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Windows 7 Client setup checklist in Domain Windows SBS 2003

Hi,

I am doing a hardware upgrade for a small windows domain at work.
We are updating our workstations from Windows XP to Windows 7.
The Windows SBS 2003 will remain unchanged. (for now)
We received multiple new workstations with Windows 7 Prof pre installed. (Dell precisions)
Lucklyly all the email is online on the server, so there is no hassle with PST files.

I am wondering what your checklist is for client installations as I am struggeling to start.
(I added a new user on SBS and on the client I connected to the domain.)
I know there are lot more steps to be taken, and was wondering if you could help me out. :)
Thinks like deactivate ICS...

Ps, can I push certain setting from the server to the workstations as well?

Peter

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Irosha

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verhoop

ASKER

Thank, but I think this is a bit overkill! haha!

Its only for about 15 systems, so I'll make one image, and will clone it (as all pc's are the same)
My question is more how to configure the PC's for proper domain use. (Checklist in a way of disable this and that.. )

Irosha

how is your my docs structur ? have you enabled folder redirection? what specifically do you think of having done by the server?

verhoop

ASKER

There is no folder redirection.
The problem is that I am upgrading a network which I didn't create.
The former admin set up the users and permissions etc etc.

I want the server to push updates / remote viewing of logfiles/health status.

Irosha

It may be not the network you configured but atleast by browsing through the domain settings you would be able to get an understanding of what his network looks like.. :)

This is what you have to do to redirect folders:
from Server Managment> Advanced Management>Group Policy Management:
Double click on Forest>domains>your domain>In right pane: Right click on SBS Folder redirection and click Edit.
Click on User configuration 0n left>Windows Settings>Folder Redirection>
In Right pane: Right click on desktop>Properties>Under settings : choose basic and enter location for the redirect.
Do the same for Application data.
DO A BACKUP OF YOUR GPO's FIRST

and also you can setup WSUS and push updates to the PCs you can find some info on seting up WSUS on SBS 2003.
http://www.petri.co.il/install_wsus_3_on_sbs_2003.htm

verhoop

ASKER

Thanks Irosha, your comments are pointing me at least in the right direction.

There is no entry with folder redirection, so I dont think its configured on the SBS.
Question is, is it required? or is it good practice to have it? :)

Irosha

It is an excellent way for several reasons. basically you don't have to rely on desktop HDD if in case of data loss or HDD crash and if you have backup running on a daily basis you can include the home folder where the users' my docs direct to, so u are always ready with the data.

If you can do that before you upgrade to win 7 it wil be easy for you as you don't have much to backup on your users PC. so after doing upgrade u just have to point your user's my doc to the folder in the homefolder(server) nothing lost!

verhoop

ASKER

Cool, perfect.. Definitely going to put that on there..but as I said.. the entry "folder redirection" is not listed on the
"Forest>domains>your domain> SBS Folder redirection"
Is it something that should be separately installed or activated on the SBS?

verhoop

ASKER

I found it.. its under users on the Server management.
Perfect.. just activated it.

Irosha

did you have a look on WSUS .. hope you find this helpfull..

verhoop

ASKER

Thanks.. I just read the WSUS page.. question tho.. wont it be mixed up as the clients will be win 7 and the server is basically XP based ?

Irosha

Its not a problem at all.. u cant expct to run srv 2008 nd win7 bt if u hav da budget for it u can go ahead...
but as long as all your systems are updated with patches (windows updates) you will have no issues at all...

Irosha

you can confiure health/usage and performance reports to be sent to your e-mail on SBS 2003 under Monitoring and Reporting in server management console.

verhoop

ASKER

I just wanted to give you the points .. as my appreciation of your good info :)
The remote looking at workstations is currently not working, perhaps something wrongly configured as well.. (by the previous owner)

Good to hear the updates will go through, although.. will the updates go per individual user if I don't activate is as well ?

Thanks again
Peter

Irosha

if you don't setup a wsus server and add the clients to the server; your clients will not get the updates what you have to do is manually update them on each pc.