Application management

Google opens Workspace apps to developers

Google has introduced APIs and an SDK for third-party software integrations with Workspace apps. The company also unveiled enhancements to the productivity suite. Continue Reading

An introduction to Edge Chromium vs. Edge

The shift to Chromium has improved several aspects of Microsoft's Edge browser -- from privacy settings to reliability. Continue Reading

Comparing web browser privacy and security features

While the four most common browsers -- Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari -- have largely the same feature sets, there are subtle differences when it comes to privacy and security. Continue Reading

Web browser comparison of Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge

Many user tasks rely on the browser used, but not all browsers are well suited to these tasks. Learn the strengths and weaknesses of each major browser. Continue Reading

Comparing RAM usage across common web browsers

While there are plenty of similarities across web browsers, the processes that they consume RAM with can greatly differ. This may be critical information for some IT teams. Continue Reading

Microsoft will sign idle users out of Office web apps

Hybrid work puts corporate data at risk as employees use various devices to access company resources. Microsoft has worked to address that risk in Office web apps. Continue Reading

Guide to Linux patch management

While patching desktops has some universal aspects across systems, there are specific Linux best practices that Linux administrators need to know. Here are eight important ones. Continue Reading

Patch management vs. vulnerability management: Key differences

Although both patch and vulnerability management are intertwined, they differ in critical ways, and it's important to have tools and processes for executing both. Continue Reading

Creating a patch management policy: Step-by-step guide

A comprehensive IT patch management policy is insurance against network hardware and software prone to bugs and vulnerabilities that can disrupt critical business processes. Continue Reading

Use this 10-step patch management process to ensure success

Following these steps will help keep your software updated, largely bug-free and secure from cyberthreats while making patch management more reliable and less stressful. Continue Reading

Microsoft won't lower software costs on AWS, Google clouds

Microsoft plans to loosen restrictions to lower the cost of running Office and Windows on clouds smaller than Azure. The changes won't affect running the products on its largest rivals. Continue Reading

Microsoft responds to cloud antitrust complaints

Microsoft has drawn antitrust scrutiny for rules that make it more expensive to run Windows and Office on rivals' clouds. The company promised a fix but has provided no details. Continue Reading

Understanding the features of Windows 11 Enterprise

IT admins considering a migration to Windows 11 should learn how the features of the Enterprise edition can benefit their organizations. Continue Reading

File Explorer tabs reappear in new Windows 11 preview build

The latest Windows 11 developer build lets people open multiple folders in the file management app. The feature is supposed to cut down on time switching between folders. Continue Reading

Microsoft boosts productivity in Windows 11 through taskbar

The latest Windows 11 update lets video conference participants use the taskbar to mute and unmute audio and share content without opening the Teams app. Continue Reading

Microsoft brings parity to OneNote web, desktop apps

OneNote web app users will be able to set a view-only mode, copy and paste objects without changing their format, and perform other functions found in the desktop version. Continue Reading

Apple working with Dropbox, Microsoft to fix macOS 12.3

Apple said it will work with Dropbox and Microsoft on the macOS 12.3 problem that prevented their file storage software from running correctly on the upcoming version of the OS. Continue Reading

Microsoft gets kudos for bringing OneDrive to Apple M1 Macs

OneDrive will soon run on ARM-based laptops, joining Box, Dropbox and Google storage services. Analysts said the ARM-based laptop market will grow in the coming years. Continue Reading

Microsoft to increase monthly subscription costs by 20%

Monthly subscribers to Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Windows 365 will have to pay a premium or switch to an annual pricing model starting July 2022. Continue Reading

Microsoft Loop adds project management to 365

Loop lets teams track project status while editing documents in a single app. The Microsoft 365 software works with Word, PowerPoint and Excel document snippets. Continue Reading

Microsoft could make Edge default browser for opening links

People might no longer be able to use workarounds like EdgeDeflector to set another browser, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, as their default for opening links. Continue Reading

Microsoft Loop bolsters collaboration in 365

Loop lets people collaborate on Word and Excel content through Teams, Outlook and OneNote. The new software is based on the Fluid open source framework. Continue Reading

The options for running Microsoft 365 on a Chromebook

Without access to the Microsoft 365 service locally, IT admins will have to consider a few workarounds to deliver Microsoft's productivity apps to Chromebook devices. Continue Reading

Microsoft announces release date for Windows 11

Windows 11 will include integration with unified communications platform Teams but won't initially include the option to download Android apps. Continue Reading

Microsoft to offer online-only Office, Outlook on Chromebooks

Starting on Sept. 18, Chromebook users will have to rely on the web-based versions of the popular Microsoft apps. Google welcomed the move as better for Chromebook users. Continue Reading

Monday.com brings document editing to project management

Monday.com has launched workdocs, targeting the document editing tool for brainstorming and goal setting. The tool is included in the company's project management platform. Continue Reading

Comparing offerings: Microsoft 365 vs. Google Workspace

Microsoft 365 vs. Google Workspace is a difficult choice, so organizations should evaluate each offering's features and pricing before they pick a cloud productivity service. Continue Reading

What's included in Microsoft 365 subscription plans

Microsoft 365 has different licensing plans for all kinds of businesses. Learn about the different subscription plans that Microsoft offers for this cloud-based platform. Continue Reading

A Microsoft 365 email migration checklist

When an organization migrates its email servers and profiles to Microsoft 365, it could use several different processes. Sort through the five options listed below. Continue Reading

Google lowers power use in latest Chrome update

The latest Chrome update changes the way the browser handles tabs to reduce CPU and power consumption. Chrome 91 also lets people copy and paste files directly into emails. Continue Reading

Samsung releases two more smart TV, PC hybrids

The new 24- and 43-inch Smart Monitors will run Microsoft 365 and support Bixby, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice assistants. Pricing for Smart Monitors starts at $200. Continue Reading

Microsoft makes PowerPoint Presenter Coach widely available

Microsoft has added features to PowerPoint Presenter Coach. The enhancements in the self-help tool provide better tips on how to improve presentations that use PowerPoint slides. Continue Reading

Microsoft makes Universal Print generally available

Microsoft wants Universal Print to replace on-premises print servers. The cloud service provides printer management and eliminates the use of printer drivers. Continue Reading

Microsoft bolsters data security in 365

Microsoft said the latest 365 security features provide better protection for corporate data. The improvements guard sensitive information against attacks and leaks. Continue Reading

Microsoft to add a text prediction feature to Word

The feature, scheduled for release next month, makes suggestions as a person types in Word. Microsoft said the predictive text feature will make writing faster and more efficient. Continue Reading

Microsoft announces Office 2021, Office LTSC

Microsoft will launch two versions of Office for those who don't want Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Office 2021 and Office LTSC will be available in the second half of the year. Continue Reading

Microsoft crowdsources notifications for Edge

Microsoft wants the crowd to determine which notification requests are seen in Edge. The company has introduced a system to show useful notifications and hide annoying ones. Continue Reading

Google adds alias email addresses to Gmail search

Google has added to Gmail the ability to search all of a person's email addresses. The more comprehensive search results make it easier to find emails within inboxes. Continue Reading

Microsoft launches Application Guard for Office

Microsoft's new Application Guard for Office opens untrusted Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents in a container to protect a user's computer from threats. Continue Reading

Otter.ai helps Google Meet stay competitive

Otter.ai provides captioning, live transcription and recording options in Google Meet. The features match those in Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Continue Reading

How to set up MFA for Office 365 on end-user devices

When it comes to authentication factors, more is always better from a security perspective. Find out how to deploy MFA on end-user devices for Microsoft 365 users. Continue Reading

How does Microsoft 365 extend Windows 7 support?

Microsoft is ending its official support for Windows 7. However, Microsoft 365 customers have the option to extend support via continued Windows security updates. Continue Reading

Google sunsetting G Suite unlimited storage

G Suite customers who enjoyed unlimited storage for years will have to switch to a plan with limits. Google announced the change when G Suite became Workspace. Continue Reading

Microsoft redirects to Edge as IE nears end of life

Microsoft will force some sites to open in Edge instead of IE, another sign the browser is nearing its end of life. Enterprise users must adapt, experts say. Continue Reading

Does Office 365 include Teams with enterprise licenses?

There are numerous issues that come with licensing for Microsoft Teams, including this key question: Does Office 365 include Teams with the different Office 365 licenses? Continue Reading

Google Meet updates close in on Microsoft Teams, Zoom

The latest Google Meet features let participants see up to 49 people on-screen at a time. Other enhancements include better control over who gets access to meetings. Continue Reading

Microsoft launches Word transcription tool

The new Microsoft Word transcription feature makes crafting notes from an audio file a more streamlined process. The service is available with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Continue Reading

Microsoft ending 365 IE 11 support in 2021

With Microsoft 365 IE 11 support coming to an end, organizations must prepare for the day when relying on the browser is no longer an option, industry observers said. Continue Reading

How to use the Office cloud policy service with Microsoft 365

The Office cloud policy continues Microsoft's trend of converging management utilities within Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and IT can manage all Office apps within this platform. Continue Reading

How IT admins can use PowerShell to monitor CPU usage

IT administrators that are familiar with PowerShell can use certain scripts to monitor CPU performance on desktops to determine the root cause of desktop performance issues. Continue Reading

New Microsoft Lists tracks info in 365 productivity suite

Microsoft Lists, launching in July, is intended to help organizations store and track selected information from 365. Lists will come with the productivity suite. Continue Reading

What IT can do when Microsoft 365 is not working

IT professionals who manage Microsoft 365 should be aware of common issues that administrators face. They can solve many of these problems with the right policy or PowerShell scripts. Continue Reading

Google Meet features counter Zoombombing, streamline mobile

New Google Meet features announced this week should make the platform better, analysts said. Google will need more to compete with Cisco, Microsoft and Zoom. Continue Reading

Ensure remote users meet data protection standards

During the pandemic, users may have adopted insecure applications as part of their workflows. IT pros must ensure remote data protection by securing or removing these apps. Continue Reading

IT must prep for the rise of the hybrid team

Phased reopenings are on the horizon, so IT pros must prepare for a hybrid team approach -- with some employees in the office and others at home. Continue Reading

How to deploy Office 365 Applications with Microsoft Intune

Organizations that deploy Office 365 applications with Intune can set various configurations, such as what versions of the deployed apps and how the apps receive updates. Continue Reading

Knoa software measures remote worker effectiveness

At a time when in-person interactions are at a minimum, how can companies tell if their employees are struggling? Knoa says user experience management metrics can help. Continue Reading

Why isn't Adobe Reader working on Windows 10?

When Adobe Reader isn't working with Windows 10, admins can take a few troubleshooting steps to rectify the issue. Begin with Adobe's AcroMonitor tool. Continue Reading

Enterprise takeaways from Microsoft 365 news

The line between personal and professional lives continues to blur, and last week's Microsoft 365 news exemplified that point. Continue Reading

Discover how Catchpoint helps end-user experience monitoring

The Catchpoint end-user experience monitoring tool supports several notable integrations with enterprise software and monitoring capabilities such as real user monitoring. Continue Reading

4 negotiation tactics for success in a Microsoft software agreement

A Microsoft software agreement requires skill and knowledge. Use these four Microsoft negotiation tactics to get the best discounts for a productivity suite. Continue Reading

COVID-19 sparks software licensing issues with remote users

Organizations face a range of issues with the spread of COVID-19, including how to support a newly remote workforce. Learn how to address these enterprise licensing concerns. Continue Reading

Which Chrome browser management settings should IT deploy?

Organizations that allow the use of Google Chrome should ensure that their IT departments understand the different settings that shape Chrome browser management practices. Continue Reading

What IT needs to know about Chrome extension security issues

Google Chrome extensions can improve user experience, but they could access a lot of user data. Admins should take control over users' extensions for security and privacy reasons. Continue Reading

Okta 2020 [email protected] report: security and data apps see growth, companies want best of breed

Always interesting to see data-driven studies showing what apps organizations are trending towards. Continue Reading

EG Enterprise v7 focuses on usability, user experience monitoring

New features in EG Enterprise v7, set to launch soon, enable simulated and real user monitoring, automated diagnosis and new dashboard and visualization features. Continue Reading

Google is sunsetting Chrome apps. Let’s look at the Chrome OS app landscape

Not many people were using these apps anymore. Continue Reading

Image-level methods for Windows application deployment

Imaging is a crucial process, but IT must also consider application deployment. Here are methods to deploy different types of Windows apps during installation. Continue Reading

Will Microsoft's Edge start a new browser war?

Analysts say the new browser fight between Google and Microsoft could be about the future of work, as enterprises increasingly move to web applications. Continue Reading

2020 Thoughts: I want browser extension security taken seriously & I will cover more desktop virt

New decade but same BrianMadden.com site. Continue Reading

Manage Windows 10 default file type associations with SetUserFTA

Windows 10 default file type associations dictate which applications open for different file types. Find out how IT can manage these associations with the SetUserFTA tool. Continue Reading

Microsoft extends Office 365 benefit to nonprofit volunteers

Thursday's announcement extends the company's September offering of 10 free Microsoft 365 Business licenses for nonprofits' employees to their volunteers. Continue Reading

Google Chrome experiment crashes in RDS. What can we learn?

Environments using Google Chrome experienced some panic last week as tabs went blank. Continue Reading

New Microsoft Edge browser gets competitive with Chrome

The new version of Microsoft's Edge browser promises new enterprise features and simplified management for Windows admins. Experts say Edge is now competitive with Google Chrome. Continue Reading

Microsoft self-service policy for Office 365 raises concerns

Microsoft will allow end users to make certain purchases in Power Platform. Office 365 admins should know what this entails and how it will affect them. Continue Reading

Is it acceptable to use ad blockers in the enterprise?

I’m a fan of ad blockers, but realize that might be a tad hypocritical given where some revenue for media is generated. Continue Reading

4 steps to check application compatibility with Windows 10

Before a Windows 10 migration, IT admins should make sure all applications are compatible with the new OS. Here are four steps to get started with the process. Continue Reading

End users will make or break an Office 365 migration

When migrating to Office 365, IT admins need to keep the end users in mind. That was the big takeaway from a training session at a Virtual Technology User Group event in Maine. Continue Reading

Google Safe Browsing can differ between desktop and mobile. Why?

Google continues to address security issues, but their blacklist service, Google Safe Browsing, doesn’t provide equal protection for desktop and mobile. Continue Reading

User experience management from Knoa shines light on SAP app use

Agribusiness company Bunge improved its end-user experience with SAP applications by licensing Knoa. The software company helped provide insights into how its users were -- and weren't -- interacting with the applications. Continue Reading

Apica introduces desktop application performance monitoring tool

Designed for Windows desktop applications, Apica's Desktop Application Check intends to increase visibility and boost desktop application monitoring capabilities. Continue Reading

You can now see if Chrome extensions are safe with Duo’s free, new CRXcavator tool

Free-to-use tool provides some additional insight into Chrome extensions across an entire organization before users install. Continue Reading

What IT should know about the Microsoft Office app for Windows 10

Microsoft released a new Microsoft Office app during an update to Windows 10. Learn about the changes that this new app brings and how to take advantage of its features. Continue Reading

IE mode unburdens IT admins by running legacy apps on Microsoft Edge

At its annual developer conference, Microsoft introduced IE mode to Microsoft Edge. The new feature will help IT admins run legacy applications on a more modern browser. Continue Reading

How to add MDT applications with Chocolatey package manager

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit allows administrators to install applications during deployment. Here's how IT can simplify the process with Chocolatey's command-line input. Continue Reading

Microsoft acquisition of Express Logic adds IoT improvements

Microsoft's acquisition of Express Logic is another example of its $5 billion investment in IoT. One expert sees the move as a step toward an end-to-end IoT OS. Continue Reading

How Google manages Chrome extensions without manually white/blacklisting each one

The key is to make policies based on permissions or runtime actions, not manually whitelisting each one. Continue Reading

Why can’t other apps get real-time co-authoring right like Google Docs?

Google Docs has been the supreme co-authoring experience for years, why can’t anyone else offer anything as good? Just a frustrating thing, really. Continue Reading

How to manage cookies across web browsers

There are pros -- saved login credentials -- and cons -- privacy concerns -- to cookies. Either way, IT should understand how to manage cookies across web browsers. Continue Reading

Government shutdown raises end-user security risks

The government shutdown could be a boon for hackers, as end-user resources are a prime attack vector. An expert explains what IT should be on the lookout for. Continue Reading

How can you improve Google Chrome management?

IT professionals should deploy Group Policies to their browsers to improve the user experience. Check out this step-by-step guide on applying Group Policies to Google Chrome. Continue Reading

Test your phishing security knowledge with this quiz

Email phishing can cause major security breaches if users aren't careful. IT must train users on email security best practices to defend against these attacks. Continue Reading

Web browser quiz: Do you know Chrome, Firefox, Edge and IE?

Users work with web browsers constantly. As a result, it's important for IT to know how to manage the top options, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Continue Reading

Recapping end-user computing strategy evolutions of 2018

It's time to take a look back and consider how end-user computing has evolved over the past year. AI made an obvious mark, but what about hosted desktops and new management approaches? Continue Reading

Recapping end-user computing strategy evolutions of 2018

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Advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure for virtual desktops

Advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure compared with a traditional data center setup include improved scalability and availability, simpler management and better integration. And when it comes to virtual desktops and applications, those benefits lead to better performance. This month's cover story explores the advantages of hyper-converged infrastructure powering VDI and virtualized apps.

Also in this issue, a columnist explains the evolution of desktop storage and how the cloud continues to be the next big things in this area. Expert Jack Madden takes a deep dive into Microsoft's new desktop as a service offering, which is set to shake up the DaaS industry. Plus, this month's App Spotlight shines on Evernote, a compelling option for business organizing and note-taking. And to wrap up another year of the Access e-zine, the editor's note takes a look back at the biggest end-user computing trends and lessons from 2018.

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Top Microsoft Office alternatives for enterprise use

Microsoft's productivity suite sees the most enterprise use, but organizations can switch to certain Microsoft Office alternatives for lower licensing costs and more. Continue Reading

Buy the right help desk tools to track and resolve incidents

Help desk management tools help admins manage, track and resolve problems. Learn about the leading products and the reporting, communication and support features they offer. Continue Reading

Windows Server 2019 RDSH drops Office 365 ProPlus support

Microsoft hopes to accelerate customer cloud desktop adoption when it makes the Office 365 ProPlus suite a cloud-only product for Windows Server 2019 RDSH users. Continue Reading

How to manage cookie privacy in the enterprise

Cookies can make life easier for users by preventing them from having to re-enter passwords and preferences on websites, but they also carry some legitimate privacy concerns. Continue Reading