Windows applications

Lenovo unveils an Arm laptop with Microsoft Pluton security

The advanced security in Lenovo's ThinkPad X13s is through Qualcomm's Arm-based Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chipset. Lenovo plans to ship the laptop this year. 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 adds voice typing commands, revamps Task Manager

The latest Windows 11 developer build lets people use Voice Access to type characters, add emojis and select text without touching a keyboard or mouse. 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

Time is money: Microsoft's HoloLens 2 saves both

The Microsoft HoloLens 2 headset has yet to reach wide adoption among enterprises. But organizations that have embraced it have found that the AR product saves time and cuts costs. 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

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

Rebound in IT spending expected in 2021

Worldwide IT spending is slated to grow this year, as companies increase support and security for remote workers. Gartner projects spending will hit nearly $4 trillion. 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

Microsoft Teams Jumps to 20M Active Users

When MS Teams jumps to 20M active users monthly, that confirms my own personal experience: Teams is easy to learn, fun to use, and truly boosts productivity. Continue Reading

Microsoft Power Platform gets AI and RPA updates

At Microsoft Ignite, the tech giant released new updates to ease RPA and AI building across its Power Platform, as well as new capabilities for Cortana within Microsoft 365. 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

MS Store Now Includes Notepad

The MS Store now includes Notepad in app form. The old .exe version may not be with us too much longer, so download and play with this one. It's 99.99% identical. Continue Reading

Citrix performance analytics tool puts a spotlight on UX

Citrix details a new add-on to its Analytics service that seeks to improve end users' experiences by providing IT with quantifiable data on performance. 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

What’s new with Workspace ONE Intelligence & Trust Network?

Announcements focused on improving security features and automating common processes. 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

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

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

Tread carefully with modern Windows application management

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LibreOffice 6.0 pushes for enterprise viability

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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

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

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

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

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

VMware Workspace One gets intelligent

Several VMware Workspace One features announced at VMworld 2017, including Workspace One Intelligence and Mobile Flows, are now generally available. Continue Reading

Logon times play key role in virtual desktop UX monitoring

Overly long logon times for virtual desktops and applications can lead to major losses in user productivity that costs organizations real money. Learn how IT can improve VDI performance using ... Continue Reading

How does Microsoft Near Share for browser file sharing work?

Microsoft Edge, Windows 10's default browser, includes a file-sharing tool called Near Share, which is helpful, if not truly groundbreaking. Continue Reading

AI tools fall into the hands of end users

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How AI and machine learning affect end-user computing

End-user computing administrators need to start paying attention to AI and machine learning, not because these technologies will take over their jobs, but because they can bring productivity benefits to both business software and IT management tools. As AI and machine learning capabilities grow in employees' applications, IT must know how to handle them, what data they can help glean, and how to get users involved in the customization process. This month's cover story explores how AI affects end-user computing and why users themselves are at the forefront of this issue.

In addition, this month's Deep Dive article looks at chatbots and how they can benefit the enterprise. Our columnists explain more about how AI can transform workflow processes and why IT should consider Macs for business use. Plus, the Device Spotlight shines on Samsung's latest Android flagship, the Galaxy S9, which brings a few fun new features for consumer and business users.

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VMware Workspace One helps Western Digital organize 3,000 apps

The application portal in VMware Workspace One allowed IT to streamline app delivery, and the product's cloud-based model proved the right fit for administration. Continue Reading

Announcing the winners of the Access Innovation Awards

These award-winning projects demonstrate how organizations that embrace endpoint diversity, cloud computing and user experience-focused strategies can transform existing end-user processes. Continue Reading

Access Innovation Awards recognize desktop transformation

The Access Innovation Awards highlight two creative and successful end-user computing projects. One of these IT initiatives dove headfirst into cloud with a migration of physical and virtual desktops to desktop as a service, all while monitoring users and resources with a variety of tools. The other formulated a unique combination of products to deliver scalable, flexible and graphics-rich virtual desktops to diverse sites. Both of them enabled desktop transformation in their organizations to help end users do their work more efficiently and effectively.

The results were two strong end-user computing implementations that together represent this year's Access Innovation Awards winners. Read the stories of each of these desktop transformation initiatives in this special issue of the e-zine.

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How to check Windows 10 compatibility for legacy apps

Testing apps is just one way to ensure that legacy apps have Windows 10 compatibility. Find out how to confirm the compatibility of legacy apps with the OS. Continue Reading

Microsoft, Google vie to be masters of the universal OS

Developers and IT admins have to manage and build apps for a multitude of different operating systems and device types. Windows 10 and Google's universal OS could change that. Continue Reading

Taskkill Terminates Hung Processes

When Windows processes go south, remember that Taskkill terminates hung processes at the command line. Very handy! Continue Reading

How to handle Windows 10 browser compatibility issues

IT often runs into problems with legacy apps not functioning well on new browser versions. There are a few ways to combat Windows 10 browser compatibility issues in Internet Explorer 11. Continue Reading

Another Worthwhile DISM Source "Trick"

In my continuing efforts to maintain the health and well-being of my Windows 10 installations, I've continued messing about with the built-in deployment image servicing and management tool ... Continue Reading

Simple Trick Fixes DISM /source syntax issues

I've been messing around with the MS Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool since it made its debut along with Windows 8, when it replaced the ImageX tool built into previous Windows ... Continue Reading

NetBIOS Tweak May Be Needed for Win10 NAS Access

In response to a question from an old friend and colleague, I started researching what might cause a NAS connection to vanish following an upgrade to Windows 10. It turns out that certain network ... Continue Reading

Driver Difficulties Return in Win10 Build 20140

For the last three builds of Windows 10 (10159, 10162, and 10166) the OS was remarkably well-behaved in installing drivers for my newest PC (a less-than-one-year-old Dell Venue 11 Pro 7139 with an ... Continue Reading

Win10 Gets Smart About Paging Files

In working on a Windows 10 story for SearchEnterpriseDesktop this week, I came to an interesting realization. In Windows 10, MS has finally broken with tradition when it comes to sizing the paging ... Continue Reading

"Run as Administrator" Adds to WinDirStat File Visibility

I've written repeatedly about a great, free SourceForge utility called WinDirStat for this blog over the years. But just this morning, I learned something about the program I didn't know -- namely ... Continue Reading

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

"Please Wait" Can Mean "Wait Forever..."

According to MS KB Article 983551 (6/10/2010; Rev: 2.0) some computers running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 can freeze at the "Please wait" display that precedes appearance of the desktop on ... Continue Reading

How to recover from lost BitLocker PINs and startup keys

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption makes it possible to encrypt your system drive, but permanent data loss can occur if you forget the PIN or lose the startup key. This article explains some steps that you can take to regain your lost data. Continue Reading

Rootkit and malware detection and removal guide

This malware learning guide will provide several tips and tools on rootkit prevention, spyware and adware removal, antivirus tools, malware removal best practices and more. Continue Reading

BOOT.INI is gone, BCD is here

There's a little surprise waiting for you in Windows Vista: The boot options are different from those in previous versions of Windows. Learn more about the new boot tool called BCD. Continue Reading