Windows OS and management
For decades, Windows desktops have had a massive share of the overall desktop OS market. Therefore, enterprise desktop administrators must focus their energy on building a strong management plan for the latest versions of Windows. This process includes testing and applying updates and patches, upgrading to new versions and much more.
Top Stories
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Tip
16 May 2025
How to create a custom Windows 11 image with Hyper-V
When administrators can deploy Windows systems in many ways, creating a custom VM with Hyper-V enables them to efficiently deploy a copy of one desktop to a whole user base. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2025
Microsoft tackles 5 Windows zero-days on May Patch Tuesday
The company addresses 72 unique CVEs this month, but several AI features bundled in a larger-than-usual update could bog down some networks. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2024
How to add and enroll devices to Microsoft Intune
The Intune enrollment process can follow several paths, but one of the most common and efficient approaches involves Windows Autopilot. IT can set this up within Intune. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2024
How admins can benefit from switching to PowerShell 7.4
This PowerShell release includes PSReadLine enhancements, better integration with Windows Defender Application Control and new features to ease native command use for all platforms. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2024
How IT can use the gpresult command to check GPOs
When Windows issues arise, desktop administrators can use the gpresult utility to see what Group Policy settings are in place and which ones should be applied. Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2024
February Patch Tuesday corrects two Windows zero-days
Administrators should focus on quickly deploying a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook and exercising caution when applying an Exchange Server 2019 cumulative update. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Feb 2024
How to deploy and force updates with gpupdate
Group Policy can be a helpful tool during the troubleshooting process. Further, refreshing a system's Group Policy settings with gpupdate can solve plenty of issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Feb 2024
What types of management are available for thin client OSes?
Thin client OSes present opportunities to run virtual desktop environments more efficiently, but they come with management decisions and challenges as well. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2024
What to do when Group Policy shows an access denied message
IT administrators might encounter an error message that states 'access denied' when working with Group Policy. There are a few different steps to fix a problem like this. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2024
Microsoft delivers Copilot Pro, eliminates 300 seat minimum
Copilot Pro, a faster version of Microsoft's AI tool, debuts with features such as 'roll your own GPT,' where users can build custom LLMs, along with looser license requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jan 2024
Find the best Windows 11 registry cleaner
Making changes to the Windows registry presents numerous risks for desktop administrators. Find out when to tweak the registry and what tools can help with that task. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2024
Microsoft starts year with a subdued January Patch Tuesday
For the second month in a row, Microsoft had no zero-days and relatively few vulnerabilities for administrators to address. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Dec 2023
Understand PowerShell splatting with these examples
Give this PowerShell splatting tutorial a closer look to see how to simplify complex commands to make your code more versatile, which can be a boon in team environments. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Dec 2023
How to install and set up Copilot for Microsoft 365
Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers AI-powered functionality to users, but there's more to consider before installing it. Data governance and licensing determine the setup process. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Dec 2023
Windows Imaging Format (WIM)
Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is used for the creation and distribution of disk image files. Continue Reading
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News
12 Dec 2023
Microsoft delivers light December Patch Tuesday for admins
IT operations teams should prioritize deploying the Windows cumulative update to dispatch a critical MSHTML bug affecting Microsoft Outlook. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Nov 2023
The 6 best rugged computers for business use cases
Finding the right device for a business scenario can be challenging, and adding rugged conditions to the mix can complicate things further. Learn about that endpoint market. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Nov 2023
How do you back up the Windows 11 registry before editing it?
Without a Windows 11 registry backup, IT risks breaking the OS by making edits. Find out how easy it is to back up the Windows 11 registry. Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2023
Microsoft halts 3 zero-days on November Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 67 vulnerabilities, including six critical, and shuts down four bugs in the Exchange Server email platform this month. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Nov 2023
Task Manager
Task Manager, which was previously known as Microsoft Windows Task Manager, is a component of the Windows operating system (OS) that helps administrators and end users monitor, manage and troubleshoot tasks. Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Nov 2023
Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant brings upside, cost and risk
Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant arrives for office productivity apps. Not everyone's going to buy it at once, and it does come with risks common to all generative AI. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Oct 2023
virtualization-based security (VBS)
Virtualization-based security (VBS) is a technology that abstracts computer processes from the underlying operating system (OS) and, in some cases, hardware. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Oct 2023
Windows key (winkey)
The Windows key (winkey) is a button on a Windows computer keyboard. Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2023
Chip giant Nvidia takes on Intel with Arm CPUs for Windows PCs
Nvidia plans to jump into the Windows Arm CPU fray along with Qualcomm, AMD and purportedly Microsoft as chipmakers bet that AI will take root in the operating system in 2025. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Oct 2023
Microsoft Windows Credential Guard
Microsoft Credential Guard is a security feature in Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) that isolates user credentials, such as login information, from the rest of the operating system. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2023
Microsoft tackles three zero-days for October Patch Tuesday
The company releases fixes for several products affected by the HTTP/2 "Rapid Reset" vulnerability to help curb widespread Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2023
How to access and read Intune management extension logs
The Intune management extension provides new capabilities for Windows admins, including the ability to track and analyze logs related to the management add-on. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Oct 2023
kiosk mode (Windows assigned access)
Kiosk mode is a feature in Windows operating system (OS) that allows a device to run only specified applications and settings. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Oct 2023
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: What are the differences?
Windows 11, now 2 years old, recently added Microsoft Copilot. See how it stacks up against Windows 10. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2023
Using the Intune management extension for PowerShell scripts
Intune and PowerShell have a lot of unique management actions they can take, but with the help of the Intune management extension, they can communicate and manage more efficiently. Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2023
Intel promotes new computing era with AI PC
Intel says its upcoming Core Ultra will help lead personal computing to the AI PC era by making AI processing a mainstream task on PCs, like office productivity and video editing. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Microsoft solves two zero-days for September Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 62 vulnerabilities this month, including a Microsoft Word flaw and a Windows bug that have both been exploited in the wild. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Aug 2023
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools)
RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) refers to a set of tools from Microsoft that enable IT administrators to remotely manage roles and features in Windows Server from a computer that is running Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a service in Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes) that allows download from and upload of files to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web servers and Server Message Block (SMB) file servers. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Aug 2023
Local Group Policy Editor
Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a user interface for managing local Group Policy settings on a Windows computer. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Aug 2023
Amazon WorkSpaces finally supports Office 365, but why now?
Microsoft has finally walked back one very specific angle of its Office 365 licensing policy, allowing enterprises to run it on Amazon WorkSpaces. Will others follow? Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2023
Several Exchange Server flaws fixed on August Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addresses 74 vulnerabilities this month with the on-premises email server platform returning to the spotlight with corrections to close six security holes. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Aug 2023
How to use Reliability Monitor to manage servers
The utility gives administrators a way to look back over time to see what driver updates, software installations or hardware crashes might be related to the sudden instability. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Aug 2023
BIOS password
A BIOS password is authentication information that's sometimes required to log into a computer's basic input/output system (BIOS) settings before a computer boots up. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jul 2023
A guide to Intune Suite licensing for endpoint management
With the changes to the structure of Intune and the end of Microsoft Endpoint Manager, organizations will need to reevaluate their endpoint management licensing options. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Jul 2023
Microsoft Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is Microsoft's email, calendaring, contact, scheduling and collaboration platform. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP)
Resultant Set of Policy (RSoP) refers to all the group policies applied to a user and computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jul 2023
Windows as a service
Windows as a service is the approach Microsoft introduced with Windows 10 to deploy, update and service the operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jul 2023
Windows reboot loop
A reboot loop (or boot loop) occurs when a Windows device unexpectedly restarts at some point during its startup process. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Jul 2023
System Restore (Windows)
System Restore is a Microsoft Windows utility designed to protect and revert the operating system (OS) to a previous state. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jul 2023
5 techniques to debug network issues in Linux and Windows
Debugging a network issue should start with basic troubleshooting. If that doesn't fix it, admins should check, verify and configure connections to the client, server and network. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
Microsoft repairs 5 zero-days for July Patch Tuesday
The company addressed 130 vulnerabilities and provided additional instructions to fully resolve several bugs, which will require extra attention from IT this month. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Jul 2023
context menu (right-click menu)
A context menu is a pop-up menu that provides shortcuts for actions the software developer anticipates the user might want to take. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Jul 2023
Internet Explorer (IE)
Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser that formerly came bundled with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2023
Microsoft Windows File Explorer
Microsoft Windows File Explorer is a graphical file management utility for the Windows operating system (OS). Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Jun 2023
HyperTerminal
HyperTerminal is a communications and terminal emulation program that came with the Windows 98 and Windows XP operating systems. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2023
June Patch Tuesday settles two Exchange Server bugs
Microsoft's plans for upcoming security hardening in Kerberos and Netlogon protocols will have admins busy with testing over the next several weeks. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 May 2023
What does the new Microsoft Intune Suite include?
With all the recent name changes with Microsoft's endpoint management products and add-ons, IT teams need to know what Intune Suite -- Microsoft's latest bundle -- offers. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 May 2023
Improve automation skills with the AD Administrative Center
You might know that you can use PowerShell to handle repetitive Active Directory tasks. But were you aware the Active Directory Administrative Center can help write the code? Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2023
Light May Patch Tuesday will weigh heavily on Windows admins
A zero-day that targets the Secure Boot feature will require extensive work from sysadmins to protect Windows systems from the Black Lotus bootkit. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 May 2023
FDISK
FDISK is a disk utility included in all versions of MS-DOS, Windows and Linux for formatting or partitioning a hard disk drive, or to delete different portions of it. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2023
Get a grip on your infrastructure with a custom MMC
Microsoft provides great administration tools, such as PowerShell and Server Manager. But don't neglect the venerable Microsoft Management Console for its flexibility. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Apr 2023
Microsoft Windows 10 Shared PC Mode
Microsoft Windows 10 Shared PC Mode is an operating system feature that allows IT administrators to configure computers for multiple user access. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Apr 2023
Microsoft Windows Defender Device Guard
Windows Defender Device Guard is a security feature for Windows 10 and Windows Server designed to use application whitelisting and code integrity policies to protect users' devices from malicious code that could compromise the operating system. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Apr 2023
Are devices that run only Microsoft Teams in our future?
Microsoft Teams has consistently grown and added new functionality, so what's next for this feature-rich platform? Maybe a dedicated device for Teams could be in the future. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2023
Setting up Windows 11 kiosk mode with 4 different methods
Windows 11 kiosk mode offers improvements over previous versions for desktop admins. IT should learn these four methods and choose the best deployment for their organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Apr 2023
glyph
In information technology, a glyph -- from a Greek word meaning carving -- is a graphic symbol that provides the appearance or form for a character. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2023
Microsoft mends Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
What's old is new again as multiple security updates from the past made a comeback this month to push the total number of vulnerabilities addressed to 102. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2023
Costs to migrate from Windows 10 to 11
Each organization's cost to migrate to Windows 11 will be slightly different depending on existing licenses, so IT teams should be familiar with the associated guidelines. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Mar 2023
Will Windows 11 become a subscription-only service?
There are several ways to handle Windows 11 licensing, only some of which are truly subscription-based. Find out what the landscape is for Windows licensing moving forward. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2023
What does a Windows 11 license cost for business?
There are many approaches to licensing Windows 11 along with other Microsoft business software and services, which can be daunting, but executives and IT teams can learn the basics here. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Mar 2023
Process Explorer
Process Explorer is a free Windows task manager and system monitoring tool that details which programs in a user's system have a specific file or directory open. Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2023
Microsoft stops two zero-days for March Patch Tuesday
The company corrects actively exploited vulnerabilities that affected Microsoft Outlook and the Windows OS in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2023
What do the different licenses for Windows 11 come with?
Before organizations migrate to Windows 11, they must determine what the best options are for licensing. Learn about the choices to license via base Windows 11 or Microsoft 365. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Feb 2023
memory dump
A memory dump is the process of taking all information content in RAM and writing it to a storage drive as a memory dump file (*.DMP format). Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Feb 2023
Windows Autopilot
Windows Autopilot is a desktop provisioning tool native to Windows 10 that allows IT professionals to automate image deployment of new desktops with preset configurations. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Feb 2023
Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit
Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit is a free utility IT can use to determine whether its infrastructure is prepared for a migration to a new operating system, server version or cloud-based deployment. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Feb 2023
configuration service provider (CSP)
A configuration service provider (CSP) is a component of Windows client operating systems that shows IT professionals device configuration choices and allows them to apply the settings across multiple Windows OSes. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Feb 2023
How Windows 11 Print Management can fix printer issues
With the Print Management utility in Windows 11, IT administrators can perform all sorts of tasks, such as troubleshooting user issues, restarting devices and much more. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Feb 2023
Windows 7
Windows 7 is the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) released commercially in October 2009 as the successor to Windows Vista. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2023
4 steps to troubleshoot Windows 11 network issues
When IT administrators encounter problems with a Windows 11 network connection, they have plenty of options to fix the issue. Learn the steps to troubleshoot these issues. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jan 2023
How to fix Windows 11 when Secure Boot and TPM don't work
When organizations consider upgrading to Windows 11, they'll encounter several unique requirements, including TPM 2.0, UEFI and Secure Boot. Learn how to handle these requirements. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Jan 2023
QWERTY keyboard
The QWERTY (pronounced KWEHR-tee) keyboard is the standard typewriter and computer keyboard in countries that use a Latin-based alphabet. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jan 2023
5 steps to identify and fix Windows 11 performance issues
Windows 11 administrators may encounter numerous desktops with varying performance issues. Follow these steps to identify the root cause of the performance issues and fix them. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Jan 2023
interrupt request (IRQ)
An interrupt request (IRQ) is a signal sent to a computer's processor to momentarily stop (interrupt) its operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Nov 2022
cursor
A cursor is the position indicator on a computer display screen where a user can enter text. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Nov 2022
Windows 10 (Microsoft Windows 10)
Windows 10 is a Microsoft operating system for personal computers, tablets, embedded devices and internet of things devices. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Nov 2022
How to monitor Windows files and which tools to use
Monitoring files on Windows systems is critical to detect suspicious activities, but there are so many files and folders to keep track of. This is where automation tools come in. Continue Reading
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News
21 Oct 2022
Latest Windows 11 update adds tabbed File Explorer
The latest Windows 11 update offers a tabbed File Explorer for rearranging files and switching between folders. The OS also includes collaboration features through OneDrive. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Sep 2022
How Windows 11 Safe Mode works and when to use it
Windows 11 desktops can run into problems that don't have a clear cause. Safe Mode runs a pared-down version of the OS, making it easier to identify and solve system issues. Continue Reading
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News
23 Sep 2022
Microsoft focuses on remote security with Windows 11 update
Microsoft's Windows 11 2022 Update includes features for protecting sensitive corporate data and helping remote workers avoid malware and phishing attacks. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Sep 2022
How to fix Windows 11 when it keeps restarting
When a Windows 11 desktop keeps restarting, there are a few factors that may be behind the issue. IT administrators should understand all the possible causes and how to solve them. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Sep 2022
Top 5 Windows 10 monitoring tools for business
Users need unfettered access to all their apps and services to maintain productivity. Windows monitoring tools can verify the status of these components for IT teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2022
The role of Windows log monitoring in the enterprise
Whether organizations automate their log monitoring within Windows desktops or inspect them manually, logs can offer IT administrators valuable insight. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jul 2022
message passing interface (MPI)
The message passing interface (MPI) is a standardized means of exchanging messages between multiple computers running a parallel program across distributed memory. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2022
The Windows 11 system requirements and what they indicate
When organizations consider upgrading to Windows 11, they need to compare the Windows 11 system requirements to their existing hardware before making the move. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2022
CONFIG.SYS
CONFIG.SYS is a text file containing disk operating system (DOS) commands that tell the operating system (OS) how the computer is initially set up. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2022
Windows 11 upgrade issues that desktop admins should know
Windows upgrades have caused numerous issues in the past, and the move to Windows 11 is no exception. Learn what problems IT can expect during a migration to Windows 11. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2022
VBScript
VBScript is an interpreted script language from Microsoft that is a subset of its Visual Basic programming language designed for interpretation by Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) web browser. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2022
How to set up automated log collection with PowerShell
Gathering logs from on-premises Windows Server systems or Office 365 cloud services is a necessary but tedious job. Try a PowerShell script to ease the pain. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Jun 2022
Windows Registry Editor (regedit)
The Windows Registry Editor (regedit) is a graphical tool in the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) that enables authorized users to view the Windows registry and make changes. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2022
Windows 11 migration tools for desktop administrators
While there are plenty of approaches to a Windows 11 migration, IT should plan out the process carefully and ensure they have the right tools and products to support it. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Jun 2022
icon
In today's age of technological advancement, most people recognize the word 'icon' as referring to a small selectable or nonselectable image representing or leading to something else in a computer's graphical user interface (GUI) or on the web. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jun 2022
Completing a migration to Windows 11 with Microsoft Intune
When IT administrators plan the switch to Windows 11, they may notice how similar the process can be to a Windows 10 update if they use Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Intune. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 May 2022
graphic equalizer
A graphic equalizer is a high-fidelity audio control that allows the user to see graphically and control individually a number of different frequency bands in a stereophonic system. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2022
Query event logs with PowerShell to find malicious activity
Every action on a Windows Server system gets recorded, so don't get caught by an avoidable security incident. Learn how to find potential security problems in event logs. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Apr 2022
Windows 365 compared to Windows 10
Organizations may look at Windows 365 as a clear improvement from an administrative perspective, but a traditional Windows physical desktop environment still has its perks. Continue Reading