Windows 7 Resource Kit,   ISBN:9780735627000

Customer Rating: 

Not much I can say that isn't in the title. It is a very full and complete book regarding Windows 7 and using it particularly in a Corporate/Educational environment is most helpful. It is a weighty book and that may be it's greatest weakness as the CD was shattered and useless when it arrived. There was an attempt to ensure it's safe delivery but I think it probably needed a little more protection to take the handling of shipping.

Customer Rating: 

For a first edition, this RSK shows great promise. Too much information for those who wish to only be power users of the OS, but for anyone who needs to master and administer Windows 7, you can't go wrong with this behemoth. You would be hard pressed to not find an answer to general question or administrative need therein.

Continuing the trend set forth in prior Windows RSKs, this RSK introduces a lot of topics, but requires you to purchase additional books or read additional (and most of the time lengthy) TechNet material to fully make use of the technology or to completely understand what information they did present. A good example of this is PowerShell. The RSK and CD make heavy use of PowerShell scripts to automate tasks, but you do need to follow their How-To link if you actually want to learn the language. Another good example is the section on automated deployment. Although an excellent overview, most of the information you will need to completely perform the task you must get from one of the 7 links they provide you for resource materials.

I have also been somewhat surprised at the amount of information which is just missing, items that any administrator opting to customize the environment might need. As an example, if you're looking to deploy Win7 using the WIM on the install DVD instead of capturing your own, you will probably want to configure the Default User profile - a topic you will find minimal information on beyond folder locations and establishing mandatory profiles. Something as simple as how to configure the default background image is nowhere to be found. There are also no references to OEM configurations, such as changing the stock background image displayed when at the logon screen. Countless web sites publicize the information, but not the RSK.

Yes, this RSK is well written and an invaluable addition to your administrative library, but it won't be the last book on Windows 7 you buy/read.

Customer Rating: 

this book is just what i needed, along with win7 adminstrators handbook. very in-depth and extremely helpful!

Customer Rating: 

Large authoritative book. Designed for a departmental Sys Admin. Gets to the details of W7. Recommended for serious OS users only.

Customer Rating: 

This book is like an encyclopedia for Windows 7. I got this book, the administrators pocket consultant and the MCTS Windows 7 exam book to ramp up on Windows 7 which we will be introducing at work in the next few months. What I liked about this book is that it had material that was not easy to find on TechNet. This is a good book to keep at the office because of its size and depth. The deployment chapters and the chapter on direct access are both very useful.