Microsoft cloud and virtualization
As administrators virtualize applications on Hyper-V and push workloads into the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, they need a reliable resource for information. This Microsoft cloud and virtualization topic center offers updates and advice on how to get the most out of emerging technologies, such as Docker containers.
Top Stories
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
How to build a Windows Server 2022 home lab and why
It's possible to get to learn about the features in the latest Microsoft server OS in a cloud environment, but there are a few reasons to stay grounded with this approach. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2021
Microsoft Azure Stack HCI adds Arc, virtual desktop support
Azure Stack HCI users now have more management features, better integration with Arc and the ability to run Windows virtual desktops. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2022
Follow these steps to remove the last Exchange Server
Organizations that were unable to uninstall their last Exchange Server from the on-premises environment can now do so if they fulfill the requirements. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2022
Microsoft resolves 6 zero-days on November Patch Tuesday
Two Exchange Server zero-days discovered in September get security updates this month along with four Windows vulnerabilities that had been actively exploited. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Nov 2022
Kusto Query Language primer for IT administrators
Administrators who use Microsoft cloud services, such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft 365, can learn how to pull information from those products with KQL queries. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
How to build a Windows Server 2022 home lab and why
It's possible to get to learn about the features in the latest Microsoft server OS in a cloud environment, but there are a few reasons to stay grounded with this approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2022
How to perform an AD group membership backup and restore
You can fix some problems with Active Directory with a few clicks, but things get difficult when they involve many layers of group membership. Here's a few ways to avoid trouble. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2022
How to avoid common GPO backup and restore problems
Group Policy Objects help admins maintain control of the enterprise environment, but it takes some planning to understand how to properly protect and recover GPOs to avoid trouble. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
12 Oct 2022
Microsoft Ignite 2022 conference coverage
News related to the tech company's ever-expanding portfolio of cloud offerings is expected to take center stage at the Seattle-based event happening from Oct. 12 to 14. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2022
Microsoft resolves Windows zero-day on October Patch Tuesday
The company released mitigation instructions for two Exchange Server zero-days discovered late last month but had no security updates to close the flaws on the email platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2022
How to decide on what Office 365 add-on licenses to use
Missing certain functionality and want to supplement your subscription to Office 365 or Microsoft 365? Find out what extras make sense for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2022
Consider Azure AD group-based licensing for Office 365 users
Administrators who manage many users can go one step further toward streamlining license assignments by taking advantage of a new feature from Microsoft. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2022
Windows zero-day quashed for September Patch Tuesday
A relatively light patching workload awaits admins this month, but a "wormable" threat should increase the sense of urgency to rapidly deploy Microsoft's batch of fixes. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Aug 2022
Learn to monitor group memberships with PowerShell
Use PowerShell automation to build reports in local group memberships on a server and security groups in Active Directory to keep tabs on any irregular behavior. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2022
Learn to work with Microsoft's New Commerce Experience
With some extra effort in the planning stages, it's possible to control costs in Office 365 and Microsoft 365 with the new seat-based licensing model. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
25 Aug 2022
How to build a vulnerability scanner with PowerShell
What do you do if there's a zero-day threatening your organization? When you need to act fast, use PowerShell to uncover vulnerabilities hiding in your environment. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 Aug 2022
Learn to perform a DNS backup and restore
DNS outages cause connectivity issues that prevent basic tasks from executing properly. Understand how to perform a restore for a DNS zone, which is not always intuitive. Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2022
DogWalk zero-day squashed on August Patch Tuesday
In addition to a long-simmering bug in the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool, Microsoft corrects a sizeable number of flaws in its Azure Site Recovery product. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2022
Explore print server alternatives to avoid IT headaches
Increased difficulties related to printing have many organizations exploring their options. See what these third-party print management alternatives have to offer. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
15 Jul 2022
Learn how to set up Windows Server 2022 SMB compression
Microsoft added SMB compression to the new server OS to reduce bottlenecks when transferring files with Windows-based file shares. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Jul 2022
These Azure Logic Apps examples assist with your admin needs
Admins can get some automated assistance with provisioning and monitoring by learning how to work with triggers in Microsoft's integration platform as a service. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2022
Do you meet all the modern authentication requirements?
Microsoft's push to a more secure method for user authentication and authorization could catch some enterprises flat-footed if IT hasn't done its homework. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
27 Jun 2022
How to set up Exchange Online modern authentication
Microsoft plans to tighten up security on its hosted email platform to prevent attackers from gaining access to user credentials. Is your organization ready? Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2022
Send automated messages with this Azure Logic Apps tutorial
Learn to use the Microsoft cloud-based product to automatically send an email or a message from Microsoft Teams when you need to know if a task completed properly. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jun 2022
8 WSUS alternatives for patch management
Compare the features and functionality of eight prominent patch management tools for Microsoft OSes and third-party applications to find the right option for your organization. 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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News
14 Jun 2022
Microsoft fixes Follina zero-day for June Patch Tuesday
A Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool flaw disclosed on May 30 and exploited in the wild gets resolved in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 May 2022
Learn to work with the Office 365 unified audit log
Administrators who need to check on suspicious activities in the Office 365 platform can perform a unified audit log search to help with their investigation. 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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News
10 May 2022
Microsoft corrects Windows zero-day for May Patch Tuesday
Administrators should plan on extra testing after deploying this month's patches due to the heavy concentration of fixes in three distinct areas of the Windows OS. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
Microsoft modern authentication deadline looms over Exchange
Support for basic authentication will end this year, giving administrators who haven't switched to a newer authentication method little time to prepare for a smooth transition. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2022
Why admins should learn how to use Azure Logic Apps
In an increasingly cloudy IT world, the iPaaS offering from Microsoft can bridge management gaps with automated workflows that require little technical expertise. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
Guide to Windows Server Hybrid Administrator certification
The new accreditation takes a more focused approach with exams that require knowledge of deploying traditional infrastructure components and their Microsoft Azure equivalent. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
28 Apr 2022
Avoid clock skew issues with external time source setup
Configure Active Directory domain controllers to use an external NTP server to avoid Kerberos authorization issues and other problems in your Windows environment. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2022
Windows Server 2022 security hardening guide for admins
Emerging threats continue to target the Windows ecosystem, but there are multiple methods to make it tougher to be the victim of a malicious hack attempt. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Apr 2022
Get started with Azure AD entitlement management automation
Identity governance tasks in Azure Active Directory can be overwhelming, but understanding how to use Microsoft Graph and PowerShell to work with these settings will help. Continue Reading
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News
12 Apr 2022
Microsoft plugs Windows zero-day on April Patch Tuesday
Microsoft issues corrections for 117 unique vulnerabilities this month with a significant number of security updates resolving printer spooler and DNS server problems. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Apr 2022
Use these PowerShell add-ons to supercharge your experience
These PowerShell new features and modules introduce several customization and functionality features to the popular automation tool to ease coding tasks for administrators. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Microsoft cloud certifications Windows admins should pursue
The surge in remote work means admins with skills with Microsoft's cloud technologies are in demand. You can prove your proficiency by acquiring these Microsoft certifications. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2022
Deploy an information barrier policy for Microsoft Teams
Mistakes happen, but can be costly when they involve compliance. Office 365 information barriers can prevent inadvertent sharing to protect the organization's sensitive data. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Mar 2022
How to work with an SCCM technical preview lab
System Center Configuration Manager technical previews give Microsoft customers a way to test and provide feedback to the company for its device management product. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Critical Exchange Server bug fixed for March Patch Tuesday
The vulnerability on the on-premises mail server system is one of just three critical flaws from a total of 71 bugs corrected in Microsoft products this month. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Mar 2022
Activate Windows Server 2019 with KMS or the command line
Running the Software License Manager from the command line or using Key Management Services for automatic activation can sidestep one hurdle to get going with Windows Server 2019. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Mar 2022
Learn to adjust the AdminCount attribute in protected accounts
It's critical to know how to change the settings for protected accounts and groups in Active Directory to avoid serious problems. PowerShell can make quick edits to keep order. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Feb 2022
Build your knowledge of Azure AD conditional access policies
The rapid pace of change in the modern workplace requires new methods to control who has access to what. This Azure Active Directory feature can help IT meet those security goals. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Feb 2022
How to use PowerShell with the Azure REST API
With PowerShell automation coupled with the Azure REST API, it's easy to build a script to create, power on and remove virtual machines in Microsoft's cloud platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2022
Paid and free Office 365 administration tools to consider
Newcomers to Microsoft's cloud services can use the admin portal for most tasks, but you should investigate these options to reduce the work involved with tenant management. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
After rough January, IT gets a mild February Patch Tuesday
With one public disclosure and not a critical vulnerability in sight, administrators will have time to recover from the roller coaster of patch problems from last month. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2022
Network security gets a boost in Windows Server 2022
Secured-core server is a major new security feature in Windows Server 2022, but Microsoft also introduced multiple ways to keep network connections protected in its new server OS. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jan 2022
Compare the features in the Windows Server 2022 editions
Microsoft unveiled a Datacenter Azure edition to go with the traditional Standard and Datacenter editions. See what else is new with this server OS release in this breakdown. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2022
Exchange Server woes continue on January Patch Tuesday
Exchange Server admins who had to cope with a Y2K22 error to start the new year have three more vulnerabilities of varying levels of severity to resolve for Patch Tuesday. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Jan 2022
Windows Server 2022 storage features address security, speed
Microsoft's release of Windows Server 2022 brings several notable updates to its storage and file services functionality to give new life to on-premises server systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Dec 2021
How to use Windows Server 2022 secured-core server features
Microsoft's latest server operating system attempts to prevent attacks in the data center by locking down access to traditionally vulnerable areas, such as the system firmware. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Dec 2021
How to perform Azure AD bulk operations with PowerShell
Microsoft offers multiple ways to manage users and groups in Azure Active Directory. PowerShell is one option, but it requires knowing which module to use to handle coverage gaps. Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2021
Log4Shell flaw looms over December Patch Tuesday
Microsoft issued security updates for 67 CVEs, including a Windows AppX Installer zero-day, but a Java-based vulnerability has many IT departments on edge. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
10 Dec 2021
Microsoft Teams lifecycle management with PowerShell and Graph
A rushed Microsoft Teams deployment could lead to unintended gaps in security and governance. Here's how to use PowerShell and the Microsoft Graph to regain control. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Dec 2021
Why you should plan to upgrade to Azure AD Connect v2 soon
Administrators who rely on an Azure AD Connect v1 version for hybrid identity with Office 365 should prepare for the impending retirement of several technologies in the utility. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Nov 2021
Start managing with these Microsoft Graph API features
Microsoft Graph offers several administrative advantages when handling jobs on Microsoft 365 and Azure AD, but be aware of some potential trouble spots when employing this technology. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 Nov 2021
Try these PowerShell Start-Job examples for more efficiency
It might take some effort to rework scripts to take advantage of PowerShell jobs capabilities, but it will free you to handle other work while running code behind the scenes. Continue Reading
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News
10 Nov 2021
Exchange zero-day corrected on November Patch Tuesday
Microsoft released a security update to shut down a publicly exploited vulnerability in the beleaguered on-premises messaging platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Nov 2021
Why you should consider an upgrade from PowerShell 5.1 to 7
A switch to PowerShell 7 will bring performance benefits along with expanded functionality to help administrators keep pace with changing needs in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Nov 2021
These Posh-SSH examples pave the way to Linux management
Need to work with remote Linux systems? A PowerShell module with file-handling functionality can help Windows shops looking for a reliable management platform. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Nov 2021
Slow Office 365 admin portal problems? Give PowerShell a try
IT work is frustrating enough without having to deal with sluggish admin center performance. See how PowerShell makes Microsoft service management less of a chore. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2021
Microsoft Azure Stack HCI adds Arc, virtual desktop support
Azure Stack HCI users now have more management features, better integration with Arc and the ability to run Windows virtual desktops. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2021
Microsoft earnings soar on the wings of Azure, Office
Microsoft reported revenues of $45.3 billion, a 22% gain over last year's first fiscal quarter. The company saw cloud revenue for the quarter surpass $20 billion for the first time. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Oct 2021
Control restricted content with Office 365 sensitivity labels
Learn to work within the compliance portal or use PowerShell to create and publish the labels your organization needs to maintain control over restricted content. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Oct 2021
Get up to speed with PowerShell and the Microsoft Graph API
Microsoft plans to retire technologies that admins depend on to handle Office 365 and other cloud services via PowerShell. Learn how to start with this newer management method. Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2021
Microsoft squashes Windows zero-day on October Patch Tuesday
In addition to the publicly exploited bug, Microsoft corrected 76 flaws, including four that had been publicly disclosed, in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
12 Oct 2021
Learn to work with the Microsoft Graph Security API
The API assists organizations that want to connect their security systems with a programmatic way to produce quicker results when performing investigations. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Oct 2021
These Office 365 migration tools cover more than just email
Vendors have adapted their migration products to handle more than just email as an increasing number of enterprises see the value in shifting more data away from the data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2021
Get to know the new Exchange admin center features
After a lengthy development process, Microsoft unveiled its new admin portal for Exchange Online for a more consistent look with other management areas in Office 365. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Sep 2021
Working with the Microsoft Defender for Identity portal
The security product, formerly Azure Advanced Threat Protection, taps into the cloud to uncover suspicious activity across the on-premises network. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Sep 2021
How to assign Microsoft Teams policies with PowerShell
The admin center lags behind PowerShell when it comes to Microsoft Teams policy management due to the automation tool's superior logging and visibility features. Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2021
September Patch Tuesday fixes zero-day, print spooler flaw
The two notable vulnerabilities, disclosed prior to this month's security update releases, receive permanent fixes to supersede earlier mitigation instructions. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
31 Aug 2021
Minimize headaches with these Office 365 PST migration tips
A bulk email import into the hosted email service in Microsoft's cloud takes a little effort -- and some help from the AzCopy utility -- but it's a job you can handle yourself. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Aug 2021
Fine-tune Exchange Online security for your organization
After a move to Microsoft's hosted email service, Exchange admins must learn how to tailor the integrated and supplemental security features to cover several threat scenarios. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Aug 2021
Boost security with Office 365 privileged access management
Understand how to thwart cyber attacks on privileged user accounts on Microsoft's collaboration platform to avoid becoming that next security breach statistic. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2021
More printer spooler bugs resolved on August Patch Tuesday
Microsoft corrects a Windows zero-day and two publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Aug 2021
Reduce your risk with Exchange Server security best practices
The unique nature of your on-premises Exchange Server makes it an attractive target for threat actors. Take these recommended steps to avoid being the next breach victim. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
03 Aug 2021
Working with PowerShell Secret Management and Secret Vault
The two new PowerShell modules put API keys, credentials and other secrets under lock and key to protect sensitive information in automation and remoting scenarios. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2021
What admins need to know about CMG client authentication
A System Center cloud management gateway keeps your organization's devices in compliance and running as they should, but which authentication option would work best for you? Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jul 2021
Use command-line options to edit registries with regedit.exe
Did you know this venerable Windows GUI tool has several switches for basic registry editing tasks? See what tweaks Microsoft inserted in regedit for administrative use. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jul 2021
Using Diskpart to create, delete, clean or extend disk partitions
The diskpart is one of the oldest tools in the Windows operating system that handles a wide range of disk management jobs, such as assigning drive letters and deleting partitions. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
3 Windows zero-days fixed on July Patch Tuesday
Microsoft addressed 116 unique CVEs, including several corrections for Exchange Server, in this month's batch of security updates. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Jul 2021
Reveal Windows file server permissions with PowerShell's help
An unauthorized permissions change on a file share could lock out other users. Learn how to automate a report that shows permissions on the server to find these problems fast. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
24 Jun 2021
Avoid data overflows with PowerShell Remove-Item
The cmdlet helps delete misplaced files and outdated documents, but you should tune the code to optimize execution and avoid errors when the work entails many files and folders. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jun 2021
Get a grasp on using group managed service accounts
When you create a group managed service account, it relieves some administrative duties and bolsters the security related to passwords for services in a Windows environment. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2021
Microsoft resolves 6 zero-days for June Patch Tuesday
The tech company confirmed there were signs of exploitation in the wild for the vulnerabilities that affect Windows desktop and server operating systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jun 2021
Explore the benefits behind SCCM tenant attach
When you plug your System Center Configuration Manager into the Microsoft cloud with this feature, you add more flexibility to your device management capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
02 Jun 2021
PowerShell Move-Item examples for file, folder management
You can take the pain out of regular administrative tasks, such as migrating and organizing data from your users, with these advanced automation scripts. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
26 May 2021
Use PnP PowerShell commands to fortify SharePoint management
A new PowerShell module pares down the work required to handle administrative tasks on several Office 365 services, such as SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 May 2021
SCCM driver management strategies for the modern world
Now that more users work remotely, administrators should evolve with the times and understand the range of options to deploy device drivers more efficiently. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 May 2021
SCCM peer caching matters more now than ever
The three peer-to-peer technologies in System Center Configuration Manager smooth out traffic over the network, but one might be a better fit for your organization than the others. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2021
May Patch Tuesday brings more bad news for Exchange admins
Microsoft releases four fixes for the email server product, which remains firmly in the sights of threat actors seeking new ways to exploit the system. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2021
SCCM vs. Intune: A closer look at the capabilities of each
Microsoft Endpoint Manager packages the two well-known administration tools, which have grown closer in functionality but still have some unique capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2021
How to choose between Azure Files vs. an on-prem file server
Many organizations still need a file server, but some of the advantages of Microsoft's cloud storage option might persuade companies to make the switch. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
20 Apr 2021
Generate a Windows file server audit via PowerShell
Learn how to generate a detailed report that uncovers unusual activity by users on a Windows file share without having to manually investigate every file and folder. Continue Reading
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News
14 Apr 2021
Exchange Server bugs continue to bite on April Patch Tuesday
Microsoft resolves 110 vulnerabilities, including a zero-day and four public disclosures, but the company says admins should prioritize four critical bugs on Exchange Server. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2021
Azure MFA NPS extension boosts authentication capabilities
With help from the Network Policy Server extension, organizations can expand their on-premises authentication features by tapping into Microsoft's cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2021
Azure File Sync service puts pep in hybrid storage setups
Microsoft's Azure Files offering alleviates traditional support efforts and hardware costs. Using this additional service can improve performance and keep end users happy. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
05 Apr 2021
Try default values in PowerShell parameters for flexibility
When you lock down your code to work in specific conditions, your automation efforts can fall flat. Try these techniques to add more versatility to your PowerShell scripts. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
29 Mar 2021
Cut coding corners with return values in PowerShell functions
In certain instances, a return keyword is a good option to exit the current scope of a function and to reduce the bloat from a PowerShell script. Continue Reading