Network intrusion detection and prevention and malware removal

Clean Install Fixes Long-Standing Win10 Restart Issue

A clean install fixes long-standing Win10 Restart issue and thereby vindicates conventional wisdom that occasional or periodic clean Windows installs serve as a kind of OS maintenance technique or ... Continue Reading

PS Cmdlet Turns Win10 Networks Private

Because GUI access to the control can sometimes be problematic (or MIA), it's a good thing that PS Cmdlet turns Win10 networks Private. That cmdlet is named Set-NetConnectionProfile. Continue Reading

DISM Export-Image Grabs Selected Image Installer

When I observe that a multi-image ISO file results in an installer for Windows 10 Home, I learn that DISM Export-Image grabs selected image installer for Pro instead. This lets me update my ... Continue Reading

Prepare for Windows 7 end of life before time runs out

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End-user security awareness training is a must-have

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Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 laptop slims down, but it's no tablet

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Get to know enterprise patch management tools

Unpatched software and OSes can create a huge security hole in any organization. IT should know what tools can fill in the gaps. Continue Reading

Surface Pro Boot Requires Minimum Charge

When a tablet connected to A/C power absolutely, positively refuses to boot, I learn that Surface Pro boot requires minimum charge levels to succeed. Continue Reading

Win10 Migration Survey Reveals 2018 Challenges

Jeremy Moskowitz's recent Win10 migration survey reveals 2018 challenges facing organizations of all kinds, based on 500-plus responses from 30 countries (80% US-based). Continue Reading

Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 Strange Upgrade Issues

When Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 strange upgrade issues manifest for recent Insider Preview builds, my usual troubleshooting ritual sets things right. No clean install this time, as I'd feared might be ... Continue Reading

Are you prepared to manage PC lifecycles?

IT can face many challenges when it comes to PC management, including faulty hardware and management complications. Find out if you're ready to face them with this quiz. Continue Reading

Resolve problems right with a help desk management system

Help desk management tools keep employees working after problems and outages occur. Discover the extensive benefits the right platform can provide. Continue Reading

Productivity Hurdles Emphasize Office PC Setup Benefits

Working on the road for just over a week, I realize that productivity hurdles emphasize office PC setup benefits. With a little thought, ingenuity and money, though, most of these hurdles can be ... Continue Reading

MS Smartens Update Downloads

By downloading updates from smallest to largest in size in that order, and downloading updates in pairs, MS smartens Update downloads. Now, if I could only figure out what determines update ... Continue Reading

How can IT turn off Windows 10 automatic updates?

In some cases, IT pros should disable Windows 10 updates to gain control over the process. They can use methods such as editing group policies and setting a metered connection. Continue Reading

The Occasional Resurgence of Windows.old

When it comes to post-upgrade cleanup in Windows 10, an occasional resurgence of Windows.old seems to pop up from time to time. Here's another one found and fixed! Continue Reading

MS Win7 Cert Exams Expire July 31

When S Win7 Cert Exams expire July 31 they signal that today's reigning Windows version is nearing the end of its lifecycle. With 900-plus million devices still running Win7, lots of change is at hand. Continue Reading

Why would IT manually upgrade to Windows 10?

There are some instances where IT should manually upgrade to Windows 10, including when the desktop runs older software for which IT does not have the installation media. Continue Reading

DISM Cleans Up After Windows Update

Because DISM cleans up after Windows Update adds new items to Win10, it's a good idea to use its AnalyzeComponentStore and CleanupComponentStore directives from time to time. Here's how! Continue Reading

Strange Display Behavior Gets Workarounds

Strange display behavior gets workarounds in Windows 10: right-click the taskbar entry, Alt+Space to restore the original window, or force-change then restore screen resolution. Very interesting! Continue Reading

How to create a Windows 10 security program

IT can get ahead of Windows 10 security problems by understanding its organizational needs and focusing on a few key areas, including patching and domain password policies. Continue Reading

Take the Windows 10 migration tools pop quiz

Microsoft offers a host of tools IT pros can use to make the move to Windows 10 a little easier. See how well you know your options with this quiz. Continue Reading

New types of authentication take root across the enterprise

At Identiverse 2018, speakers and attendees expect a rise in two-factor authentication, as the single sign-on user password authentication falls out of favor. Continue Reading

WUMT Resolves Update Woes Yet Again

When one of my laptops balks at completing the update check for a current cumulative update, WUMT resolves update woes yet again for Windows 10. Continue Reading

How to deploy and administer help desk management software

Help desk tools help IT manage the submission, status and resolution of employee help desk tickets. Read on to learn about common help desk challenges and the latest trends. Continue Reading

MS Answers Offers 1803 Networking Resolution

MS Answers offers 1803 networking resolution for those seeking to make nodes or network resources visible or available using File Explorer and other tools. Continue Reading

Win10 Hyper-V VMs Benefit from More VRAM

Depending on the workload and applications in use Win10 Hyper-V VMs benefit from more VRAM (virtual RAM), easily allocated using the Hyper-V manager. Continue Reading

What can you do if a Windows 10 keyboard or mouse is not working?

If users encounter problems with a Windows 10 mouse or keyboard, IT pros can follow these steps to troubleshoot the connectivity issue quickly and easily. Continue Reading

UWP Win10 Sticky Notes Backup

Making a UWP Win10 Sticky Notes backup translates into finding and copying the file named plum.sqlite to a safe place. Easy-peasy! Continue Reading

Grab New DriverStore Explorer from GitHub

Whether you're a first-time user or are running an older version, please take the time to grab new DriverStore Explorer from GitHub. It's worth using! Continue Reading

AI Drives Win10 Update Access

AI drives Win10 Update access, and uses telemetry and feedback data to target updates PCs likely to have a positive experience. Over time, MS extends updates to more PCs as the likelihood of ... Continue Reading

Sysprep Audit Mode Alternate Key Sequence

When the default Ctrl+Shift+F3 won't do it, try the Sysprep Audit Mode alternate key sequence instead: Ctrl+Fn+Shift+F3. Works for me! Continue Reading

Discover three key exploit protection features in Windows 10

To defend against memory-based attacks, Microsoft introduced three key features to Windows Defender Exploit Guard, including Address Space Layout Randomization. Continue Reading

Fixing Win10 Restart PC to Finish Installing Drivers Issue

Evidence I compiled helped me with fixing Win10 Restart PC to Finish Installing Drivers issue by leading me to the device involved, and possible fixes. Continue Reading

VDI vendors must change tack as on-premises market slows

Many organizations that are good candidates for VDI have already adopted the technology. Find out how cloud and other factors are driving changes in adoption today, and how new numbers from the ... Continue Reading

Ctrl+Winkey+C Toggles Win10 Display to Grayscale Mode

For some people, learning that Ctrl+Winkey+C toggles Win10 display to grayscale mode comes as an unpleasant surprise. Fortunately, it's easy to reverse. Continue Reading

How well do you know your Windows 10 update options?

Microsoft offers three Windows 10 servicing channels, a host of tools for managing updates and different update types. See if you can sort it all out with this Windows 10 update quiz. Continue Reading

How do the Windows 10 servicing channels work?

IT can use the servicing channels for Windows 10 to assign different deployment cadences to different devices and defer updates where necessary. Continue Reading

NirSoft NetBScanner Offers Win10 LAN Insights

After the 1803 upgrade monkey with LAN visibility for some nodes, NirSoft NetBScanner offers Win10 LAN insights to help get things running again. Good stuff! Continue Reading

How the Microsoft Teams app can boost collaboration

Microsoft Teams is an app users can work with to collaborate no matter where they're located. It comes as part of certain business-focused Office 365 subscriptions. Continue Reading

How to create an effective PC lifecycle policy

For IT to master enterprise PC management, it must weigh the productivity needs of its organization and employees against the costs of purchasing new PCs. Continue Reading

Set Win10 RS5 Rollback Retention Interval

I don't normally write much about the Insider Preview builds for this blog post. Practicing Enterprise admins have enough on their hands keeping up with current branch versions of the OS. But when ... Continue Reading

AdDuplex-based Win10 Uptake Projections Mostly Bogus

When I first saw the news, I was stunned. But on further analysis, AdDuplex-based Win10 uptake projections mostly bogus, reflecting an incomplete and off-kilter subset of the user base. Continue Reading

Two Win10 Setup.exes Offer Differing Capabilities

If you build conventional Win10 installation media, you'll find two Win10 Setup.exes offer differing capabilities. One is good to upgrades or repair an existing Win10 install, the other for ... Continue Reading

Get smart with IAM tools for your EUC strategy

Identity and access management (IAM) is an evolving market that now includes software and services that incorporate machine learning, analytics and microservices. IT departments can use IAM tools to strengthen end-user security. This month's cover story of Access magazine delves into the latest trends in IAM tools and how IT pros are taking advantage.

Also in this issue, learn about mobile and desktop malware detection and how risks differ on these devices, plus what tools are available to help. One expert column explores the reality of cross-platform mobile application development and what vendors are doing in this area. Another explains whether IT pros should consider moving away from Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and why. Finally, get some stats on IT's priorities around mobility projects.

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Desktop and mobile malware detection takes on high priority

End-user computing professionals must embrace modern Windows and mobile malware protection technologies to defend against ransomware and other attacks. Continue Reading

Tread carefully with modern Windows application management

With the Windows winds changing, IT pros must consider whether it's time to transition from SCCM to modern management via the cloud. Continue Reading

LibreOffice 6.0 pushes for enterprise viability

The debate of office suites may boil down to Microsoft Office vs. LibreOffice. The former is an expensive but consistent native suite, and the latter is third-party and free. Continue Reading

Use Windows Analytics to better support Windows 10 desktops

With the help of Windows Analytics, IT can improve its Windows 10 desktop support with tools such as Device Health, which monitors desktop performance and identifies underperforming devices. Continue Reading

HID Woes Cause Overkill Win10 Repair

When HID woes cause overkill Win10 repair, it's because I try a software fix for what turns out to be a purely hardware problem. Sigh. Continue Reading

How can you change Windows 10 update settings?

Windows 10 updates can disrupt your workflow and cause frustration. With the right settings, however, you can minimize the risk of an update getting in the way of productivity. Continue Reading

Win10 NetBIOS Names Get Weirder

When I say Win10 NetBIOS names get weirder I mean two things: they are indeed case sensitive, and sometimes the actual defined case-correct name string won't resolve properly. Continue Reading

Create an effective email phishing test in 7 steps

The best way for IT to improve email phishing security is through comprehensive testing, which helps identify which users are susceptible and what type of fake email is most effective. Continue Reading

Tread carefully with modern Windows application management

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Desktop and mobile malware detection takes on high priority

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LibreOffice 6.0 pushes for enterprise viability

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Bring Back PING in Win10 1803

As I troubleshoot an inexplicable inability to remote into one of my office PCs, I figure out how to bring back PING in Win10 1803. In short, my recent spate of networking issues continue! Continue Reading

Why Windows Machine Names Are Case-Sensitive in RDP

When the certificate warning shows up, I finally figure out why Windows machine names are case-sensitive in RDP. The machine name isn't case-sensitive, but the certificate name most certainly is! Continue Reading

Win10 1803 Gets New Bluetooth Version

Amidst a raft of other changes, enhancements and additons, Win10 1803 gets new Bluetooth version that leaves some users in the lurch, functionality-wise. Continue Reading

Windows Command Line Reference Observations

By checking which commands work in PowerShell and which have PowerShell aliases, I compile an interesting set of Windows Command Line Reference observations. Continue Reading

Citrix Analytics service brings hope for better security

As it becomes more difficult to monitor and secure applications and data, Citrix's security analytics platform is getting more attention from IT pros. Continue Reading

Win10 DCOM 10016 Errors Are Mostly Benign

Finally! A Microsoft Support note explicitly confirms what I've long suspected: Win10 DCOM 10016 errors are mostly benign. They occur by deliberate design, in fact. Continue Reading

Citrix Workspace app holds potential, raises questions

At Synergy 2018, Citrix introduced a new secure digital workspace that provides users unified access to their virtual desktops and applications, SaaS and mobile apps, and data. Continue Reading

Bring Back Basic Win10 1803 Networking

The demise of HomeGroup makes it necessary to bring back basic Win10 1803 networking for Workgroup based Windows networks. Here's how! Continue Reading

MS Publishes Big Free Command Line Reference

Last Friday, my partner in crime at Win10.Guru, Kari Finn, sent me a link to a very interesting document. It comes from the Microsoft Download Center and shows up with very little descriptive ... Continue Reading

1803 May Drop Spectre Patches on Some PCs

According to some usually reliable observers and experts, Windows 10 Version 1803 may drop Spectre Patches on some PCs. Here's how to check if any of your PCs are affected. Continue Reading

Top Windows 10 April 2018 Update features you need to know

Microsoft's latest update to Windows 10 helps IT pros and users alike. On the user front, Focus Assist can help employees silence notifications while they work. Continue Reading

How can IT convince users of the benefits of Windows 10?

Users may not see the Windows 10 improvements as an upgrade from their current OS. As a result, IT must highlight relevant new features to gain user support. Continue Reading

Win10 1803 Sometimes Creates Phantom Recovery Drive

Thanks to a minor but annoying error, Win10 1803 sometimes creates phantom Recovery Drive during the upgrade process. Here are two easy fixes to make it go away. Continue Reading

Four Windows 10 migration tools to consider

With the right tools -- such as the Windows ADK or MAP -- at their disposal, IT pros can take some of the headaches out of a move to Windows 10. Continue Reading

Tune Into PortableApps.com

If you tune into PortableApps.com and use their platform, you'll find a great way to take tools, utilities and applications with you onto any PC. Great stuff! Continue Reading

Conquer the end-user productivity balancing act

Keeping users productive is one of the most critical jobs IT pros have. But there are some hurdles to jump, including understanding the risks with collaboration tools. Continue Reading

Finding Windows Defender Security About Info

It turns out that finding Windows Defender Security About info is a little convoluted, but checking its Settings will point you in the right direction. Continue Reading

Are you prepared for a Windows 10 transition?

When IT executes a transition to Windows 10, it must understand all the potential pitfalls inherent in an OS migration. Quiz yourself to see if you are ready for this challenge. Continue Reading

Skippy Shows Off Lean Win10 Edition

The Windows Insider Skip Ahead Preview, aka Skippy Shows Off Lean Win10 Edition as a new SKU pops up in Build 17650. Continue Reading

Windows application management software comes to IT's aid

Application management software is a necessity for organizational continuity and security. Without any such software, absent patches threaten end users' applications. Continue Reading

Manage Windows 10 desktops, mobile devices with EMM software

Windows 10 supports crucial functions that enable enterprise mobility management. IT must follow a few important steps to prepare desktops for management through EMM. Continue Reading

Microsoft says RDSH is coming to a Server 2019 preview soon. (Update: It's back!)

There’s still speculation about multi-user Windows 10, though. Continue Reading

Build 1803 Equals April Update

Based on the content of the Edge Welcome screen in Build 17134, it seems pretty safe to proclaim that Build 1803 Equals April Update. Continue Reading

Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities show haste makes waste

When the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities came to light, everyone scrambled to find a fix. As a result, the patching process has been anything but smooth. Continue Reading

God Mode Causes Win10 Office URL Insert Fail

If God Mode Causes Win10 Office URL Insert Fail and pasting URLs causes Word, Excel and so forth to crash, delete the God Mode parent folder to fix this problem. Continue Reading

Workflow automation software improves LA court productivity

Court's in session, and the jury is unanimous: Automation software can help IT departments provide simpler workflows for end users on both desktops and mobile devices. Continue Reading

How to create a custom Windows 10 image for deployment

IT pros can build a Windows 10 image with custom apps, Start menu tools and more that they can easily deliver throughout the organization. Continue Reading

Windows Server 2019 RDSH is a go

After some confusing messaging about whether Remote Desktop Session Host would be in Windows Server 2019, Microsoft said the role will in fact be coming to the preview and official release. Continue Reading

Garrison’s unique hardware-based remote browsing brings some interesting advantages

This remote browser is meant to keep the nasties of the internet out of your environment. Continue Reading

Four Windows 10 built-in security features to know

IT needs an effective plan to maximize security for Windows 10 and get the most out of its built-in features. Continue Reading

How to get the best desktop support SLA bang for your buck

IT can save money on its desktop service-level agreements by mixing and matching the level of support to meet the importance of the device. Continue Reading

When USB Hub Gets Weird Win-RAID Provides Fix

When USB hub gets weird Win-RAID provides fix for MIA Asmedia device. It's got modded drivers for Intel, and most other USB hubs and controllers, too. Worth checking out! Continue Reading

MS Releases Open Source Win3.0 File Manager

In an interesting surprise move, MS Releases Open Source Win3.0 File Manager. Works like a champ on Windows 10, too! Continue Reading

Maximize PC lifespans with effective PC lifecycle management

Effectively managing PC lifecycles can lead to significant cost savings via prudent distribution of high-performance hardware and purchasing new devices only when it is critical. Continue Reading

Intel Excludes Older CPUs from Spectre Updates

Intel excludes older CPUs from Spectre updates. I summarize the charts to identify newly-added microcode updates, and CPUs for which updates will not be available. Continue Reading

MPP IT Support Track Offers Interesting Insights

For those interested in working in tech support, but also for those into understanding Microsoft, the MPP IT Support Track offers interesting insights. Continue Reading

Myerson's Farewell Reveals Interesting Win10 Stats

Myerson's farewell reveals interesting Win10 stats -- specifically that the total number of Win10 users is closing in on 700M with 15M members in the Windows Insider program. Continue Reading

Microsoft Edge web browser has a long way to go against Chrome

Recent updates to Chrome continue to increase its viability for business users, which could make it difficult for Microsoft's Edge web browser to take over shares of Google's in the enterprise. Continue Reading

Macrium Reflect Upgrade Cancels Backup Schedules

As I follow my twice-monthly drive cleanup routine, I realize that Macrium Reflect upgrade cancels backup schedules. Can't have that! Continue Reading

Support for Macs in the enterprise: Three factors to consider

There's no way around it: Many users just love Apple products. IT pros that want to support Macs in the workplace must take into account several considerations. Continue Reading

What Microsoft Outlook alternatives can IT choose from?

When IT pros are seeking an alternative to Outlook, they should consider the features their users need the most and select an email client that best matches those needs. Continue Reading

AI tools fall into the hands of end users

Machine learning capabilities have made applications smarter, but IT pros are still in the early days of learning AI skills. Luckily, some tools only require the knowledge of an end user. Continue Reading

It's time to relinquish control over operating system updates

For the most part, vendors and manufacturers are in control of operating system updates today. IT admins won't be getting their powers back anytime soon. Continue Reading

KB4089848 Poses Widely Reported Win10 Problems

With oodles and scads of users reporting issues, KB4089848 poses widely reported Win10 problems that occur often enough and with severity sufficient to make it advisable to block this update outright. Continue Reading