Tag: Windows 8.1

KB2918371 – Scheduled Backup Of Hyper-V Fails With Event ID 517 & Error 0x80780049

This new article from Microsoft refers to “Windows Server Backup running on the host operating system”, but I cannot say if this issue affects third party backup tools, DPM or not. REPEAT: DO NOT ASK ME – ASK MICROSOFT. Very often Microsoft has a bad habit of stating that a backup fix is for a scenario featuring a Microsoft backup product, but it really affects any tool backing up Hyper-V.

Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

  • You have a Windows Server 2012 hyper-v host and a Windows Server 2012 guest virtual machine (VM).
  • You start Windows Server Backup on the host operating system.
  • You click Backup Schedule to start the backup schedule wizard and then click Next.
  • You select Custom on the Select Backup Configuration tab and then click Next.
  • You click Add Items, select host component and the guest VM, and then complete the wizard.
  • You restart the host operating system.

In this scenario, scheduled backup fails with event backup ID 517 and error 0x80780049.

“The Update” fixes this issue for Windows Server 2012 R2 Hyper-V and Windows 8.1 Client Hyper-V. A hotfix is available for Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and Windows 8 Hyper-V.

If the problem is limited to Windows Server Backup then it will typically affect just small installations (1 or maybe even 2 hosts) and labs.

“The Update” For Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 Is GA … But Not For Everyone

The much talked about “Update 1” which is actually called “Update” (and can be thought of as Service Pack 2, after the big GA update) is out via Windows Update. And that’s it. You won’t get this update via WSUS, and downstream products.

And that’s because there’s a problem.

I applaud Microsoft for taking the following action to avoid breaking security patching:

Microsoft plans to issue an update as soon as possible that will correct the issue and restore the proper behaviour for Windows 8.1 Update scanning against all supported WSUS configurations. Until that time, we are temporarily suspending the distribution of the Windows 8.1 Update to WSUS servers.

So if you’re desperate for The Update then you can manually download it via Windows Update but forget about deploying it in business for the time being until Microsoft resolves the WSUS SSL issue.

BTW, if you are using Veeam to backup WS2012 R2 hyper-V then MVP Hans Vredevoort has important news of a hotfix from Veeam that you should read before approving The Update.

Changes To Licensing For Enterprise App Sideloading in Windows 8.1

The Windows 8.1 Update, with changes to volume licensing, is bringing changes to the licensing of Enterprise Sideloading.

Sideloading is where you can use a tool like Windows Intune to push a custom developed/acquired “Metro” app onto Windows without using the Microsoft Store. Note that Intune can also do this with iOS (free license) and Android (not looked into the licensing). The solution is nice. If the device is IT-owned, then IT enrolls the device. If it’s a BYO device, then the user electively enrols to Windows Intune via the Company Store app. And IT then publishes the custom app (and can link Store apps) to the portal that users can pull down. It’s basically a private app store for enrolled devices.

Prior to May 1st 2014, Enterprise Sideloading requires per-device licensing. And it’s pricey. In fact, it’s only sold in blocks of 100 devices. When you compare that to the free option from Apple, then that iPad or iPhone looked cheap when you needed to push sideloaded apps to your devices. This made Windows devices expensive and the 100-minimum purchase was a blocker for smaller deployments.

That all changes on May 1st 2014. According to a blog post by Microsoft:

In May, we will grant Enterprise Sideloading rights to organizations in certain Volume License programs, regardless of what product they purchase, at no additional cost. Other customers who want to deploy custom line-of-business Windows 8.1 apps can purchase Enterprise Sideloading rights for an unlimited number of devices through Volume Licensing at approximately $100. For additional information on sideloading licensing, review the Windows Volume Licensing Guide.

The Windows 8.1 Volume Licensing Guide goes on to say that the following editions of Windows can sideload:

  • Windows 8.1 Pro Update (that’s Windows 8.1 Pro with the Windows 8.1 Update, by the way)
  • Windows 8.1 Enterprise

The machines must be domain joined and have a policy setting enabled. That setting is Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > and then App Package Deployment > Allow all trusted apps to install [TRUE].

Back to the licensing …

Customers can also enable Enterprise Sideloading of trusted Windows 8.1 apps on Windows RT 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Enterprise devices that are not domain-joined by using a Volume Licensing Multiple Activation Key (MAK).

OK, what does this all cost? If you are signed up to one of the below licensing schemes then Enterprise Sideloading will be free from May 1st 2014:

  • Enterprise Agreement
  • Enterprise Subscription Agreement
  • Enrollment for Education Solutions (under a Campus and School Agreement
  • School Enrollment
  • Select and Select Plus

Other customers who want to deploy custom line-of-business Windows 8.1 apps can purchase Enterprise Sideloading rights through the Open License program as of May 1, 2014. These rights include the ability to sideload on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 devices. MAKs for these customers will be made available through the VLSC.

This license will be $100 for an unlimited number of devices.

So in short:

  • The ability to distribute custom apps via Enterprise Sideloading is added to Windows 8.1 Pro via the Windows 8.1 Update.
  • The license for Enterprise Sideloading is free to those larger customers that are enrolled to an applicable large customer volume license agreement.
  • Anyone else can get the Enterprise Sideloading license for an unlimited number of devices for $100 through an Open volume license program.

Good news, I would say.

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Clarifying The Updates Coming To The Windows UI

It appears, judging by Twitter, that lots of people haven’t been following my tweets or reading the stories by Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrott. So let’s clear up what is happening in the upcoming updates.

Windows 8.1 (and Windows Server 2012 R2) Update

On April 8th, via Windows Update, you will be receiving updates to:

  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows Server 2012 R2

These updates (6 in the package) will both prepare and update the UI of the OS. These updates are small UI changes to help non-touch users get a better experience. Instead of me wasting bandwidth, go read the comprehensive review by Paul Thurrott.

A less mentioned change is that this update will change how enterprise sideloading works. This feature allows you to push apps by bypassing the official Microsoft app store. I haven’t seen the specifics that I’ve been briefed on printed in the public so I won’t say much more, other than, it’s a great news story with cost reductions.

Windows vNext (Windows 9 or Windows 8.2)

The big changes are coming in the next version of Windows in 2015. These include the return of the Start MENU and the ability to run Universal Windows Apps in windows on the desktop.

What we know about licensing is that:

  • Windows IoT (Internet of Things): A new micro-device OS edition will be free.
  • Sub-9” devices: Windows for mobile devices will be free.

Both of these moves are to encourage OEMs to produce using Windows and to give you cost-competitive devices.

Nothing else is known. However, I continue to advise buying Software Assurance (in the biz) via EA (enterprise) or OVS (small/medium biz) for at least:

  • Server OS (it’s cheaper if you use virtualization, and license per host like you should be)
  • Any server CALs (Windows Server, RDS, etc)

Why? ….

Will The UI Updates Be Back-Ported To Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012?

No.

Does any software business do this? You see Apple doing this? Does Google do this for Android? No.

Pay attention to licensing experts next time around, and get that Software Assurance if you don’t want to be left behind. Feeling screwed? Pity, because you probably screwed yourself by locking yourself into a single version of software.

Windows 8.1 Update & Windows Server 2012 R2 Update Is Available On MSDN

The update formerly known as Windows 8.1 Update 1 is available on MSDN now as a slipstreamed build called Windows 8.1 with Update

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There is also something called Windows 8.1 Industry Update that appears to be the non-slipstreamed update for existing installs.

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Some may have forgotten, but Windows desktop and server share the same code base, even if they live in different groups within the org chart in Microsoft. Windows Server 2012 with Update is also available on MSDN:

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The Windows 8.1 non-slipstreamed update should also install on existing WS2012 R2 installations.

I was told by Kirill Andrienko that the ill-fated TechNet also has the updates.

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Event Notes: The Build 2014 Keynote – Futures

Myerson is back on stage. Now we get some futures – stuff that is coming but not soon. The next topic is Xbox (television). Universal Windows Applications will be able to run on the Xbox (One I guess). This app can also use Kinect from a single set of source code.

Kinect v2 for Windows is being updated to match the Xbox One. 1080p camera with wide field of view for a much smaller room.

The Xbox graphics platform is coming to DirectX 12 and will now also be on Windows Phone and Windows.

Now onto the next buzzword: the Internet of things. We see an Intel Quark chip (a full x86 system on a chip) which is the size of the nail on your little finger. Basically, it’s a tiny PC. He now logs into a “floor piano” (think Tom Hanks in Big) that is a PC. Belfiore is back to play the piano. We see a live debug of the data stream on the PC/piano.

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They also visually present the data on an Azure app.

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Now on to Windows. They are not announcing Windows 9. But they are going all-in on the desktop experience. Universal Windows Apps can run in a Window. The Start Menu will be back.

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When Windows IoT (Internet of Things) is available it will be available for $0.

Windows is available now for devices smaller than 9” for $0.

Now up, Nokia ex CEO Stephen Elop, the man who will run Micosoft devices. Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices will get better with Windows Phone 8.1. The next generation of Lumias are being announced. I’ll tune out a bit here.

Elop now introduces Satya Nadella, who is dressed comfortably in a t-shirt. He makes the big pitch to developers. He talks about ubiquitous technology and ambient technology and the integration with cloud.

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The DPEs previously went out to get questions for Nadella to answer. Let’s see if he deals with the tough ones or not.

Q) Why build for Windows?

A) You want to build for Windows because we are going to innovate. We are not coming at this as the incumbent. We are coming at this from many directions – hardware, services, platform, etc. They will keep pushing. Some USPs by bringing IT pros, devs, and users developers – the magic of the Windows platform. Second big attribute is to create an expanding developer opportunity. Apps can run across all device kinds and in the desktop in the near future. That’s a huge potential market. Don’t forget that there are hundreds of millions of PCs sold every year, and 1.5 billion Windows users out there. And Windows rules the enterprise.

Q) Will apps developed on Windows run on other platforms?

A) His answer suggests he gets this: crazy to abandon code. He talks about the integration with 3rd party libraries (Unity, Xamarin, and more)  for cross-platform coding.

Q) Most are using iPads or Android tablets and not Windows tablets.

A) There are multiple dimensions of competitiveness. Hardware, platform, price, and apps are those dimensions. Partners are producing a range of devices from low- to high-end. MSFT will innovate Surface. A new touch Office is coming. The key competitiveness is “how do users use the tablet in their device family?”. MSFT want to provide developer consistency and user consistency – a USP.

…. and there were more dev focused questions.

That’s all folks!

Event Notes: The Build 2014 Keynote – Windows 8.1 Update and Office for Touch

Joe Belfiore is still talking. The OS is focused on:

  • Keyboard/mouse usage
  • Enterprise
  • Use on smaller devices

He demos on a desktop and uses mouse and keyboard. There is a new enterprise mode in IE11 to simulate IE8. This lets legacy sites to access previously deprecated browser features.

The taskbar got improvements (it’s the most used bit of Windows). Windows Store apps can be pinned. A title bar now appears in apps if you use the mouse, so you get close and minimise. I have found this auto hide/appear feature to be finicky (I installed the accidentally leaked update build).

On the Start Screen there is a new power button and a search button. Right-clicking on live tiles gives you a context menu. CTRL allows you to select multiple tiles. The new Store UI will be keyboard and mouse friendly. This newer store will come at a later point.

Available on April 8th via Windows Update. Developers will get more news from David Treadwell.

Next up is the Corporate VP of the Operating Systems Group, David Treadwell, to talk about developer platforms and tools.

Universal Windows Apps is brought via new WinRT for Windows Phones. You have a common dev platform for phones, tablets, and PCs. That’s a first in the industry, and should make Windows more interesting for developers. Lots of boring Visual Studio crap here. Now there will be common identity (shared app identity); customers can buy an app once and use it on any platform. Durable content allows it to run across apps across platforms. This is optional for devs.

Kirk Koenigsbauer comes out to talk about touch-first Office for Windows (codename “Gemini”). PowerPoint is first.

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It was built from the ground up on DirectX to make it really really fast. We see how the whole thing works using the finger tip, with no mouse usage. It looks like a more feature rich version than on the iPad. The UI looks more Windows-like. What we’re seeing is still early code.

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Like with the iPad, files should appear consistently across device types. We see the same code on Windows Phone (universal apps):

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Harry Pierson of the OS Group is on stage to talk more about enterprise application needs. Some stuff about old code reuse for WinRT sideloaded apps. An old GUI app suddenly becomes a touch UI app, wrapping the old code with new code.

Back to Treadwell.

Build attendees can get the Windows 8.1 update on MSDN today.

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Windows 8.1 ENTERPRISE To Be Available For Purchase

Way back when Windows 7 was first announced, I got into a wee bit of trouble for criticising Microsoft’s bundling of the differentiating features of the new desktop OS into just the Enterprise edition. Why? That was because only those who licensed the Pro edition via Volume Licensing with Software Assurance would be entitled to the Enterprise edition. If you couldn’t buy all the cool features, then why would a business consider jumping from Windows XP to Windows 7? Sure, there were lots of good stuff in Windows 7 Pro, but all the cool business features were in the Enterprise edition.

Hmm, turns out that lots of businesses don’t actually buy SA. Large enterprises get SA with their Enterprise Agreements. Larger businesses with Select or Select Plus only get SA at extra cost – they choose this program to avoid annuity programs. In the SME world, those with OVS rather than pure Open do get SA. That leaves lots of businesses without SA, and without the benefits of the Enterprise edition that make an upgrade so appealing. And they just were not able to pay for the Enterprise edition because it was only available as an VL+SA benefit.

Well it seems that some backtracking is occurring. Mary Jo Foley reported overnight that Microsoft is to release the Enterprise edition of Windows 8.1 (and therefore lower editions via downgrade rights) as a standalone product via Select, Select Plus and Open – the two programs without SA. Going forward you will be able to buy the Enterprise + SA option through any VL program.

I think that’s a good news story to get March kicked off!

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KB2913766 – Improving JBOD Management For WS2012 R2 Storage Spaces

A very useful update, KB2913766, was released by Microsoft to improve storage enclosure management for Storage Spaces in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

This article introduces a hotfix that extends platform support for Storage Spaces in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. After you install this hotfix, storage enclosure management is improved. The improvement is achieved by adding Storage Management Application Programming Interface (SMAPI) support for enclosure awareness that enables managing and health monitoring of just-a-bunch-of-disks (JBOD) enclosures.

The hotfix is available from Microsoft.

There is no documentation to state what the exact improvements are. I know “some” stuff but I don’t know how clear I am to share it. A search based on that “stuff” revealed nothing public.

KB2928127 – Supported File Paths For Hyper-V Virtual Machine Storage

I am pretty particular about where I store virtual machine files. I STRONGLY DISLIKE the default storage paths of Hyper-V. I use 3 options:

  • Local storage: Virtual hard disks and virtual machine files go into D:Virtual Machines<VM Name>
  • CSV: Virtual hard disks and virtual machine files go into C:ClusterStorage<CSV Mount Name><VM Name>
  • SMB 3.0: Virtual hard disks and virtual machine files go into \<SMB 3.0 Server Name><Share Name><VM Name>

Each VM gets its own folder. All files for that VM, including virtual hard disks, go into that folder. I NEVER use the default VM file locations on the C: of the management OS. Using those locations is STUPID. And if you cannot see why … please put down the mouse and hand in your resignation now.

Microsoft has published a KB article to reinforce the fact that there are supported file share path formats. The wording is a bit iffy – see my above examples to see what is supported. Long story short: Place the VM files into a dedicated subfolder for that VM.