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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Feature
14 Aug 2026
Are Copilot+ PCs worth it? Evaluating AI-powered Windows PCs
Copilot+ PCs are high-performance Windows 11 computers that enable local AI processing, extended battery life and AI features like Windows Studio Effects and Live Captions. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2026
Understanding how GPOs and Intune interact
Group Policy and Microsoft Intune are both mature device management technologies with enterprise use cases. IT should know how to pick between these tools, or when to use both. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Jan 2015
Microsoft Windows history: A 30-year timeline
Microsoft celebrates 30 years of the Windows operating system when it ships Windows 10 this fall. Here's a look at Windows history -- bumps and all. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Jan 2015
What are the concerns around the Windows 7 end of life?
As the Windows 7 end of life arrives, IT admins must find extended support for the OS. Microsoft provides some help, but it won't always be free. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Jan 2015
How do I remove admin restrictions from Windows 7 laptops?
To relax the usual restrictions on Windows 7 laptops, use the Windows administrator account, but remember to record your password. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Dec 2014
Registry tweaks can speed up Windows 8 performance
Our latest article on using the Windows registry to improve Windows 8 performance looks at disk access and shutting down Windows Store apps Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2014
Four utilities can verify Group Policy object settings
Client-side extensions could cause a Group Policy object to fail. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to track down Windows GPO settings. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2014
How to enable Windows 8.1 kiosk mode for Modern apps
It's possible to control user application access on startup with Assigned Access, but note that Windows 8.1 kiosk mode works only for Modern apps. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Sep 2014
Windows kiosk mode locks down PCs, but note workarounds
Switching from the Windows Explorer shell to a particular app can be useful for single-purpose devices, but users can still foil Windows kiosk mode. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Sep 2014
Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE)
The Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment, or Windows RE, is a simplified, scaled-back version of the Windows operating system that is used to boot the system when Windows 8.x, Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 can't. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Aug 2014
Using tools to back up and restore bootable USB device images
Do you have more install or diagnostic environment images to manage than physical UFDs? Learn how to back up and restore bootable USB device images. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2014
Save WIM file space with WIMBoot in Windows 8.1 update
With Windows 8.1 Update 1, it's possible to boot desktops directly from a WIM file. Follow these steps to create WIMBoot images and save disk space. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2014
How to perform a Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8.1
As organizations must now implement a Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8.1, they should understand that Windows 8 and 8.1 aren't identical and use the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
10 Apr 2014
Five Windows Sysinternals utilities can aid in desktop troubleshooting
There are many free tools in the Windows Sysinternals suite, but some might help admins more than others for viewing data and managing desktops. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
20 Mar 2014
Ten hidden Windows command prompt tricks
Every desktop admin should have these command prompt tricks up their sleeves to save time and make Windows management easier. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Mar 2013
AppX file
AppX is the application distribution file format that was introduced with Microsoft Windows 8. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Sep 2011
Microsoft Windows 7 Task Manager troubleshooting tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips for Microsoft Windows 7's improved Task Manager -- from identifying processes and services to using the Resource Monitor. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Jul 2011
Auto-Update for KB2310138 Spreads Consternation for MSE Users
OK, so if you're running Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) installed then you must figure out what to do with an update that Microsoft pushed yesterday in its increasingly typical "2nd Patch ... Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2010
Creating an IT admin's PowerShell toolbox
The PowerShell scripting tool in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 should be the staple of any IT administrator's toolbox. Learn how it can help you. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Aug 2010
Where does Windows store its temporary files?
The temporary files generated by Windows can pile up and become a security hazard. Learn how to track them down and tidy up your systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2010
How to crack a password
Expert Brien Posey describes some techniques used to crack Windows passwords and offers several defenses against attack. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Apr 2010
What is a Microsoft hotfix?
Hotfixes can solve an array of problems in your enterprise, but they have certain limitations and need to be managed properly. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jan 2010
Top 5 registry keys for Windows 7
Use these helpful Windows 7 registry keys to manage user account control, prevent the computer from rebooting after installing patches and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2008
The 10 most common Windows security vulnerabilities
Most Windows networks, including yours, have a number of security holes. Fortunately, though, many of these holes can be filled quickly and easily before they pose a major threat to your business-critical data. In this tip, learn what security expert Kevin Beaver feels are the 10 most common and correctable Windows security vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Aug 2008
key-value pair (KVP)
A key-value pair (KVP) is a set of two linked data items: a key, which is a unique identifier for some item of data, and the value, which is either the data that is identified or a pointer to the location of that data. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
04 Mar 2008
Windows XP Troubleshooting Tutorial
Need help troubleshooting Windows XP? This tutorial features tons of tips and tricks that admins can use to solve a variety of system and network problems, with advice on troubleshooting Windows XP system startup issues, printer problems and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2007
Troubleshooting Windows XP Device Manager error codes
Windows XP Device Manager alerts you if a system's hardware malfunctions, but often you need an advanced degree in unraveling cryptic code in order to understand the problem. Device Manager's error codes may be puzzling, but once you crack them, you'll be well on your way to fixing whatever hardware issues you're up against. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Oct 2007
Use Driver Query to resolve device driver problems
The Driver Query utility may not be perfect, but it can help to compile a device driver usage history. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Sep 2007
Can I delete certificates from the CA?
Learn how you can manage Microsoft security certificates and improve Internet Information Services (IIS) security. Continue Reading
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Answer
25 Jul 2007
How to use GPOs to deny folder permissions
You can use a Group Policy Object (GPO) to deny folder permissions in Windows. Find out how to manage folder permissions with GPOs with this advice from Kevin Beaver. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2007
Fast Reboot: quick reboot utility for Windows
Windows' shut down/reboot process is not that snappy; it can take a couple of minutes for everything to terminate and be written to disk. You can initiate a reboot quickly with a tool like Fast Reboot, which performs the usual quick-reboot/shutdown functions from the command line. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Jun 2007
Prevent copying files from shared folders to remote computers
It's a tricky issue -- how to stop users from copying files from shared folders. Learn how to manage a user's file and folder copying rights with this advice from Windows security expert Kevin Beaver. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 May 2007
Installing device drivers in Windows Vista
Learn how to install pre-existing and new device drivers in Windows Vista, in this excerpt from William R. Stanek's Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Mar 2007
Restricting user permissions in folders
If you have a question about managing the permissions of a folder in your domain, this advice from Jonathan Hassell tells you how to set those permissions and prevent users from deleting that folder. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2007
What to do if system hangs when building DMI pool
When powered on, a PC creates the DMI pool, which shows the devices available to the BIOS. If a PC hangs at this point, here are some possible culprits. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Oct 2006
Device drivers: Installation and configuration
To install hardware devices on Windows servers, admins must install the appropriate device drivers first. Here are some guidelines for installing, configuring and troubleshooting device drivers. Continue Reading