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TechNet article: Mark Russinovich on Windows Vista User Account Control

I’ve received several mails asking for more info on User Account Control (UAC) since my last blog entry on Windows Vista UAC.


Mark Russinovich from our group has a new article on TechNet, “Inside Windows Vista User Account Control” from the June 2007 issue of TechNet Magazine. Mark explains in depth the architecture UAC, how its used and the benefits to users and administrators…



“Running as standard user has numerous benefits, including helping to protect systems from accidental or deliberate damage and protecting the data and integrity of users sharing a system from unauthorized access. UAC’s various changes and technologies will result in a major shift in the Windows usage model. With Windows Vista, Windows users can for the first time perform most daily tasks and run most software using standard user rights, and many corporations can now deploy standard user accounts.”


I learned more about UAC in this one session than I have to date in my work with Vista, particularly in explaining how UAC provides easy access to administrative rights. Certainly worth the time to read and reference. 


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Your questions: How do I get a Vista installation DVD if I purchased a Windows Anytime Upgrade?


Given Lance Ulanoff’s editorial this week (in the June 26th PC Magazine – I will include a link when I find it online) and a customer email who asked last week…



“How do I get an installation discs if I purchased a Windows Vista upgrade via Windows Anytime Upgrade if I have a problem with the install, or want to purchase a back-up DVD?”


We do have a process at Microsoft for getting installation discs to customers who purchase a Vista upgrade via Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU). Thanks to Lynn and Mike on the CSS team for sending the info so quickly:


If you place an order through the Windows Anytime Upgrade site (WAU) and would like a disc sent as well, you can either make that request during the initial purchase, or you can follow the steps below after you purchase:



1. Visit the Windows Anytime Upgrade FAQ page and expand question #6 and click on the “Click here to order disc”




WAU screen 1


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx



2. You will then see the Selection/Shipping/Billing page and may fill this out as appropriate to process your order.



WAU screen 2


Customers may also contact the Windows Anytime Upgrade Team with any follow-up questions through the following channels:



Phone (USA): 1-877-666-2296


Email: customerservice@na.windowsanytimeupgradestore.com

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Your questions: How can I contact Microsoft Customer Service?

In the mailbag this long holiday weekend morning…



“I have run in to a problem with my Microsoft software… How can I contact Microsoft Customer Service?”


First, if the problem or question is related to software or products you purchased through a Microsoft OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) as part of a bundle, then you should first contact that company. Microsoft OEMs include companies such as Acer, Dell, Compaq / Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba (among others). This includes questions you have on using the operating system that was pre-installed on your PC (XP or Vista) as well as any software or accessories that came in the bundle.


If the questions or support involve a Microsoft product that you purchased seperately (not part of a computer bundle), then I suggest that you visit http://support.microsoft.com/ for general information.


From the Microsoft Support site…



For information about replacement manuals, disks, drivers and service packs, product orders, policies related to copying software on additional computers, licensing, and product registration, Microsoft Customer Service is available Monday through Friday, from 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Pacific time. To contact Microsoft Customer Service, call (800) 426-9400.


To register your product and to find information about product registration issues, visit the following Microsoft Web site: https://register.microsoft.com


Other support options



  • Contact Microsoft – Phone Numbers, Support Options and Pricing, Online Help, and more.

  • Customer Service – For non-technical assistance with product purchases, subscriptions, online services, events, training courses, corporate sales, piracy issues, and more.

  • Newsgroups – Pose a question to other users. Discussion groups and Forums about specific Microsoft products, technologies, and services.

If one of these links don’t address your issue, please visit the Online Support Page to start an email support incident or call (866) 833-7088. In the States we offer varying levels of support: for example, for Windows XP Home SP2, you receive to no-charge support requests and
no charge installation support by phone. (Visit the page for contact numbers in regions outside the US.) 


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Your questions: What’s the best way to shutdown a Zune and maintain battery life?

This in the mailbag over the weekend… a question that I didn’t know the answer, and one that benefits my soon-to-be nine-year-old son….



“I have a Zune and when I turn it off by using the play/pause button down, the battery life seems to die after a couple of days. What’s the best way to shutdown a Zune and maintain battery life?”


Here is Josh Goldman’s entry on “Zune’s Secret Shutdown Extends Battery Life” from the crunchgear blog…



“Instead of holding the pause/play button down till the screen goes dim, try holding down the down button on the directional pad along with the Back button at the same time.

“This sends the Zune into a deeper state of offness. It takes just a few more seconds to get up and running again (and I mean only a few) and it’s a fresh restart, so it opens up to the home screen, not what was playing before you shut it off. But hey, seems like a small price for some extra Zune-time.”


Also see a simple trick for extending Zune battery life (from zunerama)



And of course, the Zune is now available in Pink…


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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Your questions: how do I edit video on my computer?

This in today’s mail…



“How do I edit video on my computer?“


First, a suggestion… want to know how something works? A good first stop I use at home is howstuffworks.com – it’s full of useful information on may different topics.


Now, for home video editing, click here for how computers work (many subsections), with this entry focused on computer-based video editing…



How Video Editing Works, by
Marshall Brain and Roxanne Reid 

 

Inside This Article



See also my posts on…



…and other useful posts on the web…



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