, and Elesar are always keen to hear if you have any other ideas for improving the software.

The update is free to existing users (you should have received an email if you are registered) and can be purchased online

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Citrix Ready, Synergy & H.265 10ZiG are annual exhibitors of Citrix Synergy and this year gave us the opportunity for our CTO to take some time with the Citrix Ready Team. Kevin Greenway is based here with us in the …

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The post 10ZiG: Citrix Ready, Synergy & H.265 (sponsored) appeared first on UK Citrix User Group.

For as long as many of us can remember we have been starting our World Wide Web journeys by typing http://. If you have not already noticed, many sites now require https:// to access them. As a refresher, recall that HTTP actually stands for hyper text transfer protocol, and when we add an S on […]

The post Your Guide to Secure Web Browsing appeared first on 24x7ITConnection.

One of the most resounding pieces of feedback we received from the Remote Desktop web client public preview is to remove the credentials prompt when launching a connection. We decided to squeeze that in before general availability and today a new version (0.9.0) is available for validation and feedback.

While we were at it, we also updated the sign-in experience:

New sign-in experience for the web client.

The client also moved to a new URL as part of the update: https://<server FQDN>/RDWeb/webclient/index.html.

Information about the full list of changes in the new release can be found on the What’s new for the Remote Desktop web client? page.

Note: If youre already using the public preview, there are additional steps needed to move to 0.9.0:

• Uninstall the client and module.
• Install the new module.
• Deploy the broker cert.
• Download and publish the new client.

All of these steps can be found in our installation instructions.

Call to action!

Update your web client to version 0.9.0 or give the client a first look by following the documentation to install and publish the web client using PowerShell. The client can be deployed in production and feedback can be sent to the product team using the Support Email on the About page.

The web client is supported on both Windows Server 2016 and the upcoming Windows Server 2019 now available in the Insider program.

Steve Fryatt is a well-known face in the RISC OS world and a regular fixture at RISC OS shows where his stand always has lots of interesting software.

His website hosts lots of free software including the free home accounts software CashBook. This has recently reached release 1.41

There are utilities like Locate, PrintPDF and PS2Paper, lots of games.

If you are looking to write your own software, there are Build Tools and a guide to Wimp Programming In C

Steve also has some interesting pages on his website on his non-RISC OS activities.

Steve Fryatt's website

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New downloads are available for NetScaler Gateway

New downloads are available for NetScaler Gateway