PowerShell 3.0 for Windows 7 and Server 2008

Along with the launch of Windows Server 2012* yesterday, Microsoft released the Windows Management Framework 3.0 for some downlevel clients. In the package you get PowerShell 3.0, and updated versions of WMI and WinRM for Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP2. If you were looking for support on XP and Vista you are out of luck.

WMF 3.0 also contains the Server Manager CIM Provider that you’re going to need on your 2008 R2 SP1 and 2008 SP2 servers if you want to manage them with the new Server Manager in Windows Server 2012 or Remote Server Admin Tools for Windows 8 (RSAT for Win8 is yet to reach RTM).

Download WMF 3.0 at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34595

* Make sure you click that link to the online launch event; windows-server-launch.com has a load of learning resources for Microsoft’s amazing new Server release, especially around management and virtualisation.

Share an Internet connection and turn a Windows 7 or 8 PC in to a Wireless Hotspot (even on a VPN)!

I recently needed to connect my phone to a wireless network and the only connectivity available was a wired VPN on my notebook. It turns out that in Windows 7 and Windows 8 it is possible to turn a wireless enabled machine into a hotspot that any device can use!

Instructions

1) Run an elevated command prompt (Right Click > Run as administrator) and run the command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=<networkname> key=<password>

Where  <networkname> is your choice of name for your Hotspot and <password>is a strong secure password.

For example

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="James WiFi" key="G0dBl3ssTheIntern3t"

2) This will create a connection called ‘Wireless Network Connection 2’ which is a Microsoft Virtual WiFi miniport adapter. Rename the connection as ‘Wifi Hotspot’

3) Browse to the properties of the adapter and uncheck all of the options apart from Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

4) Browse to the properties of the Internet connected adapter or VPN connection and select the sharing tab. Tick the first box as below and select Wifi Hotspot as the Home n.

5) Create a shortcut on the Desktop called ‘Start WiFi Hotspot. This will let you switch on the hotspot on without having to type the commands. In the location box type:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

6) Create another shortcut on the Desktop called ‘Stop WiFi Hotspot. This will let you switch off the hotspot on without having to type the commands. In the location box type:

 netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

7) Note: The shortcuts must be run as an Administrator (Right Click > Run as administrator)

8) And that’s it! You should now be able to connect to your hotspot and use the internet wit other wireless enabled devices such as your Phone, Console or other laptops

To remove the settings run the command below and do change the WiFi Hotspot name or password just run the first command again with the new details.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow ssid=<networkname> key=<password>

Windows 8 Release Preview, PowerShell 3.0 and Windows Server 2012 Release Candidates – All the Links You Need

Yesterday Microsoft posted the Release Preview of Windows 8 for download. You can go and get the setup executable from:

Download Windows 8 Release Preview

If you want ISO images so you can prep some removable media, you need to go to:

Windows 8 Release Preview ISO images

Once you’ve installed the Windows 8 Release Preview, if you’re one of those lucky, lucky people who spends their day managing Windows Server, you’ll also want to get these:

Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8 Release Preview

If you’re one of the enlightened people who uses Windows PowerShell, but you can’t upgrade to Windows 8 RP just yet, then you can still get the version 3.0 Release Candidate goodness on Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 SP2 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1:

Windows Management Framework 3.0 – RC

If you’re looking to try the Release Candidate of Windows Server 2012, then you want to go to:

Download Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate (RC) Datacenter

Lots of new fun things to play with. Thank goodness we have a long holiday weekend to be able to get all this installed! 🙂